Snow! Snow! Snow! Ski resorts open early this year

Great news for winter sport enthusiasts. This week's snow fall enables most major ski resorts in Switzerland to open their ski lifts early. In the Bernese Oberland, Elsigenalp (Frutigen) start their season today. Don't ask me, why I have decided to go to work this morning, I don't know and mistakes happen :-)

Berner Zeitung (local newspaper) annouce that tomorrow, Saturday, November 17, 2007, 55 lifts and 145 kilometers will be open in the Bernese Alps, among them are Meiringen-Hasliberg, Grindelwald, Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg, Mürren, Grimmialp, Lenk, Jaunpass and Gstaad-Saanen. But check the local snow/lift reports before you choice a resort, most of them still operate only during the weekend and/or with a limited number of lifts.

Seasonal couch potatoe?

First Friday in November - decisions on where to spend the weekends get harder and harder for most mountain railways and cable cars now are closed due to their pre-season revisions. Nights get uncomfortably cold, not exactly the perfect season to go camping unless you are pinguin. The river rafting season has past. Yet, for another few weeks marmots and ibex still laugh at you if you enter their habitat on snowshoes. So how do outdoor enthusiasts spend their weekends? Come on! There are seasonal advantages as well. Most hiking trails are now deserted and fall foilage can still be viewed in some corners. So why not climb a mountain and enjoy the snow covered peaks emerging from a dense sea of fog? There are plenty of smaller peaks in the Bernese Oberland that are well worth a hike or a mountain bike tour around this time of the year. Simply contact the nearest tourist information to let you save from a dull day in town!

Mürren, a gem among Swiss Alpine villages

The village of Mürren may not exactly be considered an off-the-beaten-track destination. Its spectacular location at the edge of an impressive vertical rock face sourrounded by glacial mountains, enthroned by Schilthorn (peak at 2’970 metres above sea) make this village a well-visited tourist attraction of the Bernese Oberland. Yet, the remoteness of the village and the fact, that it can only be reached by either a mountain railway or a cable car prevent the village from being overrun by mass tourism and with this preserve traditional charm laying over the Alpine chalets.

Image above shows view from Mürren village towards Eiger (left).

Currently away doing field reseach

...not exactly. To be honest, the authors are simply away, out in the woods, on holidays. So everyone checking out our blog once in a while, please be patient and come back by the end of October. Well, now is a great time to explore the outdoors of the Bernese Oberland, so you probably won't have time to visit our blog anyway. Intermission then! Bye for now, blog to you in a few weeks!

Gehrihorn

Sunday, 24 SEP 2007 @ 12.27 live - stunning view... and Bernese alps in the back :)

Post-hike addendum: Here a nice 5-hour hike from Kiental, Bernese Oberland. From Kiental village take the chairlift to Ramslauenen (restaurant), then follow the well-marked footpath to Gehrihorn. The ascent takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is quite tough. Once you reach the ridge the view is simply magnifisant. To the South you face the Bernese Alps including the peaks of Eiger, Monch and Junfrau and several other snow-covered giants. Frutigtal (valley), Lake Thun and Emmental spread in front of you in the North. After a lunch break on Gehrihorn (2'130 metres above sealevel) follow the ridge to Grathütte (attended alpine hut, light snacks and accommodation available) before heading downwards to your starting point at Ramslauenen again. As there are a few short but tricky passages just after Gehrihorn, check the weather forecast beforehand. Kiental can be reached by a public bus service from Reichenbach (train station).

Trift Bridge between Susten and Grimsel

Just a quick update, a few days have past without any news, sorry for that. I've been quite busy enjoying the last warm summer days. But now that fall arrives I will probably have more time in front of my computer again.



Anyway, two weeks ago Sue and Philipp joined me on an easy walk to Trift Brücke (trift bridge), a spectacular rope bridge over a canyon formed by the Trift glacier (Bernese Oberland, Switzerland). If you use Interlaken as your gateway, drive to Innerkirchen, then follow Susten. After a few kilometers up towards the mountain pass, you will come across a small cable car station. The cable car is run by the company in charge of the water power station in the region. Take the small gondola that runs every 10 minutes to the top. From there, a well marked trail leads up to the bridge (walking time approx. 1.5 hours). The path is somewhat steep and people who are not used to the mountains may find it a bit exposed in some parts. The scenery from the Trift bridge is supurb! Look down into a natural bowl sourrounded by mountains, a glacier lake and the permanent ice in the back.

Prestine mountain symphony

Time flies. Half a month has past without any new outdoor recommendations, my apologies. Well, tonight I have gone through some of my albums on my computer. What I have come across is simply beautiful. Let me share these images with you.

This first image shows Lac de Salafe (Lake Salafe) and Les Dents du Midi (mountain range) near Martigny, Switzerland. I took this shot during a two-day hike about 2 years ago.



This pic was taken just before sunrise during a hike to Morgenberghorn. It shows Lake Thun and sleepy Interlaken covered in the early morning fog. Moments like this one just blow me away. Even though I live here, it seems that I can't get enough. What can I say, I am an outdoor lunatic ;-)

Tell us your favorite camping meal!

Do you have any suggestions for our next open-air dinner? What's light enough to carry in a backpack, easy to prepare yet more yammy yammy than all the happy astronaut meals that are best before 2029? Please send a comment with your recommendation

Tropfloch Caves

After an unsuccessful first attempt to locate the Tropfloch caves a few weeks ago (see post of June 6, Little Scandinavia), we have returned to this fairytale region south of 'Sieben Hengste' (seven stallions'ridge) near Habkern, Bernese Oberland. Now, with the snow gone, it was much easier to reach the caves. Right now we are sitting around the fire enjoying the evening in the woods half way down. To all those who prefer a smokey evening in front of a fire to a snobby prosecco party, enjoy your evening!

Sentiero Alpino Calanca - that 4-day ridge hike amost made me go mad

As promised here the details on Sentiero Alpino Calanca, a tough 3- to 4-day mountain hike in the South East of Switzerland. I loved the astonishing view (just click on the album and you'll know what I mean), I enjoyed the unspoilt nature of these mountains but let me tell you, some of the more exposed passages made my knees feel like jelly. One must be mad to build a one-foot wide hiking trail into a 3'000ft vertical wall with no chains or security ropes. Mad, and I almost feaked out. I was seriously considering calling a helicopter to get me out of it. Thanks god, my dear travel companion turned out to be a mountain goat with the talent to calm the atmosphere. Thanks Sue!

Sentiero Alpino Calanca

For all those experienced mountain hikers, who feel capable of some really tricky parts: Trailhead is San Bernardino Moutain Pass (between Belinzona and Chur, Switzerland, easily accessable by public buses). 1st day: San Bernardino - Refugio Pian Gran (self-catering), 2nd day: Pian Gran - Bivak Ganan (self-catering), 3rd day: Ganan - Cabanna Buffalora (catered mountain cottage). Reservations for all 3 locations recommended, more details on: http://www.sentiero-calanca.ch/ (official website of ASAC, the trail management association)

Heart-shaped lake

Currently on Sentiero Alpino Calanca, day 3, just arrived in the cosy log cabin of Buffalora after lunch at this freezing cold mountain lake. Ciao from the Southern Swiss Alps.

Saustal, a hidden valley

Here a short hike to a nice alpine farming valley near Interlaken. Grab a coffee, take the train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and don't get to stressed by what may look like a tourist trap to you (...just focus on your coffee). Most of these tourists aim for Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfrau. You get off at Lauterbrunnen, cross the street and hop on the cable car to Grütschalp (1486 m, 4379 ft). Unlike everyone else, don't board the train to Mürren now. Walk around out off the station and you will find markers at the trail head. From here, it's one hour and 20 minutes to the Saustal, you can't miss it. In the valley you will find a few alpine huts (seasonal farming) and some of them offer mountain cheese and other local products. Well and the scenery, it may not be as breathtaking as Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau but hey, you only share the view with two or three local farmers and some cows. ...and no(!) they don't have Starbucks up here and yes, you are better off bringing your hiking boots rather than flipflops.

Stockental bike playground

You won't find this area on any trail map. It is not exactly one specific trail either. Stockental (Stocken Valley) is approx. 10 kilometres from either Thun or Spiez. I recommend buying a 1:25'000 scale map of "Thun". On there you will notice quite a lot of gravel trails along the first mountain range. There are simply to many tracks to point out a major one.

Kayaking on Lake Thun

It can't just be hiking and biking all the time. Like today, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) and a humidity similar to a steam room, we suggest a less strenous activity. How about renting a kayak or canoe on Lake Thun. Your ideal starting point could be Neuhaus camp site near Interlaken. Other activities such as wakeboarding, wind surfing, paragliding are also available.

Oh and one other thing. Once on the lake with your kayak, watch out for the larger passenger boats. Their wakes are fun but don't try to demonstrate that you are a superhero.

BBQ mountain bike combo

Here a lazy option for a hot summer day (...or romantic evening). Along the rivers Kander (between Kandersteg-Thun), Simme (between Boltigen-Wimmis) and Aare (between Thun-Bern) you find plenty of cosy spots to grill a few sausages and enjoy a few drinks. Personally, I like the area, where Simme and Kander meet. Not only can you get there following a lovely single trail, but it is also wild area reminding me of Canadian wilderness. Ideal for a BBQ bike lover's combo.

You will always find enough wood to make a decent fire. The rivers are quite rough and cold, so if you fancy swimming, I would recommend Aare or Lake Thun.

Weather forecast or trouble - you choose

The current weather situation here is, ehm... say quite as fragile as an egg thrown against solid rock. And that reminds me of 3 mad hikers I met last year when I took this pic high above Lenk, Simmental (Bernese Oberland). It was 4pm and either time to find a try spot in the nearby shelter or maybe the last chance to head for the village. And guess what. The 3 hikers, a German daddy and his two teenage sons, were heading in the other direction. They intended to climb Wildstrubel, a serious mountain, hard enough in good weather conditions. I tried to stop 'em but they wouldn't listen. And believe me, the night was bad enough. They too, must remember that hike :-)

New outdoor update and new adventures...

...dear readers, it's great to have so many of you on our blog every day. Sorry for not posting any new stuff over the weekend. We were busy "collecting new outdoor material" for our blog :-) Just give us a couple of hours and more recomms will be on. Thanks! In the meantime, have a good day either in front of your computer or a wonderful day out in the wild! Cheers.

Little Scandinavia

Here an impression of the woods of Grünenbergpass above Habkern (close to Interlaken). An area not known to many tourists and yet a hiker's dream within easy reach from Interlaken. Unfortunately, rain and snow had turned the path into a swampy wet-feet trail last Sunday. But hey, that's nature.

Weekend trip with glacier crossing

Here's another idea for a sunny summer weekend (not recommended before mid June or after October, depending on snowfall): from Adelboden, Bernese Oberland, hike to Engstligenalp or take the cablecar as a shortcut. Then, you can enjoy splendid views hiking along Kindbettipass to Lämmerenhütte (SAC alpine hut, reservation recommended). On the way, you gotta cross a small, but impressive glacier. Mind the gaps! The scenery is amazing and diverse, from grasslands through rugged rocky parts to high Alpine stone deserts and year-round ice. The second starts with crossing a dreamy wide mountain valley with little creeks before hitting the popular hiking trail from Gemmi to Kandersteg. As on the first day, you can once again take the fb (fat bastard's) lazy option from Sunnbühl to Kandersteg or walk down along the beautiful waterfall. We loved it and hope you will enjoy it too!

Igloo adventure in the Alps

The Bernese Oberland is the ideal location for an igloo trip. With snowshoes, warm clothes, water- (well, maybe rather snow-)proof shoes, a sleeping bag, food, a saw and some shovels, you're all set. Provided that there's enough snow, building your own igloo is great fun and burns some calories at the same time... Just make sure you choose a location near a forest, or it will take you hours to find enough wood for a fire that keeps you warm for the evening.

2-day hike Fluhsee near Lenk

Ever dreamt of spending the night in a cozy hut next to a remote (but freezing cold) wee mountain lake? Then Fluhsee is the hike you should be up to soon. From Lenk (last village of Simmental), walk to Simmenfälle and then up to Siebenbrünnen, where you can stop at the friendly little farmhouse-style restaurant for a lovely soup before hitting the wild. Oh yes, and don't forget to put down your names on the slate board in front. That's the only way of making a "reservation" for Fluhseehütte - well, if this can be called "reservation" at all. From Siebenbrünnen, it's a pretty steep hike up to Fluhsee, where you'll be awarded with a splendid view of Simmental. Around the hut, there's plenty of wood to make a fire and cook the food you carried along. And then just enjoy the silence and the sound of the nearby waterfall!




On the second day, you can hike to Tierbergsattel and then to Iffigenalp (approx. 5-6 hrs), from where you can either return to Lenk by bus or walk back. Another option is to continue to Wildstrubelhütte if you fancy once standing on top of Wildstrubel :-)

Mountain Biking along River Kander

What is the difference between a very nice mountain bike area a great mountain bike area? Well, I would say, it is the people or better the lack of people. The less bikers, hikers and other folks, the better. And that is why I don't tell you where this is. However, I might tell you, if you ask on an individual basis... :-)

Diemtigen Mountain Bike Tour

Here my first mountain bike teaser. From Thun along Glütschbach (creek), at Hani go down to river Kander, where you'll find some great single trails along the river bank. Wimmis to Diemtigen along river Simme, then uphill to Diemtigbärgli and Ägelsee (pond), then take hiking trail down to Erlenbach. Fairly steep, watch the rain ditches. Rock n' roll baby!

Outdootlunatics go live

Greatful every day to live in a great Swiss outdoor area, so why not share our experiences with anyone interested in outdoor activities around the world. Why do we do it? Travel guides in general are driven by commercial forces and need to publish what mainstreamers are after, as only this sells and brings profit. Real off the beaten track hints are very rare and hard to find. That's why we aim at posting travel and adventure tips and ideas from our region - mainly the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland - for other outdoor maniacs. We hope you like it and are happy to hear your comments!