Alix Leeb, Concho Leeb, Valerie Lovrek, Franz Mayer-Heinisch

Steps: 40,690
Kilometers today: 31,41
Kilometers in total: 169,23
Elevation: 84 meters
Time: 8 hours and 39 minutes

Departure at 07:23 from Innichen. Philipp and Heinrich unfortunately M.I.A. due to unplanned heavy loss of liquids at night. Luisa unfortunately M.I.A because of hereditary knee problems. First 20km were done before lunch time, other team achievements: 4 Euros won at "Cash Rubbellos" (Scratch Lottery Ticket). The lunch break opened up a new opportunity to visit Georg and Rhonda, our favourite doctazzz. While Concho received his lunch (see gallery), the team was served with tea and received invitations to go skiing, Jesolo, the "Dorffest" and paragliding. The excellent performance of the sick bay (Luisa and Heinrich) in the accompanying vehicle made today to one of the easiest since being born, just to highlight one thing, the walkers got water guns, lollies and clay hearts ("Die Diebe versetzt Berge")! Afternoon passed quickly with arrival at 16:02. At 16:28 a more than cute 70+ couple welcomed us to our home for tonight, a "80er Jahre Prunkbau" (sorry no adequate translation available)

Philipp Mallmann, Heinrich Lohner, Luisa Trauttmansdorff, Valerie Lovrek, Franz Mayer-Heinisch, Alix Leeb

Steps: 44,806
Kilometers today: 32.48
Kilometers in total: 137.82
Elevation: 289 meters
Time: 8 hours and 39 minutes

06:30 Mass for Clemi in Bruneck, 07:32 start walking. Concho unfortunately M.I.A. due to unplanned heavy loss of liquids at night. We were making good progress until around 12:00, then a break was used for extensive taping of Luisa's feet and Rani decided to do the rest by train. Epic sharing of a limited supply of food and water drove the team spirit to a new high until Philipp asked for yet another Corny. To save time, we spent parts of the afternoon on the banks of a road. Franz lightened up everyone's mood by greeting every (!) car. Upon arrival at our residence (8 bed room) everybody relaxed in bed, and Val went to the Doc to change her feet ('Blasen wegeskalieren'). 

Philipp Mallmann, Alix Leeb, Concho Leeb, Heinrich Lohner, Valerie Lovrek, Louisa Trauttmansdorff

Steps: 43,103
Kilometers: 33.28
Elevation: 345 meters
Time: 9 hours and 8 minutes

The night after the delicious dinner in Natz was very turbulent. Three team members spent it fighting a food poisoning, making it impossible for them to start, therefore, Sili, Franz and Anna couldn't walk on day 3. A reduced Group of 6 walkers left Natz at 08:22. After around 3 hours Rani had the same problem and was forced to stop walking in Mühlbach. So there were just five walkers left. As promised by several experienced long distance hikers, the third day was the toughest until then. More than exhausted arrival in Bruneck at 17:30. 

Philipp Lovrek, Philipp Mallmann, Sili Brandis, Alix Leeb, Concho Leeb, Anna Lohner, Heinrich Lohner, Valerie Lovrek, Olivia Ledebur and Franz Mayer-Heinisch

Steps: 44,170
Kilometers: 34,1
Elevation: 348 meters
Time: 09 hours and 25 minutes

Sorry about the delay but there was no Internet in Natz-Schabs.

After returning to Rotwand, where we finished the day before, we started walking at 07:55. As nobody was interested in walking on Keschtnweg anymore we decided to walk down the hill and walk to Natz-Schabs on the Bicycle-trail. The way to Brixen went smoothly, nevertheless we took a longer break so everybody could regain command over their feet. We arrived at the wonderful mountain village of Natz at 17:20 and everybody was excited to go for dinner at the local pizzeria. After Louisa Trauttmansdorff arrived around 22:00, everyone went to bed.

Leaving the group after day 2: Olivia, Anna and Philipp L.

Steps: 49,165
Kilometers: 37.96
Elevation: 1632 meters
Time: 11 hours and 28 minutes

Start at 07:20 am in Terlan. As announced, a hike of 24.5 kilometers taking about 6-7 hours. Lunch after 4.5 hours ("halftime") was delicious and very relaxing. We continued happily and full of new energy, until after another 3.5 hours, having exceeded the estimated time of arrival, we started asking locals how long it would take to get to Rotwand. Receiving various answers ranging from 45 minutes to 4.5 hours we decided to ask no more and keep walking. Now we know, that unfortunately there were some miscalculations by the organizational committee when planning, which eventually led to 11 hours and 28 minutes, 37.96 kilometers and almost 50.000 steps. Heavy rain on the last 2 kilometers did not make anyone feel any better. 

One day before our departure from Terlan, all walkers have arrived at the starting point! The flag is printed, sponsor stickers are on the car, and almost all other last minute preparations are complete. Take off is planned at 07:00 am Monday morning. Thank you all so much for your support!

To make things easier for me and so that everyone who decides to read the Million Steps Blog can understand it, I'll write it in English.

On this blog I hope to make daily updates about how we are doing, where we are and how many kilometers we did on that day. These updates will also include a few photos. Further, and most importantly, I will update the total amount of steps taken, so that you can see how we gradually get closer to reaching one million steps. 

For all this to work, there obviously must be a functioning internet connection, which I cannot guarantee for every day in advance.