Thursday, November 27, 2014

Stairway to Nothingness (21st June 2014)


Atop der Dachstein and around Schladming, which to my surprise still belongs to the Styrian state. I remember very clearly that the Dachstein Glacier was featured in the British papers last year so this was among the "have to go" list. Was so close to missing it out completely, so I was very grateful to follow my friends here (or I would have left Austria with some reGraz)... Here's another reason why "Summer's not coming" because it was freezing cold up here. Can't imagine who much colder it would have been earlier this year. Love being thousands of feet above ground, so it was a joy to be "strolling" around in the cold. But if you're afraid of heights, this might be a tad bit scary. Still, the magnificent and incredible view is a true joy to behold. Well of course, after surviving the cold at the top and being crowned royals, there was still time for some golf, where what was beginner's luck triumphed.

Here is the first half of the "weekend of extremes", at Ramsau am Dachstein and Schladming!


The "cold" starts to kick in at "base camp".


White as snow! The ski resort area of the Dachstein


The renowned suspension bridge is 100 metres long and features an amazing 1,300 feet drop beneath you as you walk along it. It is apparently the highest in Austria and offers the spectacular view of the landscape of the Austrian Alps!


Braving the cold and hovering 1,300 feet above ground!


Here's Niklas who's always as cool as can be ;)


The wind can mess up your hair, but sometimes it does this ;)


It's cold alright.. Good thing I brought an additional windbreaker :)


It's as if I thought I wasn't high enough to feel frightened... Needed a heck of a strong grip here!



After crossing the suspension bridge, you'll reach the 14 steps that descend to a glass platform (that is covered in snow here). This here, is the "Stairway to Nothingness"!


When there's snow stuck on the fence, you know this is only an inevitability :P


My turn to kick up a fuss ;)


While this monster is ploughing through the thick snow, we're trying our very best to slide down to the ice palace without falling face flat into the snow. Wrong shoes apparently...


All hail the Pretty Princess Betina!


Way too cool for the ice throne!


Time to hand over the throne. It's all serious as you can see!


Don't mess around with me, or I'll punch the daylights out of you!


That's as far as I get to looking like a prince...


In case you're wondering what's that glowing block of ice behind, it's supposed to be a bear...


The clouds have gone away and there's a nice little glow thanks to the sun!


When the clouds go away and the sun comes up, the mountains stand out so beautifully. The Alpine view is truly spectacular!


Back down to "base camp" where there's hardly a hint of snow except for those mountains in the distance.


The Schladminger Brewery...


Who says it's all "beginner's luck"?


This is how you do it... Like this!


Just down the street from our home for the night. Sure is a nice view so we're trying to blend in...


Now this is pushing it... Trying to act cute and all.


It's early morning, just past 6am here... Don't let the sunlight deceive you.


Just before the trio head off to Salzburg while I head to Villach to go on my solo hunt for the eagles at the falconry at the Landskron Castle.

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