Wank

Wank (pronounced Vawnk) is another mountain, the base of which we visited soon after our arrival.This time, the top was our goal! And we have learned that long hiking days go better if we start out when it's early (around 6 am) and cool. Since it was Friday we had coffee while the Farmers' Market prepared for opening. 

Another unusual sight was seeing a woman sweeping the street by hand. No wonder the streets are so clean! This is Partenkirchen, the older section of G-P, identifiable in part by the cobblestone streets and murals on many buildings.

Partenkirchen's elevation is 2322 feet. Wank, our destination is 5838 feet. It took us 3 1/2 hours to reach the top so we climbed about 1,000 feet/hour. Not a bad way to be "over the hill"! Maps like the one on the right are common at the beginning of the many hiking trails to show climbers where they are going and the trail's relationship to other peaks.

The trail itself was beautifully maintained, as we have come to expect. For the first part of the hike we were surprised to see benches spaced about every 100 yards--perhaps for those who find climbing more difficult but are still committed to it.

We passed a large area that had been taken out by a landslide. One tree that had apparently obstructed the trail been cut --and the end had beveled. The only rationale we could come up with was someone's desire to make the area more aesthetically pleasing.

 At about 1000 meters (3280 feet) was the Gamsehutte (chamois hut), a resting/refreshment stop. Bob enjoyed a mug of--can you guess from the sign?

A young couple with 3 children (6, 4, 2 1/2 years--Amy, in the photo) runs the place, providing meals and drinks to hikers, many of whom have the hutte as their destination. The family lives there year-round with September and October being their busiest months. Although they have a car, they often walk the kids to school in Partenkirchen--55 minutes down the mountain!

After leaving the hutte the climb became steeper and the benches fewer and farther between. Bob spied a baby snake--so we thought. Another hiker later told us it was really a type of lizard with tiny feet close to its body that are hardly visible.

Many visitors to Wank choose to take the cable cars. We hiked under the line several times as the trail zig-zaged up the mountain. It was fun to wave to the passengers. No doubt they were envious of our means of travel; or not! 

The view at the top was incredible! We could see our old friend, Zugspitze (tallest peak in Germany that towers above G-P) and a panoramic view of the valley below. At one point the air around us suddenly became hazy then cleared again. We were in the clouds!

 

 

At the summit we enjoyed our Zone bars and studied maps and German vocabulary at the Wankhaus (Wank house). There was also a restaurant (for cable car travelers no doubt) and a Biergarten (beer garden), for beer connoisseurs. 

Speaking of "bars"...the Germans not only enjoy their beer but make sure their "best friends" are cared for as well!

No doubt the kids who make it to the top enjoy these animals and toys carved from logs. Woodworking is one of the many local crafts and artisans' handiwork can be seen almost everywhere we go.

Prior to starting our descent we saw several people waiting for just the right wind conditions for paragliding.

We also checked out their "launch pad." Any takers?!