Garmisch-Partenkirchen II: Zugspitze

Some friends from work had been planning to climb the Zugspitze at the end of July for some time, but I decided last second I would see if I could make it on the trip as well.

I was emailing places all week trying to get a reservation for a harness and helmet (since the hike is more of a climb at times and you cannot do it without the proper gear-- unless you are experienced and a tad nuts), but didn't get a positive response until 2:00 pm on Friday. In order to make it to the place to get the harness I had to leave Munich at 3:30. Luckily, being the eternal optimist that I am, I had packed enough clothes for the trip in my backpack when I left for work in the morning (in the off chance I did manage to secure a harness by the time I could head to Garmisch with the others...) So, I left directly from work to get to the train station. I still hadn't figured out where I was going to stay that night, but I was on my way to Garmisch yet again, but I had nowhere to stay. I was determined to climb the Zugspitze, though, and those details would have to wait until I got there.

As is usual in Germany, the train wasn't air-conditioned. I was boiling the whole time since I still had my work clothes on and had basically sprinted there directly from work. It was a small price to pay, because I was really excited about the next day.

We got to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and picked up our gear-- also opting for some crampons (or Steigeisen in German which means 'climbing irons' if you translate it directly) for the trek up the glacier which was part of the chosen route through Höllentalklamm (which, incidently, means 'hell's valley'...)I had to find a place to stay in Grainau (or nearby) because that's where everyone else in the group was staying that night. I was praying I'd be able to find something since the last thing I wanted to worry about was a proper night's rest before beginning the 8 hour ordeal the next day. My back-up plan was to sleep in a park...which seemed a little sketchy at best. Luck seemed to be on my side that day, though, because the first place we saw after we got off the bus to Grainau had a sign that said room free. I walked up and rang to see if I could get the room for that night, and sure enough I was able to rent the last room in the place. The hostess was a little old German lady who spoke not a word or English and who I was a head taller than (she was really short). She asked me what my plans were in Grainau and I told her I'd be climbing Zugspitze through the Höllentalklamm the next day. She tried to talk me into the easier path and seemed very concerned about this plan. I'm pretty sure she thought I was a goner, but with good reason as I found out the next day...

2962m of Alp right there

At 5:00 am the next morning we began our trip to the Höllentalklamm at Hammersbach-- it took about an hour to reach the start of the Zugspitze trail and from there it would be another 8 hours to the summit. Everyone was pretty pumped and we breezed through the first few hours of the hike-- reaching the Höllentalklamm Hütte in less time than we thought it'd take. We took a quick break, loaded up on water, trail mix, and fruit before continuing upward. Pretty soon it became clear why this place was called Höllentalklamm. There was no shade and the sun was already beating down at 8 am when we started the Steig.

The beginning of the valley-- beautiful scenery and the morning was really nice weather for hiking.

Just past the last lodge and the valley is already in full sun. This did not bode well for sunburning...

Soon enough we reached the first via Ferrata (metal bars and cables that help climbers get through the more vertical passes.) This was actually a lot of fun and not that difficult. I had a lot more trouble with the hiking, but I think I deserve a little credit, as this was my second hike ever. In 20 years of existence..

All smiley pre-via Ferrata

Clipping in to the cables all the way and not looking down a whole lot.

After another couple hours of trudging up the valley, we reached the glacier, which marks the end of the hiking before the 2nd via ferrata which continues the rest of the way to the top. Don't get too excited, it's still another couple of hours of climbing before you reach the summit.

Glacier-- still pretty far away, lot's of hiking to do!

It was pretty steep, slippery, loose rock through here. The full sunlight didn't help. I was beginning to see where the 'hell's valley' moniker came from.

Grateful for the Steigeisen here. The glacier sucked.

Pulling myself up the via Ferrata was a little awkward since I was a bit short to make the first bar. I did a very awkward chin-up to get going and kept climbing with a few breaks for the next 3 hours!

I was probably half an hour from the top when I saw it beginning to cloud up and I heard thunder. If there is anything that will give you a little kick at the end of a 8 hour+ day, it's lightening on top of a mountain. I charged up (no pun intended, but there was electricity in the air) the rest of the way as quickly as my tired muscles could take me, took a photo or 2 and then got the hell off the summit and into the Zugspitze lodge. I then rewarded myself with a beer and a chair before heading back down the mountain via cable car and train.

Worth. It.

And all 9 (Nate was taking the picture, so it's only 8 right here) made it! We wanted a picture on the summit, but, you know...lightening...

I returned my gear and got on a train back to Munich. After a well earned Döner, shower, and a quick call to let my mom know I was still alive, I passed out in sheer exhaustion for the next 12 hours.

**Pictures of me at the summit do exist! I just need to get them from the people who have them on their cameras!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen I & Füßen II

Originally, the plan was to go to Interlaken with Kristen (also from MIT) and her friend Lara who she knew through friends in her sorority the weekend of the 20th and 21st, but those plans didn't work out because lodging was going to be a zillion dollars and the car ride was going to be 5 hours each way. Instead, we threw together a quick trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Füßen via Telfs, Austria in a few days.

We set out early on Saturday with Kristen at the wheel of the spiffy BMW 3-Series Limosine. The trip to Garmisch was about an hour and a half-- not bad. Kristen is a pretty good driver and I was given the task of navigator (not too hard since we had the head-up display with GPS). Between the 2 of us there were no incidents.

This is downtown Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I'm striking a very flattering pose with Lara.

We decided we'd just relax all day in Ga-Pa at the Pflegersee-- a cute little lake in the shadow of the Alps about an hour hike from the town. It was a much needed relaxing day. 

Seemed to be a pretty popular spot. As we were leaving we saw a huge group of Bavarians in Lederhosen and Durndels walk by (this is where I have to give up on the Lederhosen count, sadly. Suffice it to say, there are plenty of Bavarians who rock the leather trousers.)

We lazed around for a few hours and then went back to the trail. We saw a sign that said 'Werdenfels Ruine' and decided we'd see what it was all about, so we went down the trail a little further and came upon some ruins from around 1200. 

Just climbing around in the old fortress

After taking some cool pictures around the ruins we headed back to Ga-Pa to check out the Eibsee-- a beautifully clear mountain lake at the foot of the Zugspitze. We went for a brief row on the lake and got some pretty nice views in every single direction. I failed pretty miserably at rowing, but luckily Kristen (who has much more rowing experience-- MIT  crew) got us back to the dock in time. 

Zugspitze on the right side. 

After a dinner by the lake we headed to Telfs, Austria for the night at the nicest Bed and Breakfast ever. It was a lovely drive through the Alps I was glad I wasn't driving because I got to admire the sunset as we drove to our accommodation. The next morning we went to Füßen, which I went to earlier this summer, but I didn't mind going back because I think the town is cute and Kristen and Lara wanted to see the castles. So we got the standard pictures at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau before an afternoon walk around the Alpsee. 

 I think this picture appropriately sums up the crowds at the Marienbrücke. 

We grabbed a really good meal in the town before heading back to Munich. It always makes me a little sad to see the Alps disappearing behind me as I head back to the city, but not to worry, I got to go back this weekend as well!

No change to beer or Lederhosen totals!

Barthelona (7/12-7/15)

I'm in the process of writing 3 posts because I don't want to lump the past 3 weekends into one!

Least recently, I was in Barcelona. It was an uneventful flight there (which is how I like my flights). The cheapest airline that flies between Munich and Barcelona is called Vueling (pronounced: vway-ling) and it is so cheap because they literally pack people into this little Embraer/Airbus/Regional Jet of sorts like sardines. It's like they tried to fit the number of people on a 737 or bigger plane into a RJ.

Alright, so after 2 hours or so of mild discomfort and a very inconsiderate armrest hog who managed to claim both armrests in the middle seat, we (me and Val) were elated to get off of the plane. We took the bus into Barcelona from El Prat and then oriented ourselves in La Placa Espanya (pardon my questionable Spanish spelling). It is a beautiful plaza with a palace-museum building and a huge fountain. I couldn't get a very good photo with my old cell phone, but I found this one:

Not bad.

We then successfully navigated the subway to the different places we were staying. That was kind of stressful because the language of Barcelona is Catalan. So, even if I could remember a single word from 8th grade Spanish, it wouldn't have helped. Not to worry, I met my gracious host, Farah, without delay and it was quite a relief to make it to a nice place to sleep at the end of a long travel day.

The next morning Farah had plans to go Cava tasting (or as I prefer to call it, Cava drinking...) which she invited me to as well. We got up early to catch the train to the Freixenet and Codorniu wineries outside of Barcelona. I learned all the facts on how to make a delicious Cava at the Freixenet tour (which was, thankfully, in English) and nodded politely and smiled at the (apparently) amusing tour guide at the Codorniu tour-- which was given in Catalan.  I think he was saying the same things as the guy at the last tour, but I honestly have no idea.

I was 3 drinks in by 2 pm.

I was probably a little tipsy when I took this picture at Codorniu; that's Montserrat in the background.

Personal Favorite: Codorniu Anna Pinot Noir

On the way back to the apartment we stopped by Sagrada Familia. By far the largest work of art I have ever seen. It is truly amazing. It's hard to get a good picture of it-- if you get to close you can get the detail but not the scale, but if you back up to get all of the cathedral in one picture you can't see all of the amazing work. It's super frustrating! Here is my feeble attempt to capture it:

This is the side Gaudi himself worked on. Cranes in the background because they are trying to get this building done by 2026. Construction will only have taken a modest 150 years at that point.

We caught up with friends later that night to get Tapas which were absolutely delicious. One thing I really enjoyed was how much cheaper Barcelona is than Munich. The amount of food per Euro was EXCELLENT.

We were all pretty tired so we just headed back to the apartment after dinner (disclaimer: Barcelonians and most Spanish people eat dinner at like 9, so by the time all was said and done, it was kind of past my bed time!)

Sunday dawned and I was ready to hit the beach, but I was having trouble reaching Val (I found out later she had her phone stolen Friday night after she went out with friends), so I went to Parc Güell with Farah and hoped I could get things straightened out by the afternoon with enough time to go to the beach.  

Everyone and there cousin is at Parc Güell on Sunday since most other places are closed. Luckily it is a pretty big place and everywhere you look you see Gaudi. There is also a spectacular view of the city where Sagrada Familia is also visible (by visibile, I mean hulking in the middle of apartment buildings).

So the detail isn't great in this one, but that thing in the middle left is Sagrada Familia. Downtown is off in the distance along with the Mediterranean.

After a few hours taking pictures and enjoying the views from the park, I went to the beach to relax for a couple of hours. It was beautiful and the water was a perfect temperature. I was very paranoid about leaving my bag alone on the beach so I asked a couple of girls who I was sitting next near to watch my bag. They were English and I trusted them enough-- plus it was too hot not to get in the water for a bit. 

It was pretty popular, but not as crowded as I thought it would be. I hastily took this crooked photo for proof. I think I'm getting worse at this photography business.

I enjoyed some time absorbing vitamin D and swimming in the Mediterranean and then navigated my way back to Farah's apartment.

We went out for what was supposed to be a quick dinner and with full intentions to see the magic fountain at La Placa d'Espanya (it lights up, plays music, and does some kind of fountain-y dance, I guess), but, dinner was taking a while-- so we didn't get to see the fountain show. However, we did get a free 'salad' out of the deal to go along with our paella and sangria. 

This 'salad' was a combination of jamon iberico, greens, olives, more random vegetables and a really yummy vinagrette. I wasn't complaining about any fountain if this was what I got instead. Jamon iberico (Spanish bacon) is heavenly.

The next morning Val and I managed to catch the appropriate trains and buses back to the airport with plenty of time. The Barcelona airport is rather annoying. They announce your gate about 5 minutes before boarding, so you have to hustle to the gate and then you get on a bus that takes you out on the tarmac to where you plane is waiting. You then climb the stairs from the tarmac onto the plane. It was all a bit much before 7 am, but we made it back to Munich and into work around 10:15. I can't say that I was an especially productive employee that morning and I may have had a coffee every hour on the hour, but it was all worth it when I look back.

That sums it up for Barcelona! Only one thing left...

Totals:

Beer: 15 (+1 Damm Limon-- It's like a Spanish Radler)

Lederhosen: 33 (holding steady-- no Lederhosen spotted in Barcelona)

500

The blog just broke 500 views. Either it is moderately popular, or some people like to procrastinate. A lot.

Panorama of Lake Zurich 

Munich und Umgebung

die Umgebung: (oom-gay-boong) = the surrounding area

If you are wondering where I've been for the past few weeks, the answer is mostly Munich (because I work here), but I've also made escapades to Austria and Switzerland. I'll bring you up to speed as concisely as possible!

6/21: BMW Museum & BMW Welt (the museum was free as an intern at BMW; BMW Welt is a dealership, so it's free all the time) 

Basically, the BMW museum is a mechanical engineer's favorite kind of place. Lot's of historic and modern machines. Also, sat in a z4 at BMW Welt :) The line for the M6 was too long, though :(

No idea what model this is, but I though it was awesome. I could go back again for free and find out-- the museum is about a mile from where I live. 

6/22: Salzburg, Austria

This town is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the Sound of Music. It's really not very big, but seems to be a hit with the tourists! Instead of following the typical tourist route, I spent most of the day at the Red Bull Hangar, which is a short walk from Salzburg. It's a pretty cool collection of Red Bull sponsored aircraft and sportscars in a beautiful building which is more like a greenhouse than a hangar, to be honest.

Decided to have a drink at the bar on the 3rd floor of the Hangar. Planes and F1 cars in the background.

6/27: Munich Cowboys v. Schwabing Hall Unicorns

The Cowboys and Unicorns are German Football League teams. By football, I mean American Football. We met the quarterback of the Cowboys when he led our 'beer tour' through Munich a week before (6/20) and he got us free tickets to the game. The Cowboys lost, sadly, and it rained the entire time. But, it was still a lot of fun!

As you can see, the weather was beautiful.

6/28: Munich X-Games

I had to scalp a ticket to get in (not the easiest thing to do in German), but the weather was about  100x better than the previous day. Although it was windy and the Slopestyle final was postponed for 5 hours, this actually turned out to our advantage-- we also got to see the big air skateboard final from our view on Olympiaberg (the location of the Slopestyle course). We finished off the day with trip to Tollwood-- which is a big food and music festival also in the same park as the X-Games-- for some fresh Döner Kebab (which is a delicious sandwich that is too many calories to have too often).

It is really hard to take action photos with a cell phone.

7/6-7/7: Zürich und Züri Fäscht

There was perfect weather for Züri Fäscht this weekend. It was a challenge at times because the crowds were so huge that my friends and I kept getting separated, but we all made it from A to B without much delay. Activities included: trips to the art museum, history museum, botanical gardens, Lake Zürich, and Uetliberg. There was also a spectacular fireworks show with awesome accompanying music. In all, I really enjoyed Zürich and I think it is a beautiful city! 

To get to Zürich, the bus gets ferried across the Bodensee. I didn't realize this until the bus pulled up to the ferry dock. It was a pleasant surprise and a gorgeous day for a Schifffahrt.

Zürich crowds waiting for the fireworks show to begin.

Well, that's it for updates on my travels! I'm going to Barcelona this weekend, so there is more to come :)

Totals:

Beer: 14 (+1 Becks, +1 Preminger, +1 Franziskaner, +1 Feldschlösschen, +1 Weihenstephan, +1 Augustiner Weissbier, +1 Ayinger)

Lederhosen: 33 (+/- 3, since it's been hard to keep exact counts):  (+4 at X-Games, +4 in Salzburg, +6 on a Saturday at the Marienplatz, +3 in Zürich)