Middle-aged flash packers

Day 7 – Bad Reichenhall – Dotzenkopf

A decent night’s sleep at last – hallelujah! The church bells in the town rang in celebration, very kind of them. Although it is Sunday. 

We pottered about this morning doing useful things like getting some washing done, planning where we go next and the like. 

The highlight of the day though was to walk up to the Dotzenkopf (3284ft) and make a circular hike out of it. 

The weather was a bit cloudy and cool but no rain forecast. Natch we packed rain gear as you never know with mountains but decided not to take our poles which was a rookie error as the walk up was full of loose stones and tree roots. If we’d had to walk down this track it would have taken ages without poles.

It’s a popular walk and we saw all sorts of people on our way. I’m very impressed with the fitness of the folk coming to or living in Bad Reichenhall. Children of all ages with their parents, older retirees, young couples with babies in backpacks – they were all there. Everyone was sensibly kitted out too. Walking boots and everyone using their poles, even children. No clambering about in flip flops here. People are really polite, it’s a pleasant experience walking here even when it’s busy.

We walked up to the top reasonably quickly. It was nice to know we can still do it. Next, completing the circuit. It was going very well until we reached a main road and a railway which definitely was not where we were supposed to be. About turn and a while later we discovered the path we should have been on. Never mind, it added to our ascent statistics which came in at 780m – not bad for an afternoon potter.

Walk completed, back to our apartment tired, sweaty  and thirsty. Best part of a walk for me. Tea, beer,shower, lie/sit down, do nothing. Perfect. And it’s Steve’s turn to cook.

Tonight the sunset was amazing. Don’t know if it was to do with the lunar eclipse but it was quite perfect.