Hello and welcome back to SoloHikingToLakeGarda, dear followers and curious readers out there.
Before we start, a quick note about the pictures. I uploaded some new ones, but there might also be duplicates. Oh, and I added an example for expanding location knowledge.
As announced, I wanted to draw a resume of my hike. So here it is (sorry, a bit longer than expected and also a bit later than announced):
What happened so far:
On September 8th, I took a long-distance bus from Frankfurt to Merano via Munich. Approximately one and a half days later, on September 10th, I started my hike. The first stage was without major ascents and was probably about 15 km long. Day 2 led me over very steep ascents to 1802 m. On the third day, I took a break and continued by bus and train. Then on September 13th, I continued on foot in the most beautiful weather. Again with ascents, but nice weather and very stunning landscape. I ended this tour prematurely after about 15 km and took a bus for the remaining kilometers. Day 5 followed the super tour. From planned 25 km, actually almost without ascents, I ended up with about 37 km according to the GPS. Regardless of whether that's accurate, it was a lot and I recognized and felt my physical limits. I decided not to hike the 6th and last stage anymore, but to take a bus to the destination Arco.
So, what is the resume of my hike, what experiences have I made and what impressions have I gained, what conclusions do I draw from it and will it change my life?
Three words are enough: It was awesome!
With a few more words: I saw, felt and achieved things that I didn't know and never thought I could actually do.
If you want to know the details, feel free to keep reading. I say goodbye to everyone else at this point. Maybe we'll see each other again when it's time to 'SoloHikeTo...'!
Bye!
Details? That's what I'm wondering myself. What do they look like? Can it be written in text form or in a table or as a list? Well, I have no idea. First, I'll collect a few headings that I'll later add life to.
The hike in numbers?
1 man
2 sticks
3 underwear
... No no, it can't go on like this.
Due to technical problems with my GPS, probably caused by the device holding the problem in its hand, there are no reliable data for day 1. Whether the data for September 14th are correct is unfortunately also questionable. But it doesn't matter (haven't we been here before?), it was not about the numbers (well, a little bit), but about the journey, and it was great.
What did I particularly like?
There isn't really anything specific that I would say was particularly good. The overall package was right. But if I had to decide, I would choose the path from Mezzolombardo to Fai della Paganella. The weather was good, the ascent was challenging but not too many meters of altitude, my mood was extremely good, and the landscape with streams, waterfalls, gorges, and the amazing viewpoint were all great. Okay, I also occupied myself with expanding my knowledge of the area here and finally took the bus to the destination at Lake Molveno. But anyway, as I said, the journey was the goal.
What was not good? Was there anything that wasn't good?
What should I mention when everything was just great? Of course, there are always things that are not perfect. But then I reflect and think, was that really it, what wasn't good? But if I had to decide, I would mention a few things: there was the rain, dark hotel rooms (energy-saving lamps from the very first generation), way too thin toilet paper (I think it was thinner than a single layer everywhere), my glasses that frequently fogged up (Hello, opticians out there, what helps here?). But honestly, even these were not things that I would be annoyed about during the hike or afterwards. Why should I?
What would I do differently next time?
Definitely, I would plan shorter daily stages. If I want to expand my local knowledge unplanned, then about 15 km plus expanding local knowledge should be enough. Well, the luggage. I think I really should go over my equipment list again with a fine-tooth comb - there's no discussion about that. Of course, I shouldn't just cross out items, but also replace or add a few things. A pair of gloves that don't stain (you should have seen my fingers), a cover that wraps around the entire backpack and especially a rain jacket or similar that also protects my arms. A poncho doesn't really do that. I should also take a closer look at the choice of routes. If I already avoid roads, then avoid main roads instead of walking around residential areas. Oh yeah, don't wait for breaks until you can't go on anymore, but already plan them more firmly, e.g. after a certain time, a distance, or when an ascent is finished.
What would I definitely do again?
I would definitely hike again! Book the rooms in advance, because it was very relaxing to know where I would sleep in the evening and that I would have my own room with shower and toilet. I could very well imagine hiking alone again, but it doesn't have to be. Oh yeah, the pre-booked rooms are a certain motivation.
What did I learn for myself, what am I taking with me, will I change anything?
That's the same question as after what I was (not) looking for. But I really wasn't looking for anything. But I still realized and learned something. Recognize your own limits and act accordingly. It doesn't always have to be the greatest or the most difficult ascent, taking breaks earlier and reaching the destination in a less complicated way is also enough. Don't be the first one in the forest in the morning, otherwise, you'll catch all the cobwebs hanging around.
The word of the hike?
No, not the "Tschaka" from Sven, but "But it doesn't matter". Because "But it doesn't matter" always helped me, no matter what happened. Whether I got lost, um, I mean, whether I expanded my local knowledge or whether I had to cancel again, oops, I mean, when I postponed a stage or when it rained or if something else went a bit differently than desired and planned. But it was all so "But it doesn't matter", no one can imagine that. Although I have to honestly say that "BUT" is on the list of words that I don't want to use too often. Because we often use "BUT" to explain why something doesn't work. For me, it was completely the opposite.
Am I satisfied with my performance?
Very much! I don't really need to say more. Relatively untrained, without any knowledge of hiking, especially in this terrain, and the demands placed on me, it couldn't have gone much better.
What do I think, quite unscientifically, about the whole action?
Hm, unscientifically, so purely neutrally, without frills. A great thing that was worth every cent and every meter. I have no regrets.
Did I find what I wasn't looking for?
I once wrote that I'm not looking for anything, and I really wasn't and still am not. But I realized what the worn-out saying 'The journey is the destination" means. It wasn't about reaching a destination, but the path I walked was what it was all about. I could enjoy the landscape, as well as the ascents and descents, simply the journey. And if I didn't reach the daily destination, it was very easy for me because the journey had already given me so much. The realization came to me when on the third day of hiking, I was overtaken by the two "professional hikers" after an ascent. For a brief moment, I thought to myself "wow, how frustrating", but when the two disappeared from my field of view, I saw a beautiful spot in the forest and had to take a photo. That was the realization! It's not the starting and ending point that are crucial, but what lies in between.
What final conclusion do I draw from my resume?
It calls for at least one repetition, no matter what it looks like. But it was definitely not the last time.
Dear followers, that's really it. I hope, and I know from some of you, that you enjoyed my blog a bit. It helped me a lot because I wasn't alone, and I was always delighted with your comments. Thank you very much.
Well then, take care. See and hear you or you will read from me.
Goodbye, Hello, and Ciao,
Thomas
P.S. I didn't want to forget to thank some people, whose acquaintance (that's what I call it) helped me to walk this path. Many thanks to Mr. Dr. R. (my back works), Mr. D., Ms. W., and Mr. Dr. S. for their open ears.
Not to forget, even though it has been mentioned several times, my motivator and terminator "Mr. Tschaka" (whatever that means) aka (also-known-as) "Hiking Sveni" or the "Hike-nator" (Don't worry, I take the blame for the small mistakes in route planning and luggage quantity). Without his experience and expertise, this hike would certainly have ended differently or probably would never have taken place. Thank you!
And of course, my wife Carola, without whom it would not have been possible in the end - I love you!
