The Bavarian Alps. Part 2 - Sept 2014

We woke up to Cümmel asking us if we wanted to climb a mountain. He said it would be very fun, mellow, safe. We agreed.

We arrived at the base of Tegelberg, and instantly stopped by the playground. I don't understand why US playgrounds are so PG rated. The ones in Europe are fun for adults. Seriously...

We collected ourselves and made our way up the steep mountain access roads. We noticed some signs and stopped to see what they were all about:

There were a few others with the "how to's" of climbing via feretta - which is ascending a system of cables and ladders, which are fixed into the side of a mountain. This is something I've wanted to do for about a decade, but hadn't found myself in a country with clean drinking water, let alone fancied up mountainsides.

As we caught up to and passed others headed up the mountain, Jason and I began to notice that everyone was carrying packs full of gear and wearing harnesses. When we asked Cümmel about this he replied, "this is a very good place to learn," as there are various skill levels available. Nice. I can appreciate a safe learning environment.

The trail steepened and Cümmel pointed, "Krissy McFagan, we will go up there." I looked up and saw a climbing party on a ladder and instantly felt a bit nauseous.

As it goes, the climbing wasn't bad at all. If you imagine exposed 4th class with super polished rock, but add in a fixed cable, then you have a pretty good idea of what we were on. The ladder I was concerned about went off to an advanced route, while our route wrapped around the cliff side.

Not this way

Jason had asked Cümmel what the cable was for where we were climbing. The answer went something like this: It is there for beginners to practice proper clipping and unclipping for via feretta. For people like us, if you feel like you aren't safe, just hold on with your hands. Of course, Cümmel also added in, "it's not dangerous, you just don't fall down." I'm fairly certain he should be a mountain guide.

The bottom third was scrambly, and the top was mostly steep switchbacks with some climbing. Overall, yes, pretty mellow.

We passed the top tram station and went to the summit. Yet again, this was another peak where you can get food, drinks, even glider classes. Europe is still winning.

The afternoon was spent lounging on the sun deck of the top station restaurant. The people watching was prime time, too. There were climbers in harnesses and helmets, looking proud. There were people in Gucci, looking slightly out of place in the mountains. There were people in matching travel outfits, looking totally goofy. Then there was us. Weird in our own ways, I'm sure.

We loaded the tram to get back to the car.

Hell yes to not walking downhill

The upper switchbacks above the cliffs

We were too late to alpine slide, but we did check out the ancient Roman bathhouse. History amazes me. The Romans had these luxurious places for a little rest and relaxation. The water was heated by a wood burning stove built in a way that the heat could travel below the floor of the pool. People would lounge in the pool while getting neck and back rubs. We discussed the Dark Ages, which followed these glorious hot-pool ages, and they must have been quite a depressing time. Dark Ages, indeed. If only the Roman Empire hadn't fallen, with their lead pipes and all. Ah, I digress...

We returned to Fussen with enough energy to eat pretzels before passing out. We had a mountain objective on the agenda for the next day and needed some good rest.