Through four valleys and across two borders: Caroline Schöller and Sophie Lorenz from Icking hiked across the Alps to Merano.
Icking
- School is over, my Abitur in my pocket.
And now?
"Traveling was canceled because of Corona," say Caroline Schöller (18) and Sophie Lorenz (19).
“Still - we wanted to do something.” So the two friends hiked across the Alps to Merano.
5200 meters uphill and 6500 downhill
The two young women have been friends since the eleventh grade and share hobbies such as sports, hiking and a love of the mountains.
Together they researched the Internet - and came across the E5 long-distance hiking trail, which leads in stages from Oberstdorf to Merano: over 80 kilometers, 5200 meters uphill and 6500 downhill, across four valleys and across two borders.
It quickly became clear: "We'll do it."
They packed magnesium, a first aid kit, a quick-drying towel, bedding and a couple of items of clothing into the 45-liter rucksack, and off we went.
“We started in bright sunshine,” recalls Sophie.
A guide served as a guide - it was “so good that the other hikers also liked to take a look.” Speaking of fellow hikers: “We saw them again and again in the various huts when we stayed overnight.
We then set up a WhatsApp group, "says Caroline," if someone needs help. "
The others, for their part, will remember the girls well, as they made sure that everyone was awake before six in the morning.
Instead of setting the alarm clock to vibrate, Caroline's cell phone rang out “Our Last Summer” from ABBA at full volume every morning.
“Otherwise I wouldn't have woken up,” says the 18-year-old.
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Pretty much best friends: Caroline Schöller (left) and Sophie Lorenz set off with the help of a travel guide.
© private
The hike also took the girls to their limits.
“Especially from Zams to the Braunschweiger Hütte, that demands everything from you,” they agree.
The greater the pride to have made it.
“But you also have to be able to endure the other,” says Sophie.
Because exhaustion and frustration are quickly left out on the hiking partner.
Nonetheless, this has not harmed the friendship.
Only the situation in some huts took some getting used to.
“If there was no more warm water, you had to be content with glacier cold water.” Apropos water: “We wanted to take a shower once,” says Caroline.
“A minute and 20 seconds cost one euro - but we only had one coin.” So the two girls are together under the shower.
"It shakes better together," says Sophie and laughs heartily.
What the two hikers missed was enough fruit.
"Sure, everything has to be brought up somehow," they show understanding.
"So, as a supplier of vitamins, we always ordered sauerkraut."
Unforgettable arrival
The arrival in Merano will be unforgettable.
“In the morning we were standing in the snow, then suddenly we had palm trees in front of us.” After a relaxing stay in the thermal baths, we went back to Icking at home with the Flixbus.
"Only South Tyrol has now been declared a risk area with regard to Corona - so we had to get tested first." The result: negative.
And what is the conclusion of the tour?
“You are so fixated on social media these days - you don't even need it.” And: “You get by with a lot less than you think.
You gain confidence and self-confidence - according to the motto 'Just do it', just do it. "
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