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Haute Route von Chamonix nach Zermatt September 2020
As Corona made it impossible for me to fly around the globe I decided to do a hike a little closer to home.
I have known about the Haute Route hike quite some time and had it on my “I would like to do” list.
So after sorting out a few things the decision was made to go for it.
I packed my backpack with the minimum I could and the lightest tents of many as the weather forecast for the next two weeks looked very good.
10 days of food (5kg) should be enough as I planned on sleeping and eating in a mountain hut every now and then.
I drove down to Martigny/Switzerland and parked my car on a free parking lot and from there took the train to Chamonix.
Little unprofessional map of the hike....Sorry!
Day 1-After a last good cup of coffee and a good French croissant I started my hike an walked towards the first and most easy pass on the tour; the col de Balme.
The first bit of a hike like this Is always the worst as you are walking out of a town with an overloaded backpack and people staring at you an probably thinking where is this freak heading to.
Having a look over my shoulder was well worth the effort as most of the time Mont Blanc could be seen without a cloud in the sky.
Late in the afternoon I pinched my tent just below the col de Balme and had a beautiful view of Mont Blanc from my tent.
Camping below col de Balme with Mont Blanc
Day 2-After a cold freezing start I quickly reached col de Balme with the first rays of sun warming me up.
The first part of the trail was kind of easy as it stayed more or less on the same altitude before it went all the way down to a place called la Grande where a nice hut served cold drinks and great food.
I was happy to grab a cold beer and a blue berry cake. Yes I know not the ideal combination, but I am a little crazy.
Main goal for the day was the crossing of the Fenêtre d´Arpette and the wonderful glimpse of the Trient glacier that has sadly retreated a lot in the last decades. After checking out some old pictures it is difficult to lie about climate change (unless you’re President of a certain country).
The last bit of the pass was tiring as the sun had no mercy on me.
Views were great in both direction but after a few pictures and a snack I hopped down the boulder filed direction the Arpette alm.
But I didn´t make it that far as there was a nice spot on the side of the trail were a hiker from Belgium set up camp and I joined in.
Nice morning with col de Balme in the back
Somewhere in between so beautiful that I could not do without showing this photo
Trient glacier, sadly retreating very fast
My first beer on the hike and definitely not the last
Myself and the Trient glacier
Trient glacier seen from the Arpette pass (looking backwards)
Arpette valley from the pass (looking ahead)
Day 3-The walk today would be the one less attractive of all. A nice and sunny start and I quickly arrived in the village of lac Champex. Crossing the town the path took me to Sembrancher.
This was a lovely and easy walk with nice views down the valley but wherever I was traffic could be heard from far. From Sembracher the walk went up to the village of le Châble and parts of the walk were along a road. The biggest yoke of all was that I heard gun shots so I was kind of afraid getting shot by a lost bullet. In the end I saw deer flying through the air on posters. That was when I realized that the whole thing was a shooting range.
A nice and cold beer trenched my thirst in le Châble and after that I walked up the next mountain side in the blazing sun. Found a great spot to sleep close to the chapel of les Vernays.
Arpette Valley early in the morning
I am not that much of a shorts hiker but with weather like this I had no other choice
Small vilage between lac Champex and Sembrancher
Postcard Switzerland above le Châble
Day 4- Up the mountain it went for the next couple of hours till I reached the ski lift of la Chaux. Crazy for me to arrive here smelly and sweaty and see all these tourist (and downhill mountainbikers) for the day hopping out of the ski lifts. Had another beer (yes again) and walked on towards the pass of col Termin with great views of the grand Combin. From here a U-turn and the walk continued towards the next pass col de Louvie. It was almost end of the afternoon as I pinched my tent at the next water source with grand Combin at my feet. After just lying in the sun and enjoying everything I saw an old capricorn with a beautiful set of horns. Later a whole bunch of young ones passed and it was just fascinating to see them climb. I had the feeling of being part of a capricorn documentary!
Some great view walking up the hill above les Vernays
Just another great view
Col Termin
On my way towards col de Louvie (in the background lake Louvie)
My campsite after a long day
No comment
Bedroom view
Day 5- I covered three passes in total today. The first two, col de Louvie and col de Prafleuri without meeting anyone. After reaching cabane de Prafleuri I met lots of people that left their cars at the parking lot of the huge dam wall of lac des Dix and went for a two/three hour walk crossing the col de Roux.
After the pass the hike continued along the lac des Dix. A nice and easy walk with great views in all directions. The last hiking hours of the day took me up towards col de Riedmatten. I found a great camping spot at the mouth of the Chellion glacier though the views were disappointing as it was pretty cloudy.
Early in the morning with a great sunrise on grand Combin
View from where I came from on top of col de louvie
Somewhere inbetween col de Louvie and col de Prafleuri
La Rosa Blanche from the top of col de Prafleuri
Looking back towards col de Louvie
Far away I could see Mont Blanc de Cheilon, not knowing that I would set up camp at the foot of it´s glacier
Lac des Dix with Mont Blanc de Cheilon at it´s far end
Wildlife?
Campsite almost touching the Cheilon glacier
Day 6- I crossed the pass and walked down towards the small village of Arolla where I arrived at mid-day. I had some great views of Pigne d`Arolla as it was a cloudless day. From Arrola it was a long accent to the cabane de Bertol. This cabane was already closed due to end of season but the “winterraum” was open.
Although closed, I met up with three other hikers/climbers. We had a nice and cozy evening in the little kitchen and some great views toward all sides of the hut with its spectacular stetting. The big bang was finally my first view of the Matterhorn!
Climbing up col Riedmatten with view a great view of Mont Blanc de Cheilon.
Those with a good eye should be able to see the fantastic location of cabane des Dix
View back towards Arolla
The last steep part towards the cabane de Bertol. What a place for a hut!
Cabane de Bertol, what a place to be
View towards Tête Blanche, my goal for tomorrow
Slowly the sun is setting, Matterhorns is the most left peak on the photo
That is the direction where I came from
Day 7- Together with one of the climbers we made an early start (06:00) to avoid soft snow condition on the glacier towards the afternoon. We climbed the Tête Blanche-3710meters. It would be the highest point on the tour. After a bit of a rest and some great views I continued down the Stockji glacier by myself as the other guy went back to the cabane de Bertol. All in all a great walk with great views in all directions. In areas like this I feel so small and nature so overpowering.
The crossing of the rubble filled Zmutt glacier seemed to never end and finding my way across it was not always obvious. Finally I crossed it and reached the small path towards the Schönbielhütte.
The weather was great, Matterhorn in front of me (I could almost touch the mountain) and food looked good on the hut so I decided to stay and enjoy the rest of the day. I met up with some nice people and together we just enjoyed the day and the great views. Even the view out of the toilet was magnificent
Did you ever sit on a toilet with the door open and have the Matterhorn in full view?
Early morning while the sun slowly rises
My fellow climber in the background
Almost made it to the top of Tête Blanche, Dente Blanche in full view far away
The top with Mont Blanc beside my head
Das "Gipfelkreuz" with left the Matterhorn and right Dent d`Herens
Walking down the Stockji glacier
View back up the glacier
Matterhorn, can you be any closer?
Walking on Stockji towards the Schönbielhütte.
Basically everything you see on the lower right is boulder coverd glacier!
Finally the Schönbielhütte
With this view of Matterhorn and a glass of wine I decided the rest of the day is holiday
Day 8- A easy and late start towards Zermatt on another cloudless day. The first part on top of the Zmutt moraine and from there through lovely alpine landscape with views of the Matterhorn most of the times.
I crossed Zermatt and felt a bit lost with my equipment passing expensive stores and fancy tourist.
At the end of town I found a supermarket and bought some fruits. Ate them all at once and continued up the mountain towards a place called Patrullarve where I hoped to connect with the Europa weg.
The first part of the Europa weg was not that great as a new ski slope was being built and helicopter flying in building material really disturbed the silence, not to talk about the raped landscape. But how am I to judge about this? I passed the small village of Täschalp, which is the starting point for climbing the Rimpfishhorn. I started looking for a camping place and found one with great views of Matterhorn just in front of me. On both sides I had views of Rimpfishhorn and Weisshorn..Life is great!
Early in the morning everybody has to go .......This is the setting of the Schönbiel toilet
If you decide to go for it with the door open this is what I call a"room" with a view!
Looking back at the Schönbielhütte
No comment as we have al seen the postcards before
Looking down at Zermatt with Matterhorn in view
Camping close to Täschalp with Matterhorn in sight
This is what it is all about
Day 9-Continued the walk on the Europa weg. Crossed the longest suspension bridge in Europe with 494meters and shortly after had a nice lunch at the Europa hütte with a nice and cold a beer!
Because of rock fall, the last part of the Europa weg is closed. I had to take the long decent to Herbriggen (roughly 2200meters). From there I had to follow a side road to St. Niklas.
I kind of had my mind set at sleeping in a hotel this night but I think the devil found out about my plans and made sure that the two hotels in St Niklas were fully booked!
Poor me, I had to walk on and find a space for my tent somewhere in the woods above St. Niklas.
Along the Europa weg
She is still there for you to enjoy
The longest suspension bridge in Europe with 494meters
Day 10- First thing i n the morning was a accent to Jungu. What a beautiful little village on the side of a slope. It was almost as if time had stood still here, nothing else as wooden house and no cars. Unbelievable that we still have places like this in our modern European world.
The walk up to the Augstbord pass was easy (or is it my mental state that made me think this?).
I met two nice Swiss guys here that would more or less accompany me the next two days to come.
From the pass it was a nice and beautiful walk down in to the Turtmann valley. This valley has not a lot of infrastructure and no ski lifts, so with a bit of imagination this is how lots of valley must have looked like before tourist industry set of.
That afternoon I had a beer on the terrace of hotel Schwarzhorn in Gruben. After a while the Swiss guys I met on the Augstbord pass dropped in. We had such a good time together that I decided to ask if the Hotel had a room for me. They did. We had a great night with good food and for me, the first hot shower since I left home!!!!!
Postcard house in Jungu
Jungu village
A place called Sparru, seated like an eagles nest
Augstbord pass looking towards col de Forcletta on the other side of the Turtmann valley
Day 11-Today I thought of an easy day but it worked out a little different, it would be the longest day of the hike. The start was a nice and gentle one and it was just great to walk up to the pass in a flow that made me feel like reaching nirvana. The views up the valley towards the Turtmann glacier and the peaks of Bishorn, Weisshorn and Tête de Milon were almost surreal.
From the Col de Forcletta it went down to the town of Zinal. As you see I the word Col is being used again which means that I am back in the French speaking part of Switzerland. In Zinal I met up with the Swiss guys, by the way their names were Michael and Roger.. The Sun was shining on the terrace they sat so I decided to go for another beer. As it was still early in the afternoon I decided to push on towards the col de Sorebois. It was a long day as I had to push on to find a camping spot with water. But it was rewarded with great views of the Bishorn and Weisshorn peaks.
Early morning the local farmers bringing their sheep down for the winter
Upper Turtmann valley with a great view of Weisshorn
No selfi for today but just my backpack on col de la Forcletta
Walking down towards Zinal. The colors are changing, autum is on it way
Camping close to col Sorebois. Far away the peaks of Bishorn and Weisshorn
Day 12-This would be the final day of the hike. As always it is nice to finish a hike and think about my own bed but on the other side finishing means back in to the rat race.
Nö don´t think too much that’s just the way it is!
It was a quick walk up the col de Sorebois and I met up with Michael and Roger on route. We had a bit of breakfast at small restaurant at the lac de Moiry. We had to wait a little bit as we arrived before opening time. Anyhow after breakfast we walked up to col de Torrent. Views down on lac Moiry were almost surreal because of the greenish color of the lake.
Had a great experience; almost in touching distance a bearded vulture passed. It all went so fast that no time to grab my camera. But never mind it is all stored in my mind!
From the top of the pass it went down for about 1600 meters to Evolêne.
It was great to look up the valley and see Arolla far away and all the big peaks that I passed on the day that I climbed Tête Blanche.
We had Lunch in Evolêne which actually is a nice village worth a visit.
After that we drove back to civilization with the Swiss Postbus.
A quick good bye between me and the boys on the Sion train station and I was by myself again.
I took the train to Martigny and from there walked to my car, had a quick wash and then drove home day dreaming of a nice and hot shower!
Col de Sorebois is where I need to go!
The color of lac de Moiry is almost unreal
Finally my last pass (col de Torrent) on this hike togther with the Swiss guys
A great view up the valley coming down from col de Torrent.
In the upper part of the right valley lies Arolla
Switzerland is definitely a beautiful country
In the far end of the center, the area were I crossed from Bertol to Schönbiel
Villa Evolêne
Conclusion: great hike with beautiful views of all the mayor peaks in Valais (Wallis). Keep in mind if you would like to do this hike you won´t be the only one on the trail. The first two days of the hike are quite busy as the Trail du Mont Blanc covers the same part.
The crossing from Cabane de Bertol to the Schönbielhütte is not part of the Haute Route as described in the guide books. Do not do this route without experience and full mountaineering equipment. Even better would be to do it with a guide.
Switzerland is not cheap; prices for SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) huts are roughly double of what you would pay in Austria or Germany.
I really enjoyed the hike and can really recommend it.
By the way I do read and write German but English is so more easy for me. So any comments or questions in German are most welcome.
As Corona made it impossible for me to fly around the globe I decided to do a hike a little closer to home.
I have known about the Haute Route hike quite some time and had it on my “I would like to do” list.
So after sorting out a few things the decision was made to go for it.
I packed my backpack with the minimum I could and the lightest tents of many as the weather forecast for the next two weeks looked very good.
10 days of food (5kg) should be enough as I planned on sleeping and eating in a mountain hut every now and then.
I drove down to Martigny/Switzerland and parked my car on a free parking lot and from there took the train to Chamonix.
Little unprofessional map of the hike....Sorry!
Day 1-After a last good cup of coffee and a good French croissant I started my hike an walked towards the first and most easy pass on the tour; the col de Balme.
The first bit of a hike like this Is always the worst as you are walking out of a town with an overloaded backpack and people staring at you an probably thinking where is this freak heading to.
Having a look over my shoulder was well worth the effort as most of the time Mont Blanc could be seen without a cloud in the sky.
Late in the afternoon I pinched my tent just below the col de Balme and had a beautiful view of Mont Blanc from my tent.
Camping below col de Balme with Mont Blanc
Day 2-After a cold freezing start I quickly reached col de Balme with the first rays of sun warming me up.
The first part of the trail was kind of easy as it stayed more or less on the same altitude before it went all the way down to a place called la Grande where a nice hut served cold drinks and great food.
I was happy to grab a cold beer and a blue berry cake. Yes I know not the ideal combination, but I am a little crazy.
Main goal for the day was the crossing of the Fenêtre d´Arpette and the wonderful glimpse of the Trient glacier that has sadly retreated a lot in the last decades. After checking out some old pictures it is difficult to lie about climate change (unless you’re President of a certain country).
The last bit of the pass was tiring as the sun had no mercy on me.
Views were great in both direction but after a few pictures and a snack I hopped down the boulder filed direction the Arpette alm.
But I didn´t make it that far as there was a nice spot on the side of the trail were a hiker from Belgium set up camp and I joined in.
Nice morning with col de Balme in the back
Somewhere in between so beautiful that I could not do without showing this photo
Trient glacier, sadly retreating very fast
My first beer on the hike and definitely not the last
Myself and the Trient glacier
Trient glacier seen from the Arpette pass (looking backwards)
Arpette valley from the pass (looking ahead)
Day 3-The walk today would be the one less attractive of all. A nice and sunny start and I quickly arrived in the village of lac Champex. Crossing the town the path took me to Sembrancher.
This was a lovely and easy walk with nice views down the valley but wherever I was traffic could be heard from far. From Sembracher the walk went up to the village of le Châble and parts of the walk were along a road. The biggest yoke of all was that I heard gun shots so I was kind of afraid getting shot by a lost bullet. In the end I saw deer flying through the air on posters. That was when I realized that the whole thing was a shooting range.
A nice and cold beer trenched my thirst in le Châble and after that I walked up the next mountain side in the blazing sun. Found a great spot to sleep close to the chapel of les Vernays.
Arpette Valley early in the morning
I am not that much of a shorts hiker but with weather like this I had no other choice
Small vilage between lac Champex and Sembrancher
Postcard Switzerland above le Châble
Day 4- Up the mountain it went for the next couple of hours till I reached the ski lift of la Chaux. Crazy for me to arrive here smelly and sweaty and see all these tourist (and downhill mountainbikers) for the day hopping out of the ski lifts. Had another beer (yes again) and walked on towards the pass of col Termin with great views of the grand Combin. From here a U-turn and the walk continued towards the next pass col de Louvie. It was almost end of the afternoon as I pinched my tent at the next water source with grand Combin at my feet. After just lying in the sun and enjoying everything I saw an old capricorn with a beautiful set of horns. Later a whole bunch of young ones passed and it was just fascinating to see them climb. I had the feeling of being part of a capricorn documentary!
Some great view walking up the hill above les Vernays
Just another great view
Col Termin
On my way towards col de Louvie (in the background lake Louvie)
My campsite after a long day
No comment
Bedroom view
Day 5- I covered three passes in total today. The first two, col de Louvie and col de Prafleuri without meeting anyone. After reaching cabane de Prafleuri I met lots of people that left their cars at the parking lot of the huge dam wall of lac des Dix and went for a two/three hour walk crossing the col de Roux.
After the pass the hike continued along the lac des Dix. A nice and easy walk with great views in all directions. The last hiking hours of the day took me up towards col de Riedmatten. I found a great camping spot at the mouth of the Chellion glacier though the views were disappointing as it was pretty cloudy.
Early in the morning with a great sunrise on grand Combin
View from where I came from on top of col de louvie
Somewhere inbetween col de Louvie and col de Prafleuri
La Rosa Blanche from the top of col de Prafleuri
Looking back towards col de Louvie
Far away I could see Mont Blanc de Cheilon, not knowing that I would set up camp at the foot of it´s glacier
Lac des Dix with Mont Blanc de Cheilon at it´s far end
Wildlife?
Campsite almost touching the Cheilon glacier
Day 6- I crossed the pass and walked down towards the small village of Arolla where I arrived at mid-day. I had some great views of Pigne d`Arolla as it was a cloudless day. From Arrola it was a long accent to the cabane de Bertol. This cabane was already closed due to end of season but the “winterraum” was open.
Although closed, I met up with three other hikers/climbers. We had a nice and cozy evening in the little kitchen and some great views toward all sides of the hut with its spectacular stetting. The big bang was finally my first view of the Matterhorn!
Climbing up col Riedmatten with view a great view of Mont Blanc de Cheilon.
Those with a good eye should be able to see the fantastic location of cabane des Dix
View back towards Arolla
The last steep part towards the cabane de Bertol. What a place for a hut!
Cabane de Bertol, what a place to be
View towards Tête Blanche, my goal for tomorrow
Slowly the sun is setting, Matterhorns is the most left peak on the photo
That is the direction where I came from
Day 7- Together with one of the climbers we made an early start (06:00) to avoid soft snow condition on the glacier towards the afternoon. We climbed the Tête Blanche-3710meters. It would be the highest point on the tour. After a bit of a rest and some great views I continued down the Stockji glacier by myself as the other guy went back to the cabane de Bertol. All in all a great walk with great views in all directions. In areas like this I feel so small and nature so overpowering.
The crossing of the rubble filled Zmutt glacier seemed to never end and finding my way across it was not always obvious. Finally I crossed it and reached the small path towards the Schönbielhütte.
The weather was great, Matterhorn in front of me (I could almost touch the mountain) and food looked good on the hut so I decided to stay and enjoy the rest of the day. I met up with some nice people and together we just enjoyed the day and the great views. Even the view out of the toilet was magnificent
Did you ever sit on a toilet with the door open and have the Matterhorn in full view?
Early morning while the sun slowly rises
My fellow climber in the background
Almost made it to the top of Tête Blanche, Dente Blanche in full view far away
The top with Mont Blanc beside my head
Das "Gipfelkreuz" with left the Matterhorn and right Dent d`Herens
Walking down the Stockji glacier
View back up the glacier
Matterhorn, can you be any closer?
Walking on Stockji towards the Schönbielhütte.
Basically everything you see on the lower right is boulder coverd glacier!
Finally the Schönbielhütte
With this view of Matterhorn and a glass of wine I decided the rest of the day is holiday
Day 8- A easy and late start towards Zermatt on another cloudless day. The first part on top of the Zmutt moraine and from there through lovely alpine landscape with views of the Matterhorn most of the times.
I crossed Zermatt and felt a bit lost with my equipment passing expensive stores and fancy tourist.
At the end of town I found a supermarket and bought some fruits. Ate them all at once and continued up the mountain towards a place called Patrullarve where I hoped to connect with the Europa weg.
The first part of the Europa weg was not that great as a new ski slope was being built and helicopter flying in building material really disturbed the silence, not to talk about the raped landscape. But how am I to judge about this? I passed the small village of Täschalp, which is the starting point for climbing the Rimpfishhorn. I started looking for a camping place and found one with great views of Matterhorn just in front of me. On both sides I had views of Rimpfishhorn and Weisshorn..Life is great!
Early in the morning everybody has to go .......This is the setting of the Schönbiel toilet
If you decide to go for it with the door open this is what I call a"room" with a view!
Looking back at the Schönbielhütte
No comment as we have al seen the postcards before
Looking down at Zermatt with Matterhorn in view
Camping close to Täschalp with Matterhorn in sight
This is what it is all about
Day 9-Continued the walk on the Europa weg. Crossed the longest suspension bridge in Europe with 494meters and shortly after had a nice lunch at the Europa hütte with a nice and cold a beer!
Because of rock fall, the last part of the Europa weg is closed. I had to take the long decent to Herbriggen (roughly 2200meters). From there I had to follow a side road to St. Niklas.
I kind of had my mind set at sleeping in a hotel this night but I think the devil found out about my plans and made sure that the two hotels in St Niklas were fully booked!
Poor me, I had to walk on and find a space for my tent somewhere in the woods above St. Niklas.
Along the Europa weg
She is still there for you to enjoy
The longest suspension bridge in Europe with 494meters
Day 10- First thing i n the morning was a accent to Jungu. What a beautiful little village on the side of a slope. It was almost as if time had stood still here, nothing else as wooden house and no cars. Unbelievable that we still have places like this in our modern European world.
The walk up to the Augstbord pass was easy (or is it my mental state that made me think this?).
I met two nice Swiss guys here that would more or less accompany me the next two days to come.
From the pass it was a nice and beautiful walk down in to the Turtmann valley. This valley has not a lot of infrastructure and no ski lifts, so with a bit of imagination this is how lots of valley must have looked like before tourist industry set of.
That afternoon I had a beer on the terrace of hotel Schwarzhorn in Gruben. After a while the Swiss guys I met on the Augstbord pass dropped in. We had such a good time together that I decided to ask if the Hotel had a room for me. They did. We had a great night with good food and for me, the first hot shower since I left home!!!!!
Postcard house in Jungu
Jungu village
A place called Sparru, seated like an eagles nest
Augstbord pass looking towards col de Forcletta on the other side of the Turtmann valley
Day 11-Today I thought of an easy day but it worked out a little different, it would be the longest day of the hike. The start was a nice and gentle one and it was just great to walk up to the pass in a flow that made me feel like reaching nirvana. The views up the valley towards the Turtmann glacier and the peaks of Bishorn, Weisshorn and Tête de Milon were almost surreal.
From the Col de Forcletta it went down to the town of Zinal. As you see I the word Col is being used again which means that I am back in the French speaking part of Switzerland. In Zinal I met up with the Swiss guys, by the way their names were Michael and Roger.. The Sun was shining on the terrace they sat so I decided to go for another beer. As it was still early in the afternoon I decided to push on towards the col de Sorebois. It was a long day as I had to push on to find a camping spot with water. But it was rewarded with great views of the Bishorn and Weisshorn peaks.
Early morning the local farmers bringing their sheep down for the winter
Upper Turtmann valley with a great view of Weisshorn
No selfi for today but just my backpack on col de la Forcletta
Walking down towards Zinal. The colors are changing, autum is on it way
Camping close to col Sorebois. Far away the peaks of Bishorn and Weisshorn
Day 12-This would be the final day of the hike. As always it is nice to finish a hike and think about my own bed but on the other side finishing means back in to the rat race.
Nö don´t think too much that’s just the way it is!
It was a quick walk up the col de Sorebois and I met up with Michael and Roger on route. We had a bit of breakfast at small restaurant at the lac de Moiry. We had to wait a little bit as we arrived before opening time. Anyhow after breakfast we walked up to col de Torrent. Views down on lac Moiry were almost surreal because of the greenish color of the lake.
Had a great experience; almost in touching distance a bearded vulture passed. It all went so fast that no time to grab my camera. But never mind it is all stored in my mind!
From the top of the pass it went down for about 1600 meters to Evolêne.
It was great to look up the valley and see Arolla far away and all the big peaks that I passed on the day that I climbed Tête Blanche.
We had Lunch in Evolêne which actually is a nice village worth a visit.
After that we drove back to civilization with the Swiss Postbus.
A quick good bye between me and the boys on the Sion train station and I was by myself again.
I took the train to Martigny and from there walked to my car, had a quick wash and then drove home day dreaming of a nice and hot shower!
Col de Sorebois is where I need to go!
The color of lac de Moiry is almost unreal
Finally my last pass (col de Torrent) on this hike togther with the Swiss guys
A great view up the valley coming down from col de Torrent.
In the upper part of the right valley lies Arolla
Switzerland is definitely a beautiful country
In the far end of the center, the area were I crossed from Bertol to Schönbiel
Villa Evolêne
Conclusion: great hike with beautiful views of all the mayor peaks in Valais (Wallis). Keep in mind if you would like to do this hike you won´t be the only one on the trail. The first two days of the hike are quite busy as the Trail du Mont Blanc covers the same part.
The crossing from Cabane de Bertol to the Schönbielhütte is not part of the Haute Route as described in the guide books. Do not do this route without experience and full mountaineering equipment. Even better would be to do it with a guide.
Switzerland is not cheap; prices for SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) huts are roughly double of what you would pay in Austria or Germany.
I really enjoyed the hike and can really recommend it.
By the way I do read and write German but English is so more easy for me. So any comments or questions in German are most welcome.
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