Grossglockner Light

We six left by train with bikes for the one hour ride to Zell am See (Georg, Julie, Sophie, Jessica, Eli, and me). The plan was to ride the 14 km. to Fusch from Zell am See (a relatively flat ride), and then send Sophie (age 9) on by taxi as the rest of us rode up about 400 m. vertical (spread over 7km.) to the Ferleiten Wildpark where we would spend the night. We arrived at Fusch to find there were no taxis, so we all biked. Sophie got a bit of help here and there, but was very proud when we arrived at Ferleiten.

The Wildpark has ibex, multiple varieties of hirsch, gamsen, steinbock, owls, lynx, wolf, bear etc. Where possible, they are in somewhat natural habitat, but the caged owls are sad to see. They also have a simple amusement park. One can see the Tauern Range from here as well, but not the Grossglockner (Austria's highest peak) which is 'around the corner'.

The next morning Georg, Julie, Jessica, and I embarked on Grossglockner Light riding up 1267 m. vertical to Fuschertoerl. It averages about a 10% grade (all nicely paved and scenic), so it is neither easy nor extreme. This is traditionally called Grossglockner Light because we already did the first 400 m. vertical from Bruck-Fusch to Ferleiten the day before. Fuschertoerl is at 2407 m., but one can continue after that to Hochtor, dropping down about 200 m. and then rising again for about 300 m. This would have added 500 m. rise to the round trip. Since neither Jessica (age 16) nor I felt up to it, Fuschertoerl was just right. Otherwise, Georg and Julie would have forged onward. We hadn't remarked on it before we reached the top, but then Julie noted that she, Jessica, and I comprise 3 generations of the same family.

Meanwhile Eli and Sophie toured the Ferleiten Wildpark and took the bus back to Zell am See (literally Zell on the Lake) and waited at one of the beaches for us to make our way down by bike. We caught them before they left the Wildpark, but couldn't beat the bus to Zell am See. The Zeller See is a large (well, not Pend Oreille) lake which has several swimming areas with diving towers, floating docks, swimming pool, etc. We met Eli and Sophie there, arriving about 30 minutes behind. Zell am See at 755 m. is also a winter resort with excellent skiing nearby.

After swimming and lunch, we caught the train back to Kirchberg where Eli prepared Salmon (using, of course, Bob's sauce as marinade) for dinner. The rest of us took 3 showers apiece. We were exceptionally stinky, despite the swim at Zell am See. I heard they planned to close the beach for a few days.

Richard
2004.07.20