We approached Grossglockner, our highest pass, gingerly. The plan was to climb on Monday to avoid the traffic, so we had three short days to get to the base of the pass. The weather was overcast, but perfect cycling weather (for Darina!). We had time for a little sightseeing en route, including a hike through the impressive Ragga Gorge in Flattach. On Sunday, we had reached Heiligenblut (Holy Blood) at 1,288 masl.
The story goes that in 914 AD a Danish prince, while bringing home a little flask of the Blood of Christ from Constantinople, got killed in an avalanche in this neck of the woods. As it happens, the same lad, being savvy with regard to highway robbery, had stowed the flask in a self-inflicted wound in his calf. When his body was discovered, the relic was found safe and sound, and today it is kept in the local church. Rome refused sainthood, but the locals saw to it that the Dane was laid to rest in an avalanche-proof crypt.