That was a tailor-made start to spring in the district.
But the sunshine and mild temperatures made the weekend pretty unreasonable.
Because despite the thaw, many marched across the still (partially) frozen Eibsee - and risked breaking in.
Grainau
- The Eibsee, which is beautifully situated at the foot of the Zugspitze, is rightly considered a natural paradise - and is lively visited in every season.
This was also the case last Saturday and Sunday, when spring-like temperatures drew people into nature and the Werdenfelser Land again attracted countless day-trippers.
But some people looking for relaxation embarked on an extremely dangerous adventure: They walked calmly over the popular mountain lake near Grainau, which at least in large parts still has an ice cover.
Eibsee near Grainau: day trippers stroll across partly frozen lake - police speak of "deceptive security"
But the whole thing was and is life-threatening.
The police speak of a "false security".
Because the ice layer is no longer bearing in many places or even has holes.
The risk of breaking in cannot be ruled out, says Andreas Breitrück from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen police station, which is responsible for the area.
According to reports, 30 to 50 people were on the ice at times.
Fortunately, there was no accident.
The police and water rescue service were still alerted - and on site.
But the hands of the community of Grainau are legally tied, as Mayor Stephan Märkl (CSU) explains.
This resulted in a request at the community day.
Accordingly, in this case there is a so-called common use.
Strollers run across the frozen lake - the police and water patrol alerted
That means: certain things can be used by everyone without permission.
This applies, for example, to public roads, paths and squares, forests or even bodies of water.
The result: anyone can step onto the ice surface - but only at their own risk.
However, common sense is called upon to refrain from doing this for safety reasons.
You lose your strength quickly in cold water
The Bavarian Red Cross strongly advises against venturing out onto the ice.
“It's too dangerous.
We warn against it, ”says Jörg Jovy, spokesman for the district association to which the water rescue service belongs.
This applies to all lakes in the district.
Nobody is released.
“If you break in, your life is in danger,” says Jovy.
There are always accidents that end in death.
"It's easy to lose your strength in cold water."
Entering ice surfaces at sea: Red Cross warns - "If you break in, your life is in danger"
Hypothermia occurs after just five minutes.
The tricky thing about it: Usually you don't manage to climb out because the edges of the ice keep breaking away.
In an emergency, Jovy continues, it is crucial to remain calm, draw attention to yourself and hope for quick help.
The lifeguard has the appropriate rescue equipment.
The first spring weekend of the year with temperatures of around 20 degrees brought the district, as expected, a rush of excursions.
For example, there were many ski tourers out and about in the mountains.
However, according to the police, the number of visitors was still in the green area.
The traffic routes were not overloaded.
In Garmisch-Partenkirchen near the Notkarspitze, a police officer recently hit bones while ice climbing.
The remains bring sad certainty in an old missing person case.
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our new, regular GAP newsletter.
(By Andreas Seiler)
