09 - 13.08.23: Etapa 09 Veitsch/Meran Haus - Seewiesen

Monday 14.08.23: My decision is final - I will finish at this point for now! But let's start from the beginning - I still owe you yesterday's tour...

Once again, I have a very one-sided stage ahead of me today: This time it is mostly downhill for 900m, about 6 hours and only 15 km. From Meran Haus, I go down the Teufelssteig very steeply. Although a cool wind is blowing, I am sweating within a few minutes. On the way down to Rotsohlalm, I pass the Teufelsstein, and indeed, with the description of the hut's landlady, I find the 'devil'. You have to walk around the rock to the left - and suddenly it's there...Photo 3 + 4!

First break at Rotsohlalm, then comfortably continue to Turnauer Alm, and with more ups and downs, I reach Göriacher Alm. Since it is already 13:00, I indulge in a delicious pork roast.

Then comes the last third of the stage, and it becomes tough again. From the Alm down into Lappental - a slightly sloping meadow valley - one could actually be reminded of Nordic landscapes. The valley ends at Seebergalm, which can be easily reached by car (large parking lot). When climbing up to Seebergsattel, the legs turn into lead again. I tell myself, just go down to Seewiesen, and after a steep forest path and 300 meters of altitude, I reach Gasthaus Schuster - my accommodation.

Why my decision to break off here: I don't feel fit anymore - a little bit weakened. The past few days have been one hardship after another and I couldn't enjoy the views. Seewiesen can also be easily reached by train (Kapfenberg) and bus, making it a good place to resume in the future. Ahead of me would be the Hochschwab Massif - I was already looking forward to it, but with the prospect of tough and long tours, I have to give up at this point. I need some rest now! Maybe I will add a few stages in September. In addition, the sole of my right hiking shoe is coming off (last photo)! Every day, the gap got a little longer and deeper. With the defect progressing at the same rate, the sole will last a few more days and a few more tours. But if it suddenly gets worse, I would have been forced to hike around the Hochschwab with my sandals...

Stay with me and visit the blog again when you have the chance. I will post a 'conclusion entry' in the coming days, including an equipment analysis. If you're interested in that, stop by again...