Go back to Saxon Sandstone.
Go back to Bielatal Day 2.
Brosinnadel.
On the third day, we headed for a different area and one of the more famous towers called Brosinnadel. This one is featured on the cover of a coffee table book of the region that we’ve had sitting at home for about 10 years. That morning we got a rude surprise. While driving from the Czech to the German side along the Elbe River, we ran into a German police checkpoint right at the border. “Passports please”. WTF? I thought we were well inside the EU boundaries. Since I could not convince the cop that my Oregon driver’s license was as good as a passport, we had to turn around and go back to our Airbnb to grab the passports. In the meantime, we could not get a hold of Helmut and so were pleasantly surprised to find him still waiting for us at the trailhead when we finally made it there an hour late. The climb itself, Alter Weg, was 2-3 mini-pitches that put us on the spectacular fin-shaped summit. We rapped off and hiked out in increasing drizzle.
.
Decin.
That afternoon, we did a bit of sightseeing in Decin with the family; nice enough little town complete with a castle.
Photos
Helmut at our trailhead for Brosinnadel (despite our very late arrival) with an old tram rolling by (August 2021).
The approach hike to the towers (August 2021).
Views from the first belay on Brosinnadel’s Alter Weg route (August 2021).
Shirley arriving at the first belay on Brosinnadel’s Alter Weg. This first pith is just a 4th class scramble really but we roped up (August 2021).
Looking towards Falkenstein (formation on right) from the base of pitch 2 chimney (August 2021).
Leading pitch 2 of Alter Weg (August 2021).
Views of the Saxon countryside from the second belay (August 2021).
Shirley topping out on pitch 2 (August 2021).
Some large towers nearby (August 2021).
Shirley at the belay – a huge ledge (August 2021).
Just above the crux on pitch 3. Note the bomber ufo placement (August 2021).
Same spot – photo by Helmut. Click for full res. (August 2021).
Almost at the summit (August 2021).
Looking back at Shirley from above the crux of pitch 3 – summit spire of Brosinnadel (August 2021).
Shirley following the summit pitch. Photo by Helmut. Click for full res. (August 2021).
Shirley following pitch 3 (August 2021).
Shirley arriving on the summit. Photo by Helmut. Click for full res. (August 2021).
I think Helmut mentioned that this was the tallest tower of the Elbe River Valley (August 2021).
Shirley and her pet ufo (August 2021).
Summit register (August 2021).
Signing one is a formal process – a little different than at home (August 2021).
More views of Falkenstein under darkening skies (August 2021).
A closer look (August 2021).
Falkenstein tower or mesa – we’d climb it two days later (August 2021).
Rigging the rappel (August 2021).
Rigging the rappel as captured by Helmut. Click image for full res. (August 2021).
Rapping off the summit (August 2021).
Photo by Helmut. Click for full res. (August 2021).
Shirley rapping off the summit of Brosinnadel (August 2021).
Helmut’s take on it (August 2021).
Standard tower rack to 3 inches (August 2021).
A little exploration of the area post climbing and just pre rain (August 2021).
Brosinnadel tower (August 2021).
There might be no pro but there is a stretcher (August 2021).
One of our hosts at the Airbnb. His name is Mio and he’s a sweetheart (August 2021).
Mom, Shirley, William, and Tom in Decin (August 2021).
Main town square in Decin (August 2021).
Decin randomness (August 2021).
A wholesome lunch (August 2021).
Decin (August 2021).
Main square in Decin (August 2021).
Vietnamese and Thai place in central Decin (did not get a chance to try; August 2021).
The bridge across the Elbe River (Labe River in Czech) in Decin (August 2021).
A castle in Decin as seen from the bridge (August 2021).
The bridge and the castle (August 2021).
Decin (August 2021).
Family with the castle in the background (August 2021).
Decin castle (August 2021).
Elbe River / Labe River in Decin (August 2021).
Decin (August 2021).
A family dinner at some burger joint in Decin. At least the beer was OK (August 2021).
Go to Prague And Family.
Go back to Saxon Sandstone.