Dam via ferrata!

When we woke up, it was raining and the forecast was for it to be kind of yucky all day. So we decided that it wasn't a particularly great day for hiking in the mountains. Dan suggested that we try a via ferrata... n a dam...at the Schlegeis Stausee (a big, beautiful reservoir tucked into the mountains near the Austrian/Italian border). Really, who decides that putting a climbing route on a dam is a good idea? All agreed that this sounded like a reasonable suggestion. We piled in our respective cars and headed out towards the dam. Apparently, we made Petra a little bit nervous when we took a wrong turn and drove for several miles on a cycle path. We had no idea until she told us - it just seemed a little narrow to us.

As we got close to the reservoir, we could see the dam - it was BIG. Maya explained to us that it was an "arch" dam which she had learned about in one of her classes. The reaction in our car was excitement. However, the reaction to the size of the dam in the Lucas Lehmann car was quite different.

Sunrise as see from our lodging

Accidentally driving on a cycling path

When we arrived, the kids ran ahead and explored the top of the dam which you can walk across. The water in the reservoir is an incredible blue color. It is surrounded by big mountains, some of which even have glaciers. True to form in the Austrian Alps, there are several places to get food and drinks. However, first we needed to do some via ferrata-ing. Petra and Anna rented gear (we had extra gear for Carla) and most of the crew warmed up on the "kinder" via ferrata. Everyone did outstanding. Anna chose to do the kinder one 2x rather than do the BIG one, while Paul opted out on everything all together - he had trouble getting up the courage to look over the edge from the top.

The kids sitting on the edge of the dam

The via ferrata route

Petra on the kinder route

The whole crew warming up on the kinder route

James didn't think that he even needed to use his hands on the kinder route

The rest of us headed down a trail to the bottom of the dam in order to climb the face of the dam all the way to the top. Just looking at it was a bit intimidating, but James and Juno jumped right on followed by Dan and Maya. Petra, Carla, and I pulled up the rear. In the beginning, the steps were monsters (we were told later it was to get people who shouldn't be doing it to turn around). There were even SOS signs conveniently placed along the route. Taking pictures was tricky along the route, but we managed to document to climb.

Hiking down to the real via ferrata

Starting off on the via ferrata

Jay Train taking a rest on a ledge

All of the climbers at the top of the dam (Paul took the photo)

After the climb, we had worked up an appetite, so we headed for the nearest restaurant for some strudel and sausages. There was even a trampoline to entertain the kiddies.

Next it was time for a dunk in the water. The report from the dunkers was that it was cold, but not the coldest they had been in.

Carla, Juno, and Maya taking the plunge

James contemplating if jumping in the snow fed lake is a good idea

By the time we got home, we decided that getting takeout was a really good option. That meant that we got to eat dinner in our jammies. Everyone was pretty happy with their meal (except for Juno who kept trying to share their meal - apparently the cheese was not so tasty). Despite not having a plan when we woke up, it turned out to be a fantastic day.