I don't typically observe Halloween, but this year, I reminisced about an extraordinary adventure that took place in 2015. It was a Halloween like no other, as I embarked on a two-day hike through the mysterious Black Forest. In the Black Forest, they celebrate "Walpurgisnacht," their own version of Halloween, with people donning devil and witch costumes to spook others. As I hadn't experienced this tradition before, I was rather unfamiliar with it.
That year, on the 31st of October and the 1st of November, I set out on my hike with the intention of camping in the wilderness. It turned into an exhilarating overnight stay, particularly because I chose to sleep in a shelter known as the "Dead Man," deep within the forest. The night sky was a breathtaking canvas of stars, but the weather was wet, rainy, and foggy – not the ideal conditions for being in a place called "Dead Man" in the midst of a forest, with everyone else in the nearby towns masquerading as devils and witches.
During my hike, I had encountered several people on the trail the day before, all of whom warned me that I must be a bit crazy to be out in the forest on that particular night. So, as darkness fell, I found myself on a narrow, swampy trail. Everything was damp and slippery, enveloped in light fog. However, as the night progressed, the weather cleared, revealing a breathtaking display of stars.
The combination of the shelter's ominous name, the date, and the eerie night created a spine-tingling atmosphere, amplified by the stories I had heard in the lead-up to Halloween.
Nonetheless, it was an unforgettable hike and a thrilling adventure. The night, the shelter, the stars, and the sounds of wildlife around me combined to create an indelible overnight experience in the wilderness, amidst a world where everyone else was dressed as devils and witches.
During the night at the "Dead Man" shelter, I struggled to ignite a fire to stave off the chill. It proved to be quite a challenge due to the persistent dampness of the surroundings. Once I finally succeeded in getting the fire going, I used my knife to fashion a stick and proceeded to grill sausages over the flames.
The following day, while continuing my journey along the trail, I utilized my trusty trangia stove to prepare a comforting soup. I found a suitable spot among some ruins to whip up this meal. However, the clock was ticking, and I soon had to begin my return journey to catch the last bus back. It was an extraordinary hike, so extraordinary that I decided to repeat it the following year, but during the summer season. This time, it extended for an entire week, providing a distinct yet equally magnificent adventure.
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