posted Aug 21, 2011, 1:16 PM by Barry Jahn
Stayed at FlyAway Hotel in Zurich last night, and returned rental car. - 8am shuttle to airport.
- Went through security and customs quickly, and at correct terminal in about 1 hour.
- US Airways SUCKS. Never again. Delayed 3 hours in Philadelphia on way over.
- Delayed 3 hours in Zurich. Then they fly to Ireland to re-fuel. Ridiculous.
- Land in Philadelphia to catch connecting flight. Bad weather.
- Delayed 3 more hours. Actually on run-way to take off, but 10th in line. Since we hit 3 hours on tarmac, law says they have to get out of line and return to terminal.
- We de-boarded, and re-boarded 30 minutes later, then got back in line for takeoff.
- Arrived home at 1am in the morning (instead of 9pm). Very, long day.
- On a positive note. At least I didn't have to sit by this gentleman again. Fully 1 1/3 seats (forget about putting down the arm rest separator). My option was to take another flight if I wished.
|
posted Aug 21, 2011, 1:06 PM by Barry Jahn
[
updated Aug 21, 2011, 1:29 PM
]
Last day before leaving for home. Hike to Glarnisch Hutte - Vorauen (850m) 2790'
- Follow Chlii River and Rossmatter Chlii (valley) to Chascren (1219m)
- Then ascend switchbacked trail up to Glarnisch Hutte (1990m) 6500'.
- Ascended 3700' in 2 hr 20 min. Legs really strong, not really needing any rest.
- Hot and humid, so worst day for sweat and needed a lot of ongoing hydration.
- While descending, only major accident/incident on the trip.
- Lee stumbled some how and went down hard (into glacial creek about 10' below the trail)
- Shin swelled like a lemon, and popped open nice smile on knee cap.
- Ran glacial water over shin, elevated, and compressed with elastic wrap. Swelling subsided within about 15 minutes, and no broken bones.
- Butterflied the smile-cut on his knee, and he hobbled on out.
- BJ ran 2.5 miles back down the trail to the car and drove it back to within a miles of Lee.
- Other than a little bruised up, all is healing well a day later.
Summary: 7,400' +/-. Just over 10 miles. |
posted Aug 21, 2011, 12:58 PM by Barry Jahn
Drove to end of lake and up narrow road to plateau, locating the trail head at the end of a farmers field at the base of the mountain. - Parked car at Hinter Saggberg (1056m) : 3440'
- Trail head predicted about 4 hours to summit (2327m) 7634'
- Took us right at 3 hours, as we're pretty fit at this point of time.
- Interesting trying to predict the climbing route.
- Ascended alongside of 10 sets of water falls, as the trail paralleled them to the summit ridge.
- Several sketchy rails/steps with large drop-offs, but weather cooperated, so no issues.
- Wonderful views at top looking down at Glarus and all the way down the valley, as well as the full Glarus mountain range and our lake below.
|
posted Aug 21, 2011, 12:53 PM by Barry Jahn
Traveled from Kandersteg -> Interlachen -> Altdorf -> Glarus. Took about 4 hours. - Stopped in Altdorf for lunch. Home of "William Tell", so viewed the statue and history of the area.
- Drove up narrow valley to end of the Klontalersee (lake) to a tiny community called Vorauen.
- Outdoor campground and several buildings, including Gasthof Vorauen (where we stayed).
- Nice views of Vorder Glarnisch (the peak we wish to climb tomorrow).
|
posted Aug 21, 2011, 12:46 PM by Barry Jahn
Drive from Kandersteg -> Frutigen -> Adelboden - Dropped off Barry and Ian (the Scottish professor) to hike back over pass to Kandersteg
- 1700m (5580') up to pass at 2317m (7600')
- Felt strong and less than 2 hrs to ascend.
- Then back down toto Kandersteg at 1200m (3900').
- Crossed several swollen falls/streams without much issue
Summary: 6000' +/-; just over 9 miles. - We to organ concert in 400 yr old tiny church. Acoustics off angled, ornate wooden ceiling superb.
|
posted Aug 14, 2011, 10:08 AM by Barry Jahn
Back to back long days - Weather forecast was possible storms by early afternoon, so got a good early start
- Golderli (1440m): 4700'
- Up the valley to Bundalp (1840m)
- Then up the steeper parts (rails and steps at the end) to Hohturli Pass (2778m): 9115'
- Short climb up to Blumlisalp Hutte (2840m): 9317'
- Just over 4400 feet elev gain in 2 hrs 40 minutes.
- Suggested time was 4 hrs 20 minutes.
- Hit hutte ahead of potential storm, so stopped in for suppe and bread. Great pics up here.
- Pace was very steady, and other than a nice sweat, the legs just powered up.
- We met a professor from Scotland the day before, so we ascended with him.
- Ian Fraser, Univ. of Stirling. Dept acct. 57 yrs old and very fit.
- Descended from Blumlisalp Hutte (9300') to Kandersteg (3900') by 2pm.
- Around 5500' drop over 6 miles. Everyone's legs held up fine. A few hot spots on our feet.
- Lee has had a bad tooth ache for several days and our pain pills are no longer working. Need to find a dentist.
- The lady who owns the place where we stayed contacted a dentist she knew. Not bad for a Sunday when everything is shut down.
- Dentist loaded him with antibiotics and said to tough it out and see home physician/dentist.
Over 10,000 feet elev (+/-) in 10 miles. Only sprinkled a few drops along the way. |
posted Aug 14, 2011, 10:03 AM by Barry Jahn
[
updated Aug 14, 2011, 10:08 AM
]
Long, wonderful, sunny day. - Left by 8am from Murren (1835m): 6000'
- Route via Rotstock Hutte, then up the steep Sefinenfurgge Pass (2612m): 8600'
- Lunch at pass
- Descended to Bundstag (1488m)-> then to Golderli (1440m): 4700'
- Legs rock solid and other than working up a good sweat, no issues.
- Met Frank here, as he dropped off Steve at the Zurich airport.
- Frank parked the car over at Kandersteg, then took the train/bus and hiked up to meet us
- Plan is to hike over the Hohturli pass tomorrow, to Kandersteg
9+ miles; over 7000 elev (+/-) in 5 1/2 hours. |
posted Aug 14, 2011, 9:57 AM by Barry Jahn
Easy day to rest legs. - Frank and Steve dropped Lee and I off down at Lauterbrunnen (796m).
- Hiked up fairly steep hill side to Murren (1645m).
- Lunch in town, then hike 600m up to Pension Sonnenberg.
- Had entire top floor to ourself !!!
- Great pics from our window of the Monch and Jungfrau.
- Could almost reach out and touch them.
- Owner: Steve Ambiel. Born and raised in the region, with breaks as a surfer in California
- He's a professional photographer and showed us many of his pics.
- Not uncommon for him go to hiking in this region from 10pm to 3 or 4 am.
- His website is: www.murren.ch/sonnenberg
- He's a great cook (chef by trade), and we had a wonderful 4-course meal.
- Good nights rest for two hard days of hiking.
|
posted Aug 14, 2011, 9:53 AM by Barry Jahn
Train from Grindewald to Wilderswill - Cog train up to Schynige Platte (1967m): 6450'
- 2 hr 45 to Faulhorn (2681m): 8800'
- lunch on top, then hike down to Bachalpsee (2265m)
- Then descend to Waldspitz -> Bort -> and back to Grindewald (1034m): 3500'
- Beautiful, sunny day. Lots of photos
over 5300' descending. over 8000' +/- elev over 12.5 miles. A little over 6 hrs (with breaks)
|
posted Aug 10, 2011, 10:33 AM by Barry Jahn
[
updated Aug 14, 2011, 10:27 AM
]
Chur to Interlachen. - Arrived at Interlachen by noon and went to the Hertz rental to add Frank as a 2nd driver. He'll be dropping Steve off at Zurich in a few days.
- Drove to the outdoor Ballenberg Museum. Spent about 4 hours touring all the historic structures. This is a must stop for anyone visiting the area.
- See PICTURES
Drove up to Grindewald and checked into the Naturfreundhaus for several nights. Resting up for several days of good hiking. Weather incredible !!!! |
|
