The pointy Nockstein summit is a distinctive landmark on the drive back from the east into Salzburg city centre. Laurence and Rebecca joined us for the weekend on the descent from Gaisberg over this photogenic summit back to the valley floor.
CatO and DaveO joined Erinna and I for a long weekend snow-shoeing adventure around the Triglav National Park. Starting from the base of the Slap Savica waterfall, we hiked in to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih and then on to Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih to the west of Triglav itself. There was a bit too much snow to attempt the summit, so instead we did a long circular hike on snowshoes, returning to the car after three nights of huts.
It would be rude of me to get married in a country if I hadn't even climbed the highest mountain there, so Erinna and I took a day off from our wedding plan tour of Ireland to head down to Michael Collins Country and climb Carrauntoohil. Living in Austria has seemingly skewed our perception of mountain hiking, as it seemed rather small and easy in the end! We also enjoyed the full Irish weather experience of snow, rain and sunburn all in one day.
Erinna and I joined a hike to the grassy summit of Leonsberg. Austrians love their summit crosses and today we got a behind the scenes view of one being erected. Not the easiest place to land a helicopter.
Cat, Louise and I rounded off the weekend with a two day trip to the Gamskarkogelhütte on the very summit at 2467m. Snow shoes were not obligatory, but proved very helpful on the large snowy slopes during the approach. In fact, the winter room door was completely covered by late-season snow, requiring a jump in through the upper window to get inside.
