Wandern im Turtmanntal – 2. Tag   || Breakfast at the Turtmann Cabin We woke up to a gorgeous morning. And since we’d only be returning to the car, we didn’t have to set out quite as early as the other hikers. We had breakfast in front of the cabin, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. And we finally got the explanation for the thunderous sounds we’d been hearing on and off for a while. While breakfasting, we witnessed a huge chunk of the Turtmann glacier across from us break off. It was quite a sight and we were too fascinated watching than wanting to stop and grab cameras to capture something that would be over by the time we got ready to snap. And it was scary to think how much ice had just gone down the sheer rock face of that mountain across from us. || Frühstück auf der Turtmannhütte Wir wachten auf zu einem wunderschönen Morgen. Und da wir heute nur zum Auto zurückkehren würden, mussten wir nicht ganz so früh raus, …

Wandern im Turtmanntal – Versuchter Gipfelsturm aufs Barrhorn   || Gässi Soon after lunch we set out again in an attempt to reach the summit of the Barrhorn (3610 m / 11.843 ft). We walk past meadows full of edelweiss and soon reach the most challenging part of our hike: Gässi (T3+). To scale Gässi, we have to cross a very steep and slippery slope full of loose rubble, and then get into the rock face. Fortunately, the trail is secured by ropes and iron steps bolted into the rock. While the task looks rather daunting from below for inexperienced climbers, once in the rocks, we notice the task is doable and the challenge not as grand. Within minutes we make it through the sheer rock face of Gässi and soon continue on in more accessible terrain. ||Das Gässi Gleich nach dem Mittagessen geht’s weiter für uns, da wir irgendwie immer noch hoffen, dass Barrhorn (3610 m) zu erreichen. Wir wandern an Alpwiesen voller Edelweiss vorbei und erreichen bald den herausforderndsten Teil unserer Wanderung: das Gässi …

Wandern im Turtmanntal – Aufstieg zur Turtmannhütte   I’m back on the road again. This time I packed a friend, my nephew and a buddy of his to go hiking in Turtmann Valley in Switzerland. The goal was to hike up the highest “hikeable” summit in Switzerland (“hikeable”, meaning you don’t need any extra equipment as is the case when climbing is involved). It’s always a strange feeling, choosing a hiking tour from internet sources, and I always wonder, “Will I, or my companions, be disappointed by this trip, or will it be able to compare to my previous hikes?” (which have all been pretty breathtaking so far). But then, hiking in Switzerland, I guess, you can’t be disappointed. At least I haven’t been yet. And if you’re someone who loves alpine hiking, I can totally recommend this tour to you. Ich bin mal wieder unterwegs. Diesmal habe ich mir eine Freundin geschnappt, und auch meinen Neffen und einen Kumpel von ihm und wir sind ins Turtmanntal in der Schweiz. Unser Ziel war, den höchsten Wandergipfel …