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The Best of Benno, 2012

9/3/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
My STAY with BENNO – 2200m high – Take off point – Rietz

Griesskogel Peak (just above Rietz) lies at 2884m high and is probably my most favourite climb to do.  It is right from Rietz, it is challenging, it is long, it is fun, I get to run the first hour on mountain road, then climb, great crazy run down, but the very best part of this is the visit with BENNO on the way down.  It was always great conversation, a few boisterous laughs, a couple shots of ZIRBE schnapps…and then I would be on my way…with a new found energy or lack of from the schnapps and the sitting in a warm hut.  I loved it and would not miss it.  Benno tended the sheep’s Hut for the summer, herding the sheep that are owned by farmers in the village.  Benno has been down this every summer for around 25years.  He knows the mountains, the trails the rocks , the sheep inside out and could probably climb blindfolded and know his way.  I remember getting caught in the hail running down the mountain and I ran straight in the Benno’s Hut and hung out for a good couple hours before I could continue on.  There was definitely something special there.  I
told him I must stay here for a night …I would love it!  And of course I was always invited.  It’s his simpleness and love of the mountains I love…his great laugh and his warm hospitality to bring anybody in.  But there was something else there too… I never wanted to miss a visit.


On Aug 27
at 5:30pm I started up the mountain towards the hut, super jacked and so excited to go.  It was warm out ,SKY was absolute clear.  I was still a little wired from my Segafredo Espresso stop but I think my energy was high because I knew where I was going.  After 21/2 hours…I made it to the hut…with other visitors there and Sammy (his best friend dog) sniffing through my bag of goodies.  I had stuffed my pack full of goodies from the bakery for them to indulge in.  Gabi, his daughter, arrived a bit later…we sat up until at least 11:30, laughing, listening to oldie tunes on the old time radio, learning Rietzer Dialect (love that) sentences and just simply enjoying the moment.  It’s so comfortable there even to sit around the table…not saying anything…


Klaus, Kimmsch miar brauchn Zirbeln – Klaus come on up, we need another bottle of Zirbe Schnapps!

Yes I finished it off!

At 6am, Benno was up and ready to go to do his 3 hr Sheep round up…Gabi and I sat and had breakfast and relaxed for a good while.  I was ready to fly up to Griesskogel..since now it was only a bit over an hour away.  Once I arrived…I stayed at the peak for over an hour just lying…then came down halfway and lay for another hour..then came back down to Benno and decided to do another peak.  I did not want to go down…..after the second peak, which had a ton of full body climbing…and I had to make my own way down..I was exhausted, hungry and ready to go back down. That one chocolate Balisto just didn’t cut it, all the way up and down.

Wed
Aug 29th was a very sad day indeed, as I received a phone call from Klaus, as I
was sitting at Segafredo in Innsbruck.  He was the bearer of bad news….Benno
fell 90m from the mountain and had died instantly.  This was the big day of
herding all the sheep and bringing them back down the mountain.  I was shocked
and very sad…as I was just with him..this man knew the mountains inside out, was
super fit and strong.  A sheep had gotten away of the trail in a steep section… so Benno climbed up to get him…the section of grass he had slipped on and fell …many others were there including his wonderful daughter Gabi…all witnessing.  As the helicopter flew over Rietz into the mountain right above, Klaus instantly grabbed his cell phone and made a call to Benno….he had this feeling.  30min later the helicopter landed on the soccer field in Rietz with Benno and Gabi inside.  Klaus, my good friend and a dear long time friend of Benno was there to witness.


‘Another one of our ORIGINALs gone’ Klaus says…He was such a unique, wonderful man and even having lived a good life…it is very sad to lose him.  His energy and spirit will live on in the mountains above Rietz.  Even though I only knew him for a year…I felt like I knew him for a long time…  My Griesskogel Climbs will never be the same anymore without Benno’s visit.  To me his is a Rietzer ICON. 

Your message shall be emphasized to live SIMPLY doing what you love to do and do it everyday…so each day carries riches in the simplest of things…open your heart and your home to everyone and you will live a rich life….Benno died tragically yet he was doing what he loved to do.   I feel him smiling up above having left so contented and at peace.

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1 Comment
Diary of a Mountain Addict/ Team Energi Takes on TRANSALPINE - The Race of a Lifetime link
9/1/2011 01:08:36 am

Attention ....skip this first part if you are not into a bit of MUSH GUSH.....ahhhh read it anyway......
WOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.....is what I have to say here sitting in my bed at the SilbeRanch....a farmhouse in Rietz that I am staying at now....good friends of mine (like family) have put me up ...who make the BEST HONEY IN THE WORLD (not kidding)
I sit here at 8am and I am in awe of everything that has transpired in the last 7 weeks....words will not give it justice ...all the experiences, situations, aaah moments, training, mountain climbing, more training, spontaneous rendez vous's and events, laughs, exhaustion, speechless moments....like I did a lifetime of experiences in these 7 weeks....and I have been coming here for many many years.....It's Magical and brings many new things everytime I come....The best I must say are the unplanned events that show up that I would never expect, the simple yet jaw dropping moments, the whole journey of a Mountain Climb no matter how in sync or grueling it feels, and the people and friends I have here ....not to mention the most incredible Espresso in the world...I am in awe that in such a long time here....everyday brings something new or exciting or FUN.....and HECK find whatever gives YOU that JUICE and go to it, GO FOR IT....Indulge in it....you deserve to give yourself that huge gift of doing something you LOVE....the FUEL it gives to everything else you do in life will be so powerful., and the simple PRESENCE inside.....you can move mountains with it.
Yes...I take long holidays only....for what I am doing and what I am building (Mountain Retreat Adventures)..this is best and what I choose. It is my vision to get as many people as possible over here to experience the simpleness of the Mountains, people, but mostly to revel in that JUICE, discover that simple part of YOU that needed to be re lit....... etc...take a big breath and get a fresh perspective of of your life at home....I know there is something Magical here and I am so excited to GROW ' Livin Adventure...' and get people travelling off the beaten path more...the experiences and growth and laughs and pure raw fitness from climbing Mountains everyday is worth to me 10x what I pay to be here.....It's GOLD....

OK....that's my MUSHY GUSHY welcome to my BLOG.....

As you can see, I like to write as if I am talking to you...so please refrain from picking apart my dot dot dot and grammar stuff....this is the fastest way my fingers move...


TOP 3 SIGNS YOU ARE A BIT OF A MOUNTAIN ADDICT
1)You compete in a grueling Half Marathon MOUNTAIN RACE to 3000m with much climbing (the bent over, hands on knees stuff) in Switzerland
and then the next morning the excitedly get up and do it again on your own.....
2) You bought a beautiful new pair of Salomon (oh my fave shoes) mountain train shoes (not cheap) and after 3 1/2 weeks, I need a new pair.....the profile is withering down..and falling on my arse more running down the moutains
3) Can't wait for your rest days (2 of them in a row) after a long tough training week....and then Day 2 ....dying to get back out

OK my experiences in the last week...

TEAM ENERGI TAKES ON THE ALPS at TRANSALPINE

OK HERE STARTS THE REAL BLOG

THE CRAZY DREAM QUICKLY APPROACHES ...2 years ago I set my mind to do this and here it is...after starting into the ULTRA RUNNING last year....it opened up a whole new part of running and in a zone..that I had never experienced in 20 years of running. The TRANSALPINE grabbed me, the stories inspired me and the next thing I knew.....I WAS COMMITTED...

TRANSALPINE ULTRA TRAIL RUN - 5 DAYS AWAY
TEAM ENERGI TAKES ON THE ALPS!!!

GORE-TEX® TRANSALPINE-RUN 2011
Eight stages, countless summits and peaks and an amazing itinerary off the beaten paths on rocky tracks constitute one of the last true sporting challenge. Experience the adventure of crossing the Alps together with your teammate in one of the world’s most spectacular running event! Look forward to breathtaking and stunning sceneries, a once in a lifetime experience and the unforgettable feeling of being a finisher of the GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run – be part of it!

The GORE-TEX ® Transalpine-Run, since its premiere in 2005 is one of the greatest challenges for mountain and trail runners and it has the reputation of an internationally staffed, highly professional and emotional event for all participants. The route leads up to 3000 meters high mountain passes and through beautiful valleys across the main Alpine ridge.

On it's own feet across the Alps - the GORE-TEX ® Transalpine-Run 2011 gives all nature lovers and alpine mountain-, marathon-, triathlon- and trail-runners a lifetime experience.


THE RACE
STAGE TOWNS
start in teams of two
Oberstdorf (GER) – Kleinwalsertal (AUT)
4 categories
Kleinwalsertal (AUT) – Schruns (AUT)
8 days
Schruns (AUT) – Galtür (AUT)
8 stages over the Alps
Gal

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    Karrie Gregson

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I can't recommend Karrie high enough. I hired Karrie to plan the trip of lifetime for me and she delivered in spades! As someone who had very little experience with going on an adventure trip, she took care of every little detail for me. She was in constant communication prior to the trip, making sure I was doing what I needed to do to have the best possible experience. Once we finally met up for the trip, she had everything prepared and was even able to "roll with the punches" when we had to make changes in real time. Her positivity, enthusiasm, local knowledge, personal contacts, organization, flexibility and professionalism amazed me. Karrie is a true professional that adds a personal touch.
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