Lost in the Alps

We all have those experiences that seem just terrifying at the moment, but when you look back on them they end up making quite the good story. For me, this happened while I was skiing the Zugspitze Alps in Bavaria, Germany.

The skiing itself was absolutely incredible. With my first skiing experience being that January (only 3 months prior to going to Europe), I'd say that it was pretty awesome I was able to ski the Alps.

We originally wanted to go skiing in Switzerland but discovered that it is much cheaper to go skiing in Germany. Bavaria is a state in southeastern Germany that contain a sliver of the glorious Alps. Words cannot begin to describe how incredible skiing the Garmisch Classic Ski Area was. The view was absolutely breathtaking. I couldn't stop thinking how surreal it was that I was actually skiing in the Alps.

My traveling companion, Brayton and I had a good number of glorious runs, before I decided I wanted to try some more challenging slopes. After wiping out a couple times (the Alps don't have bunny hills or even greens for that matter), Brayton decided she would stay behind and stick to the slopes we had already skied on. We decided on a place to meet at a certain time and went our separate ways.

Now the Garmisch Classic makes it a bit difficult to get to one slope to the next. And since we were skiing the end of March (the very end of the ski season), many of the bottom runs were closed off due to melted snow. The slope I needed to ski down to get to the lift was closed off. Well darn it. I was in a pickle. There was literally no other way to get to lift. I consulted my map and vehemently looked for any other way to get to the other side of the mountain. And then I saw it! In little yellow dashed lines was a ski trail to get to where I needed to go. So I went merrily on my way. I remember thinking, "Wow this is great. What a cool trail!" and then, "There aren't very many people on this trail... Oh well! I guess people must not know about it!" to, "Ya know, I haven't seen ANY people for a very long time..." I began to second guess my choice of course. I realized that I had been enjoying myself so much that I hadn't paid attention to the fact that there was absolute no people around and no sight of any ski slope or sign of life.

I was completely alone.

My heart started to beat a little faster, but what really got me was when I encountered a somewhat end of the trail with a bunch of big signs in German. Unfortunately my German heritage could not help me in deciphering the gibberish written on the signs, but I knew they were telling me that I was in an area that I shouldn't be. At that moment, I had two options 1. Go back the way I came or 2. Try taking the man-made trail that appeared to head down the mountain. From everything I've learned while watching movies about people getting lost in ridiculous situations, I decided the smartest and safest option was to go back the way I came. I took off my skis, threw them over my shoulder, and began the long, now slightly uphill, trek back to civilization.

Now you don't realize how far you go while skiing until you have to go uphill carrying your skis. I remember thinking to myself, "Alright you got this" as I trudged up the snow-packed incline. My self-reassurance quickly turned to irrational thoughts as it seemed to take me ages to go a short distance, using a whole lot of effort. I began to think things like, "Well what if I don't make it back before the ski area closes, and nobody knows where I am? I'll have to figure out a way to melt snow and drink it" and, "I guess I now know why you should carry an emergency granola bar in your coat pocket." And then it happened.

The fog rolled in.

You don't know the definition of freak-out until you are stuck in the middle of the Alps, alone, carrying your skis, and you can't see a hand in front of your face because of the heavy fog that silently enveloped around you. For lack of a better word, I was semi-hysteric. I dug my phone from my pocket and began frantically checking for any phone service. I switched my data on (good old Verizon makes it so that you pay $10 for one day of unlimited data if you choose to turn it on) and tried to call Brayton. She of course didn't have her data turned on (why would she?) and I didn't have wifi to text her via WhatsApp. It appeared as though I was in an even bigger pickle than before. So I did the most logical thing anyone in my situation stuck in the Alps would do.

I called my mom.

Now I pretty much have the best mom on the face of the planet because considering the fact that her baby called from Europe and began the conversation with, "Okay don't freak out but..." she surprisingly stayed very calm and collected. Despite the fact that I started sobbing... and despite the fact the only words I could get out were "I'm okay" and "I promise everything's fine." I finally was able to explain my situation and told her that she needed to contact Brayton via wifi and tell her to call me as soon as possible. My mom is seriously a rock star. She did all that, remained calm, told me everything was going to be okay, and didn't give me any lectures except for, "Next time, maybe you should stick with Brayton instead of splitting up."

While waiting for Brayton's call, I began to walk a little farther and finally saw a little pond that was portrayed on my map, revealing I was still a long ways from where I needed to be. But at least I knew relatively where I was. I walked even farther and happened upon a little shack with a number on it. It appeared to be an emergency number so I dialed it. A lady speaking German answered. I quickly began explaining my situation, desperate for some help. Her only response was, "I don't speak English" and she hung up. I was ballistic. I began to hyperventilate and REALLY start to freak out.

After taking some deep breaths to calm myself down, I came to the realization that I should look on my map for an emergency number. I took out my now disintegrating map (now wet with snow) and scanned the paper for a number. I found one and immediately dialed it, first asking, "Do you speak English?" The gentleman on the phone said that he didn't but he could get someone that could. Finally hope!! A very nice English-speaking man got on the phone and I explained my entire situation to him, describing my location as best as I could.

He told me to hang tight and that help was on the way!

Not long after, my knight in shining armor (more like a snowsuit and goggles) came riding up on a snowmobile. I don't think I've ever been more excited to see another human being in my life. I couldn't stop saying, "Danke, danke, danke!" one of the few German words I knew. Relieved is an understatement of how I was feeling.

I just got rescued in the Alps!

After saying three more dankes and a clumsy "Entschuldigung" (meaning I'm sorry) I got on the lift and came down the mountain. Boy was I happy to see Brayton.

Here are my several key takeaways from this experience:

1. I apologize for how Millennialistic I sound saying this, but I honestly don't know what I would have done if I didn't have my smart phone with me. How did people do it back then?! I guess getting lost in the Alps wouldn't have had as happy of an ending as I did!

2. You probably shouldn't take an unmarked path in attempt to get to another ski lift in the Alps, even if on the map it appears to take you where you want to go.

3. I have the best mom ever. And it proves true that I really can call her in absolutely any situation ;).

4. Sometimes the freakiest experiences make for the best stories.