This was one of the most spectacular journeys in my life. Last Wednesday Phil and I went to nearby Saas Fee (pr Fay) - which means cattle in the Saas valley or something similar. Phil's chalet is at Saas Grund (or Saas ground = Saas lower). SG is at 1600 m, or similar to Point Lookout. Saas Fee is at 1800 m, and behind it is the highest range in the Alps - although Mt Blanc is a lone peak marginally higher.
Thus, the Dom is nearly 4600 m and Allalin is one of a group of peaks > 4000 m. Anyway, we took a 3-stage voyage into space starting at the 1800 m level. The first two cable car stages soared steeply to 3000 m (or nearly 10,000 feet asl); the third stage was shorter and involved a train ride through a tunnel!! The angle of slope taken by the train was 45%!! It took us close to 3600 m and a ... wait for it ... a revolving restaurant at Mittelallalin!!! Now, 3600 m is seriously high. It is about 11,700 feet, and believe it or not it was snowing in mid-summer while some hardy souls equipped for the event staggered off to climb to the top of Mt Allalin. Since I was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers I wisely donned a jumper and decided against the journey.
Look at the views in amazement! It was worth the 18,000 km getting there.
AS
1 comment:
What fantastic pictures! Whilst I knew that Phil's chalet was well situated, I had no idea that the scenary in the area was so oustanding.
In two weeks time Jean and I venture through France and Austria to Reit im Winkl in the southern German Alps not far from Birchesgarten.This will be our 4th visit but the first time without Florian Hummel's parents who have made things so easy for us in the past. We either drive or take a mini-bus up to the mountain alps then generally walk along fairly level mountain pths with superb views. We return via the Bodensee where we shall spend three nights. Richard.
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