REPORT Naked European Walking Tour 2010 (NEWT 2010)

7 August2010
Today Iwent by train to Austria. It was a pleasant trip and I met some nice people. In
Emmerich, just across the Dutch German border I planned to start the trip by
train. Due to some work at the track the trains did not run according the
schedule, so I decide to drive to Dsseldorf, to catch the train from there.
Together with an other victim of Deutshe Bahn (a lady from Holland), we drove
to Dsseldorf and had a nice chat about travelling around the world. From there
I took the train to Radstadt and had to change in Mannheim, Munich, Salzburg
and Bischoffshofen. The trip went quick due to nice accompany from other
passengers. The last part was by bus, because of construction work on the track
near Radstadt. This bus was fully load with screaming and giggling girls going
out. Around 22:00 I reached the b&b and went for a nice sleep.


8 August2010
Afterbreakfast I took my boots on and grabbed some clothes for a walk. First I head
to the centre of Radstadt, where I met some music bands (Garde), to make some
traditional music. This weekend was a party weekend, so lot of things to do.
After watching it for a while I decided to climb up the Robrand (1770m), via
route 462. Since this was my first naked trip in Austria, I was a little
insecure and did not know when to start naked. It was a marked track I expected
a lot people (having the situation in Holland in my mind), but I was more or
less alone.

So I dared to took my clothes of and it felt great. I walked up
higher and higher. There were some clouds but it was warm enough to be naked,
because there was no wind. I went through the foggy part and finally I met the
sun! In the meantime a man was climbing up and I spotted him. I got a little
scared wrapped my pareo and waited a while. During the climb I passed a well
with nice cold water. After a short break I headed up to the summit. Up there I
was unfortunately not alone, since half Radstadt went up for Fruhshoppen. I
watched it from a distance and decided to went down via route 460.

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I descend toDachbrunnsattel, where I took a steep track down to Radstadt. The end of the
route was just behind my b&b. So a lovely first 5 hour naked walk in
Radstadt. In the afternoon I enjoyed a schnitzel and some beers on a terrace
and at night I went to the party tent to see the locals celebrating their Fest. Time to
sleep.


9 August2010
Just when Ifinished breakfast I was picked up by Migues from Venezuela. Together we went
to the railway station where we should meet. We were the first ones and after a
while I spotted two persons behind a car packing their backpacks. The girl was
waving, so I went there. These two were Anniki from Germany and her boyfriend
Connor from Ireland. Both of them were the reporters joining the group. A
little later Richard from the UK (living in Germany and the guy who organized
the NEWT) showed up with his Border Colly Polly (including a dog rucksack).
Number six was Robert from Germany and finally as number seven Brian from the
UK arrived. After meeting each other we decided to depart and walked south to
the start of our naked trip. Just at the lift of the golf club we took of our
clothes. It was quickly done. Just Connor and Anniki were dressing (some)
clothes. Since the motto is as naked as you want it was no problem at all. So
from now we were in our walking dress and it felt comfortable. Time to talk to
each other and to learn more about each other. We climbed up the hill over a
kind of a rodel track, to reach the Brandalm around lunchtime. In the meantime
Connor also undressed himself totally. Just Anniki staid dressed, since she was
the only lady in the group. At the Brandalm we had a lovely lunch and I
connected my gas tank wrong to the stove, so I lost all my gas right than./spanTime
to make some pictures and we continued via Brandkopf, where we had a little
stop, to Vorderes Labeneck, our summit for the day at 1832 meter. Here we had a
break for a while. The panorama was stunning! All the peaks in the
surroundings, up to the Dachstein, were good visible. By the way the weather
was fantastic to walk naked in. On Vorderes Labeneck we decided to search for a
place to stay the night. The grounds were very wet, so it was not easy to find
a nice place. We passed the Eisenhofalm and the owner did not allow us to sleep
on his land (since we were naked?), and we had to descend in the wrong
direction. After the fence we were allowed to sleep, he say so. On our way
down, we met some German, who staid in the Labeneckalm and told us about the
angry farmrer. They advised us where to go and they promised not to tell
anything. Close to the creek we found a place to camp. Not perfect, but good
enough. I placed my tent under the trees and had some dinner together. On my
menu was Indonesian rice with satay. It became a little chilly and decided to
put on my shirt. When the sun went down, it was time to go for a sleep. The
night was warm and wet in the tent and I had the idea that I did not sleep at
all.

10 August2010
A sunnyday! We woke up at around 7 AM and it was comfy enough to be naked. After
having breakfast we broke up the camp and started to ascend again to the height
of the farm of the angry farmer. On the way up, we met the German again and
they invited us for a coffee and a fresh milk at the Labeneckalm. They were
very open minded and did have no problem with our nudity. It was quite funny. A
group of naked men on a coffee break. After making some pics, we went up to the
summit of this day.

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Via Hinteres Labeneck (1986 m), we reached via a steep
trail the base of the Stirmskogel. I conquered a part of my vertigo, since Im
not a big fan of abysses we had to pass. I felt quite proud. From the base at
2095 meter it was only a 44 meter climb to the summit. The panorama on the 2139
meter high Stirmskogel was fantastic and we signed the book and stamped our
arms. At the base we had some rest and figured as models for clothed walkers.
From here we continued to the Hakopf (1996m), where we had a great view on the
Stirmskogel and saw what we had done.

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On the Hakopf we had an other break and
decided to go to the Rauchkopfhutte, at the upper station of a ski lift coming
from Zaugensee. At that time we realised that we became out of water. Once
reached the Rauchkopshutte, there was no possibility to get water. Robert and I
offered to go down in direction of Zaugensee to find water. We took two
backpacks, all the bottles and some clothes with us to find water. Polly
decided to join us. We found a hut under construction. To avoid to upset the
workers we get dressed (my first pants since we left). They were friendly and
supplied us with water. Since workers usually have beer, we asked them if we
could buy some. We got two bottles of radler and we did not need to pay. With
this cath we went up again and enjoyed the radler with the rest. In the
meantime the tents were built up and I decided to set it under the terrace of
the restaurant. After preparing the tents, it was time to prepare dinner. We
sat in front of the hut and cooked our meal (pasta this time for me). During
dinner we had an interview from Annika, which was filmed. The weather started
to change and after a while it started raining cats and dogs and a big
thunderstorm was crossing the ridge. We sheltered in front of the building
waiting for better weather. It took about 45 minutes before we could go back to
our tents. Since the terrace was built in a proper way, the tent was dry. Only
the ground was wet and there was no possibility to dig a canal to remove the
water. Robert decided to move his pop up tent to a pile of shelves. I decided
to stay. Miguel, Anniki and Connor found an open door in the hut and decided to
stay inside. After a proper look at the map it became dark and it was a good
point to go to bed.


11 August2010
Another nice day and warm enough to start it naked. There was no rain during
the night and we could easily break up our camp. In the meantime Anniki
interviewed us all separately and Connor took pictures. The plan was to go to
the Tauernkarleitenalm for breakfast. There Anniki and Connor planned to leave
the group for some nice days of relaxing. We reached the alm via Leckriedl and
Stubhhe. At the Tauernkarleitenalm we had a (dressed) fantastic breakfast with
fresh cheese and bread. The kids entertained us with their accordions. Nice Alp
music in a fantastic scenery. After meal it was time to say goodbye to Anniki
and Connor. The rest of the group decided to go to the Sdwienerhtte, where it
was possible to sleep. The question was which way. Via the steep route over
Brenstaffl or via the valley. We choose the last option. In the valley Robert
hide a part of his luggage in a declined hut (tent, mattress and sleeping bag).
In the afternoon we reached the Sdwienerhtte and booked a bed in the
dormitory. Brian decided to camp. Here we had a nice lunch and some rest. At
the end of the day we planned a little trip up to the house mountain, the
Sprizinger (2066m), just behind the hut. We climbed naked up the mountain and
signed the book on the summit as well. Some dark clouds came over, but it
stayed dry and no thunderstorm came. From there we decided to go to the
neighbouring mountain Spazeck (2065m), since we were close and it was not a big
climb.

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Once on the Spazeck we were happy that we did not cross via Brenstaffl.
The track was very steep! Back in the hut we had a nice dinner and some beers
and a good sleep in the dormitory.

12 August2010
Today wehad to say goodbye to Robert. He had to back to Munich, where he had a birthday
party. After breakfast he left with the owner of the hut to the valley. The
rest decide to go to the Hengst (2016m) on the south side of the hut. The track
was nice, but once up it became windy and a little cloudy. The panorama was
fantastic and we had a great view on the Pleisingkeil. It was all above the tree
line, so the wind was strong. Anyhow we stayed naked and Miguel was just
wearing his gloves. For a while I also had to wear my wind stopper. During the
trip it became a little warmer, so I was able to go on naked again. We had a
lunch close to the Wildsee, a little lake in between the mountains. Fantastic
view! From here Brian wanted to go back via the peaks and left us. Richard,
Miguel and I continued our tour and came back via the Hirschwandsteig to the
hut. The steig was in the forest, so very comfy and the views over the valley
and the Johannes waterfall were stunning. In the afternoon we reached the hut
again. Miguel decided to leave as well and went to Salzburg that afternoon. I
took al little walk in direction of the Tauern tunnel and after that we had a
nice drink on the terras of the hut. Dinner that night was Bergsteigeressen and
was very good. After dinner we sat outside under the clear sky and enjoyed some
schnapps. In fact too many. I broke up and went to bed.

13 August2010
The schnaps of yesterday were too many for me and I did not feel well. After
breakfast I decided to go back to Radstadt and walked downhill naked. First I
had the plan to walk back, but since I did not feel very well and the workers
in the wood were not sure if the road on the map was still existing, I walked
down to the Gnadenbrcke to take the bus to Radstadt. On the track I spotted a
deer, which was looking at me, but I was too late to make a picture. Once back
in Radstadt I walked to my b&b and had some rest. In the afternoon I went
some souvenir shopping and had a quick snack at night. To finish the trip I had
the plan to join the tour of the Story teller, but since it start raining I
decided to go to sleep.


14 August2010
Back hometo Holland. At 8:26 AM my train left Radstadt for Munich. Here I changed trains
and continued to Dsseldorf, where I found my car again for a trip back to
Alkmaar, where I arrived around 8 PM.

Resume
The tripwas a fantastic experience and a Im very happy that I decided to sign up. The
group was also very nice and very diverse, but with one passion, being naked. I
want to thank Richard for his job and the opportunity he gives to us to make
such an experience. I would say: go on and up to NEWT2011!