Friday evening: how about a fire at the river, a steak under the stars

Springtime. Here my suggestion for those who don't feel thrilled by the idea to spend Friday evenings in shopping malls, cinemas and bars. How about a cozy place in the woods, a fire and some juicy steaks unter the sky. Last Friday, my wife and I were facing this as an alternative to grocery shopping after a busy week in the office. Well, no need to explain why and how we decided... Location: Kander Valley ( 46°41'48.09"N, 7°37'51.87"E).

Tracks of Lammergeier (bearded vulture)?

We went on a snowshoe hike yesterday and came across these huge tracks of what seemed to belong to a bearded vulture or a golden eagle. The wing spread was 1.30 meters (4.27 feet), exactly the same length as my hiking pole. From the tracks it seemed that the bird landed uphill and it took him a few flaps to balance out his landing. The picture was taken on December 26, 2009 on the marked snowshow trail nbr. 120, near the Wenig-Dürrewald, Adelboden. If anyone can help identifying the tracks (eagle or vulture), please let us know!

Mountain B&B

Farm Mayen above Leysin, stayed here overnight, a marvel among alpine huts, great fondue, impressive mountain views, friendly host family, a truely alpine working farm, a comfi bed and even an espresso machine. smashing!

How to get there: Take public transport to the Ski resort of Leysin, VD. Then either hike up to Refuge de Mayen or rent a mountain bike (great and very well marked mtb trails!). For the more convenient traveller, there is a lift up to Mt. Berneuse (Leysin panoramic restaurant), from there it is a short hike downhill to farm Mayen.

Nostalgic Swiss army bike tour around Lake Thun

Ascension day - as trees and flowers begin to blossom we did not quite feel like going for another day of skiing anymore. However, most pathes and tracks in the forests and mountains are still too wet and swapy to allow a decent mountain bike tour. So we decided to go nostalgic today. Freed our two Swiss army bikes - both around 40 years of age - from spider webs and hit the road around Lake Thun (approx. 55-60 kilometers. Around this time of the year Lake Thun is simply gorgeous. Lush green hills, turquoise water, the snowy mountain ranges in the back and plenty of garden restaurants along the shore... here a few impressions of todays trip.

pic 1: beach bar and restaurant at harbour in Gunten (North shore of Lake Thun)

pic 2: Castle and harbour of Spiez (South shore of Lake Thun)

Swiss cheese fondue on an outdoor stove

Still in the office, but only minutes away from the weekend. And I was just thinking what I could to tonight. Watching TV is way too boring, going out is too much of a hassle, too much noise. The snow has temporarily melted and it is quite warm (+ 6 degrees C / 43 F), so I might throw my camping gas stove, a pan, a Swiss fondue cheese mix and bread in my backpack and enjoy a quiet dinner in the woods. A cool place along Lake Thun is the river delta of Kander. Only a few minutes outside the town boundries of Thun. Park your car in Einigen, you cannot miss the river as you cross it on the road. So simply follow it for about 0,5 miles until you reach the delta. It's no problem to find enough logs to make your own fire, the view (especially with full moon) overlooking the lake and the lights of the lake-side villages along the far side of the lake is great. Watch out for sudden floods due to local weather in the mountains and the impact of a power station further up.

Woodchopping

Looking for a winter activity other than skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or snowshoeing. Well, what about helping out a friend chopping fire wood in the forest. Believe me, that is some serious fitness training, you're out in the woods, fresh air, a mug of hot coffee during the breaks... I've tried this alternative activity, heaven on earth, is all i can say.

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).

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

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.

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!