Brocken

[nibot]

Inspired by the sudden onset of winter, this weekend Kate, Christian, and I made the requisite pilgrimage to the highest point in northern Germany, the Brocken. Northern Germany is pretty flat; the highest point is just over 1000 meters high.

The forecast had promised heavy fog and 60 km/hr winds on top of a temperature of -17 degrees C, but instead we were greeted by sunny and calm conditions and a parade of happy excursionists.

To get to the Brocken, we took a regional train from Hannover to Bad Harzberg, and then bus number 280 to Torfhaus. From there it's a five mile walk up to the top, through some beautiful, wintery forest. We took an alternate route down the mountain, ending up in the village of Ilsenburg‎.

Here are a few more pictures on flickr, or facebook if you prefer.

Some outdoors stores in Hannover:
* Bluesky
* Sachen für Unterwegs
* Camping Schrader
* InterSport

Comments

[rosiedee.livejournal.com]

MOUNTAINS YES

Ha, are they prepping for a World's Fair circa 1950 up there? I want to see that rocketship thing TAKE OFF.

[nibot.livejournal.com]

Yes!

[bluepapercup]

Beautiful! Gave me a pang for the snowy winters of my youth. I'm glad you're finally all getting winter over there. It's been eerily dry and warm all over the entire US.

[nibot.livejournal.com]

Did you see the amazing photos (http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/02/deep-freeze-spreads-across-europe/100239/) in the Atlantic? Here in Hannover we've only gotten 1 or 2 cm of snow, but it sure is cold!

[clevermynnie.livejournal.com]

Wow, that looks lovely.

[easwaran.livejournal.com]

Did you see the Brockengespenst (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brocken_spectre)?

[browascension.livejournal.com]

So beautiful! Thank you for sharing.