Rennsteig Part 5

22/23.03.2018: It was time once again to walk a few kilometers of the Rennsteig and due to the weather gods, it was done in wintry conditions. This time I started in Neustadt am Rennsteig next to the only grocery store in the village. The first meters are usually the most exhausting. This time was no exception, as it began to snow in strong headwinds. Blinded and cooled, I immediately entered the forest, where the entire winter romance unfolded. As always, there were beautiful views to admire along the paths. Being alone on such a short trip always grounds me. As darkness approached, I did not yet have commodation in mind, but suddenly at the Dreiherrenstein, there was a perfect shelter with wide benches situated in the middle of the forest. So quickly I looked for wood, started the Hobo, had something warm to eat, and then into the sleeping bag. I have to admit, it's not comfortable or warm to sleep, but nowhere else are you so close to yourself and nature. At 4:40am, I continued after the worst moment: getting out of the sleeping bag. And the spectacle of nature, including numerous bird concerts, unfolded with the sunrise. I took a little detour to the Schwarzaquelle, which is located in a valley next to the Rennsteig and has a constant temperature of 6.1 degrees Celsius (almost pleasantly warm) throughout the year. The endpoint was in Neuhaus am Rennweg after a pleasant 24-hour winter survival battle.