by: Theresa Gabriel
The Zugspitze is a dramatic mountain above the town of Garmisch- Partenkirchen in Southern Bavaria, Germany. I enjoyed walking mountain trails were I lived three hours away, and inquired about the trails to the top of the Zugspitze. In Germany hiking isn't much of an extreme sport. The trails are well developed and Gasthauses (restaurants) dot the sides of the mountains, so one can practically count on a bier and a schnitzel at or near each peak.
I found that the Zugspitze hike takes two days, and that I could hook up with a guide. I was considering it, when my husband and I had an opportunity to visit a friend in Garmisch. I wouldn't have time to do the hike, but our friend suggested taking the cable car to the top of the mountain. Of course I couldn't pass up the chance to inspect the mountain and to enjoy the view.
The ride up in the 10 passenger cable car was breathtaking. We passed through clouds and between mountain peaks during the 20 minute ride. Once on top, we donned our coats and headed out for a look. We saw several mountain peaks rising above the clouds below, and we had fun taking and posing for pictures out on the rocks.
I could see the trail below, winding its way up the mountain side, dotted with people on their way up. Through the binoculars, I followed the trail to a sheer cliff, and looked closer, not quite believing what I saw. Along the cliff face, a row of iron rods stuck out from the vertical rock face, creating a horizontal path. People were walking on those rods, hundreds of feet from the ground below! I could see that they were wearing belts which clipped onto hooks on the side of the cliff. I watched as one person walked along the rods, then stopped to change her safety clip to the next hook. I was flabbergasted that the Germans, who normally tamed the trails so well, would build such a thing.
After walking around a bit and exploring, I went inside the gasthaus to have a cup of hot chocolate and once again considered hiking the trail. I realized that the reason I hike is: for the fun, the beauty and the peacefulness of the mountains. I really am not interested in the dangerous thrill of an exciting sport.
I never climbed the Zugspitze because I drew a line that I didn't want to cross. There are other things I simply won't do, like lend money to relatives, walk the dog when it’s below zero and host Pampered Chef parties. I love my relatives, the dog and Pampered Chef, but there has to be a line. The line protects my integrity and distinguishes my identity. Thoreau said “The true cost of a thing is the amount of what I call ‘life’ which is required to be exchanged for it immediately or in the long run.”
I gladly accept all the flack I get from my decisions. Saying no to some things allows me to do what is more suited to me. I gladly give up dangerous sports, lending money that I'll never see again, freezing my butt, and being a perfect hostess. In return, I am able to lead women on beautiful and easy hikes, be a personal coach, enjoy reading great novels and lead children’s ministry projects at my church. I live my own life, not all lives.