Forgetting Austria

14th Oct 2009

The Max Adventure team were doing so well, but now it has gone wrong.

In their excitement to visit Liechtenstein for the first time and with tired eyes and weary heads, they totally overlooked the fact that they had to visit Austria as well.

With time always against them and the clock hand always ticking they braved the icy rain that was falling down on them and had a quick photo taken on the bridge separating Liechtenstein with Switzerland, then it was back in their vehicles for the long and steep climb over the Julier pass.

Crossing the Julier Pass in the Swiss Alps

At over 7300 feet in height or would be around ten degrees colder than the tiny principality they were in. The climb through the night was breathtaking and as the darkness gave way to a feint twilight the huge mountains surrounding the tiny vehicles came into view.

Snow was falling heavily and lying thick on the ground at the summit, the wind fierce and a wind-chill temperature of around -15c numbed their hands to the bone it was no place to be outside the shelter

It was no place to be outside the shelter of their land rovers, hypothermia and frostbite would set in within matter of minutes, it was that cold. Even with land rovers the summit was still a difficult place to reach so for Stirling moss to make it in a 2 wheel drive saloon car with just snow chains was an amazing feat. After photos were taken they slowly made their way to the bottom of the mountain pass.

It was only when they reached the bottom that they realised they hadn't visited Austria, just a few miles north Lichtenstein. With Slovenia (Yugoslavia) still to get before heading west for Portugal, expedition leader Mac had to make some quick calculations. Could they reach both Villach in Austria and Slovenia before heading for Monaco and Spain and still reach Lisbon by 15:00 on Friday 16th Oct.

As this news item is being written, the team are racing across northern Italy to 'bag' another two countries before heading on the long road west.

With over 2.100 miles to go in just 51 hours, it will be true test of their ability to cope with what the London to cape town run might have in store for them