The One with Rauher Kulm, Germany

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Every morning for the past nearly two years I've looked out my window and spotted "our volcano."
I wouldn't call myself a hiker by ANY means, but I've always wanted to climb to the top and see what are sure to be magnificent views of this beautiful country in which we live. I've driven past this mountain many times, in every season, in every month. It's always been so close, yet so far. 
Until yesterday!
It's rare that we're in town on a Saturday - either we're traveling or I'm off teaching. It's even rarer that when we are here on a Saturday, the weather is perfect: sunny and not freezing. So when the stars aligned and everything was set to work out, we planned to hike to the top of Rauher Kulm (I think it means "Rough Tower", but correct me if I'm wrong).
It wasn't exactly the easiest trail to find, but eventually we found a path and followed another small family up into the woods. There are deer towers all over Germany.
Fox, in typical Fox fashion, got tired after only about 5 minutes of walking barely uphill. He's kind of a wimp :) But he pressed on and sometimes we held him through rough parts.
Jane held her own and would have climbed the entire mountain all by herself, except she got distracted easily and often, so sometimes we picked her up and carried her so the hike wouldn't last alllll day.
We could see the tower up through the trees!
Anybody want to translate for me? Is this really a real volcano? Ein Vulkan?!
These rocks all around the top of the mountain were fascinating.
Totally reminded me of the rocks/troll things in Frozen.
Fox got stung by nettle, poor guy. I've never been stung in my entire 30 years of life and he's gotten it three times in the past month! I honestly didn't mean to take a picture of him getting stung, it was just bad timing.
Picnic with the ultimate view!
We could see Netzaberg far, far away.
Clumps of neighborhoods all around.
We made it!!
This spider picked a primo spot for catching bugs.
The views were, as I had hoped, amazing.

Our family on Saturday June 6th 2015 at the top of Rauher Kulm.
Carvings.
Pretty.

This is the picture I grammed. Germany in all its beautiful glory. I love it I love it I love it.
One of these days I'll find out what this says...
The hike back down was nice.
We walked in the shade almost the entire time under all of the trees which was refreshing since it was a very hot day.
Me'n'Jane'n'Fox.
Checked that one off the bucketlist!
Comments (5)

5 comments

  1. MarenJune 7, 2015 at 1:13 PM

    I love reading about your travel adventures in my country :-)
    Great photos too, it sure looks like you had a good time.

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  2. IaraJune 7, 2015 at 1:51 PM

    hi Paige, as far as I could read the Rauher Kulm is a volcano that never "exploded" because it is not deep enough.
    enjoy the good weather, it never lasts long enough here in Germany ;) liebe Grüße!

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  3. UnknownJune 7, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    It is a volcano. One that never really erupted. The magma solidified before reaching the surface.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Julie Tucker-WolekJune 8, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    Loving all the pics!! Looks like a great day! And I had to LOL at Fox being a wimp and Jane being the go-getter! That is mine to a "T"!! Adam was always the one whining about walking etc and Brookie is always GO GO GO!! LOL!! Too funny!!!

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  5. LisaJune 8, 2015 at 3:19 PM

    On the second Wall it says:
    Most of what we know about the populating of Rauher Kulm is due to Major Doktor Adalbert Neischl, who made several archaeological examinations between 1908 and 1910. More recent examinations are missing. (Don't know if it's translated in the right way - it means that after Neischl noone examined the populating there). Neischl also made the general map of Rauher Kulm. It shows the circular embarkments, leavings of the fundament of the medieval Castle (Burg) and other places of the examination. (End of left column)
    The next column explains the pictures on the left side and above the next column. It relates to the middle ages as well as to maybe bronze ages.
    Now to the four text pieces on the right side:
    First from above: In 1199 the castle on Rauher Kulm was mentioned for the first time. In 1430 it survived the attack of the Hussiten. After on year of siege by troops from Nürnberg it was occupied in 1554 and destroyed. A contemporary woodcarving shows this event. (Picture next to the text).
    Next text: Today's look-out is the fifth tower on the Rauher Kulm. The first tower was designed circa 1807 by Dr, Nikolaus Apel, who designed it as a wooden tower. It can be senn on the engraving. Due to a golden sun, that was hanging down the ceiling and could be moved through the hall it was named Sonnentempel. (Which means temple of the sun).
    Next text on the left: Especially on the southern side of the Rauher Kulm there are good preserved parapets up to 12 metres wide and have an avergae height of 1.5m. Probably they date back to the Bronze ages, but it also may be that they just date back to the Middle Ages. On various spots around the parapets are openings which can be seen on the pictures of Neischl (on the left).
    Last text: The City Neustadt am Kulm lies between the Rauher Kulm and his little brother, the Kleiner or Schlechter Kulm (small or bad). Due to the fact, that both heights shape the landscape is pictured in the emblem of the city.
    Not a really goog translation, but i hope better than the Google Translator. Let me know if you want to see the Harz Mountains while staying in Germany. I would be very pleased to show you this part of Germany.

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