Hi There Hive Family,
We usually do our mountaneering and hikes in Bulgaria because we have a lot of medium sized mountains close to us. But we have started a tradition, when the summer months come to go visit other countries and their most interesting peaks. This time we decided that it is time for a big upgrade and we headed straight for the Alps where the mountains are averaging 4000 meters and more. I personally do not have any experience with mountains over 3000 meters high, so it was going to be quite an adventure for me, my physical, and mainly my mental boundaries.
First thing is first, I had to buy some Swiss Franks. Look how beautiful they are, a real art of work. They are so well designed and so soothing to touch. I really enjoyed just holding this currency.
Fast forward I flied with a Friend of mine to the Airport of Basel where Bosh (our Bulgarian Friend living in southern Germany) picked us up and we drove straight through the border and into Switzerland. Because we had to drive from the furthest north to the furthest south area, we decided that it is a good idea to save more than an hour and just travel through the mountains. To do that we took a so called Car Train Station. You park the car on a wagon like trolley and just enjoy the scenery.
Once we arrived the plan was:
Sleeping in a tent with sleeping bags instead of going to a hotel. We wanted to experience a real disconnection from the urban lifestyle and feel the mountain and its clima. We also took a lot of provisions to cook at our tent and do everything by ourselves.
The place was very neat and we paid for renting the place and having water, Internet and electricity on demand. We did not like that we were next to train station and the noise was horrible, but we got used to it. How did we do that? Simply we took the time schedule of the trains. In bed by 22 o'clock and up by 5 o'clock. We did not need any alarms of clocks to wake us up. We had all the helicopters and trains for that.
All set. We are ready for dinner and then slowly preparing to go to our bags for a good night sleep.
The next morning was very joung. We were not very close to Zermatt (the city from where most of the famous Alp peaks start) so we took a train for a couple stops, otherwise it is close to 2 hours walk from our tent area. But it was going to be a really long hike anyway so we had to spare us some unnecesary walking.
Here is how the ticket to the Train Shuttle look like. And once in the city the choices are limitless. Neverless, we are heading to the only blue colored peaks - Platthorn and Mettelhorn. These are the only alpine peaks in the region so it was going to be very interesting.
Very quickly we started to gain elevation. Soon we were outside the city. The giant peak on the side is Peak Matterhorn. An emblematic and very famous peak in the Swiss Alps.
First steps in the wild Swiss Alps. We saw a marmot as we were walking. It crawled out of its rabbit hole, saw us, decided that we are not so interesting, and then just went back to its home.
After a couple of hours walking, we reached a beautiful Hotel Lodge.
Just under 4 hours and we are there. Crazy!
Peak Matterhorn is slowing emerging from the background. This means, we are gaining altitute quickly.
Some scenery before our alpine traverse. We did bring some crampons because we knew that on these hights the snow does not melt entirely and is present all year round. There is always some type of glaciers above 3000 meters.
Along with the glaciers, we find ourselves surrounded by crevasses. These are holes in the snow sometimes as deep as tens of meters. Once fallen, the escape is very difficult and could take days to complete. So we needed to be extra cautions.
We are finally at the foothills of our desired peak - Peak Mettelhorn. It was a very exhausting hike but we are glad to be very close to our goal.
After a well deserved rest. We headed for one last climb.
We finally did it! Peak Mettelhorn standing at 3406 meters high. Personal record altitute for me as well. A crazy experience and breathtaking sceneries from the top. Peak Matterhorn was visible from every angle. Maybe some day we will try to ascend it. That would be awesome.
On our way back we stumbled upon a herd of Swiss goats. They are quite a different breed from the goats in Eastern Europe. Very large horns and half black half white colors. They greeted us and actually came very close to me as I was filming them. That was amazing and showed that the animals are used to humans passing by.
Thank you for checking out my blog :)
Stay happy, be peaceful!
Namaste
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