Snowshoeing - for the first time

18.01.2009

I like those kinds of sport where it is all about the experience itself. No need to be the first, the best or have the highest score, it's just starting somewhere, probably reaching the top and going back again. Even if you are walking alone, it is simply amazing! So why only hiking in summer? Equipped with brand new snowshoes, I started my first tour on the Weinebene (one of the nearest mountains in my surrounding). So have a look and enjoy the lovely winter landscape.

At the beginning the weather was fine like this. Could not be nicer, hm!

Untouched fields of snow. That's how I like it!

Ok, nearly untouched...

The original plan was to go to the "Großer Speikkogel" with the radio station and the radar (marked in blue) but I only made it to the "Moschkogel" (marked green). Why? Well, you will see...

This is the view to Carinthia. Still nice weather and a long view!

Here you can get a guess why I had to quit my tour earlier than I planed. The clouds in the background already surrounding the top of the "Großer Spikekogel" so you can not see the radio station and the radar any more. Hoping this is only a temporary phenomenon I walked on.

And guess what? It was not temporary! Lots of wind and snowdrifts. 

But I made it at least to the top of the "Moschkogel"! No weather is bad weather as long...

... as you are dressed accurate! A photo to proof I really was there (ok, to be honest, I look a little bit like a bank robber).

On the way back: The weather changed for the worse. Looking back to the "Moschkogel" turned out to be impossible.

Nearly back again. At least someone had fun with the wind!

All in all I have to say: It was perfect!!! 

I definitely fell in love with snowshoeing (and with the mountains even more than before!)

And I will give the "Großer Speikkogel" a second chance next time (well, I hope the weather will be better then)

Track to the Trip:

Shut your eyes by Snow Patrol

The Molecular Shooting

My holidays are nearly over so it is time to bother about chemistry a little bit. 

If chemistry would be as simple as building molecules with a Molecular Model Set from Prentice Hall, life sometimes would be a lot easier (but definitely not so exiting!). Just to let you know: I was not able to get all the celebrities for this shooting, what is due to the fact that the kit only contains six carbons, which is not a lot for organic chemistry... So, I am sorry, isoquinolines (definitely the greatest ones) are missing!

Track to the Shooting:

Glycerine by Bush (what else?)

To start with something simple: ammonia

chloroform

carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide

ethyl acetate

The amino acid alanine

benzene

Strange Forms of Water

It is pretty cold these days, but the weather is fine and so there is nothing against having a extented walk in the morning. Crossing the river "Saggau" I came across some quite strange ice-figures. It it always amazing what simple water can form. So, focusing on fire last time, todays topic will be water... 

Track to the Trip:

Seaside by The Kooks

Again affected by the job 

(I really consider doing a molecular shooting next)

Looking quite strange but beautyful

I would like to have some of those on my christmas-tree next time

Crystals on wood...

... and on gras as well.

A closer look.

Iced spiderweb.

The river.

Fire definitely works!

I know, it is a little bit cheesy taking photos of the fireworks on new year's eve, but this is one of the rare opportunities (well, usually only once a year) to do so. And to my opinion, fireworks are great. Not only because of bringing occupational interest along, it is always a pleasure seeing skyrockets lightening the night sky. 

This year I skipped saying stuff like: "Oh, look, it's orange, it's sodium. And the green one is probably copper or barium! Those are the best!" People are getting pretty annoyed about nerdy comments like this...

So, what's left to say, is that I wish you a 

Happy New Year 

with lots of fun and luck!!!

Looks a little bit like supernova....

Pure and simple.

The girlie one.

Sorry, where is the way to Bethlehem?

Did I mention that I like the green one?

Like a vulcano.

Stardust within.

Fusion.

Track of the day:

Glittering Clouds by Imogen Heap

and

Break The Night With Color by Richard Ashcroft