Last week, I embarked on a truly cool morning adventure – a sunrise hike to 'Ellmauer Tor' in the stunning Austrian Wilder Kaiser mountain range. It was an experience not just about reaching a physical summit, but also about embracing the feeling of freedom that comes with exploring the outdoors at the break of dawn.
The Journey Begins
My journey began the night before I started my hike. To already gain some altitude, I drove my van to the start of my planned hike on a altitude of 1.100 meter. Once arrived, I quickly went to sleep to still get some hours of sleep. At the hour of 3:30 AM, it was time to rise and shine. It was a beautiful clear night where I felt I could see every single star. All I could hear was the sound of running water from a nearby mountain river. Equipped with my trusty Milestone Rechargeable Cool Model headlamp, I set off on the trail. As the first 45 minutes of the track was mainly through forest with relatively easy trails, I used the comfortable warm light funtion on the head lamp. Later, when the track became more demanding and more focus was required, I switched to the cool light function. Switching between different lights made me able to adjust perfectly to the terrain and timing during my hike!
The Beauty of the Night
Hiking in the dark offers a very unique experience. The world is quiet, and the only sounds are the rhythmic crunch of my shoes on the trails and the distant calls of various wildlife. Several times during my ascent I saw the 2 small flinkering eyes of a mountain goat through the light of my headlamp, who moved on the mountain a lot smoother than I did. The stars were my silent companions, twinkling brightly in the clear night sky. As I further ascended, the first beams of the approaching dawn began to touch the horizon, signaling the promise of a new day.
Arrival at Ellmauer Tor
After two hours of steady hiking, I arrived at Ellmauer Tor on an altitude of 2.000 meter. The view simply was breathtaking. The sky was painted in colours of orange, pink, and purple as the sun was rising. The rugged peaks of the Wilder Kaiser were covered in the soft, golden light of dawn. Standing there, I felt a sense of accomplishment, freedom and peace. I was privileged to witness the world waking up on this magnificent point while enjoying a morning coffee and banana.
The Freedom of a Sunrise Hike
There's something special and liberating about a sunrise hike. For me, it's a reminder that adventure and freedom are within reach as long as we're willing to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown. The early start, the physical exertion, and the reward of a stunning sunrise all combine to create an experience that touches the body and soul. It's a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature and oneself.
Of course, a sunrise hike is just one example of embraching the Milestone way of 'Adventure Therapy'. There are so many other ways one can experience this sense of authentic connection and digital detox in the great outdoors! No matter what time, we encourage you to just get outside en go after your next Milestone.
See you on the trails,
Thijs - Milestone Europe
