Zermatt!

We did it!!!

And the Matterhorn was still there with us & a gazillion tourists taking photos of it!

Day VIII Gruben - Zermatt

ummmm....did I mention lots of rocks yesterday? Well there were even MORE today!

Just before getting to Jungu we got to watch a big daddy bouquetin (ibex) loftily munching on some grass on a death-defying slope below us.

Day VII Grimentz - Gruben

So much to say about today's hike, I really don't know how to cover it all!

Lots of rocks today!
Views of the Zinalrothorn that were unimaginable!
More rocks, granite this time!
Alpine lakes to dip into!
Rocks!
Hot sun!
Rocks!
Descent into the arolla & larch forests!
Arnica & bluebells everywhere!
Swiss-german to be spoken!

Yodeliiihiiihouuuuuu!
(that says it all!)

Day VI Arolla - Grimentz

Heat wave hit us for sure today! But I have to admit after the snowy hikes of July this year I am not too distressed at walking in the heat. The Grand Raid was ending in Grimentz today, so we had a lively time watching bikers and helicopters buzzing around the val d'anniviers.

Houseleek - supposed to protect houses from being hit by lightening. Maybe I should think about attaching some of it to my backpack on these hot days that end in storms?!

Edelweiss

Day V Cabane Prafleuri - Arolla

What a splendid view onto the Grande Dixence dam! Today we saw marmots & lots of edelweiss as we ascended to the Col de Riedmatten. Now this is not for the faint hearted! We made it just after a hail storm soaked us from behind!

A looooooong descent took us to Arolla for the night. The view onto the glacier & cows grazing right by the shining blue ice was spectacular!

What a day! Bravo! Cannot tell you how nice it was to take off my boots in Arolla!

Day IV Verbier to Cabane Pra Fleuri

We hiked from the Grande Dixence dam up to the Cabane de Prafleuri today taking advantage of the good weather to try and see some marmots. But I guess it was too hot for them, as we did not see any.

Day III Champex Lac to Cabane Mont Fort Verbier

Wow, what a beautiful morning to walk around Champex Lac before heading up into the alpine fields of Verbier.

After observing a blue heron we headed off to stroll up to the Cabane Mont Fort to watch the sun-set and have a yummy dinner on the terrace. Can't think of many better ways to spend a day! Ahhhh!

Day II Trient to Champex Lac

Sunny & beautiful day to arrive and plunge our feet into the glorious mountain lake in Champex. We had wild strawberries, rasberries & myrtilles the whole way - why bother carrying chocolate that melts?!? Oh yeah, because it is so goooooooooooood!

Day I Argentière to Trient

 

Started off with a bit of rain on our 10 day hike to Zermatt! Funny that as soon as we crossed the mountains into Switzerland the sun was shinning...hmmmm...!

Tour du Bec des Rosses

This is a hike for you if you like views, bouquetins & aren't afraid of heights!

We hiked up to the Col de la Chaux, over a bit of ice to get warmed up. After the col & the wild ibex in the sun, we got to the petit lac du mont fort. Unfortunately, it was too cold to get into!
We couldn't get away from the Massif des Combins! It was just amazing!

After a picnic on the rocks and observing the movement of glaciers on the landscape we followed the trail to the Col Termin where the Massif du Mont Blanc, Dents du Midi & a view all the way to the Jura awaited us for the rest of the afternoon!

What a beautiful backyard I have!

Sunrise on Mt.Fort

Not a cloud in the sky for this morning's sunrise at Mt.Fort!
It was a magical moment, although it started at 4a.m. it was definitely worth it!

There is nothing like coming all the way from Boston to see all the 4000 meter peaks of the Alps in the morning sun. Thanks!

Villars

 

Such a beautiful place to hike, even on a cloudy day!

Villars to Diablerets Mountain Biking

Sunshine - rain - mud - happy flowers - télécabines: old & new - bus rides...we had it all today!

So how many boys do I need to help me fix my brakes?! And where did the sun just go?

Lucky these guys have a hiking guide with them!!

Even a rainbow at the end!

Mont Fort Sunrise

Wow!
After all this rain in July, what an awesome 1st sunrise to have!
Was well worth getting up at 4 a.m!
Sign up for next week's outing with Téléverbier - Thursday.
If you have the annual lift pass you don't pay anything....tempting?!
See you next week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flower eating in Verbier

We started off with a BANG today! The skies opened up and rained and thundered lightening on us for an hour. But that was okay as we had some yummy local cheese with us to snack on. Once the show was over we resumed picking some healthy plants for lunch.

Thyme

Clover

Yarrow

Alpine Calamint

Picnic!

After a steeeep hike up to the Château de Verbier we strolled back to the Chalet d'Adrien with some fresh herbs & flowers for our afternoon tea!

Yum!!

Cabane Moiry - Grimentz

What a beautiful day! Finally felt like summer for an entire day!

The great thing about hiking up to this cabane is the access road brings you up past the Barrage de Moiry so you don't have to trudge around the dammed lake for an hour. The lake is about 30 meters lower than usual - which is the case with all the lakes this summer. Even though we have had record rain for July, the lack of precipitation this winter is visible.

The glacier de Moiry is melting fast...sad to see.
The Cabane Moiry was newly renovated last year and is modern and beautiful. Their food is all prepared with organic ingredients! Had a very yummy salad!