Thr., Aug. 27: Drive from LaPunt, over 3 passes, to Vevee

Post date: Aug 27, 2009 2:12:59 PM

Big driving day. Need to get back near Geneva to fly home tomorrow.

    • Left 8:30am from LaPunt and said goodbye to all my new friends (the owners, and folks staying there that I met during the past week.
  • Over Albula Pass -> Thusis -> Reichenau (90 minutes) -> Disentis -> Oberal Pass -> Hospental -> Gletsch -> over Furka Pass -> Ulrichen (3 hours) -> Visp (5 hrs) -> Sion -> Martigny -> Vevee (6.5 hours).
      • These 3 passes were spectacular.
      • Swiss engineering at its finest (bridges, road construction, tunnels, etc.)
      • Mountain bikers and motor cyclists were really in their game.
    • Renting a car for this trip was the BEST decision.
      • In addition to costing significantly less than the train/bus system, one sees so much more.
    • Vevee: staying at the Hotel Riveria (hostel). 37SF/nite in a dorm. Close to Geneva and I don't have to deal with a large city.
    • Going swimming in the lake, have a good dinner, then pack for the trip home.

Stats:

    • 170 miles of trekking, and 72,000 feet of elev +/-
    • Absolutely no body pain anywhere, and feeling more fit than I've been in years.
    • Wouldn't have changed anything, and can't imagine how it could be improved.
    • I love Switzerland --- and wonder why my great grandfather left Bern and ended up in Salem in the early 1900's. There's nothing like this country anywhere.