Daily Distance – 16km
Daily Ascent – 700m
Daily Descent – 600m
Total Distance – 843km
Distance Remaining – 177km
In this new era of 30°C heat, during my post hike shower I don’t actually become much wetter. It functions more akin to salt osmosis, where my sweat is slowly replaced by fresh water. If one collected my shower water there would be enough brine to open a salt water fishery.
I am finding the constant heat and battle to stave off dehydration is making writing more difficult as well as the walking. I am just glad that the past few days have been relatively short, although the next two will be longer, before an easier jaunt down into Oberstdorf and the official end of the Via Alpina Purple trail. There I will take a rest day, partly to rest, but also as I have promised to have a great booze up with Phil as Oberstdorf marks the end of his walk, and he is a day behind me. The end is feeling very much nigh. Only seven more walking days and I will be dipping my toes in lake constance and turning my thoughts towards home. Well, that’s not quite true as being away makes my thoughts turn often to home, but I will have to begin thinking about booking train tickets to physically return.
Today, I think, I am writing this from Austria. I crossed a border this morning and I think it was from Germany. I think I cross a border tomorrow, but by this point I can only assume it is into Germany. It is getting to the point where I wouldn’t be entirely shocked to find that I have somehow strayed into Bulgaria, or that people have inexplicably started speaking French.
I have just seen a man moving his caravan from a small remote control. Apparently they come equipped with electric motors now. Amazing! My tent requires two trekking poles to erect. A rather different level of technology.
I caught the train to a different part of Pfronten to pick up some groceries and have dinner. Pfronten is a peculiar place. It is very much another one horse town, but with the level of traffic more commonly associated with a small, industrialised nation. Forget about trying to cross the main road without using the official crossing, which just happens to lie half the main street away.
That camping spot looks nice, a little poor compared to the large vans parked opposite.
Lego Ben has found his place – welcome back.
It can’t be fun hiking in heat especially in the valleys where the heat is concentrated. The problem with carrying water is its heavy and dehydration fuddles the brain.
That level of heat and exertion can’t be easy. Hopefully the temperatures will drop soon.
Your tent may be rather primitive compared to the caravans but it’s much quicker to set up.