Whew, what a day. Dad had to be saved
by the mountain rescue yesterday, as he got stuck in some really deep
snow. His full explanation here (141228 Riedberger Horn). I heard
about it yesterday evening and after ensuring he was ok and finding
out he needed to go back up the next day, offered my help. Wanted to
get some fun out of it, too. How many times do you get the chance to
walk up the mountain, early in the morning before everybody else with
a mountain rescue guide to help.
Dad picked me up at quarter to six this
morning and we set of to pick up Klaus, our guide. Got him on the way
in Oberstdorg and carried on towards the Riedberger Horn up a pass
that you normally have to have snow chains on. As the company has a
lot of business to do up there, they are classified as locals who
don’t need it, as long as they have 4x4 cars. Reached the bottom of
the lift, got all geared up with snow shoes that we had borrowed for
this occasion and after a hot chocolate got driven up as near as
possible to the top as Tom could get us with his quad. Klaus got
taken up first, then me and Dad in the rear. Klaus up front so he
could lay the track, as we where the first ones up, then me to harden
it and Dad at the end as he was still knackered from the day before.
He showed us the trench he got caught in and his touring skies are
still in there somewhere, will stay there till spring probably. We
reached the top after watching the sun rise on untouched powder snow,
to find a biting wind and -15°C air temperature. We didn't stay up
there long and picked up the generator Dad had left up there the day
before. Reached the mast after another 500 metres and got warmed up
in the shade of some frozen trees before getting the generator up and
running.
Took a few attempts but we got it running and plugged in to
the mast so it could load up the battery’s. Had some tee and cake
to celebrate and then went back again. Back up at the Riedberger Horn
Tom gave Dad a ring saying that the mast wasn't receiving any
electricity. Brilliant, turn back around and after a few attempts got
it running properly again. The weather was turning more grey and
windy by then, the herald of the big snow storm the weather forecast
had predicted for the afternoon. Sprinted back on two broken snow
shoes (Dads right and my left), which had occurred somewhere on the
way. We got back to the piste and as Klaus had had touring skies and
was down a lot faster, he was waiting at the end with the mountain
rescue skidoo. Took us both down and after getting everything packed
up and the conformation that the mast was charged, took Klaus to
Kempten so he could catch the train home.
After a hurried lunch I was rushed back
to Nesselwang to get a picture taken so I could apply for an
international driving licence in Marktoberdorf for my planned
Australia trip. Drove to Marktoberdorf with Johanna, got that settled
and on the way back where caught in the middle of predicted snow
storm. Proofed interesting, as Johanna has no 4x4 and we where nearly
flattened by a truck going uphill near Rückholz.
Reached home, got changed quickly and
Johanna drove me near the ski lift where the ski teachers where
training for the upcoming New Year demonstration. Skied my part and
then went home for some rest before tomorrow.