The beginnings
Let's Go!
From the idea to the implementation, we shared a very short route.We only had to embrace the free week, get bus tickets, insurance, fill in the missing equipment, recall and put in the head messages from mountain courses on rescue and glacial authorship and news about moving around the glaciers.
The most difficult task of all was to pack giant backpacks.
At the very beginning we decided that this is going to be a budget trip, so the main points where we will spend the night are alpine shelters and places where you can pitch a tent.
There is only a 19-hour bus journey ahead of us.
ALWAYS CLOSER THE CLOUD! :) Alpine expedition - day 2. Bern-Visp-Zermatt
It is very difficult to describe today with a few sentences ..
Let's start from the beginning...
After 19 hours spent on the bus, we found ourselves in the coveted Bern, and exactly at an unidentified stop in his suburbs.
At the beginning, Switzerland surprised us with its prices.
A ticket from Bern to Visp, from which you can get to Zermatts, turned out to cost almost as much as our trip from Poland to Bern.
If someone has the opportunity to buy a ticket in advance, it is worth trying because there are random promotions up to 50%.
After an hour's journey through the picturesque areas of Switzerland, we found ourselves in a charming, illusively reminiscent of our Zakopane Visp, from where we walked towards the mountains.
Everything would be fine if not for the persistent rain that fell and fell almost all the time.
After failing to catch the foot, we managed to reach the small town of Stalden.
Due to the weather and the awareness that our things prepared for the whole week would be soaked on the second day, we decided to get to Zermattu by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
It would probably be the greatest train in the world driving on the most beautiful line in the world, if not for its price.
In less than an hour, driving through the beautiful mountain terrains we reached the destination.
Zermatt really turned out to be a very beautiful town at an altitude of 1608m above sea level
It was filled with narrow, atmospheric streets where numerous regional pubs and pubs were very tempting to get inside.
It took us a while to find accommodation. Finally, we stopped at the campsite Matterhorn Camp, which was located a few steps from the train station.
Summary:
- A ticket for a coach from Poland to Switzerland can be bought at a quite reasonable price after prior reservation.
- The coaches drive practically every day.
- A ticket from Berne to Visp is worth booking in advance due to numerous promotions.
- From Visp to Zermatts you can walk, it takes about 7 hours.
- There is also the possibility of traveling by train Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn which goes an hour and costs about 36 Franks.
- The cheapest accommodation in Zermat is a campsite near the station (around 200m to the left) open from 8.30-22.00
Let's start from the beginning...
After 19 hours spent on the bus, we found ourselves in the coveted Bern, and exactly at an unidentified stop in his suburbs.
At the beginning, Switzerland surprised us with its prices.
A ticket from Bern to Visp, from which you can get to Zermatts, turned out to cost almost as much as our trip from Poland to Bern.
If someone has the opportunity to buy a ticket in advance, it is worth trying because there are random promotions up to 50%.
After an hour's journey through the picturesque areas of Switzerland, we found ourselves in a charming, illusively reminiscent of our Zakopane Visp, from where we walked towards the mountains.
Everything would be fine if not for the persistent rain that fell and fell almost all the time.
After failing to catch the foot, we managed to reach the small town of Stalden.
Due to the weather and the awareness that our things prepared for the whole week would be soaked on the second day, we decided to get to Zermattu by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
It would probably be the greatest train in the world driving on the most beautiful line in the world, if not for its price.
In less than an hour, driving through the beautiful mountain terrains we reached the destination.
Zermatt really turned out to be a very beautiful town at an altitude of 1608m above sea level
It was filled with narrow, atmospheric streets where numerous regional pubs and pubs were very tempting to get inside.
It took us a while to find accommodation. Finally, we stopped at the campsite Matterhorn Camp, which was located a few steps from the train station.
Summary:
- A ticket for a coach from Poland to Switzerland can be bought at a quite reasonable price after prior reservation.
- The coaches drive practically every day.
- A ticket from Berne to Visp is worth booking in advance due to numerous promotions.
- From Visp to Zermatts you can walk, it takes about 7 hours.
- There is also the possibility of traveling by train Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn which goes an hour and costs about 36 Franks.
- The cheapest accommodation in Zermat is a campsite near the station (around 200m to the left) open from 8.30-22.00
Alpine expedition - day 3. Zermatt - Gandegghütte
This morning he did not wake us up as we anticipated the alarm clock, but loud, troublesome to the ear, thundering rain from the sky. The only thing we had in our heads is the remnants of hope that it is just a dream and when we wake up, we will see mountains sunk in the sun.
However, the reality turned out to be different and after an hour of additional sleep the weather still did not spoil ... in spite of everything, we quickly gathered the tent, packed our things and we went on the road ...
It was the best possible choice. After some time wandering in a drizzle not seeing the clouds behind the mountains, which we should see suddenly cleared up and our eyes appeared the coveted Matterhorn!
Today, our goal was to reach the area around the Gandegghütte hut at an altitude of 3030m above sea level. We had to overcome about 1,420m altitude.
Soon after leaving Zermatt and entering the beautiful alpine forests and valleys, we found a magical place. It was cafe Zum See run by charming people Max and Greti.
After drinking coffee, which in such a place tasted amazing! we moved on.
It is worth noting that there is a spring near the cafe, from which you can make up for free water.
The road we wandered was very well marked. We were lucky to meet a bunch of cute marmots :)
After a few hours of pleasant walk among the beautiful views we reached our destination.
There was an amazing view from the shelter area. Particularly noteworthy was the massive Breithorn massif and the Matterhorn reigning in the distance.
A pleasant surprise at the end of the day was to know the cat who living in this high place in the world :)
Alpine expedition - day 4. Bivouac at Cervino
The road to the shelter ran mainly along the ski trails located on the glacier. It was rather simple and safe.
The weather, which accompanied us, gave us a lot of notice. There was a real alpine summer. Without glasses and cream, the defeat of even a short route in such conditions would be at least persistent.
After about two hours of walking, passing the Rifugio Teodullo hostel, we arrived at Rifugio Cervino. Both inside and outside there was a pleasant, pleasant atmosphere, which was emphasized by the Italian Kisskiss radio.
It is also worth noting that prices in Italian shelters are at least half lower than on the Swiss side.
From Rifugio Cervino we set off towards the Matterhorn Klein. Our journey did not last long because of the approaching dense clouds that effectively destroyed visibility. We were forced to return to the shelter and make an additional acclimation day. Nothing, however, lost because thanks to this we managed to find the perfect place to set up a tent. It was built near the hostel, an abandoned house, or rather a terrace of this cottage. The views from the campsite were indescribable :)
Summary:
- The road to the Refugio Guide del Cervino does not require any special skills, however, it is quite long and for some it can be tiring,
- Prices in Italian hostels are much lower than on the Swiss side,
- There are no running water at Gandegghütte, Teodullo and Cervino,
- Generally, Italians do not make any problem if someone wants to pitch a tent near the shelter,
- Tiramisu in the Cervino shelter is one of a kind,
Alpine expedition - day 5. Breithorn and Hostel Ayas
We planned the incentive at 4:30 am to set off on the trail as soon as possible. Early in the morning the snow is more frozen and easier to walk on it, so it is worth choosing the earliest hours to go up.
Before we set out on the route, we also joined the hostel, where traffic was already at 5 o'clock. We ate a quick breakfast, provided ourselves with a boiling water supply and we could start assembling the equipment for the road. The trail we walked was in many places across the glacier, which required proper preparation and tying with a rope.
Initially, the route led along the ski slopes through the Plateau Rosa. Then, after reaching the Matterhorn's Klein foothills, we found ourselves on the extensive Breithorn Pass, from where it was possible to see numerous routes to the summit of Breithorn as well as to other peaks of the Monte Rossa massif.
After a short rest on the pass we moved on, along the zigzag route along the mountainside.
The approach was neither difficult nor steep, but with each step more and more gave itself to know the height that forced us to break more often.
Finally, after about 2.5 hours, we found ourselves on the long-awaited western tip of Breithorn. There was an amazing view of the surrounding peaks: Poluxa and Castor, Lyskam, Dufourspitze, Klein Matterhorn, as well as the valley, which was filled with a huge glacial slit.
After a pause and joy at the top, we set off on the road, starting from the amazing ridge crossing to the pass that connected the western tip of Breithorn with the central peak.
Our next goal was the Rifugio Guide Valle d'Ayas. The road to him initially led the same way as on Castor, but before the mountain itself it was necessary to turn right, down, towards the Aosta valley.
The route from Breithorn to Castor and further towards the Ayas shelter was demanding. There were many gaps. People without proper preparation and knowledge about proper glacier movement should not take it.
The Ayas hostel, although it seemed quite ordinary outside, was filled with a magical atmosphere. In the dining room we were seen by a crowd of smiling mountain climbers eating delicious Italian pasta.
It is a family hostel, run by nice, friendly people. Being there, we felt like we were also part of this family.
The Italians have once again proved that they are an incredibly hospitable nation. After coming to the hostel, it turned out that there are no vacancies, but nevertheless they brought us comfortable mattresses and offered the possibility of accommodation on the floor in the dining room. At the time when we wanted to pay, we heard that our hosts would feel bad if they accepted the money for sleeping on the floor.
They surprised us many times that night, bringing refreshments in the form of pasta, as well as giving free wine.
Alpine expedition - day 6. Ayas hostel - Aosta
It was not the end of surprises waiting for us in the shelter. We learned that if we feel like we can move after 4 am to the room.
It was a very interesting phenomenon, even at 4 am the whole hostel came to life and the dining room was filled with people.
That day we needed to regain strength and make up for a bit of sleep so we took advantage of the suggestions of our hosts and we went to rest for some time.
After breakfast on the terrace (very recommendable is served in the caffè corretto, or coffee reinforced with grappa), we set off towards the lower Mezzalama hostel in the valley.
In the summer the road to the shelter is sometimes unpleasant. It runs on small, sliding stones ... The views, however, compensated for all the inconveniences.
Mezzalama turned out to be a small but atmospheric shelter, which is worth visiting in the area.
From the shelter she led a winding, winding valley down the path and in the distance you could see the town of Saint Jącques, which we were heading for.
The Aosta Valley has made a really impressive impression on us. It was a combination of lush greenery, beautiful flowers, high waterfalls, snow-covered four-thousanders and gloomy glaciers.
Going down at some point we met a friend of Rifugio Ayas, who was the father of the family and the owner of the hostel.
As soon as he noticed us, he immediately offered a ride to the town.
The car of our companion turned out to be parked near the trail on the flatter part of the route.
After a crazy, hour-long, full-of-the-verge ride on a pick-up trailer, we found ourselves in Saint Jacques, where '' Father '' helped us get on the bus to Champoluc.
Especially praiseworthy were the Italian cheese, served with the addition of honey and carefully selected meats.
From Champoluc we went straight to Verres. Already at the entrance, the town greeted us with a beautiful castle, located on a hill. It was much bigger than Champoluc. It was also a place from which we could easily get to Aosta.
That evening, we decided to try to get somehow to Aosta. Due to the late hour, buses no longer traveled. We walked to the destination on foot, hoping to catch the foot. Initially, however, no one stopped. The situation has become a little dramatic. At the moment when we began to give up and look around for a "potential" place to camp, our rescuer appeared. Thanks to him we traveled one-third of the road ... however, 15 minutes have passed! when the next driver stopped next to us and proposed a ride to the campsite Les Iles Pollein in Aosta :)
The campsite was the last point of this crazy day.
Below is a recording from a pick-up tour :)
Alpine expedition - day 7 and 8. Aosta-Montreux-Lausanne
Today we woke up at the campsite Les Iles Pollein in the very capital of Aosta Valley, Aosta :)
We collected the items and went to a center about 3 km away.
Aosta turned out to be a beautiful city around which mountain ranges stretched.
The center was full of numerous, atmospheric restaurants that were begging to look at them.
In the end, we chose the Betaclan pizzeria, previously recommended by a local woman. It was a real hit!
The pizzeria's decor was playing in the eyes. In the middle of the main room stood a piano next to which lay a stack of vinyls. Besides, there were a lot of other instruments, photos and things related to music. Of course, the pizzeria did not just delight in its appearance, it also delighted with its taste. We ate there two amazing pizzas. At the very thought of them, a man immediately becomes hungry ...
After visiting Aosta, our next destination was the Swiss city of Montreux. In order to get there, we first had to take a bus to Martigny, from where direct trains to Montreux ran.
We chose this place as another destination of our trip for two reasons. First of all, there is a statue of Freedi Mercurego, secondly the city is famous for its beautiful view of Lake Geneva.
Both the monument and the view of the lake made a great impression on us ... apart from them in the city there was a very large number of hotels and shops with a strange assortment.
It is also worth adding that Montreux is a level town built on a hill.
After a night spent on the stage of an abandoned amphitheater, near the lake, we went by train to Lausanne. It was the last stop of our journey.
Lausanne, like Montreux, is a level town located on Lake Geneva. It has a very long and steep market.
From Lausanne at 11 o'clock we had a bus booked, which within 20 hours was to transfer us back to Poland .... and that's how our journey came to an end.