The 7-castle tour
Sometime last fall brought Helmut (team schroeder) the 7 Castle Tour to talk and we decided that we as yet have to go there. 
Thus was researched, emailed cachers who have been there, read their blogs, etc., until we had a vague mental picture of what awaits us there. Various pieces of equipment had to be procured, such as paper maps of the area, a backpack, mats, etc. (The globin-catalog during this period was at hand), other equipment (stove, sleeping bag) were present but dormant for years and therefore had to be searched and reactivated. was
When everything together, then, was not the end-ending winter. Date and alternative date on which all three teams had the time, was found. But winter persisted. Meanwhile, we had the time then used for training - we worked through knee-deep snow fed hiking multinationals and improve our fitness. In hindsight, this was very useful.
Then finally came earlier this week of the spring. The temperatures climbed into the double digits and the aptly chosen for our appointment. Sorry, came from tile man and the likes of the dampers. Just on the weekend to come, the big rain. 70% Chance of rain have been forecast. Our decision was postponed until Thursday, Webcams observed in the Palatinate and rain gear down to the field pack. On Friday morning, then came the GO - despite the weather forecast, we want to risk it. The backpacks - had since each 16 kg - packed into the cache and mobile to base camp. One that actually still closed, inn, by Helmut `s Impressive work, exclusively opened for us. The next morning, after a generous breakfast, we went on the trail - without advance another, to look on the way past Mystery. That was not the only one hefty rise for today.
Thanks to our preparation, we had the car, tactically advantageous parked in a place where we should come in the later route again. The first part of tour we were able to tackle with light daypacks. However, we had from there a few miles to the starting point. So thumb in the wind. A driver took pity on us and we went to Anna source. From then on we went almost entirely uphill. Although the mountains are not higher than in the winning country, but the slopes differ enormously. The pitch angle is just too "crunchy" and cut the valleys deeper.
The attached shock figures were not always easy to find, especially if you have left the spoiler photos at home. But we went anyway, because the Coords are fairly accurate after all. At Stage 4 (Fleckenstein) gabs then directly on the track a bistro, which is also already open and had even wheat beer on tap. The next stage was then Froensburg, our night. But before the cache, the mobile backpacks exchanged and thus will be addressed with full load vermeindlich the last climb of the day.
arrived at the castle, we first visited the existing premises and then decided for the penthouse. After a hearty dinner 
- there was Elchtopf - we have not had enough and still have a nearby night cache done who also had another offer (this time really the last) pitch. Back at the castle, the necessary gravity bed had been established.
around 22:30 clock noise suddenly was outside and heard heavy breathing does a 130kg-Frenchman and his two friends are still up to our rooms. surprise guests - suitable for Helmut's birthday. And as befits the birthday guests who had also brought a gift - whiskey and cola - which made it the round. It was still a long, merry evening. Someday, against 2 clock, said goodbye to three in order circle still at a nearby lodge a bag to let so that we at least got a few more hours of sleep.
The next morning, Klaus (Team cheeky monkey) and I were then engaged early with breakfast - only Helmut took a little longer to march willingness to produce. Was possibly on the last night ;-). For a change, we went uphill again, so that the residual alcohol was evaporated quickly. Sorry, had with me a blister formed under the big toe, which meant for the rest of the way an increased difficulty level. Fortunately, I had (highly recommended), Compeed blister plasters it, read what the rest of the way at least to some extent tolerable.
at Castle Wasigenstein then finally turned the predicted rain for 1 week, so we were watching to come quickly to the final. Fortunately, the roads in the 2nd Part of the track wider and not quite as steep. The large Finalbox was then discovered quickly, and our log database. Was now "only" the route to our mobile cache in front of us. The 3 km due to Schönau we are still running - 
in the resort again, the "thumb in the wind method" used. Again we were lucky. A nice Schönauer Klaus times just went to France to his car.
Conclusion: A beautiful weekend! A toll-made cache in an interesting landscape. A and O has shown that an good preparation. As we see the crux of water supply. We always have 5-6 liters of water consumed, which are then dragged and must. And at moderate temperatures. In summer, the water consumption is rising again safely. Anna the source was dry and could not be used. Maiden from the source, just across the Wegelnburg, none came even a trickle. So full of lugging PET bottles.
Thanks go to my two colleagues Klaus and Helmut.
wiedermal It was a great weekend with you. Any time to return.
