On October 12th, we undertook our traditional autumn climb to Schneeberg, Austria.. The weather was relaxed, or at least, we thought so at the beginning. This year, our group of six was joined by 13-year-old Mishka, who, as she later told us, really outdid herself. We chose the classic route alongside the Salamander cogwheel train and successfully made it to the top.
Puchberg
We parked in Puchberg, and the climb past the Salamander – Schneeberg bahn was intended to be relaxing, but it proved to be a tough ascent. The incline remained constant, averaging around 10% or more, with no relief even for a meter. After our third stop, however, it felt more manageable.
The real challenge began once we hit the rocky trail into the woods. Occasionally, I found myself apologizing to other Austrian pensioners for not letting them pass, and I even considered taking the last stretch by train. But, out of stubbornness, I opted to backpack my way up, fully aware of my frugal tendencies. At Schneeberg, they certainly know this well. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you buy a ticket from the base or from the second to last station, as the cost is not insignificant and remains practically the same. There is a distinct discount for seniors and children, but I believe train riders miss out on much. They forfeit the stunning views and panoramas towards Puchberg and Semmering, along with the rewarding feeling of conquering the entire route on foot.
Salamander Hochschneeberg Bahnhof
You are awake at the finish line, your eyes shining at the station pub that boasts the world’s biggest pudding buns and beer. However, you’ve taken the wrong footbridge, so there’s no bun and no beer. It’s time to move on.
Ahead lies the saddle, and beyond that, a few more kilometers of a 300-meter vertical drop to reach the very top. I think we must have gone a little crazy. We quickly change in the local modern gallery (which is more like a garage) and keep going.
Wind Ascent on Fischerhütte Schneeberg
No one could have expected it; no one anticipated it. They were already reporting gusty winds in the evening, but what we experienced at the summit was beyond anything we could have imagined.
Mishka levitated in the air for a few seconds, and when a whirlwind picked me up and threw me against a rock two meters away, I began to develop a deep respect for both Mishka and the weather.
We also wanted to shoot some footage, but it didn’t work out. Only Dodo fought through the situation. As soon as I took the camera out of the case, the case flew away, and nobody was able to find it. Above us was a cross, like the ones you see everywhere, and a small weather station. We soon began to appreciate its sheltered side. We all happily forgot about our original goal of summiting the two peaks.
We took a few quick photos and then had a four-legged descent below the ridge, where the wind eased. After that, we enjoyed a short pint in the pub and made a swift descent to avoid getting cold. The way down was a bit painful, but we all gave it our best. We are already looking forward to next year! In total, we covered 24.7 km and climbed 1,661 m. It’s definitely achievable! 🙂
The autumn climb of Schneeberg was once again successful. You can find the GPS track here.
