Day 144: Tough Walk In The Rain

Willhelms Ruhe Shelter to Ziegelhausen Shelter

Distance: 50km


Glow worms again! I don't complain. This time however, their light show was soon replaced by a lightning spectacle. It lasted for several hours and robbed me of my sleep. 

The shelter wasn't able to keep me completely dry. Strong gust were blowing in some of the rain. But it was really just a little bit and not really a problem. Still, I had better nights.


Fog has replaced the rain by the time I leave the shelter. Felsenmeer (sea of rocks) nature reserve is only a couple of steps away. In the early morning fog it looks mystical. I have the place for myself.

The descent through the Felsenmeer is steep but on good trails mostly. At one point, a bridge is closed, forcing me to scramble over the rocks. Despite being wet, they are grippy and it's a great way to warm up my body. 


Soon, I leave the Felsenmeer. The rest of the day is dull. Nothing special to say about the tracks and the weather is pretty unstable. Many rainy phases until we'll into the afternoon. I don't mind the change too much though. The cooler weather makes walking a little bit easier. 

Which is a good thing because today, walking needs a lot of effort. It's a constant fight, a battle for each and every kilometer. Despite the lower temperatures. 

Maybe it's the lack of sleep, maybe the up and down. I don't know but these days are simply part of it. 


Because of the though day, I am especially happy and relieved when I finally make it to my shelter. No thunderstorms are predicted so I hope for some good, well needed sleep. 


Felsenmeer
Felsenmeer
Bridge closed? No problem! Finding my way across the boulders.
Bridge closed? No problem! Finding my way across the boulders.
Plenty of rocks
Plenty of rocks
Persistent fog
Persistent fog
Pforzheim: 132.6 km. I will be couchsurfing there on Wednesday. So I need to make long days.
Pforzheim: 132.6 km. I will be couchsurfing there on Wednesday. So I need to make long days.
Oh look, an observation tower (made out of Alpine pine)
Oh look, an observation tower (made out of Alpine pine)
Odenwald. The forest I have been walking through the previous two days.
Odenwald. The forest I have been walking through the previous two days.
Pre dinner snack: Camembert and marinated olives.
Pre dinner snack: Camembert and marinated olives.
My shelter
My shelter

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Comments: 3
  • #1

    George Mills (Tuesday, 28 June 2022 04:40)

    At first reading 1326 km by Wednesday seemed a lot till I looked closely and saw the comma (we use a full stop). Even so it will be a stretch. By the way the punctuation in this blog is very hard to see! The rocks remind me of Goat Pass but as our geology is so much younger our rocks are much rougher. Your rocks looked slippery to me. Hope the walk picks up but as you say a good nights sleep will do wonders. Onwards and upwards

  • #2

    Rob (Tuesday, 28 June 2022 06:07)

    Having to rely on a good night sleep depending on the elements (Mother Nature), doesn't always guarantee a restful night. She has a lot to answer for eh. Bitch! ...
    Respecting what she gives you, is the utmost in humility, regardless of how it makes you feel. And, be grateful
    She is forgiving.

  • #3

    Fredy Koster (Tuesday, 28 June 2022 16:12)

    I hope you will bring me some of this nice rocks back:)

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