Schesaplana, Austria

In 2022, I had the opportunity to embark on what would become one of the most breathtaking hikes of my life. The destination: the summit of Schesaplana, a mountain located in the Austrian Alps. Our journey began at the Lünersee parking lot, where we strapped on our hiking boots and began our ascent. The first leg of the hike was fairly easy, with a gradual incline and stunning views of the turquoise Lünersee below. As we continued on, the trail became steeper and more challenging, requiring us to use ropes and chains to climb up the rocky terrain. After several hours of hiking, we finally reached our destination: the Totalphütte, a rustic mountain hut where we would spend the night before continuing on to the summit the next morning. As the sun set and the sky turned a deep shade of orange and pink, we settled in for a cozy evening in the hut, chatting with other hikers and enjoying a warm meal. The next morning, we woke up before dawn and began our ascent to the summit in the dark. Our goal was to reach the top before sunrise, so that we could witness one of the most spectacular views in the world. As we climbed higher and higher, the stars above us twinkled like diamonds and the air grew colder and thinner. Finally, we reached the summit just as the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon. The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking - we could see for miles and miles in every direction, with the jagged peaks of the surrounding mountains stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one that I will never forget.