Austria

Aug 10,

So in the last few days we have left Germany, gone to Austria, and are now back in Switzerland to climb.

After a month of sport climbing we decided it was time to go back to bouldering before we have to leave Europe for home. On our last day in Frankenjura we went to check out a new crag on our own. After a lot of searching we finally found it and were a little disappointed, so we took off to Austria.



We drove to Ishgal, Austria to boulder in an area called Silvretta. The photos we looked at made the area look really good…But when arrived we found a large construction zone. They were actually blasting a road through the boulders. The boulders that were left were pretty good and we were able to find a couple of lines worth going back for. At the end of day one bouldering in Silvretta we had a mini epic hike down the mountain in darkness and heavy, heavy clouds….with no headlamps. With a little luck after wandering around the mountain side disoriented from darkness and clounds we hit a dirt road which eventually led back to our car. Upon arriving at our tent the lightning began. On day two (which was Monday) we awoke to dynamite going off in the boulders…so, no safe climbing in Silvretta on weekdays. When we were up in the boulders on Sunday we saw a few signs around, some of which said something about bouldering and likely something about danger or dynaminte. There were fairly large chunks of blasted rock pushed and possibly blown around many boulder problems. There where definitely some damaged problems. It felt very weird bouldering in a construction zone…so off to Switzerland we went.




We have now returned to Switzerland to revisit a couple of favourite areas and hopefully see some new stuff. We are staying in Magic Wood for the next couple of days and then will probably be going to spend a few days in Sustenpass - an area with cooler temps, less people, and lots of unexplored rock.