Legerle & Zupalseehutte, Austria (22/8/07)

The trek to Zupalseehutte - tantamount to strapping a small child to your back and climbing up a mountain in ill-fitting boots. My consolation? The promise of homemade knödel and another plate of rindbraten at journey's end. We trekked over rocks, hills, plains, cowdung, up a treacherous mountain and slowly down again. (I didnt realise it was trecherous or I wouldn't have skip hopped along the mountain ridge). The paths seemed endless and they snaked around the mountainside relentlessly. I suppose the terrain expects nothing less than a sure footed, experienced hiker and it does not discriminate. I cannot sit down and have a cup of tea with it, trying to calmly explain that I am a city dweller and this is my first time climbing a mountain. The path is the same for everyone.

My right foot is stuck inside a Karrimor boot that pushes against my ankle bone. I am in pain and grimace each time I step forward. Please, mountain-trail, send me an elevator. No response. I keep walking. I keep chanting "homemade knödel... homemade knödel..."