European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 20, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wayne Palubecki fills his drinking bottle with Clear Spring water during hiking group s descent into the rein Valley. Up Jyce Vontur continued from Page 14/15 Ihn  a signpost his Ida the deck denoted the Border. The Side identifying West Germany carried two signs one identifying the Federal Republic and one the state of Bavaria. It was yet another reminder that bavarian still flinch at the recollection of their forced Union with Prussia in the 1860s. Later we Sal Down to a meal of what looked like Fried Bologna with some very heavy vegetables. The Beer flowed slowly. Throbbing feet would be enough of a trial the next Day nobody wanted a pounding head As Well. Nicholls and Gibson went out to climb a secondary Peak after supper. The rest of us sat around and talked or played Board games. At dusk the Western horizon became a thin Orange line in a Clear Black sky. Most members of our party turned in by 10. Taylor and i stayed up and chatted As much As our poor attunement to the austrian dialect would allow with members of the boisterous family that ran the Lodge. Then we fumbled our Way into our bunks sometime after 11, trying mentally to Block out the symphony of snoring which pervaded the Small Stuffy room. At 6 30 next morning spec. Wayne Palubecki s digestive tract was moving faster than he could and Barbour s knee was sending her warning signals. They decided to slay put while the rest of us climbed to the Peak. Of i admit it i Felt like dropping out too. I had t slept much had t climbed mountains in 11 years and was by far the oldest person in the group. It really is the High Point of the trip Gibson said dryly trying to dispel my hesitations. So i went. Everyone else did too although a few soldiers said they thought they really did t have a Choice. This time we donned harnesses ropes carabiners Oval mountaineering rings with snap links and White helmets. Without backpacks they had been left in the hut the climb was no harder than what we had done the previous Day but it was More dangerous. We plodded single file along a narrow Barren wasteland on the austrian Side of the Mountain making our total path of ascent look like a giant Hook if seen from the air. After several minutes of hiking around a secondary Peak we turned upward. Gibson told us to snap the carabiners onto the Iron rails driven into the Rock whenever we crossed a ledge or climbed a Steep jagged incline. There were dozens of such places. Here s where i want to hear that Click Click he said and the climbers dutifully attached themselves to a rail.  ii you kick a Rock Loose yell Rock " Nicholls said his British accent turning the word into   yelled the next few people who kicked stones Loose. Several chums Click Clicks and Rokes later we arrived at the Peak tired but fulfilled. For a moment it reminded me of a smarmy old  television commercial about How soldiers do More by 9 . Than most people do All Day but i did t mention it. We crowded on the Peak for Twenty minutes or so pondering a larger chunk of the planet than most of us had Ever seen at one time. West Germany s highest Mountain the bugs pile loomed about six Miles to the West. Nicholls said he liked the Direito Spitze better because of its natural stale. The bugs pile Summit he said is a giant construction site where Cable cars disgorge throngs of tourists several times a Day. Judging by his description i preferred the Direito Spitze s Barren Rock strewn Pinnacle. Our awareness of Altitude was More pronounced As we began the descent. Looking Down instead of up we could always imagine a misplaced step s potential for disaster. Taylor edging carefully Down a Rocky incline admitted to pfc. Benjamin Mcleod that he had a mild ear of Heights. I m afraid of Heights  Macleod revealed. It s Good to be a Little scared Nicholls said although he looked imperturbable. It makes you have respect for  Taylor said. We retrieved Barbour the still queasy Palubecki and our packs at the Lodge about 10 ., then descended toward the Distant sounds of sheep Bells. The return trip was Well anti climactic. We moved faster talked even less and took fewer Breaks. When we arrived at Ludwig s Hunting Lodge. I asked at the restaurant whether anyone had turned in my watch. The waitress handed it to to and my Faith in human nature jumped a few notches. We headed Down a new Trail an abrupt sometimes Muddy descent into the rein Valley. In the Early afternoon we stopped Lor a leisurely lunch by the part Aeh River at a Forest restaurant run by shepherds. By 4 . We were at the upper end of the Parnac Sklamm again but Gibson led us up a Long Steep Cliff around the Gorge a last bit of sadism for the Blister inflicted. Then suddenly we were Back in the trinket shops ice Cream stands and soda fountains of Garmisch Parten Kirchen. Alter two Days of trudging through the Alps it was almost a Shock to see them. Outdoor challenges the armed forces recreation Center s mountaineering school conducts six different outdoor Challenge programs each can be tailored to the specific wishes of a group. The four Basic summer programs Are carried out Only in Garmisch Parten Kirchen West Germany except outdoor Challenge i the subject of the accompanying Story which also is available in Berchtesgaden. Challenge i consists of five Days of Whitewater rafting rappelling obstacle course use and Alpine hiking. Challenge ii is a six Day program for teaching High Alpine mountaineering skills Glacier travel Crampon ice and Snow climbing elementary Rock climbing Basic orienteering in Mountain terrain and glaciers and Crevasse Rescue techniques. Both programs Are available until mid october. Challenge Iii consists of six Days of Basic Rock climbing rappelling. Orienteering in Mountain terrain and Mountain bivouac King. Challenge in offers six Days of hut to hut Alpine hiking. Both Are available until late september. Challenge i costs $227 including hotel and meals or $209 with meals and accommodations at arc s Kean s Lodge similar to a Mountain hut with bunk Beds or $119 for Only the Lodge accommodations. Challenge ii and Iii each Cost $299, including Mountain lodging and meals. Challenge in costs s179 with lodging and meals. The prices also include any equipment needed for the program except personal clothing. Hiking boots and rain gear May be rented at the mountaineering school at reasonable rates. The Winter programs Are Challenge i a five Day program of Cross country skiing downhill skiing and Winter survival training and Challenge ii. Five Days of Cross country skiing biathlon Competition and Winter survival training. Prices Are $227 and $207, respectively with hotel and meals or $119 and $99, respectively with lodging at Kean s Lodge and no meals. Mountaineering school director Bernhard Bruckdorfer said participating groups can have As few As eight people although individuals can make reservations and be assigned to a group. Arc will provide transportation to and from a group s duty station when the group includes at least 25 Active duty military persons. All participants must be at least 14. More information can be obtained by calling Bruckdorfer in Garmisch Parlen Kirchen at ets 440 2591 or civilian 08821 -52066. Page 16 the stars and stripes sunday August 20,1989