It’s been a wonderful day. Both the hike and the weather have been perfect, and there have been no dramas, although I did spend much of the day bringing up the rear. Sorry to those who enjoy reading about my tantrums… there weren’t any! 😜
We caught the bus up the valley from the hotel in Obernberg, then set off uphill through meadows to Obernbergsee, a lake by an old abandoned hotel. Before we came away we’d been watching it on a webcam waiting for snow. There’s plenty now!
The scenery has been stunning all day. I love the wooden farm huts and the meadows covered in a blanket of snow, with trails made by skis and snowshoes.
Obernbergsee is currently iced over, apart from a small section that must catch the sunshine. Here the water was turquoise blue and the reflections of the trees and clouds were beautiful.
Our next stop was a pretty chapel on a small hill in the middle of the lake, reached via a wooden bridge. We had a look inside, lit candles to remember loved ones, then had a snack.
After this we had a steady climb to Steiner Alm. This is a mountain dairy where the cheese is made for Almi’s Berghotel where we’re staying. It’s surrounded by high mountains, which looked awesome shrouded in snow.
We stopped for a while exploring the buildings taking photos and eating lunch. Although there was a sign for a WC, there didn’t appear to be a toilet so we had to use the bushes and trees again!
We had a little more ascent before heading back down the hills towards the lake. It was fun making tracks through the snow, sliding downhill, climbing fences and crossing a stream in snowshoes!
Once again, we were in Lesley’s group and, at one point, we met Sean’s group relaxing and soaking up the sunshine. They’d spotted some chamois or ibex high up on the mountains above us, which reminded us of our treks in the Alps.
Before too long we were back at Obernbergsee for yet more photo opportunities. There have been so many beautiful views today. We’ve been very spoilt!
After a wrong turn where we ended up crossing fences, winding between the trees and sliding down a steep hillside, we were finally on the riverside track back to Obernberg. What a wonderful day!
Tomorrow is our last day snowshoeing and we have a very long day, up to a mountain peak on the border between Austria and Italy. I hope I make it. I’d better get some sleep because I’ll need all the energy I can get. I suspect I’ll be the weakest link again!
Ramblings 
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