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