Euro Mountain biking

Whilst there are problems and whilst it is hard to reach decisions with well over 20 countries, Europe has achieved many things which are perhaps taken for granted or missed when not living in central Europe. One is the free travel. Last weekend and this weekend we went to Austria which is less than an hour from Munich. The border sign is easy to miss (Simon was surprised that we were already in Austria), our money is valid in Austria and I could easily live in Austria. I am old enough to know how it was before and to me all this, despite its problems, is an almost revolutionary achievement. And additionally this has given peace to nations that were frequently at war with each other. I leave it to you to deduce what I think about Brexit...

Moving on. After Simon's and my great climbing weekend I fancied some mountain biking in the Alps and went to Pertisau at the Achensee. 

 I cycled a tour described in a local mountain bike guide with my new hardtail Scott. 

 First I had to descend to 500 m only to then climb and climb to 1900 m.

 Here is the starting point...

 ... and here is the Achensee.

 Easy cycling on roads to Stans...

 ... and then nearly 1500 m up to the Lansenjochhuette in the Karwendel. Add to that a rocky path and so clumsy me had to push for an hour as suggested in the book. After that another climb over 500 m, a steep and lose descent to arrive at the car after over 50 kms.

HW

Kraxengrat & Suedwestpfeiler

After 18 years mostly in Scotland I moved to Munich, viewing the Shakesperean drama hat surrounds Brexit from afar. I live on the Southern border of Munich and after 40 km of rolling countryside the Alps start. Last weekend, Simon, a climbing friend from Scotland visited and so we aimed to climb for the first time the limestone of the Alps.

But first some images of Munich. I had forgotten about the long summers in Central Europe. Whilst Munich is away from the sea, there is plenty of water and whenever the sun is out the locals lie on the banks of the river Isar. 

 Lots of them!

 On the first July weekend 2016 Simon and I went to the Wilder Kaiser area to try the 14 rope length long but easy (Alpine grade 4, UK roughly severe) "Kraxengrat". Here a mountin goat during the approach. 

 And here is Simon on the approach. The Kraxengrat goes from the snow patch to the narrow ridge seen on the top left half of the picture. Eagle ridge on steroids.

 Much was scrambling, there were bolts where needed and we largely moved together. Here is Simon eyeing the upper part of the ridge. 

 And here he tackles a steeper and exposed bit... 

 ... on his approach towards the crux corner... 

 ... which is not shown. The bolts help to find the route and they are also shown on the climbing topo. Near the top there are some spectacularly exposed traverses.

 Here we are at the top. A walking path goes back into the Corrie.

 On our second climbing day we walked up from Mittenwald to the Dammkarhuette. Above is the Predigtstuhl, where we aimed for the 8 pitch Alpine 4 graded "Suedwestpfeiler". Here is Simon reaching the Amphitheater of the Western Karwendel...

 ... and here he leads pich 1 of our climb. 

 There were fewer bolts than on the Kraxengrat so some trad gear is necessary.

 Here is Simon with two climbers approaching the crag.

 After 5 steeper pitches... 

 ... it became easier, mostly scrambling to reach the top after 8 pitches. 

 Here a view towards the crag from our hut.

 And here another view. Eagle eyed folk will spot the climbers. The route starts in the triangular niche slightly right of the middle at the bottom of the crag.

22 easy rope lenghts in 2 days plus plenty of walking. Time to raise our game! 

HW