Into the Wald, and a search for a See

The last few days have been rather a mixed bag. We ended our cross country skiing with a challenge: the Waldeloipe (Forest Track). This was our first proper red course (instead of blue). We learned at the end that we shouldn't really have been on it. As it wasn't prepared, that apparently makes it de facto closed. Having endured it, this didn't come as much of a surprise - it just would have been nice to have been told beforehand.

With the skiis returned, we opted for some mountain walking yesterday, but somehow didn't find much of a long track to occupy a lot of time. That changed today - the track we wanted to walk, around the Weidachersee (Weidach lake) was not particularly long, just getting to it was the problem. The first access trail was closed, then we searched from Weidach, without success, to find the lake. Another possible route was too steep and icey to get up (icey paths were a big problem in general today and yesterday). Having given up, we found the lake by accident, only because a street happened to be named after it. It wasn't so picturesque, having been turned into a fishfarm, but we walked one side of it and it was interesting nonetheless. We were blocked in getting back by the same closed trail that had hampered our progress at the beginning, but were able to make a short detour and make it back safe and sound.

Waldeloipe:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=996430

Walking to Klamm:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=996431

Searching for the Weidachersee:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=996454

To the end of the valley (almost)

Yesterday was a pretty lazy day. We made a short circuit stopping off in the 'centre' of Leutasch (Weidach) to pick up some bits and pieces. We checked out the hotel pool for the first time, and it all to ourselves. We made up for yesterday's laziness today however, making a long trek up the valley, which got narrower and narrower as we went. We turned back before completing all of the trail, but managed most of it. It was much hotter today. Where more sunlight was hitting the ground, the tracks were dangerously icey this morning, and soaking on the way back. Neither was a lot of fun. In the end though, we have a comfortable feeling of exhaustion, and feel like we earned our dinner for once.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=996415

Obern

Today we had more time, and went for a longer ski. Not much to report: no accidents this time, and the scenery was just as spectacular as ever. The only question is whether we're doing enough exercise to work off the insane amount of food we keep being fed from the hotel?

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=991110

Pilot Cross Country Skiing

We made it to Leutasch, rented some cross-country skis, had lunch, and then tried out the tracks. This was enjoyable, if slightly painful for Matt...

Everytrail: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=989343

Off we go again...

On a proper holiday - cross country skiing in Seefeld.

Magnificent Mountains

I (Matt only) am off to a seminar near Villach, skiing by day and working by night. We passed through these mountains on our way to Croatia last summer, but they're somehow even more amazing with snow. Apologies for the dirty train window and occasional finger in picture!