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Reenacting @ 10,000 Feet

Heeresbergführer

Familiar Face
Messages
90
Location
The Mountains of Life
Grüß Gott Bergkameraden,

This is my first post on the Lounge. My interests are in 1930-40's civilian mountaineering and WWII mountain troops from all countries. I've been collecting this stuff for quite some time...luckily I lived in Germany for 10 years where I found lots of items in flea markets throughout Europe.

Last July, I had the unique experience to participate in Project Edelweiss 2010...a mountain troop training climb in the French Alps. I met up with an international group of WWII Gebirgsjäger reenactors from France, Spain, England and Poland.

During the first day, we hiked up to 1800 m/altitude (5,900 ft) to a high pasture. We trained on rope procedures, checked our equipment, and learned a rescue technique for retrieving someone from a crevasse. After our training time, we hiked down to an alpine stream and waterfall for few beers, some food, and Kameradschaft...an opportunity to get to know everyone.

The next day, we started our climb from 1600 m/alt (5,250 ft)...our mission...Le Meije.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meije

The first several hours were quite difficult because the trail was very steep with lots of talus. We climbed up until 3000 m/alt (9,842 ft) were we decided to settle and build our night camp. After a short dinner, the night came quickly and we slept with only some Zeltbahn (shelter quarters) and our Windjacke (double breasted canvas wind jackets).

After a long and cold night, we awoke to the sunrise which gave away to a beautiful landscape...and some warmth! We left our sleeping place in rope teams and climbed up to the snow fields. Rope, crampon, and glissade techniques were tested. After a full morning on the snow, we descended to our starting off point.

Project Edelweiss 2010 was a truly unique reenacting experience. It gave us an rare opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of period techniques, equipment, and clothing in conditions that they were designed for.

Now, I have the pleasure to present you some photos from these three exceptional days.

Berg Heil und Horrido !

Patrick

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FRASER_NASH

One of the Regulars
Messages
123
Location
Camelot
I echo that! "outstanding!" The OUTDOORS room might appreciate this as well, as they're into all this 'canvas, leather and fresh air' stuff too :)
 

MPicciotto

Practically Family
Messages
771
Location
Eastern Shore, MD
Woweee! That's incredible. I know some people who would scream up and down and get all apoleptic if one of your patches wasn't precisely correct or if you had used synthetic thread to sew it on... but those same people wouldn't dare attempt to truly reenact like you did. That, sir is truly reenacting, not just playing dress up and going to a dance.

My hat is off to you sir
Matt Picciotto
USAAF reenactor
 

Atterbury Dodd

One Too Many
Messages
1,061
Location
The South
I always was more in favor of hardcore reenacting.:) One doesn't really get a very realistic view of the past by reenacting parade ground soldiers.
 
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The Lonely Navigator

Practically Family
Messages
644
Location
Somewhere...
Hello!

I had seen a few of your photos before, but now I got to see the 'whole set'. Amazing!

I'm glad you guys got the chance to do this too!

I also have to agree with the others regarding 'dressing up and going to a dance'.
 

Heeresbergführer

Familiar Face
Messages
90
Location
The Mountains of Life
WOW! Geez, I wish I could do that! Completely agree with cco23i. Seeing that man's foot, was it really that rough?


Servus Bergkameraden,

Thanks to all for the great comments!

@Derek...that man's foot was mine...the pair of Swiss Army Mountain Boots that I wore were just a little too big and caused some rubbing. It had started on the first day of our training...I tried all that I could to protect it and keep the pressure off of it, but I made the whole ascent and descent of Le Meije with it. The trail was very steep...1500 meters of elevation gain in 2000 meters of horizontal distance, plus we were carrying about 60 pounds of rucksack! The blister made the climb painful, but I wasn't going to miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime.

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Berg Heil und Horrido!

Patrick

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too much coffee

Practically Family
Messages
912
Location
Not too far from Spokane, WA
Wow! Terrific pictures..............and I really respect what you guys do; I've done a fair share of German/Austrian Alps climbing myself.
A little constructive critism though. Some of those guys might want to back off on the beer, Bratwurst and Bratkartofen somewhat!
Thank you for sharing and best of luck with your future endeavors.

Regards, coffee
 

dhermann1

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
Ach, mein Got in Himmel! (OK, that's about as much of my grandfather's native tongue as I'm going to attempt.) How wonderful.
I was at the top of the Zugspitze seven years ago. I got there by tram and elevator. I highly recommend this method of travel. My friend had a large beer at the top and nearly dropped dead. Smart move.
Anyhow, one thing I learned while there is that if the Alps don't utterly thrill you every time you look at them, then you might as well be dead.
What a fabulous adventure. Thank you so much for sharing.
 

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