Hartz Mountains!

7/26
When going to Europe, it seems mandatory to check out your roots. Today was Amy's day and we start with a little internet research to find out what is best to do.  The original plan was to scale the tallest peak in the Hartz Mountains - should take 5-6 hours. On our way there we see a sign with the Hartz crest and stop for an obligatory photo - SWEET!

Continuing on we find a hiking area and decide to check it out and pass on the tallest peak ambitions - our best idea yet! We hike to a tower where we climb to the top and see the tallest peak - not exactly a mountain and we're glad we didn't make it our destination.  On the way to the tower we see a steel door into the side of the mountain... strange. Just our luck a man walks by who speaks some English and seems to know a few things.  He tells us the door is the old entrance to the "show cave" and lets us in for a look.  The "show cave" is massive and tunnels all the way back to where we parked  (1/2 mile) and beyond. 

From the tower we continue on to a pinnacle of rock with an iron eagle on top the size of an overstuffed chair.  We hike to the top and what do we see... ... ... wait for it... RAP RINGS AND BOLTS!!! We check out the bottom and it's grid bolted and ripe for climbing. We hike back to the car and grab our gear so we can finally do some climbing.  So far we had just been adjusting to our new surroundings and the effort expended (and the rain) had kept us from climbing.  So, getting on some European limestone was quite the energy and excitement boost.  The climbing was different and run out so we found it difficult but we each led a route before time ran out.  Not a lot of climbing but it was exactly what we needed and double the excitement because it was in the Hartz Mountains!