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This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
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Well I got back from my holiday in Austria a couple of days ago.
We camped at Solden (o has an umlaut) at circa 1500m which is a thriving ski
area in winter and a fantastic base for walking in summer.

When we arrived on the 12th the temperature was 9 deg C and there was fresh snow
above 2500m ! But it soon warmed up to the low twenties maxima with freezing
levels rising to circa 3800m. Only had 1 decent thunderstorm which was brilliant
to watch. Saw a huge C-G hit a mountainside where we had walked only a day
earlier. A few brief thunderstorms on other days and only one completely wet day
(last saturday 24th). Mostly rather cloudy and dry with poorish vis. once the
564 dam air arrived. On the morning we left (26th) there was again fresh snow
above 2500m with freezing levels below 3000m again.

Spent a lot of time walking of course, tackling high and rather dangerous black
alpine climbing routes taking us above 3000m. One walk we had steep snow slopes
on both sides with 1000 foot drops and only a 18 inch wide ledge to walk along.
There was a lot of snow cover above 2500m and one day we were faced with a 700
foot descent down a 50 degree scree slope covered in a couple of metres of soft
snow. Sadly I slipped and started careering down the slope very fast heading for
some rocks. I managed to stop myself before I turned head first with just 50m or
so to spare. Hitting boulders at speed would not have done me much good, so I am
rather pleased to be still around to tell the tale.

Dartmoor seems tame in comparison, but it won't be when the winter sets in :-)

I hope to resume my weekly forecasts next week when Haytor meteorological office
reopens !

Cheers,

Will.
--

" A cup is most useful when empty "
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A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
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