An Enchanting Night in the Black Forest: My Walpurgisnacht Adventure

I hope you all had a fantastic Halloween and made it back home safely last night. Reflecting on Halloween, it reminds me of a hike I took through the Black Forest about 8 or 9 years ago. In the Black Forest, they have a tradition called "Walpurgisnacht," which is essentially their version of Halloween. During this time, people dress up as devils and witches to spook others. I hadn't been there during that occasion before, so I didn't know much about this tradition.

In that year, I happened to be hiking on the 31st of October and 1st of November, with the plan to camp out in the wilderness. It turned into quite an adventurous overnight stay, especially because I chose to sleep in a shelter ominously named the "Dead Man" in the heart of the forest. The night sky was stunning, adorned with a multitude of stars. However, I also encountered several people on the trail the day before, all telling me that I must be a bit crazy to be hiking there on that particular night.

The combination of the shelter's eerie name and the date, set against the backdrop of a dark night, gave me an eerie feeling, considering all the stories I had heard leading up to Halloween. Nevertheless, it was a remarkable hike and a thrilling adventure. The night, the shelter, the stars, and the sounds of wildlife around me created an unforgettable overnight experience in the wilderness.