Sometimes the best thing that can happen is to get caught in a rain. Sometimes the worst scenario is for everything to go as planned or to make changes that seemed to be for better. Trust me, I’ve been there. And let me show you all that on this trip I recently returned from.
Yes, another ferrata trip, yes it was again in Austria, but it was different. Every trip is. And it wasn’t just the fact that I had a different climbing buddy, or that we went to a different area. It was the concept, the quite phlegmatic approach if I may. It was the last-minute plan with some flexibility and the expectation of unexpectable. I’m pretty sure you’ll get the idea even by reading just the very beginning of this all.
Where should I start? Well, two days before our departure, it seemed like this trip is not gonna happen. It only took a couple of texts, moods, and above all an unfavorable weather forecast to make me think, this trip may not be the best idea. But thanks God, that a great realization kicked in. A realization, that it wasn’t the forecast that was being negative. It was me, it was my mind. And therefore only that was to be changed
Sorting out all the thoughts, I talked to my co-traveler and we agreed to postpone the trip by one day (just to avoid stressing out about it). We met later that day, finding out that the weather was clearly not gonna change. So we took it as it was given and planned stuff out with several modifications that were opened to be further modified. I was leaving his place after midnight quite tired, but pretty excited about this to-be-rainy trip.
We left early in the morning with a full trunk (mainly of food) and only with a couple of not-so-important items forgotten. With oldies playing out loud, we reached Austria and the first ferrata we planned to climb. All happy and excited, we walked towards the entrance. All happy and excited till we found out it was paid. Rolling our eyes we paid it and got in. But only then we understood. The area was so beautiful! Brightly blue water running down a great waterfall hitting rocks here and there, and all the little bridges going along and over the river. Such an amazing place and such a great ferrata. There even was a little zipline included. We could have turned and left, but we didn’t. And those €8 were so worth it! Money is money, and on this trip, we really tried not to care about it too much (even though we still did. Well, I did).
Money isn’t everything, but everything needs money”
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Leaving that place, thinking we started super strong and not being sure if anything can really top it up, we got caught in a rain (as predicted). Driving to the camp, we decided not to go to the “optional” place that was on the plan that day. However, my companion said words I would have never expected to leave his mouth. “We can go to the lake and run around in the rain”. It was pouring! How crazy you must be to even get that idea? And I love crazy! And at that moment this guy really grew a few centimetres taller in my eyes. Well, we did that. We went and ran in the rain all alone with only ducks watching us. And let me tell you that even though we didn’t last long, I don’t think any walk could possibly beat that feeling. The feeling of running and jumping around barefooted in the wet grass, on sharpy stones, slippery paths, and into the puddles while being poured over with all that freshness. Is that weird? I suppose. But I don’t care. Because I would never want to miss that out.
The next day was in the name of Grossglockner. He picked it. I wasn’t so thrilled about that idea. I know it’s not about money, but am I the only one who thinks that €37 is a ridiculously high entrance fee? Plus all the gas you’re gonna use. Gosh! But I knew that my personal driver was super excited about that serpentine. So we went. To be honest the views were great, but were they worth €37? Ehhh… well, not to me. Then we stopped, and we went on one of the best hikes I have ever been on. That peaceful, fun and totally miraculous 15km / 4h long hike. I was taken away by that natural beauty. No people, just us, and the outstanding nature that made us feel so small. I was so glad he didn’t let me to talk him out of going there. So glad! And even the weather was surprisingly great. I don’t ever want to forget that day, the perfectly splendid hike I could have so easily passed.
There were four possibly “not-so-great” things that happened that day. Four (and maybe more) things you may call by the P-word. 1st – we almost ran out of gas before we made it to the nearest gas station. 2nd – there were wild sheep going after us (yes, sheep that weren’t far from attacking us). 3rd – at one point, we weren’t sure if we’ll be actually able to finish our hike or if we’ll be forced to turn around and go back. And 4th – We got hit by a storm and heavy rain right when we were cooking our dinner, so we had to stop and put everything in the tent real fast. Yes, you could call all of these “problems” or “complications”, you can get mad about them or let them stop you. But they can also make the best memories. And one day, you will laugh at them, so why wait? Why not laugh at them straight away?
The weather forecast got way better and the next few ferratas went as expected. Well, besides me getting sunstroke, and us getting lost on probably the dumbest ferrata I have ever climbed. Due to the weather and our tiredness, we modified our next-day plan to not to go on a day-long ferrata but two beautiful and chill ones instead. They both were by a waterfall. And so we went. Little did I know what an experience that was gonna be. Halfway up the first one, we found out that there is an option of taking a more difficult way, which went literally right next to the waterfall (and over the steepest part of the rock … A longer hang) I looked at my climbing buddy and he nodded.
Best decision ever! I climbed first and took 3 breaks to actually make it. It was hard on my arms since I was hanging on them most of the time, and everything was super slippery from the water spraying the rock as well as me. Full concentration got me totally in the zone. Yes, I was in the flow, the best feeling ever. And once I made it past that tough part, a burst of happiness! The adrenalin, endorphin, dopamine, serotonin. Gosh, I was high! I just sat there smiling like a fool waiting and cheering for my buddy to make it through that difficult part too. It was THE MOMENT. I knew it was. And it felt amazing! (and as you could have guessed, I would miss all this if we went with the plan A. So I’m really, really happy that we didn’t)
One last day ahead of us, we were tired. Tired, but still wanting this to last a bit longer. So my co-camper came to me with a question if I can possibly call my boss and get another 2 or 3 days off. That got me thinking. I really was considering it. But I had my commitments and things to do, which really bugged me since I did want to stay. I’m always trying to be free and open-minded. But I knew my responsibilities and I partly know my body too… So in a sad tone, I said the “no” and guess what. We both were glad that I did. Since only on our way back, we found out that if we returned only one day later, we would need a Covid test to be allowed to cross the borders back to our country. That would be a pain in the butt.
On our way back, we stopped by a super rainy Innsbruck which we still fully enjoyed (especially the first 10 minutes with no umbrella when we only stood under some framework that was near when the heavy rain hit the city) and the drive back was pretty chill. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. I couldn’t have imagined this whole trip to be any better. I’m so thankful for everything that happened and everything that didn’t. For changes, modifications, and the random ideas that we made happen. I’m so grateful for every place we went to and I don’t regret a single cent spent.
Let this be an example, let this be a lesson. Because planning and expecting may be good, but judging too fast and acting too early may not. I feel like this trip went so well, mainly because we let it build itself. We did plan, but flexibly. We stayed open to anything that could come in our way and we went with our guts when needed. It went well because we went with the flow. Because we let it be the way it was supposed to be, and then just went from that.
Where I have been 