Chapter Twelve: Edelweiss

In July 22, 1946, a small group of survivors, myself included, decided to go to the top of the Karwendel Zugspitze. It is the highest peak in the Mittenwald section of the Alps.

We hired a professional guide to lead the group. We were equipped with special shoes with spikes, a cane and a backpack with food and water. At our first rest stop, some of the boys reached for the food, but were stopped by the guide who told them that if they intended to reach the summit, they should only have a drink, otherwise they would have to go back.

About halfway up we encountered packed hard snow which made climbing very difficult. But we were determined to reach our goal. After 5 1/2 hours we arrived at the summit which was e posed to the sun and the sun had melted the snow.

We were tired and hungry and started to eat our sandwiches. While admiring the view, I noticed in a crevice the rare Edelweiss flower. It drew me to it like a magnet. Before I reached the area, the gravel under my feet started to slide. I immediately hit the ground on my stomach. I rested for a few seconds to regain my composure and on my stomach inched forward to pick the Edelweiss.

I moved downward to pick the flower, but had to come back in an upward position to the summit. I crawled up by digging in my toes but the gravel started to slide and I got scared. I took the flower in my teeth and with my bare hands and one foot at a time, I inched forward up very slowly. It took me quite a while, before I could safely stand on my feet. My knees were shaking and I was exhausted.

The snowy area that took us over two hours to climb, we were able to descend in 15 minutes. We put the cane between our legs, crouched on the cane in a sitting position and started to slide down. As I developed speed, I dug my heels into the snow which acted as brakes, soon as I felt secure, descending the mountain became fast and fun.

The edelweiss, which almost cost me my life, is dried and framed. It hangs above the telephone in our home to remind me how foolish I was to risk my life for a flower. Nevertheless, I cherish it to this day.

I always loved the mountains. They mesmerize me because of their shape and changing colours from sunrise to sunset. I presently hike in the mountains in Palm Springs, California, where we spend out winter vacation. I consider this hiking as part of my daily exercise for the cardio-vascular system and it helps preventing shuffling of the feet, which is a common occurrence with people who suffer from Parkinson's Disease.

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