Arosa
For our second day in Arosa I took Jochen by bus to Inner Arosa, a small alpine village a few kilometres away and in a more rural setting than Arosa proper. The bus stop was at the base station of the gondola going up to the Hoernli at about 2,300 meters.
I again chose to walk up and take the gondola down, thus nursing shin splints, joints and knees of both 'man' and beast.
Today was another glorious day with almost clear blue skies and sunshine. The aim was to reach two alpine lakes and then decide whether to take a route in front of a mountain ridge to the Hoernli or to go behind the mountain and on to the Hoernli that way.
I again chose to walk up and take the gondola down, thus nursing shin splints, joints and knees of both 'man' and beast.
Today was another glorious day with almost clear blue skies and sunshine. The aim was to reach two alpine lakes and then decide whether to take a route in front of a mountain ridge to the Hoernli or to go behind the mountain and on to the Hoernli that way.
Yesterday there was snow, today it is bare
As we were almost opposite to the walk we had taken yesterday, I had a very good view of that area and where there had been snow before, today it had all melted. As you can see, way up the top there just under the clouds - no snow.
The first of the alpine lakes
The mountains in the background are higher than the one we trekked to yesterday - just under 3,000 meters and that is why there is still snow.
It was a slow, steady walk to start with, passing the usual alpine fields, sheep, streams and reaching the first of the two lakes in this area. As we walked the mountains loomed larger and larger and became ever more imposing.
It was a slow, steady walk to start with, passing the usual alpine fields, sheep, streams and reaching the first of the two lakes in this area. As we walked the mountains loomed larger and larger and became ever more imposing.
En route to the 2nd alpine lake
As the walk continued the path started to rise somewhat alarmingly although in the photo on the right it still looks very benign.
We crossed a few very rocky mountain streams with Jochen splashing about in the water.
The path narrowed and became steeper and steeper, winding its way up and around what turned out to be no more than an outcrop. Along one section there were even some railings. We passed an elderly couple struggling each step and it looked as if the woman had some sort of handicap. I was not sure whether to be impressed that she was attempting this walk or whether she was just being foolhardy. On the other hand, they were in such beautiful country and no doubt had as much enjoyment as I did, and why shouldn't they?
We crossed a few very rocky mountain streams with Jochen splashing about in the water.
The path narrowed and became steeper and steeper, winding its way up and around what turned out to be no more than an outcrop. Along one section there were even some railings. We passed an elderly couple struggling each step and it looked as if the woman had some sort of handicap. I was not sure whether to be impressed that she was attempting this walk or whether she was just being foolhardy. On the other hand, they were in such beautiful country and no doubt had as much enjoyment as I did, and why shouldn't they?
We reach the second lake
We rounded the final bend, the path levelled out and we had this beautiful view. This was going to be our lunch spot - at the far end as there were already quite a few people with the same idea.
If you look closely you can see a number of tracks on both sides of the lake. There is a track on the left hand side that leads through the snow and after few hours of hard walking finally to a hut.
Given that it was already early afternoon and some clouds were starting to form, I had to decide whether to take the walk on the left hand side of the ridge on the right, the longer walk around and behind a mountain, or to cut across in front of it to the Hoernli, somewhat shorter. I have a very healthy respect for the alpine country and know that by a certain of the day one should be heading back rather than on. Alpine weather can be very treacherous and unpredictable. I so wanted to go around and behind the mountain but common sense prevailed.
Given that it was already early afternoon and some clouds were starting to form, I had to decide whether to take the walk on the left hand side of the ridge on the right, the longer walk around and behind a mountain, or to cut across in front of it to the Hoernli, somewhat shorter. I have a very healthy respect for the alpine country and know that by a certain of the day one should be heading back rather than on. Alpine weather can be very treacherous and unpredictable. I so wanted to go around and behind the mountain but common sense prevailed.
On the saddle on the way to the Hoernli
I found the route that took us on front of the mountain and after a few hundred meters of level alpine field walking, found we found ourselves on a saddle. Oops!
I looked down and saw a VERY steep, very narrow track that was hardly a track, leading halfway down the mountain. In the distance I could see how the track led on to the Hoernli way in the distance.
The added difficulty was that on the downward side the sun created shadows and that meant that the snow on the path was becoming icy and very slippery. Now was the time to apply obedience big-time. There were signs everywhere that sheep were grazing and would dogs please be kept on lead. I was not in Switzerland to break any rules. So Jochen stayed on the show lead. He just HAD to stay behind me as the slightest mistake and we could have been in very serious trouble.
I looked down and saw a VERY steep, very narrow track that was hardly a track, leading halfway down the mountain. In the distance I could see how the track led on to the Hoernli way in the distance.
The added difficulty was that on the downward side the sun created shadows and that meant that the snow on the path was becoming icy and very slippery. Now was the time to apply obedience big-time. There were signs everywhere that sheep were grazing and would dogs please be kept on lead. I was not in Switzerland to break any rules. So Jochen stayed on the show lead. He just HAD to stay behind me as the slightest mistake and we could have been in very serious trouble.
The saddle we came down on, top middle
You might get some idea of the difficulty when you look at this photo. The saddle we came over is top/middle section looking back the way we came.
I very carefully and gingerly took one step at a time, sometimes almost sitting down, testing each footstep before putting any weight down. Jochen must have wondered what on earth I was doing but really, if I had let him off lead and he had picked up any speed, even he would have been in trouble.
I had one of those moments that happen from time to time - 'why on earth was I doing this?' But let's be honest, it is exciting and fun!
Needless to say we survived and felt really good. After all, fitness is the name of the game and that also means fitness of mind, psyche and determination. What super training at all levels for the big test.
I very carefully and gingerly took one step at a time, sometimes almost sitting down, testing each footstep before putting any weight down. Jochen must have wondered what on earth I was doing but really, if I had let him off lead and he had picked up any speed, even he would have been in trouble.
I had one of those moments that happen from time to time - 'why on earth was I doing this?' But let's be honest, it is exciting and fun!
Needless to say we survived and felt really good. After all, fitness is the name of the game and that also means fitness of mind, psyche and determination. What super training at all levels for the big test.
Another view of the mountains looking back
After a while of following the path, it again headed up hill. Did I say hill? I mean 'mountain'. The path followed a narrow and very rocky gorge and then was utterly surprised to see a mother with two children coming down. The girl could have been no older than seven and her younger brother was at most five years old! Now that did impress me. I asked how much further in time she thought it would be before I got to the Hoernli and she thought it would be another hour, which seemed about right.
On the way to the Hoernli
Talking of the children, I have been surprised how many children do these walks at a very early age. They all have these wonderful hiking boots, carry little day packs and trek with their parents in the Alps. Also surprising is how many older, and I mean, 'older' people also do these treks. It is great to see.
The Hoernli Gondola
Jochen and I eventually reached the Hoernli. I checked the map and the path that we would have come on if I had decided to go around and behind the mountain. It looked as though it would have been a good walk.
We took the gondola down, waited for the bus, eventually got back to the hotel and I had another long, hot bath. The shin splint is almost gone. What a day.
We took the gondola down, waited for the bus, eventually got back to the hotel and I had another long, hot bath. The shin splint is almost gone. What a day.