It was the week of Thanksgiving that a group of us headed south to the Smoky Mountains for a week of hiking. We had prepared a route and suggestions for hiking and rented a cabin in the mountains, all to enjoy during the fall folliage of October.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
The Great Smoky Mountains, October 11th to 19th, 2014
It was the week of Thanksgiving that a group of us headed south to the Smoky Mountains for a week of hiking. We had prepared a route and suggestions for hiking and rented a cabin in the mountains, all to enjoy during the fall folliage of October.
It was the week of Thanksgiving that a group of us headed south to the Smoky Mountains for a week of hiking. We had prepared a route and suggestions for hiking and rented a cabin in the mountains, all to enjoy during the fall folliage of October.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
OUR SWITZERLAND TRIP
Our Switzerland Visit, July 20th to August 1st, 2014
Our trip was only a tease of the beautiful sights of Switzerland to visit with our friends Beat and Monica. They had plotted out a spectacular route which covered the north to Rheinfall, east to Appenzell, South to Lugano and back up over the Bernese Highlands near Interlaken, passing Lucern on our way back to Zurich. Truly a condensed viewing of their beautiful country.
We had ten days but from the time we landed to departing, Monica and Beat showcased their country in grand hiking style! We landed in Zurich and as our friends do not have a car, nor do they need one, we traveled by public transportation, firstly the train from the airport, to the tram through Zurich, to catch the city bus which arrived at the base of their condo, which we would then hike by foot up the hill to the entrance, then up the stairs several floors to their unit at the top level. Their home bordered the farmlands and open green fields where you could see the livestock roaming about. The next morning we saw cows grazing just outside the window as we had breakfast.
Our tour would first bring us to the falls at Rheinfall, where we enjoyed watching, from a man-made platform overhanging the falls, the tour boats come and go from an island in the middle of the falls, similar to being beside Niagara Falls. The next day we headed east to the Village of Appenzell to sample the famous Appenzell cheese and hike in the Alpstein area where we had lunch at a restaurant on the side of a cliff. Our diet consisted of cheese, various types of sausages and breads. Then we headed southerly by train to their summer home in Schluein where we hiked the mountain they ski in the winter. Their summer home was lovely, two stories, no screens on windows, neighbors with goats and sheep. Sleeping at night was most comfortable and comforters were used in place of sheets to cover yourself. This is actually a European trait. This area was quaint, like a little cottage nestled on the shoulder of the mountains where out the window you could see mountains and valleys in the distance. The next day we took a bus to Nagens above Flims and we hiked for the day. Continuing our journey, we traveled by train to the pass 'Oberalppass'. This was a beautiful train ride through the hills and valleys. We continued our way to Andermatt, then changed trains to travel through the 15 km tunnel to Fiesch; we then checked into our hotel Eggishorn, then took the gondola up to Mount Eggishorn to view Aletesch glacier, Junfraugh mountain, the Eiger and an entire mountain range of spectacular beauty, perfectly timed before the fog rolled in. The next morning after breakfast we hiked to Fiescherap, then stopped for coffee at Bettmeralp, and continued on to our hotel in Riederfurka, about a 10-km hike. We had to use our imagination with the heavy fog and remind ourselves that we were still hiking in the Alps. The weather changed from fog to sun and back to fog, but you would get glimpses of beauty. A notable interest was seeing the many avalanche safety walls on the side of the mountains, which reminded us we were high and if it was winter in avalanche territory.
The accommodations were rustic but beautiful. Given it was cool and damp, we had a cheese fondue for supper, with bread and potatoes. We could hear and see the cows in the area. The bells around their necks defined the pecking order. The lead cow had the biggest bell and during the night we could hear loud and clear as the herder brought his cattle through the area. It was very enchanting.
We continued our trek hiking from Riederfurka to Belap. It was a full day's hike, starting down a steep mountain to cross a ravine on a steel hanging bridge and then up a steep ascent. This day was beautiful and clear, hot and sunny and the most spectacular views seen yet, hiking along a narrow herd path. Our next night was at a chalet high in the mountains. The next day we had hiked from Oeschinensee over the Hohtuerli Pass to Griesalp, in the Bernese Alps. This was the highlight of the trip for me, as I hiked up and over a high pass, taking us through a glacier and down across the glacier, sections of snow, then rock, then grassy fields, into the forest to our next stop, where we caught a bus to take us further down the mountain to the train that would then take us back to Zurich. We decided to take another train ride to Lugano for pizza and tour the village. Now we knew first hand why Europeans know so many languages. From Swiss to German to Latin to Italian, not to mention the French on the far west side. It was an amazing journey.
We had celebrated the anniversary of Monica and Beat at a beautiful outside restaurant by the river in Zurich and then took a city tour on a tram serving hors-d'oeuvres and wine. A special treat from Monica and Beat.
Our trip was only a tease of the beautiful sights of Switzerland to visit with our friends Beat and Monica. They had plotted out a spectacular route which covered the north to Rheinfall, east to Appenzell, South to Lugano and back up over the Bernese Highlands near Interlaken, passing Lucern on our way back to Zurich. Truly a condensed viewing of their beautiful country.
We had ten days but from the time we landed to departing, Monica and Beat showcased their country in grand hiking style! We landed in Zurich and as our friends do not have a car, nor do they need one, we traveled by public transportation, firstly the train from the airport, to the tram through Zurich, to catch the city bus which arrived at the base of their condo, which we would then hike by foot up the hill to the entrance, then up the stairs several floors to their unit at the top level. Their home bordered the farmlands and open green fields where you could see the livestock roaming about. The next morning we saw cows grazing just outside the window as we had breakfast.
Our tour would first bring us to the falls at Rheinfall, where we enjoyed watching, from a man-made platform overhanging the falls, the tour boats come and go from an island in the middle of the falls, similar to being beside Niagara Falls. The next day we headed east to the Village of Appenzell to sample the famous Appenzell cheese and hike in the Alpstein area where we had lunch at a restaurant on the side of a cliff. Our diet consisted of cheese, various types of sausages and breads. Then we headed southerly by train to their summer home in Schluein where we hiked the mountain they ski in the winter. Their summer home was lovely, two stories, no screens on windows, neighbors with goats and sheep. Sleeping at night was most comfortable and comforters were used in place of sheets to cover yourself. This is actually a European trait. This area was quaint, like a little cottage nestled on the shoulder of the mountains where out the window you could see mountains and valleys in the distance. The next day we took a bus to Nagens above Flims and we hiked for the day. Continuing our journey, we traveled by train to the pass 'Oberalppass'. This was a beautiful train ride through the hills and valleys. We continued our way to Andermatt, then changed trains to travel through the 15 km tunnel to Fiesch; we then checked into our hotel Eggishorn, then took the gondola up to Mount Eggishorn to view Aletesch glacier, Junfraugh mountain, the Eiger and an entire mountain range of spectacular beauty, perfectly timed before the fog rolled in. The next morning after breakfast we hiked to Fiescherap, then stopped for coffee at Bettmeralp, and continued on to our hotel in Riederfurka, about a 10-km hike. We had to use our imagination with the heavy fog and remind ourselves that we were still hiking in the Alps. The weather changed from fog to sun and back to fog, but you would get glimpses of beauty. A notable interest was seeing the many avalanche safety walls on the side of the mountains, which reminded us we were high and if it was winter in avalanche territory.
The accommodations were rustic but beautiful. Given it was cool and damp, we had a cheese fondue for supper, with bread and potatoes. We could hear and see the cows in the area. The bells around their necks defined the pecking order. The lead cow had the biggest bell and during the night we could hear loud and clear as the herder brought his cattle through the area. It was very enchanting.
We continued our trek hiking from Riederfurka to Belap. It was a full day's hike, starting down a steep mountain to cross a ravine on a steel hanging bridge and then up a steep ascent. This day was beautiful and clear, hot and sunny and the most spectacular views seen yet, hiking along a narrow herd path. Our next night was at a chalet high in the mountains. The next day we had hiked from Oeschinensee over the Hohtuerli Pass to Griesalp, in the Bernese Alps. This was the highlight of the trip for me, as I hiked up and over a high pass, taking us through a glacier and down across the glacier, sections of snow, then rock, then grassy fields, into the forest to our next stop, where we caught a bus to take us further down the mountain to the train that would then take us back to Zurich. We decided to take another train ride to Lugano for pizza and tour the village. Now we knew first hand why Europeans know so many languages. From Swiss to German to Latin to Italian, not to mention the French on the far west side. It was an amazing journey.
We had celebrated the anniversary of Monica and Beat at a beautiful outside restaurant by the river in Zurich and then took a city tour on a tram serving hors-d'oeuvres and wine. A special treat from Monica and Beat.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Our Switzerland Adventure with Beat and Monica
Here we are one more day to go before we take flight towards the Great Alps of Switzerland. We'll be landing in Zurich where our friends, local residents, will meet us and take us to their home where we will rest and prepare for our trek across Switzerland. We are so looking forward to this. Over the year the anticipation has been growing and now we are finally here! We are spending time with the cats and, as we suspected, they know we're leaving but they lovingly accept this and still want to be with us. We are fortunate.
Now where's my train... oh yes .... the Glacier Express ... pinch me, is this a dream?
Now where's my train... oh yes .... the Glacier Express ... pinch me, is this a dream?
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Ultra 6ers
Saranac Lake Ultra 6ers July 4-5, 2014
Lots of great hiking throughout the year, specifically in the Adirondacks. I completed with Ultra 6ers with a friend within the required 24 hour period. This involved hiking six mountains near the Saranac Lake area, namely St. Regis, Ampersand, Baker, Haystack, McKenzie, and Scarface. We completed all six in 21 hours. It was a most exciting adventure, pushing me to physical limits. I knew I would be driven to complete it by will but nervous with my body not measuring up to the trial of the abuse I would put it through. We planned our strategy. Initially we were going to stay in a campground but decided to park at the trailhead of the first mountain. So here we are at the trailhead to Scarface the night before. Given it was July 4th and we heard and saw some of the fireworks over Saranac Lake, we settled down in the car, seats back to allow some form of bed to sleep and slept whatever choppy sleeping hours we had from dark to early down. We woke and got on the trail by 4am to start Scarface. As we were hiking, I suddenly realized I hadn't locked my side of the car door but too late; however, given the early time, we were back before anyone arrived at the trailhead. We hiked in the dark with our headlamps until sun was coming up. It was enchanting to see the forest come alive with light as we continued to the summit and enjoyed the morning sunrise. We were soon back at the car and thankfully the unlocked car did not have anything missing from it. We then headed on to the trailhead near Lake Placid, along the Jack Rabbit Trail to do the combo of McKenzie and Haystack. McKenzie was always a gruel given the eroding terrain. As it was still early morning after 7am, it was pleasant. A treed summit but still views from different lookouts. Coming back down we reached the junction to Haystack going in the back way by an unmarked herd path. With my trustee GPS we found the entry point along a visible herd path to the summit of Haystack. Coming down from that peak, we were pumped, after completing three peaks, I felt encouraged that I could do this. On to the next mountain, Ampersand. I was changing up socks and boots in the car in an effort to ease the feet and afford me more energy to continue on. This proved to be beneficial however, I did lose a toe nail off my big toe due to one boot being a little short at the foot, my old boots. Ampersand has always been a great hike with views, still lots of erosion nearing the top but the boulders at the summit always allowed for lots of company and views. Back down the mountain to the car, now heading to St. Regis. Knowing the day is wearing on, we would save Baker for last as it was the shortest, right in Saranac Lake itself. Our hike up St. Regis was beautiful, dusk was coming and the lighting created beautiful evening photos. It was coming down from St. Regis where we donned our headlamps. On our way out it was dark and we could see the eyes of animals lurking in the distance as we made our way out of the forest. We were now on our way to Baker. Relieved and still feeling pumped, my tired body still carried me. For this hike I wore my trail runners. As we headed up Baker in the dark, we could easily see our way on the path with our headlamps. The only real challenge on this little mountain was not heading off on another herd path as it was so well used by locals and visitors that you could easily get confused, especially being limited to the strength and distance of the light emitted from our headlamps. Adding to that challenge, the moths, being attracted to the light, came out in dozens, fluttering around our heads annoying us and obstructing our view. What seemed like an easy hike turned out to be very tiring, sweeping our arms constantly, trying to keep the moths away. Success, we arrived back at the car, having completed all six peaks. Despite our exhaustion, we glowed with delight as we drove to the gazebo in Saranac Lake to ring the 6er bell, quietly of course, as by this time it was 21 hours later. I will always have a smile on my face recalling this challenge.
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