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Kick-off of the 2009 Großglockner tour
Last update on: 09/21/2009
(Preiner Gscheid 22/08/2009) The Rax region was selected for the tour in preparation of the ascent to Großglockner in 2009 which was organised within the scope of the EU-sponsored project „Overcoming Cancer with Research“.
Social gathering of participants and exchange of experiences with Großglockner veterans
The 9 participants of the Großglockner project, paediatric cancer patient survivors aged 17 to 36 hailing from Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia got to know one another the day before the tour during a pleasant gathering at a pizza joint, followed by a visit to an ice-cream parlour.
The two „Großglockner veterans“ Peter, a young paediatric cancer survivor and Daniela, a clinical psychologist both previously conquered Austria’s tallest mountain peak in 2006 on the occasion of the joint project between the St. Anna Children’s Hospital and the Austrian paediatric cancer support parent initiative and had many valuable tips for the group.
Rax training tour in foggy and rainy conditions
The alpine training hike started at Preiner Gscheid. The group of seven (two were unfortunately unable to attend the training tour due to other commitments) was accompanied by mountain guide Hans Thurner, employees of St. Anna paediatric cancer research team, the Children’s Hospital, the Otto Pammer movie production team and an outdoor psychologist.
The ascent along a former ski slope across rocky terrain between forests and alpine meadows to the „Schlangenweg“ trail was very strenuous. The humidity was enormous. The group was temporarily divided at „Siebenbrunnenkessel“
„Schlangenweg“ trail and Karl-Kantner footpath
Twenty-three year old Zuzana from Slovakia conquered the steep „Schlangenweg“ path together with her companion, an employee of the St. Anna paediatric research team and Petzi, a Golden Retriever who loves hiking. The remaining members went to the opposite side of the steep trench from where they were able to see the „Schlangenweg“ trail and climbed the Karl-Kantner footpath equipped with stepping brackets and iron rods by following the instructions from mountain guide Hans Thurner. The group was re-united on the alpine plateau near Karl-Ludwig House.
Overcoming challenges in spite of a prosthetic limb
Zuzana was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer of the left leg at the age of nineteen. Without treatment, this condition is fatal. Zuzana’s bone of the lower leg had to be partially amputated and she was fitted with an endoprosthesis. „Unfortunately, riding a bicycle is no longer an option and I have not yet found a bicycle manufacturer who is able to convert the vehicle to accommodate my handicap“, the young Slovak laments.
Two mountain peaks reached
During the seven hour alpine hike, the young woman together with the other tour participants climbed two mountain peaks from the alpine plateau: Heukuppe at an altitude of 2007 meters and Predigtstuhl at an altitude of 1902 meters.
The descent via Waxriegelsteig which was in part extremely narrow and lead across eroded cliffs and loose stone chippings represented a particular physical challenge for the entire group. Rain showers fell time and time again. The constantly changing weather conditions required flexibility. Water-proof clothing and warmer T-shirts were unpacked and re-packed several times.
The ground was soggy and very slippery. Trust in the skid resistance of the alpine boots only grew after some time of trying them out.
„Naturally, more strength is required when hiking on wet, rocky and sometimes steep terrain with a prosthetic leg, but the group has provided massive support to me and I was able to experience new and important limits“
summarises Zuzana. Zuzana decided not join the Großglockner tour this year because she is not yet 100% confident of her capability and the Großglockner project would have had to be structured differently with respect to the time frame. Zuzana had an optimistic comment for her decision:
“The path is the goal.”
The group arrived overjoyed at the destination, slightly exhausted from the physical exertion of the day, but visibly energised by the wonders of nature – beautiful edelweiss in full bloom along the way to Predigtstuhl, salamanders and timid chamois moving on the mountain ridges within eyeshot.
