I think it was about 40 years ago that as a boy I learned about the Dachstein area of Austria, probably because of the eponymous wool items. This evening, we took the cable car up as the sun set, and as we rose above the valley my heart climbed to my throat with emotion. Here I was at last. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
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| Shot of me, by Fritz. We took the last cable car up, just Fritz and I and one other lonely skier headed for a gasthaus. As night fell, we skied down an easy piste about 2 kilometers to the Gjaidalm Hut, where the Dynafit event is being held. I had a huge load of baggage that I managed to strap together in a configuration that Fritz said looked like a Serbian refuge, but I got here and yes, they have web. Getting here so late was nothing less than perfect — talk about adventure travel. |
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| So, we have dinner in EU hut style, with big communal plates of rice and chicken curry passed around. I dine with the Dynafit reps from Czech and another from Italy. As for boot reviews, for now, at the request of Dynafit, I can’t let too much out of the bag so the above will have to suffice. Let’s just say this particular boot involves schnapps, and I’m finally going to bed. |
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.