A Schnitzelbahn History: hiking and skiing in the Alps

We've received some feedback from readers that we should add "index" pages for specific content.
An index page is better than the Categories ("Navigation" on the right side of this page) because
you don't have to scroll through entries you've already seen -- instead, just go to the entry you want.

So, here is a brief index of our blog entries about hiking and skiing in the Alps:

Hiking

- Fuschl am See and the Frauenkopf, Austria.

- The Plumsjoch, Austria.

- Pertisau and the Achensee, Austria.

- Breitenstein, Bavaria.

- Spitzingsee, Bavaria.

- The Höllentalklamm (through a gorge), near Garmisch, Bavaria.  The way up and the hike down.

- Bad Dürrnberg, Austria.  A summer sledding run down the mountain!

- Murnau, Bavaria.

- An extended, four-day hike in the Spanish/French Pyrenees.  An Overview, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4.

Forest Climbing and Zipline Park

- Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria.

Skiing

- St. Jakob in Defereggental, Austria.  The ski slopes and the snowboarder funpark.

- Spring skiing on the Stubai Glacier, Austria.

- St. Anton (am Arlberg), Austria.

- Skiing in downtown Munich.  (made possible by a man-made slope at Wittelsbacherplatz)

Combination Activities !

- Kufstein, Austria.  Hike up, and go snow sledding down!

- Kufstein, Austria.  Hike up, and ride a mountaincart down!

We'll keep adding to this index page as more blog posts fall into this category...

Pigeon Crap Office - nice view

I had previously shared my new office adventure, complete with pigeon crap and feathers on the floor...

However, I must admit that the view is quite nice from the sixth story.  On clear days the Alps are faintly visible:

The above photo is looking left out my windows.  The windows are facing southwest, so I get a lot of sun too.

Looking right, towards the center of the office building complex, I have a view of Building #48.  (I'm in #29):

If I zoom out a bit, I can almost forget that I'm at work:

Note:  the photos are bracketed (5 @ -2, -1, 0, +1, +2) then merged and tonemapped in Photomatix.

Hopefully this winter I will get a clear day and can capture some white peaks out there...

Hütte Decor

We've noticed that there's an interesting and special type of decor in southern Bavaria and northern Austria...most commonly found in the ski and hiking areas.

Basically, it consists of covering the inside walls with as many random things (usually flowers and kitchen items) and dead animals as possible, and mounting the skulls/antlers of your kills on the outside walls. Not sure if the antlers on the outer walls is for decoration or show of hunting prowess, but we see it often.

Here are a few of our favorites:

We start with lots of wood panelling and built-ins. Then add some random trinkets and as many small deer-type skulls as you can fit.

The larger antlers should be hung outside for everyone to see.

 

And a big "Beware of Dog" sign is also helpful

Then add as many stuffed animals as possible, preferrably mounted engaging in Alpine activities, such as....

 shooting,

   hiking, and skiing.

A diorama of farm life will fit well in any corner, and it's always good to pose the animals looking like rabid beasts.

And finally....one of my favorites....a lovely heart-shaped flower arrangement. Notice anything different about it?

It took me a while to realize, they'd incorporated snails into the arrangement. I'm not sure why, but here it works.