Have been train hopping and hoboing around southern Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland the last 3 weeks. Most trains were free because of limited ticket checks due to Covid. Going through the Alps by train was breathtaking. Took me back to growing up in the Lakes and I remembered how important mountains were to me as a kid. Big majestic, snow topped peaks were my skyline. One day in Salzburg I walked to the edge of the city and decided to scramble my way through the forest, up one of the taller, wilder looking ones. It was quite steep and treacherous, felt like I was going into the wild. Started to think maybe if I cross over this one, I'd just keep going and see how far I could get. Maybe build a hut and take up yodelling. Didn't see any paths or signs of life for about an hour. Had to stop to catch my breath several times. At one point I heard the sharp strike of wood on wood ring out across the valley below, then gun shots followed by dog barks. Hadn't slept too much the night before and suddenly I was a fugitive running from the FBI. Found a tall tree and clambered up as high as I could. Looked down to a field at the foot and spotted some tweed jacketed Austrians hunting game bird. The heat was off, or so I thought. Kept on climbing and decided to keep the adrenaline pumping by running when the terrain allowed. Did a bit of fell running in my youth. Ended up in some thick forest. 'They'll never find me here' I thought. A minute later I hear the cracking of branches and 2 male voices a little lower down. Saw the roof of a log cabin. Probably HQ. Time to dash. Nearing the summit, topless now, sweating, wishing I could dump my burdensome jacket, I found a flattish platform under heavy foliage. Sat there a while to calm down. Sun rays poking through the gaps in the trees. Fantastic view of the city far in the distance. Must have been there about 10 minutes, totally silent. 'Ah, finally shook them off.' I thought. Spoke too soon, a huge and silent shadow blocked almost all of the sun as it slowly sauntered above. Too big to be a bird, surely?! But by the time I'd looked up it had gone. Turned my head to look behind and there it was, coming back in my direction, maybe 10m across, a huge sillhouette which did a perfect circle right above my spot. A paraglider! Special Ops had been employed. My location marked. No time to lose. Scramble up a bit further and spot a perfectly gravelled path and 2 ladies in their 50s in walking gear walk past. The fantasy bubble popped in an instant. I go out onto the path and see a sign which said Gaisberg peak to the right, 35min. Then, behind me, an elderly couple with a stately looking retreiver were making their way in the same direction. My shoulders sank. I really thought I was getting away from it all. Walked to the peak. First building I saw was a military monitoring station with huge satellites and communication tub things. Past there the top opened out and there were 2 restaurants, a car park and a bus was just pulling in. 2 groups of healthy looking Austrians with big backpacks stuffed with paragliders got off. Turns out it's a popular pastime around these parts. The bus takes 30min to get back to the centre. I stay up there for a few hours. Checking the Alps, watching the birds of prey and breathing in the sweet alpine air. Lovely day, all in.