This is the 5th lockdown month and my mood does not care about how “light” it is. It has been a year since clubs closed, two years since my last travel-holidays and something like forever since tomorrow had been full of promises. I know that positive aspects come with Covid, and I appreciate them. Still, I am haunted by a strange feeling, something between half-empty and unfulfilled. And I am stunned by the rush for Mallorca-reservations, packing up piles of people into tight aeroplanes, while it remains forbidden to spend a night in my camper van.

And there is more: all those desperate road signs “Bayerische Schmankerl to go”, the click-and-collect-food, online-reservations for offline-shopping, all those that run bars and clubs for their living (and for great evenings with friends and encounters, hence for us!), all the artists and travel agencies – all closed down and sad, so sad.

Unfair or not, I have to admit that I am blessed with a positive job situation, with youth, beauty and fitness. Not to mention the very best Covid-investment = my family-sponsored touring ski equipment. Although the thwarted operations around (ski lifts, mountain huts …) cause tears of frustration, it is good to go out, acknowledge the absurdity and slide into a form of notwithstanding. Hence, back to another ski tour.

The weather is in-between-seasons and it lures bikes, hikers and ski fans. I choose the snow leftovers of Sudelfeld ski area for a relaxed morning tour, starting at Grafenherberg. Around 9:30 a.m., a handful of ski tour cracks make their way up, and so am I. I shift one ski ahead, then the other, slowly finding my pace.

Thanks to snow cats’ work from optimistic times, the slopes offer a solid layer of snow, yet limiting the range of action. Last time we combined different uphill and downhill routes. Now what-you-see-is-what-you-get, there is no in-between cross-country skiing anymore.

Finally, I turn around after a mere 50 minutes, just before the paths run out of snow. Meanwhile, more ski fans have made their way up, so I try to hurry up, aiming to pass through the narrow section before dozens of uphill skiers get in my way. With all my focus on time and efficiency, I have forgotten to switch my boots from “flexible movements – uphill” to “solid grip – downhill”. It only takes seconds until I lose track and land on my back, presenting a hell of a show to the pile of people. Compared to this stunt, the rest of the slope is a bit of a bore, but, of course, all worth it.