Berchtesgadener Land Rock Climbing

Berchtesgaden is a land of twisted pagan, Nazi, white gold, and climbing history. The town became rich 1000 years ago when fine salt deposits were found in massive amounts. You can tour mines still operating today (fun, for real). The Third Reich fancied up the place during WWII as a retreat including Kehlstein "Eagles Nest," which was a gift for Hitler's 50th birthday. Today it seems the pagans have endured best. Their anti-St. Nick holiday of Krampus in early december each year brings men dressed as demons wielding whips made of vine, to punish poor behavior and take the women of their choice. But alas, through all the toil, Berchtesgaden is home to many classic alpine climbs, including the Watzmann, whose famous Ostwand was climbed solo in the winter of 1953 by none other than Hermann Buhl. The best way to view this classic wall, is to take a boat ride on Königssee, where the water is more pure than 90percent of the worlds drinking water. Maybe it is the water that turns out climbers like the Huber brothers.

berchtesgaden.de/en/startse…