Ascent to a col: Kalbenjoch 2225 metres

Our next snowshoe hike was to be the most challenging yet, especially for me. After getting up, having breakfast and making our lunches, we packed our bags ready for the transfer to Obernberg am Brenner later. Outside, we sorted our kit then set off down the road from Maria Waldrast Abbey (1641 metres), our snowshoes scraping on the thin snow and ice that had been compressed by the traffic. Then, after almost a kilometre and 70 metres of descent, we headed off the road, uphill in powdery snow.

Once again, we were in two groups and although the leaders, Lesley and Sean, said we weren’t divided up in any particular way, people seemed to have decided that Sean’s group was a more leisurely group. I was the slowest of Lesley’s group and was quite apprehensive about the climb ahead of us, knowing that I’d struggled with the fast pace on the hills yesterday.

All went well initially as we wound our through meadows blanketed in snow and, after a while headed uphill more steeply, with Lesley breaking the trail at the front. She kept stopping to check the route, which meant there were plenty of opportunities for rest and I felt more relaxed about the day, despite there still being a long ascent ahead of us.

It’s hard work being at the front and being the one to carve out a path in deep powdery snow, and John took a turn to give Lesley a rest. I stayed nearer the back where it was easier as the snow was more compressed by the hikers ahead of me. After a while, Sean’s group caught us up, having had a much easier time of it, being able to follow our tracks in the snow. They took a turn at the front for a while before stopping for lunch at a suitable place.

Our group continued on, determined to get to the col. From here the terrain was more difficult, and we wound our way over rocky areas with little snow and up gulleys where deep snow had collected. By now I was feeling hungry and John asked if we could stop for some food. After a drink and a Snicker, I felt fortified and ready to tackle the final pull up to the col.

This is where I began to struggle, especially where it was particularly steep. I’m not sure if I had the wrong technique, or if I was taking steps that were too big in my attempt not to be left behind as I watched the front of the group getting further ahead. I kept thinking I’d planted the spikes of my front snowshoe firmly but then it’d slide when I moved my back foot forwards, scaring me as I slipped. I felt as if I was going to do the splits a couple of times!

I began to panic and couldn’t get my breath. Tears began and, once I’d started, I couldn’t stop crying. Denis, one of our group, was brilliant with me. He stayed behind me and calmed me down by helping me to focus on my breathing and slow it down. He then kept talking quietly and calmly… “one step at a time… don’t think too far ahead… small steps… don’t worry about the others… breath calmly… plant one snowshoe firmly before moving the other”… and slowly and steadily, I made progress up the mountain.

I did have another panic when where I’d been told the col was turned out not to be it. There was still further to go and once again, I was at the back having a meltdown. I couldn’t help thinking I should have joined the more leisurely group who’d turned back before the top. Too late for that and, thankfully, John, Denis and a couple of others stayed with me. Before too long, we reached the col… phew!

The views were worth the effort. We could see for miles in all directions. I pulled my jacket on to keep warm, took some time to calm down and ate my lunch. I was glad I was in the group that reached the top now, despite being the weakest link! That said, I was worried how I was going to get on going back down the steep mountainside.

I needn’t have worried about that. Lesley explained the technique, which is a bit like telemark skiing… a slide on the front snowshoe and pivot the foot in the rear snowshoe so the spikes dig in. It was fun and, although I (and others) fell a couple of times, it didn’t hurt in the deep powdery snow. In fact, I had a grin on my face for much of the descent. What a contrast to the ascent!

Back off the mountainside, we retraced our trail down through the forest. There were snow clouds over the mountain tops and, for a while, we hiked through fine snowflakes, which I enjoyed.

Eventually, we were back in the meadows, then at the road back uphill to Maria Waldrast. I was quite a long way at the back again now but John and a couple of others (who could have gone faster) stayed with me, seemingly happy to take their time and keep me company chatting away. Strava tells me the hike wasn’t very long… just 8 kilometres… but we did do well over 700 metres of ascent… not easy in the snow! I’m pleased that I managed it, and grateful to everyone for helping me.

Back at the abbey, we packed our luggage and ourselves into two minibuses for the transfer to Almi’s Berghotel in Obernberg am Brenner where we’re staying for the next 4 nights. It’s a warm and welcoming mountain hotel and I’m taking the opportunity to relax, while most of the others have gone out for a gentle hike. I hope they’re having fun, but I’m glad to have some time on my own.