Markus' Blog - chitchat category

Marmot attack at Voldertal

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:41:00 GMT

Marmots can be extreme loud and shocking. Today I ran a trail up to the Steinkasern Alm in Voldertal (valley) and there suddenly a marmot howl its alarm signal just 10 meters in front of me on a big boulder. Got nearly a heart attack. I could approach to the marmot nearly 5 meters in front of me. There was a snow field between us.

Volcanic ash...

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:20:00 GMT

I am wondering if this volcanic ash over Europe is really more dangerous for airplanes than the sand from the Sahara blown over the Mediterranean Sea up to Germany.
The sandy air, you could taste last time and after 2 days you see the sand in the road fissures. Also the sky has been tinged with yellow and red, and now?
Maybe the ash is the cause of the hazy air, but I haven't seen any ash in the streets up to now.
Was the first flight warning, because of the ash, dated at April 1st?

Free climbing in fresh air

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:15:00 GMT

Yippiiih. Free climbing without chalk dusty air from climbing center...
Today, I've picked up Martin in front of the climbing center, targeting rock walls under blue sky.
Great to feel the stone under the fingers. My toes need some additional sensitivity again. Never started with so numb ones in the new season. But maybe I've never started at that level before?

Bike season 2010

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:52:00 GMT

After the burst (mmh, more an explosion) of the inner tube from the front wheel yesterday evening, I've bought during lunch break a new one. After fixing in the evening, I've started my first bike round for this year to the Höttinger Alm. I've been shocked how crowded it is already. Every year there are more bikers I've to overtake... stressful ;-)
The Höttinger Alm, as well as the Arzler Alm, have not yet opened.
Although at the website of the Arzler you can read, it should been open, there was no light and not a soul to be seen.
The way up to Höttinger, before you get to Arzler, isn't completely bikeable. There is forest work and the guys unloaded the logs all over the way two meters high. You can climb over it with your bike on the shoulder. Then there are 2 or 3 snow hills left from avalanches you have to pass by foot.
The other round, first to Arzler and then up, is bikeable.
It has been a little bit cold during downhill but real fun.

Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:53:00 GMT

Wow, I've just watched the great Piano Trio No. 1 in Bavarian TV.
Great classical concert with Lang Lang (Piano), Andreas Röhn (Violin) and Sebastian Klinger (Violoncello).
Classical music often sounds boring to me. But this composition by Mendelssohn is classical music I can recommend.