Blogging
From Abroad

Ok, in my previous blog I had a lot of built up energy I had to let out. I feel much better having elaborated a bit about my feelings of Austria, but I don’t want to put everything in writing. I encourage you to develop a picture of the scenes I try to paint on electronic canvas (as well as come see Austria for yourself! (-: )

The past two days were a holiday from uni and so myself, a cool dude from Belgium (Rob D.) and two other Americans studying Organic farming (Josh and Rob B.) all went to Landeck, in the Tyrol of Austria. Landeck is at the far west of the state of Tyrol in Austria. It sits in a valley absolutely surrounded by majestic snowy peaks, alpine meadows and fast-flowing rivers. It is truly a uniquely serene area!

We went with an outfitter called Sport Camp Tirol (http://www.sportcamptirol.at/wir.en.html). The camp was situated right on the river and was run by a lovely, very-well English-speaking older couple. They have been running the Sport Camp Tirol for 21 years- check them out on the website! They offer numerous activities including rock climbing, mountain walking, whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, canyoning, biking, hiking and other summer activities. The guides and everyone was extremely laid back, really a neat operation.

The first day we got on the super-fast flowing river. Myself and Rob D. got in a two-person inflatable kayak or IK. That thing was unbelievably hard to control! I have some whitewater experience, but nothing prepared me for class III rapids in a heavy boat that was extremely difficult to steer. So, of course we got tossed out a couple times in the gnarliest of sections, that run down the river really knocked some sense into me, but atleast we still have lungs (from Hannes)!

Josh chillin out at our rest stop, you can see the IK on the shore behind him, now imagine 2 people in there, dangerous!

I do not have any photos of what we did the second day (waiting for them- may post them at a later date), but it was canyoning. I have a ton of respect for those canyoning guys, it is INTENSE! Canyoning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning) is a sport where you literally follow a river through a canyon, overcoming unimaginable obstacles. You are abseiling (rappelling) down through waterfalls, and the pressure of that water is unbelievably strong! It throws you every which way, pounds and pins you down. Sometimes there are slides and jumps and you can jump off, which is fun. Also take note to what feeds the rivers, GLACIERS! That water was just above freezing temperature! The water that is slamming you in the face when you descend a waterfall was recently snow!

The last day, we climbed a peak, the Krahberg. Looking at it from the valley in Landeck, we’re thinking, “yea there doesn’t seem to be much snow up there”. Whoa!! We essentially made our own trail going up, busting through the woods until we slowed to a crawl at the snow line. Rob B. broke trail for a while, then I broke trail. It was hard work because you would “post hole” or break through the stiff crust and sink down to your knees or thighs. So each step had to pound down the snow, but they also had to be slow and deliberate, often you were walking over rocks and hidden crevices. You see, the trees and vegetation melt the snow from underneath, making sink holes a real threat! We overcame the snow, and I stopped to take a photo here, here we are, no shirts because it was blazing hot with the sun out. Then the sun would go away and instantly it was cold enough for a jacket again! I just love high alpine weather (-;

A lovely view looking south, pretty much into Italy.

On the way up and down we are greeted by these nice springs. It is so great just to be able to drink straight out of the streams anywhere, can’t do that in much of West Virginia. Perhaps we should take note to the idea of protective forests in the USA more.

Not sure if I have posted any photos of there “grave gardens”, but this alpine town had a well-taken care of cemetery inside of the church grounds. Granted we came on Mother’s Day, it was still lovely.

The next photos are for those who enjoy cool alpine-style architecture!

Look! Its a llama! (I love saying that (-: )

Bye!