4 Ideas for a skiless winter holiday

By |April 1st, 2016|Europe, Journeys, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

Winter holidays without skis? - Yes, such a thing exists and even can be fun. I guess, I'm not the only one who longs to get away from the crowded slopes. I'm all about beeing in nature without leaving traces of civilization. Ski touring is an option, but they say there are people who do [...]

Horse’n Ski in Kyrgyzstan

By |March 1st, 2016|adventure, Asia, Central Asia, Featured, Horseback, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Outdoor|

The small wood stove has heated the yurt quickly. Finally, having reached the camp in the valley of Ak Suu, we can relax, take off our jackets and warm our hands on a hot cup of chai. Our butts are sore from riding on horse back for four hours straight but in Kyrgyzstan it’s a [...]

Winter in Norderland

By |February 17th, 2016|Europe, Germany, Journeys, Outdoor, Wildlife|

"Where are you going?" - "North." - "Yes, but where exactly?" - "To North." There are many dialogues like this one before the trip. The German word "Norden" which translates to "North",  in this case, is not only a point of the compass, but also the name of a town in East Frisia, a region [...]

Drag Lift into Hell

By |May 13th, 2015|Central Asia, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Tough Luck!, Winter Sports|

If you are into pain and looking to be beaten up, I advise you to use an old soviet drag lift. For this to work, you need be prone to dumbness and having a snowboard helps, too, but is not mandatory. […]

Winter Hiking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

By |February 15th, 2015|Europe, Germany, Journeys, Outdoor, Rock, Winter Sports|

"To hell and back" was our hiking weekend's motto. "Wild Hell" is the name of a hiking trail that ended with a heavenly view. Although I've already heard of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, I have to admit, it would not have occurred to me to go hiking there. Unfortunately, I am one of those people [...]

Skitour at Bullhead Mountain

By |January 28th, 2015|Europe, Germany, Journeys, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

In addition to alpine skiing and cross country another winter sports discipline ist getting more and more popular at the Northern Bavarian Fichtelgebirge mountain range: ski touring. For three years, the summit restaurant Asenturm has been a regular meeting point on Wednesday evenings. […]

Working on a Mountain Farm

By |November 23rd, 2014|adventure, Europe, Journeys, Outdoor, Switzerland|

Fresh air, mountains, green meadows, and above all, honest physical work – this is how you imagine a summer job in the Alps. But when the joints ache, breaks no longer suffice to recover and the neglected brain screams for new tasks, this is when you wake up. […]

Road Trip in Karakalpakstan

By |September 5th, 2014|adventure, Central Asia, Featured, Journeys, Off Road, Outdoor, Uzbekistan|

"Where the f** is Karakalpakstan?" I wonder when I hear about it the first time. It doesn't have anything to do with Pakistan, the country. Wikipedia explains: "Karakalpakstan is an autonomous republic at the northwestern end of Uzbekistan. It has an area of 160,000 square kilometres (62,000 sq mi)  and a population of about 1.7 Million. The [...]

“Feel the Dolomites”

By |July 31st, 2014|Europe, Italy, Journeys, Outdoor, Rock|

... was the motto of the climbing festival MOVE which I got invited to by the Val Gardena Tourism Organization last weekend. For me right now, the Dolomites feel like sore muscles, the result of an adventurous presstour with via ferrata as well asalpine rock climbing and hiking tours. http://youtu.be/Utnu01okJT4 As contrast to the packed [...]

Is Switzerland the new Lake Garda?

By |June 20th, 2014|Europe, Journeys, Outdoor, Rock, Switzerland|

To start with, the name sounds unfamiliar: "What is it called again, Bierwaldstättersee?" Simone asks on the phone. - "No, not beer, but Vierwaldstättersee", I repeat, as I describe the destination, the Lake of Lucerne. Therefore, later, the Lake is always referred to as "Biersee", translated "Beer Lake". My VW bus friends from Munich had [...]