Starting the season the only way we know how.... by going up! - July 2012

Hibernation is a well known phenomenon that occurs when environmental conditions become too extreme and food supplies are too limited to support life.  As a consequence, animals adopt a state of inactivity and metabolic depression to conserve energy and "wait out" these inhospitable conditions.  The consequences of entering a state of hibernation without the absence of food can be disastrous as evidenced by my winter morphology.  Fortunately, hibernation, in whatever form, always comes to an end.


This past weekend brought about the first alpine adventure for 2012 trekking season.  It was long overdue but heavy snowfall in the mountains in April and May had rendered many of the high elevation trekking routes inaccessible until now.  Switzerland has more treks than anybody can complete in a lifetime, often making the decision of where to go overwhelming.  However, the Grindelwald area never disappoints so by 6:00 pm on Friday we were already on the train headed 2.5 hours south.

Nestled under the North face of the Eiger, Grindelwald represents an infinite number of possibilities for trekking and riding in the summer months.  

There is something truly magical about mountains.  There is an energy that is impossible to describe but their effects on me are predicable and certain.  I can remember the first time I saw mountains and I still have the same reaction every time I see them:  uncontrollable excitement and limitless energy.  Maybe it's because they represent an infinite number of adventures, challenges and/or memories?  I have a feeling I'll be spending the rest of my life trying to figure that out. 

The mountain on the right is the Eiger from a vantage that I'd never seen before.  This photo was taken looking back in the direction from which we'd come

The idea this weekend was to select a suitable trek for the season's first.  Traditionally, this would involve something of moderate distance without too much climbing.  Fortunately, traditions sometimes change and the route we selected was indeed moderate in distance but involved about 1000 metres of steep climbing!  A perfect way to start the trekking season!

The trail started to the right of the rocks in the centre and finished to the left.  We were rewarded with these beautiful vistas throughout the entire walk

The final destination was Grosse Scheidegg via a short but steep climb to the Schwarzhoren peak (2927m).  By all intents and purposes this is a simple walk, however, as a first trek of the season it was quite an undertaking.  


Early summer in the mountains is always a special time particularly when the weather cooperates.  We got lucky and nature coughed up the perfect day for a walk in the mountains.  The alpine flowers were in full bloom with a palate of colours so dense it is unrivaled and at higher altitudes, we were confronted with snow covering the trail markers forcing a few improvisations en route.  

After coming off of the ascent, the route back to Grosse Scheidegg was quite gentle.  It was along this part of the trail that we stumbled across the herd of chamoix and a pack of alpine marmots.

All along the route, the alpine flowers were in full bloom.  The contrast between these colours, the blue sky, white clouds, green pastures and dark rock were stunning in the full sunlight. 

In addition, what made this route particularly exciting was that it offered full panoramic views of the Grindelwald valley and the Eiger mountain from a vantage I'd not yet seen.  Fortunately, it also offered the possibility to see mountain goats, marmots, alpine flowers and other mountain wildlife.  On the ascent we saw a Chamoix (species of mountain goat) running in the distance and on the descent we saw a herd of 7 including 2 newborns.  No matter how much time you spend in the mountains, they always reveal something new!

Inhospitable winter conditions force animals to hibernate to survive.  Fortunately, with the heat of spring and summer life returns to the mountains with a renewed determination and quest for adventure.