(Click photo for full-size image)
The Swiss Alps are spectacular to look at but they are also very dangerous for the inexperienced walker. That's why I was really excited for the opportunity at the weekend to join a Swiss mountain-guide and seven others (in total 6 Swiss and 2 Irish men) for a challenging walk in the Alps. After a 3 hour walk on Friday evening, we spent the night in a Guest House (nearest town Göschenen). On Saturday we began at 07.00 hrs and reached the Vorälphütte around 09.00 hrs.
(Just one of many restaurant/B&Bs in remote mountainous locations which offer shelter, food and B&B. On a long tour it is possible to go from hut to hut and stay in the high mountains)
It had snowed overnight and over 2000m high there was several centimetres of snow, making the route more treacherous than usual. We were wearing a harness and safety rope which we used when crossing several steep slopes. These could be hooked into the safety lines which are installed into the rock.
We also had to negotiate 50 metres of ladders down a sheer rock face and we were able to cross the new 90m long rope bridge, the Salbitbrücke. This was a special experience, not only because it only opened this summer but because our mountain-guide was actually the man behind building the bridge and the landlord of the Salbithütte.
(See photos of the bridge construction)
The Swiss Alps are spectacular to look at but they are also very dangerous for the inexperienced walker. That's why I was really excited for the opportunity at the weekend to join a Swiss mountain-guide and seven others (in total 6 Swiss and 2 Irish men) for a challenging walk in the Alps. After a 3 hour walk on Friday evening, we spent the night in a Guest House (nearest town Göschenen). On Saturday we began at 07.00 hrs and reached the Vorälphütte around 09.00 hrs.
(Just one of many restaurant/B&Bs in remote mountainous locations which offer shelter, food and B&B. On a long tour it is possible to go from hut to hut and stay in the high mountains)
It had snowed overnight and over 2000m high there was several centimetres of snow, making the route more treacherous than usual. We were wearing a harness and safety rope which we used when crossing several steep slopes. These could be hooked into the safety lines which are installed into the rock.
We also had to negotiate 50 metres of ladders down a sheer rock face and we were able to cross the new 90m long rope bridge, the Salbitbrücke. This was a special experience, not only because it only opened this summer but because our mountain-guide was actually the man behind building the bridge and the landlord of the Salbithütte.(See photos of the bridge construction)
Around 19.00 hrs we were back at the car with very heavy legs and great memories of a wonderful tour.
Fantastic Gary! Looks like you had an amazing time and the photos (as always) are just brilliant. Not sure I could handle the sheer drops there though!
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Love in Christ,
A, C and G