On the mighty Fallbachwand

My eyes sweep over the rough rock of the majestic Fallbachwand, which spirals into the sky like an endless sculpture. The abyss opens up below me, a mixture of awe and admiration wells up inside me. And yet, it is the sweeping view over the Klostertal that takes my breath away - a boundless beauty that manifests itself in peaks behind me. But the Rote Wand, the queen of the peaks here in the valley, is still hiding.

Today I am venturing up the Fallbachwand for the first time, side by side with Roland Vierhauser. He is a master of his trade, both as a mountain guide and builder of this via ferrata and as an experienced ice climber. "You can also ice climb on the Fallbach. The ice tours here are among the longest in Austria," he explains to me as we work our way up the steep path. His words about the dwindling ice conditions resonate with me as a reminder of climate change.

"This via ferrata was created in eight days," says the mountain guide. A proof to his craftsmanship. With every overhanging passage, every rope clamp, I feel the connection to the wall and the respect for this work. "We first laid a static rope as a safety and escape route." I look into the abyss and feel the tingle of danger. "Without these extensive safety precautions in advance, this project would have been unthinkable."
"Was the material transportation a feat of strength?" I ask as I pull on a rope. Roland smiles: "It would have been impossible without the helicopter. We set up four depots from which we strategically distributed material."

We reach a section where the waterfall can be felt. "See Spray," Roland calls it, "my favorite section, especially after periods of rain." Here, in the midst of the forces of nature, I understand the true meaning of Roland's work - it is a tribute to the Alpine water realm of Klostertal. The via ferrata reveals its true splendor - from the resting bench, I look down into the valley, where the villages lie like pearls on a string. "It's most beautiful here in spring, when the snow starts to melt," says Roland. "It's not just the water that surprises everyone, but also the splendor of the flowers on the rocks."

Exhaustion sets in as we reach the "Dirty Shoe Corner" section. "Named after these shoes here," Roland points to a mysterious pair of tied shoes. "A little secret of the via ferrata." I have to smile...

As we reach the finish, I look back at the Rote Wand. "Done it," I breathe. Roland nods: "It's only done when we're back down again." The descent requires full concentration once again. At the bottom, I say goodbye to Roland and his stories, which have given me a new perspective on mountaineering and respect for nature.