Day 151: Challenging But Rewarding Black Forest

Haaghütte to Brend

Distance: 50km

No idea if there were mice. I slept like a rock and didn't notice anything and my food is still here when I wake up well rested. 

After an early start, the day begins relatively gentle on a trail which stays high up on the hills until close to Hausach, where it drops steeply into the village. After my resupply and an ice cream, I tackle the climb on the other side of the valley. It's steep, hot, humid. It's challenging. Whenever I think I'm on top, the trail descends again only to climb another top as I am following the ridge. I feel good, enjoy the challenge initially. After 10 kilometers of this up and down I start feeling tired. And I start feeling my left groin. Something I generally only notice while running. 

Luckily, the ridge eventually changes into a high flat. Pastures replace trees, the trails get smoother, the terrain more gentle. 

While shelters and huts were everywhere around Hausach, they are getting rare to nonexistent as I head south. I keep on pushing, trying to get lucky on top of Brend, a scenic lookout. I don't. After 50 kilometers and 2000 vertical meters I am done. And the views are wonderful, I decide on staying, picking one of the many benches to sleep on.