Saas Grund trip August 2007

Eating lunch just below the summit of Breithorn

Well - I must still be running on Alaskan time or something as it has taken me ages to get around to writing this post. The main barrier has been that I am unable to upload photos to blogger from home!

'Ecole de Glace' day one of training on a 'dry' glacier. You can see the crevasses. The following day we were lowered into a 'wet' crevasse and had to rescue ourselves!

In August myself and a friend drove down to Saas Grund in Switzerland. The aim was to complete an alpine mountaineering course with Alpine Guides. This is an excellent company with their own blog that is very useful for teaching about Alpine environments. I am really pleased that we managed to climb 2 4000m + peaks, the Alalinhorn and the Breithorn and 3 3000m+ peaks including a rather hairy via ferrata!

Leading the way over a 'wet' glacier toward the Breithorn - a real tourist motorway Alpine style.

A fairly wide snow ridge on the way to summiting the Breithorn

Amazing temperature inversion hides Saas Fee and Saas Grund as we ascend the Alalinhorn

The chance of being in an active Alpine environment took my breath away. Actually witnessing glaciers in full spring melt and seeing the extend and size of the lateral and terminal moraines. It was clear that there has been extensive glacial retreat in the area (although no scientific measurements taken!). It was also interesting talking to the guides who base themselves in Chamonix because it provides the best access to areas all over the Alps allowing them to make the best of the weather conditions in different valleys. It is clear that this is an industry that is concerned with climate change.

Lateral moraines. These features were huge - at least 20-30m - and during the day there was constant rockfall. Gullies can be seen in this image.

I also enjoyed seeing skiers in August above Zermatt.

The Matterhorn!

The Swiss also have an interesting solution to preserving their old rural centres: ban cars! Both Saas Fee and Zermatt are car free - you have to park in huge car parks and either walk or get the train. Supplies and people are ferried in electric carts in the villages themselves. An interesting and real example of how tourism can be managed.

I also enjoyed the experience of staying in an Alpine Hut - along with my 24 other bunkmates!

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