Thursday, November 7, 2013

Nordic hiking - Leysin, Switzterland (October 27 - November 2)


I wore my hiking boots on the Icelandic Air flight because they were too heavy and bulky to pack.  I did not want to leave them home.  Here in Switzerland that bit of inspiration has been rewarded.  While I have used them elsewhere, here hiking opportunities abound.  Each canton and district has made access to the landscape part of its "public works".   In four hikes I started with three of the trails (published in the Plan Des Promenades by the office of tourism - Leysin Oxygene des Alpes) making a few variations using alternate trails and spurs.  Every hike was amazing as well as strenuous - beautiful scenery, clouds without end - every variant even in rain, mist, and fog.  The photographs present a fraction of the reality.  And what a reality!  Breathing pristine air, exerting muscles until they burn, new views at every turn!

Lake Geneva from Prafandaz

La Riondaz from Prafandaz

Salacyre from Prafandaz

     Western peaks from Carriere des Chamois




Patinoire trail in the fog

Wood carving on the trail
Deer park






Trails end and trees at dusk



Aigle from Prelan - late evening

Colorful foliage and berries

Valley and Lake Geneva from La Grande Crevasse at sunset

Le Grande Crevasse

Afterglow and lights at village below La Grande Crevasse



Farm on hike to Le Fers

Foliage and mountains on hike to Le Fers

Looking down on the small village of Cergnat from Les Fers Trail

Structures old and new

Peaks and clouds at dusk - Les Fers Trail
Most dramatic and unique was the meadow where I encountered a herdsman playing the alp horn, carrying on an ages old tradition.  The sound is unequaled anywhere I have been.  



Meadow view with alphorn player
Alphorn player side view
Priceless

Our residence in Leysin was very well appointed and efficient; and although the exterior was rather pedestrian, the views from the balcony were spectacular!   Every day presented a new cloud journal for Sheila and I to view together (to see earlier entries to the cloud journal see the October 29 post Leysin - Cloud Beauty).  We thank God for giving us this opportunity to travel together and share the encounters and adventure with others.







Walk on!

Bob and Sheila at Prafandaz

1 comment:

  1. You are right, the alphorn picture is "priceless." What glorious images.

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