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After 40 Years, I’m on the Dachstein

Bookmark and Share            By Lou

I think it was about 40 years ago that as a boy I learned about the Dachstein area of Austria, probably because of the eponymous wool items. This evening, we took the cable car up as the sun set, and as we rose above the valley my heart climbed to my throat with emotion. Here I was at last. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Dynafit backcountry skiing.
Shot of me, by Fritz. We took the last cable car up, just Fritz and I and one other lonely skier headed for a gasthaus. As night fell, we skied down an easy piste about 2 kilometers to the Gjaidalm Hut, where the Dynafit event is being held. I had a huge load of baggage that I managed to strap together in a configuration that Fritz said looked like a Serbian refuge, but I got here and yes, they have web. Getting here so late was nothing less than perfect — talk about adventure travel.

Dynafit backcountry skiing.
So, we have dinner in EU hut style, with big communal plates of rice and chicken curry passed around. I dine with the Dynafit reps from Czech and another from Italy. As for boot reviews, for now, at the request of Dynafit, I can’t let too much out of the bag so the above will have to suffice. Let’s just say this particular boot involves schnapps, and I’m finally going to bed.

Posted by Lou on January 8, 2008 | Filed Under Trip Reports 

previous post: Heading for Dachstein Today & Name That Pastry, chapter 2
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Comments

4 Responses to “After 40 Years, I’m on the Dachstein”

  1. Tom G January 8th, 2008 5:30 pm

    I guessed the boot was filled with Jagertee rather than schnapps. If you haven’t tried Jagertee yet you definitely should – just the ticket for a cold night in the mountains.

  2. Michael Kennedy January 8th, 2008 7:34 pm

    Awesome reading your posts, Lou. Nothing like Euro mountain culture, and you’re so fortunate to be in the thick of it. Keep ‘em coming!

    Tons of snow in Colorado right now, so you’ll have lots to play in when you get home.

  3. Lou January 9th, 2008 12:33 am

    Tom, it’s all a blur, I thought it was some sort of schnapps…

    Michael, it sounds like Colorado is amazing right now! Indeed having a good trip here, we’ll get out today and do something alpine, though the weather looks like it’s getting worse again.

  4. Seth Westbrook January 9th, 2008 5:35 pm

    Name that pastry:

    schwarzwalder kirschentorte

    “Black Forest Cherry Cake”
    Looks tasty…

    I’ll suffice for a new Dynafit setup as a prize if I win :)

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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