We arrived yesterday afternoon and when we stepped out of the train it was actually snowing! The trip from Chur to Arosa went through the most beautiful, rugged and awesome country. I took a few snaps from the train window but these never really turn out so well. I uploaded one but it was not worth it.
The hotel staff recommended a walk for us with my healing shin splint in mind. It meant taking the big gondola to the halfway station at 2,015 meters and then walking for about two-odd hours to the top of the Weisshorn at about 2,650 meters.
This photo is my first excited attempt at getting a photo of Jochen in the snow. I tried to keep the sun and shadows in mind but depending on where we were, this proved to be a bit difficult at times.
Unfortunately I managed to chop his legs off and that spoils an otherwise reasonably good picture.
Because of the snow the track was at times quite hard to follow and catching up with a few other walkers we found a way. I took a side turn partly to get away from the others because I really wanted to be alone in this beautiful place with my dog.
So on this photo we are actually on the way to the Hoernli which is in the background. The track was great and required a lot of stepping and of course going up and up and... But after a while the track took a downward turn and I could see that it was going to wind its way around the Hoernli and then up. Not what I wanted to do with my shin splint even if it is much better now.
The going was very steep the higher we trekked and when we reached the pass at about 2,300m it was another 50 minutes to the top of the Weisshorn and the gondola. Those last 50 minutes were really tough and I had to stop very often to catch my breath. Jochen was very patient and the look said, 'well, she only has two short legs, what can you expect?' and very kindly waited. But he also pulled quite strongly and so I believe that my fitness program is paying dividends. On this last section which seemed to go on forever, it was a lot of stepping, not just walking. When we got back, I ran a hot bath - that felt heavenly and my muscles thanked me profusely.
I can report that after taking the precaution of not walking downhill and taking the gondola instead, my shin splint seems almost to be a thing of the past. My tooth by the way reminds me that it is there every so often but only very quietly
I have another super walk for tomorrow that was recommended. Our fitness program is on track. How could it not be in such country?