Ibex in the Swiss Alps
End of June in the European Alps saw Andrew from Wanaka, with Gaz, our chief mountain guide, head off to higher altitudes. Firstly, they traversed the Weissmies, a 4023 m peak in Switzerland with just all right conditions. For their second goal, the Nadelhorn, the weather improved and blue skies were part of this alpine climbing adventure. This peak of 4327 m can be reached from the Mischabelhut and a reasonably good fitness level is required. Strong high winds and more rain approaching brought the team back to Leysin, to finish the week with the local via ferrata of Les Plans, a short but quite demanding adventure in itself. Andrew then popped over to Chamonix to pick up his family and before they continued their travels with biking in France, we all went out to a mountain restaurant with more friends from Wanaka: Phil Melchior, booked for adventure # 17 with our boutique enterprise Alpinism & Ski, arrived with his charming wife Barb. Chalet Ermina, the B&B used for our alpinism guests, saw everybody leave the next day and here some souvenir shots from Andrew’s week in the Swiss Alps:
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- Andrew with the Allalinhorn in the back ground
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- To traverse the Weissmies, 4023 m, you can start at the Almagellen hut
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- Andrew taking in the early morning ambiance
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- Climbing higher and higher up
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- Andrew negociating iced over rock, not always blue skies when on mountaineering adventures
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- Via Ferrata style ascent, alpinism fun
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- A final gear check before the next climb
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- Alpine scenery including wild life: ibex
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- Alpinism, not always in pure sunshine: Interesting nature, requesting care while mountaineering
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- Ladders can be part of alpinism fun, facilitating climbing
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- A great feeling to stand on top of the Nadelhorn
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- Not a bad day for this ascent of the Nadelhorn with a mountain guide
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- Andrew on the ascent of the Nadelhorn
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- Enjoying the moment on top of the Nadelhorn
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- almost no clouds is good enough for this climbing adventure
