Magihorn, Switzerland

The day promised to be good, a strong wind, but otherwise bright skies.

For the Magihorn, we parked in one of the lay-bys on the way up to the pass. Then across the river and up the valley on the other side.

Keeping to the right hand side and working up the vague tracks , all very icy after the deep freeze of the night before.

As we got higher the snow cover became less hard, and easier to skin. As the route dipped into a bowl we turned more up to the ridge.

We headed for an obvious col on the skyline, where all the tracks seemed to converge.

From the col we got our first sight of the summit, hidden over the other side...  still a fair way to go, but the difficulties were all in the final few meters.

Traversing around to the col below the S face. From here we serpentined  around the rock band and onto the face.

As we started climbing the face, it got steeper and steeper, I was having difficulty in in believing my crampons would stick. I had to retreat backwards at one point to get to a shallower point to turn.

Bryon took over the lead and did some sterling work fighting up the icy edge of the ridge. As we got to the top it eased up and we cruised to the top.

Around us we could see the  peaks of the pass.



 After a good rest and enjoying the view whilst sheltering from the cruel wind, we set of back the way we had come.... the descent of the steep slope was certainly easier than the ascent.

Before long we were cruising through the woods back into the valley, before flogging our way back up the other side to the car.

This would prove to be the last route of our trip ...  the weather really closed in after this and we left with the rain clouds chasing us home.

Spitzhorli, Switzerland

Down in Simplon village the sky was floating with cloud... but tehre was a good proportion of blue sky.

We decided that a good route would be Spitzhorli, a small peak with no real problems, just a simple valley approach from the pass.

Up at the pass the weather was radically different, the clouds were thick and heavy and there were snow devils blowing over the car park.

A long debate later and I persuaded Bryon that we should get out of the car and make an effort. Full goretex was the order of the day.

We picked our way through the rocks and snow patches, trying to follow the tracks of other parties, which the wind had tried hard to rub out.

After around an hour we had reached the upper bowl leading to the main ridge line. we were completely in the cloud and things were not getting better, so we decided to turn back.

We took the skins off and returned the way we had come, back to the car waiting patiently in the car park, all on its own.

A visit to the pass cafe for a warming brew and we were soon feeling normal again.

travel day, switzerland

We woke up to more snow and rain with the clouds right down into Andermatt,

after a brief discussion we decided that being here was very hit and miss, yesterday we hit and there was no guarantee of another day like that...  so back to the exploration trail..  the pin went into the map on the Simplon pass... so back on the railway ....  and drive up to the Simplon pass.

On the pass itself it was exceedingly windy as we checked out the route possibilities under the cloud .... there were plenty of ski tracks and a lot of people around the hospice. We did not try to get into the Hospice, as every time we tried for the one at Grand St Bernard it was full and this one was by the road..  so we drove down to Samplon village...  here we found an old Post Hotel that had rooms for tourers ...ideal for us.

as we settled in there was a loud racket outside ... a village festive to ward off evil was going on with lots of people walking around with large rattles... time to get out the bagpipes perhaps???

anyway books out and time to review options for the morning.

Schafberg, Switzerland

The weather was clouded over when we woke up in the morning..  there were a few breaks in the cloud where the sun was trying to force it way through.

We decided that we should at least make an effort to go out, and prepared for a "ramble" back up at Realp .. head up to the pass and see where we go to.

 We headed up the track leading to the Tiffenbach hotel. At the same time there were several other large groups following some strange routes, like this one following the river. We could only assume they were going up the valleys to the south.

Climbing up the track we followed the short cuts direct between the zigzags. As we gained height, the skies kept clearing, so we kept going, getting hotter and steamed up as we went. Soon more kit in the pack than wearing.

We passed the junction down to the hotel and kept going. then we passed the descent to the hotel, and still the skies kept clearing.

At the diversion of the path to the A. Heim hut, we took that path and kept going, initially we were aiming for the shoulder - to have a look around the corner.

The corner was very rounded, and we kept going on... and on.

The track to the hut stayed in the bottom of the valley, but there were tracks heading up the continuation of the shoulder. then there was a cross on the sky line.

We were a little late against our time line, but we both decided that the bottom of the route on the track would be more stable than the slopes, so we had a few more minutes.

Down the other side of the summit was the descent to the A. Heim hut

We paused in the sun to marvel at the fantastic views, and a quick bite to eat.

Then it was skis on and back down...

We basically followed the route up, but cut a number of the corners off. We met a couple of really large groups heading up to the hut.

We followed the stream in the bottom of the valley to the hotel...

the skiing was a bit variable...  there was soft patches hidden by some good spring snow.

The temptation of the hotel was too great and we paused for a drink sitting out in the sun.

Keeping to the track from the hotel we made good time down to the valley.

The valley looked really good in the sun and we could see almost all the way to Andermatt.

Time to dry off all the kit before we went back to the B&B.

However I did get the bagpipes out and played a few tunes to the passing public.

travel Day, Switzerland

The weather forecast for Western Switzerland was more of the same for the rest of the week. So with no chance of doing the haute route section before the weekend, it was time for a re-think.

After periods gazing at the maps Bryon suggested we move up towards Andermatt.. We would drive up the Rhone Valley to the village of Obergoms, and pick up the train under the pass to Realp then on to Andermatt and find a B&B there.

Looking down the valley towards Andermatt from the tunnel.

Looking up the valley to the pass.

The train was similar to the one that goes to Kanderstegg and similarly priced, so we knew exactly what to do and how it would happen.

Out the other side the views were much as we had left, but essentially "new" .. I had forgotten about being here in the summer all those years ago.

We took some time out in Realp to work pout where the likely starting points were for routes and also check out the summer railway that goes over the pass.

Finally we drove off to Andermatt, and parked up (everywhere was pay - typical!) before heading out to find a suitably priced B&B .. the local tourist office had some lists and we soon found a backpacker place, which had a simple room and shared facilities (but no one to share it with). Walking around the town reminded me of my earlier visit and how commercial the whole town was, totally geared at the tourists!

Liddes (and back), Switzerland

Weather prospects looking rough, but with high cloud and no rain, experience taught us to get out there ...  We knew the Liddes ski area would be closed after the weekend, so a good way to take advantage of some harder packed snow on the runs to gain height.

The rain over the last few days had changed the car-park at the bottom of the area significantly and there was little snow left. So we carried the skis up the slopes to the first big patches.

Setting off directly upwards, roughly following the first chairlift, we struggled with some very soft snow. It was amazing how the rain had softened up the hard packed snow of a few days, and now it was difficult to get any purchase with the skins at all.

As we came out of the sparse tree cover into the meadows above, the skinning became slightly easier.

Heading towards the ridge line, the idea was to keep going until we were either forced back by the ever encroaching weather, or we ran out of energy.

In reality it was a mixture of both ... we achieved the high point of the ridge, and went on to the top of the highest drag lift before the rain/ sleet started penetrating the gortex.

Time for a bite and a drink, before taking enjoyment in being the only people on the mountain that day, and attacking the slopes.

As we got lower the snow became less responsive and heavier...  but still better than walking.

The bottom section was a game of escape and evasion as we picked a line of snow as low as possible before walking back to the car.

Wet but pleasantly enjoyable, we had made the most of the day.  Time now to plan what to do next.