Ammertespitz 22 August

DSCN4408 The training hike required us to leave early and travel up the Valais, over the Lötschberg and down to Frutigen DSCN4412 where we joined half of the Bernese population on the bus toward Adelboden DSCN4413 We took a cable car up to the Engstligenalp, a high but almost level alpage DSCN4414 Christine booting up
DSCN4415 and setting off to Ammertenpass DSCN4416 Looking across the alpage toward the Wildstrubel DSCN4417 and looking back toward the lift where there are many restaurants ready to feed the tourists DSCN4418 As it is an alpage, there are cows
DSCN4419 including calves DSCN4420 Years ago I "discovered" this place by coming over that far ridge DSCN4421 Cows DSCN4423 Flowers
DSCN4424 Flowers DSCN4426 Starting up the pass with the Gross Loner (great name!) in the distance DSCN4427 Our goal is that rocky summit in the middle of the picture DSCN4430 We finally make it to the top and find mtn bikers coming up the blue-white path on the other side
DSCN4431 They are a bit crazy DSCN4432 They will ride down the ridge to the pass DSCN4433 which you see in the middle DSCN4435 Bye-bye!
DSCN4436 We go the other way DSCN4437 The Bernese Pre-Alpes in the distance DSCN4438 Why do they label it "alpine"? DSCN4440 Because lower down the path is chiseled into the cliffs!
DSCN4441 with rather steep ladders over the really hard parts DSCN4442 Hard to imagine that a trail goes through this! DSCN4443 The rest of the trail is far below us: DSCN4445 How did the bikers get their bikes through this gap in the rocks?
DSCN4446 More metal stairs DSCN4447 Good that there are railings! DSCN4448 More flowers DSCN4450 CP on the trail with Albristhore in the distance
DSCN4451 More steps! So much vertical to lose! DSCN4452 Finally down and looking back DSCN4454 Back in the pastures DSCN4455 and on our way to Hahnenmoospass
DSCN4457 Glacial melt on its way to the Simmen DSCN4458 Waterfall DSCN4460 The upper end of the Simmental DSCN4461 and again we came down that
DSCN4462 S end of cows headed north DSCN4464 Now that's tavillons! DSCN4465 what every Swiss child needs - a play backhoe DSCN4466 The bus at Bühlberg, 600 m about Lenk
DSCN4467 If only there were geraniums, this could be the Perfect Swiss Photo DSCN4468 Waterfall DSCN4469 and the source of the water DSCN4470 Reading while waiting for the bus to take us down to the train station
DSCN4472 Relaxing on the MOB somewhere in the Pays d'Enhaut DSCN4474 Dinner on the balcony DSCN4475 Life above the lake