Heeresbergführer
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 90
- Location
- The Mountains of Life
Grüß Gott Bergkameraden,
This is my first post on the Lounge. My interests are in 1930-40's civilian mountaineering and WWII mountain troops from all countries. I've been collecting this stuff for quite some time...luckily I lived in Germany for 10 years where I found lots of items in flea markets throughout Europe.
Last July, I had the unique experience to participate in Project Edelweiss 2010...a mountain troop training climb in the French Alps. I met up with an international group of WWII Gebirgsjäger reenactors from France, Spain, England and Poland.
During the first day, we hiked up to 1800 m/altitude (5,900 ft) to a high pasture. We trained on rope procedures, checked our equipment, and learned a rescue technique for retrieving someone from a crevasse. After our training time, we hiked down to an alpine stream and waterfall for few beers, some food, and Kameradschaft...an opportunity to get to know everyone.
The next day, we started our climb from 1600 m/alt (5,250 ft)...our mission...Le Meije.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meije
The first several hours were quite difficult because the trail was very steep with lots of talus. We climbed up until 3000 m/alt (9,842 ft) were we decided to settle and build our night camp. After a short dinner, the night came quickly and we slept with only some Zeltbahn (shelter quarters) and our Windjacke (double breasted canvas wind jackets).
After a long and cold night, we awoke to the sunrise which gave away to a beautiful landscape...and some warmth! We left our sleeping place in rope teams and climbed up to the snow fields. Rope, crampon, and glissade techniques were tested. After a full morning on the snow, we descended to our starting off point.
Project Edelweiss 2010 was a truly unique reenacting experience. It gave us an rare opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of period techniques, equipment, and clothing in conditions that they were designed for.
Now, I have the pleasure to present you some photos from these three exceptional days.
Berg Heil und Horrido !
Patrick
This is my first post on the Lounge. My interests are in 1930-40's civilian mountaineering and WWII mountain troops from all countries. I've been collecting this stuff for quite some time...luckily I lived in Germany for 10 years where I found lots of items in flea markets throughout Europe.
Last July, I had the unique experience to participate in Project Edelweiss 2010...a mountain troop training climb in the French Alps. I met up with an international group of WWII Gebirgsjäger reenactors from France, Spain, England and Poland.
During the first day, we hiked up to 1800 m/altitude (5,900 ft) to a high pasture. We trained on rope procedures, checked our equipment, and learned a rescue technique for retrieving someone from a crevasse. After our training time, we hiked down to an alpine stream and waterfall for few beers, some food, and Kameradschaft...an opportunity to get to know everyone.
The next day, we started our climb from 1600 m/alt (5,250 ft)...our mission...Le Meije.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meije
The first several hours were quite difficult because the trail was very steep with lots of talus. We climbed up until 3000 m/alt (9,842 ft) were we decided to settle and build our night camp. After a short dinner, the night came quickly and we slept with only some Zeltbahn (shelter quarters) and our Windjacke (double breasted canvas wind jackets).
After a long and cold night, we awoke to the sunrise which gave away to a beautiful landscape...and some warmth! We left our sleeping place in rope teams and climbed up to the snow fields. Rope, crampon, and glissade techniques were tested. After a full morning on the snow, we descended to our starting off point.
Project Edelweiss 2010 was a truly unique reenacting experience. It gave us an rare opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of period techniques, equipment, and clothing in conditions that they were designed for.
Now, I have the pleasure to present you some photos from these three exceptional days.
Berg Heil und Horrido !
Patrick
