Austria
June 17 - July 14, 2009
July 1 - Brechhorn & Alpenspektakel
One of our main hiking goals was to do all the major peaks with crosses in the Westendorf area and today we decided to head for one of the longer hikes up to Brechhorn. And although the weather forecast was mainly cloudy, the morning actually started off quite sunny! Oma graciously offered to come along so that we could leave the kids with her at the Brechhorn restaurant while we did the final ascent but we were pretty determined to make it to the top as the family. Samantha impressed everybody by hiking the entire way up herself, a feat that most of the local kids aren't even capable of.
Of course, no sooner did we arrive at the top, than a large rain cloud pulled in. We hurriedly gulped down some food and then headed back down. The showers were on and off with Samantha speculating all the while on how to appease the "Wetterhexe" - the weather witch.
Back at Brechhornhaus we decided to stop for a little treat. Which was perfect timing cause no sooner were we seated than a torrential downpour started. It was over by the time we were on our way again, but the hiking paths were all turned into little streams.
In the evening Oma came over to babysit the kids while we went to a local show for tourists. We had hoped for more cultural songs and dances like the last time we went to see the Tyrolean Evening, but this show seemed to be more of a tacky tourist show, with the group being more interested in showing slides of their tours in other countries that showing anything about local culture. A bit disappointing.
elevation profile of our 11.6km hike
hey, not only can we see the top of the mountain this morning,
there's even some blue sky!
We're not used to all this sunshine... better get out the shades!
We've barely started up the mountain and its snack time already...
a big hunk of meat for Christopher.
Poor Sam... as we got off the lift, this is what she saw...
and we walked right past it to go hiking up a mountain instead.
A german school group on a field trip.
Samantha coming to wash her leg wound at the mountain spring.
There's a boy ready to go hiking... or at least to be carried up a mountain!
Samantha being smarter than the average cow, navigates through the gate...
only 2032m left to Brechhorn!
A little mountain getaway.
More tricky cow gates for Sam to get through.
Almost halfway up and neither of the boys is looking tired yet.
Sam leads the way... hey, are those snow patches up ahead?!
Several peaks we've already been to:
(front to back) Gampdenkogel, Fleiding, Guggenkoegele, Hohe Salve.
And despite this huge snow patch...
... there are lots of alpine flowers out already.
Rettenstein.
Apparently Brechhorn is still further up.
Of course Rubby just wants to head off to the next peak: Floch.
One last glance back at the cross before we head back down again.
With a bit of snow and some skis, the descent would be a lot faster!
Without skis, we take it one step at a time.
Samantha stopping to admire some alpine flowers.
Some people make this hike look more like a stroll in the park.
Of course who can sleep when there's cake and chocolate?!
Once the rain let up a bit, we were off again.
Samantha in front of the Brechhornhaus restaurant.
Hey, where did that river come from?!
A view of the Kaisergebirge.
Another alpine flower.
Peekaboo!
As a reward for their excellent hiking day, the kids get to play a bit at the playground.
Wave at the webcam!
Samantha bringing the alpine roses to Uri.
Pizza night!
A concert at the local music pavillion.
We attended the Alpenspektakel in town... hmmm, we seem to be the youngest ones here!
Playing the cowbells.
When the 'scotsmen' came out we knew the show was going downhill fast!