Sunday, July 1, 2007
Basel, CH - Sunday July 1
Spa at Rheinfelden with Maria. Had a Haman scrub/massage for the first time.
Champex to Le Chable - Saturday June 30, 13 km
Ah, today is the easiest day of the whole trip. The previous night I had decided that I would hike the 104 meter gain to Le Chable and take the train back to Basel to regroup. I basically need a different backpack, hiking boots, a sleep sack, visit to a cash machine, a trip to the spa in Rheinfelden and a mental break. A trip back to Basel would supply all of this (thanks to Maria for loaning me everything and going to the spa with me).
At breakfast I met some British kids that had just taken thier law exams. They had hiked from Chamonix the day before! They did take the cable car up one pass though. They were planning on sacking the trip too (only I will return to finish). Their backpacks weighed 20 kilos! Mine only weighed 10 kilos with my water bottle, food and one teva strapped to the pack. They were basically laughing at themselves through their delirium and pain at what they had thought this trip was going to be and how they had not planned. I had planned and I was still exhausted. I really want to finish this trip now because it really is an acomplishment. It is not a mere hike/walk through Switzerland. It is a 14 day grueling hike over mountain passes every day across Switzerland. Very hard to sustain.
So I hiked the 13 km and cought the train back to Basel. Will return though.
At breakfast I met some British kids that had just taken thier law exams. They had hiked from Chamonix the day before! They did take the cable car up one pass though. They were planning on sacking the trip too (only I will return to finish). Their backpacks weighed 20 kilos! Mine only weighed 10 kilos with my water bottle, food and one teva strapped to the pack. They were basically laughing at themselves through their delirium and pain at what they had thought this trip was going to be and how they had not planned. I had planned and I was still exhausted. I really want to finish this trip now because it really is an acomplishment. It is not a mere hike/walk through Switzerland. It is a 14 day grueling hike over mountain passes every day across Switzerland. Very hard to sustain.
So I hiked the 13 km and cought the train back to Basel. Will return though.
Trient to Champex - Friday June 29, 14 km
Today's height gain was 1386 meters (the day before was about 1200 m). It was basically hike staight up over the Fenetre d'Arpette and back down again. Getting up to the top was not so horrible (just medium horrible) as it only took 3 hours, which was the suggested time. Coming down though took 4 hours when the posted sign said 2.5 hours. Yikes, my knees and feet were killing me. This trip was definately starting to kick my bum.
This morning I had tried to find a cash machine in Trient. No cash machines in that town. While hiking I met a couple from Anchorage and asked in there would be one in Champex. Nope. I would have to use mastercard that night, thankfully. There would not be another cash machine until the end of the next day in Le Chable. So, dispite that people think cash machines are ubiquitous throughout Europe this was the second time I was stuck without a needed cash machine and had to hike 45 km (or drive 115, like in Montenegro) to get to one.
I booked a single room at the doitor in Champex and that was totally worth the extra money for the peace and privacy. I actually started to enjoy the trip at this point and dropped my plan of sacking the whole trip and heading back to The States.
This morning I had tried to find a cash machine in Trient. No cash machines in that town. While hiking I met a couple from Anchorage and asked in there would be one in Champex. Nope. I would have to use mastercard that night, thankfully. There would not be another cash machine until the end of the next day in Le Chable. So, dispite that people think cash machines are ubiquitous throughout Europe this was the second time I was stuck without a needed cash machine and had to hike 45 km (or drive 115, like in Montenegro) to get to one.
I booked a single room at the doitor in Champex and that was totally worth the extra money for the peace and privacy. I actually started to enjoy the trip at this point and dropped my plan of sacking the whole trip and heading back to The States.
Chamonix to Trient - Thursday June 28, 22 km
Wow, first day of hiking...
Hiking to Argentine was not that bad. Only 9 km and not up a mountain, but still the trekking poles came in handy and helpful. Getting from Le Tour to Col de Balme was pretty tough though, especially as there is a working gondola running over your head that is taking other hikers right up to the top. But, no guts, no glory.
I was excited to stay at the refuge at Col de Balme but when I got there and tried communicating with the Frau we were having difficulties. It would cost 38 Euros and 4 more Euros if I wanted to take a shower. Very expensive for sleeping in a dorm situation. I tried saying that I did want the room but the French gal did not really seem that interested in letting me the room. So after 5 minutes I went outside to think. Something did not feel so comfortable about the place, so I decided to head onto Trient.
Hiking downhill is just as hard as hiking up; very hard on the knees. I finally get into Trient and checked into a doitor (dorm) for 34 Euros a night. Hmm, that much for sharing a room with 26 beds. Privacy and a little moment to recoup is not even a vauge hopefull thought.
By now I'm realizing that a sleeping sack will be necessary. That night I layed a couple pillow cases across the bed and slept in my long johns.
I was pretty tired that night and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was missing James terribly again and wanting to sack the trip and come home. I would give it another day though.
Oh, my backpack also started to come apart at the seams, my four year old trail running shoes were not holding up too well and I had lost one of my Tevas off my pack along the way (so that will be some money when I get back).
Hiking to Argentine was not that bad. Only 9 km and not up a mountain, but still the trekking poles came in handy and helpful. Getting from Le Tour to Col de Balme was pretty tough though, especially as there is a working gondola running over your head that is taking other hikers right up to the top. But, no guts, no glory.
I was excited to stay at the refuge at Col de Balme but when I got there and tried communicating with the Frau we were having difficulties. It would cost 38 Euros and 4 more Euros if I wanted to take a shower. Very expensive for sleeping in a dorm situation. I tried saying that I did want the room but the French gal did not really seem that interested in letting me the room. So after 5 minutes I went outside to think. Something did not feel so comfortable about the place, so I decided to head onto Trient.
Hiking downhill is just as hard as hiking up; very hard on the knees. I finally get into Trient and checked into a doitor (dorm) for 34 Euros a night. Hmm, that much for sharing a room with 26 beds. Privacy and a little moment to recoup is not even a vauge hopefull thought.
By now I'm realizing that a sleeping sack will be necessary. That night I layed a couple pillow cases across the bed and slept in my long johns.
I was pretty tired that night and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was missing James terribly again and wanting to sack the trip and come home. I would give it another day though.
Oh, my backpack also started to come apart at the seams, my four year old trail running shoes were not holding up too well and I had lost one of my Tevas off my pack along the way (so that will be some money when I get back).
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Chamonix, Fr - June 27
Today I took the train out to Chamonix where I'll begin the High Route, a 180 km walker's route from Chamonix to Zermatt, Switzerland.
Chamonix is a great town for groups of friends. Lots of walking, shopping, eating. It would be fun to come back here.
When James was here two years ago in the winter he said it was very expensive and had to pay 40 Euros a night for a bed in a dorm. I was able to get a bed in the Ski Station for 12 Euros, plus 2.50 to rent a sleeping sack since it's BYOB (Bring Your Own Bedding).
I bought some trekkiing poles for 70 Euros. If I'm going to seriously attempt the 180 km route then trekking poles will help.
Chamonix is a great town for groups of friends. Lots of walking, shopping, eating. It would be fun to come back here.
When James was here two years ago in the winter he said it was very expensive and had to pay 40 Euros a night for a bed in a dorm. I was able to get a bed in the Ski Station for 12 Euros, plus 2.50 to rent a sleeping sack since it's BYOB (Bring Your Own Bedding).
I bought some trekkiing poles for 70 Euros. If I'm going to seriously attempt the 180 km route then trekking poles will help.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Basel, CH - Friday June 22
Maria and Reinhold had taken the day off of work and took Martin and Pia to France for sightseeing. I was really wanting to go to my favorite spa in Rheinfelden so they dropped me off on the way.
Oh I spent a relaxing four hours in and out of sauna, steamrooms and pools. Exactly what I was looking forward to.
Oh I spent a relaxing four hours in and out of sauna, steamrooms and pools. Exactly what I was looking forward to.
Basel, CH - Thursday June 21
While Maria and Reinhold were at work Martin, Pia and I walked around the city trying to find something for less than 20 USD to eat. Very difficult task and I finally ate a three dollar pretzel. We walked over into Germany because I was trying to find a motorcycle clothing shop. Unfortunately I could not exactly remember how to get there and we could not find it. Martin has since found it though, so at least we were walking in the right area.
Reinhold came home and we had a great dinner. We then walked into town, met Maria and Dianna and had drinks. I had met Dianna about two years ago in Seattle (through Maria, of course) so it was great to see her again. She told us about a trip she had just been called the Via Farerra (or something like that) where she climbed up 600 meters of ladder on a rock face. It's only about 100 Euros or Francs and I would like to try this out.
Reinhold came home and we had a great dinner. We then walked into town, met Maria and Dianna and had drinks. I had met Dianna about two years ago in Seattle (through Maria, of course) so it was great to see her again. She told us about a trip she had just been called the Via Farerra (or something like that) where she climbed up 600 meters of ladder on a rock face. It's only about 100 Euros or Francs and I would like to try this out.
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