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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
I went to Switzerland to climb Dufourspitze and Mont Blanc. Unfortunately an untimely illness forced me to evacuate the Monte Rosa massif after the first three days and hurry down to the town of Visp for emergency surgery.
I'm still recovering but I was able to salvage the trip by doing several short easy summit hikes and one via ferrata. I may post reports for Breithorn, Castor, Pollux, Ludwigshoehe, Schilthorn, Tschuggen, and Lauberhorn later this week.
The Mürren-Gimmelwald ferrata runs along the top of the cliffs on the west side of Lauterbrunnen valley. It crosses several gorges as it makes a descending traverse which loses 1000 feet of elevation before reaching Gimmelwald. Highlights include multiple ladders, wire crossings and a suspension bridge.
1500 feet of exposure Stechelberg Below A Happy Climber Ladders Three Climbers On The Suspension Bridge
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Redwic Unlisted Free Agent
Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to the Prom(inence) |
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Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:43 am
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Nice exposure shots.
I am glad you are home safe (and healthy)!
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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PorcupinePhobia Murse
Joined: 04 Mar 2012 Posts: 1002 | TRs | Pics Location: Hwy20 |
Sorry about the surgery. As we say in the ER, we don't get many reservations.
This via ferrata stuff is pretty awesome, first time I've seen something like that. Seems like a lot of work/maintenance, although I'm sure we could talk the FS into it Crazy Europeans
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twodogdad Member
Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 846 | TRs | Pics Location: seattle |
Ah, the via ferrata: we need a few of those here.
You more than salvaged your trip if you did Castor and Pollux et al.
tdd
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contour5 Member
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 2963 | TRs | Pics
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contour5
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:10 pm
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Nice salvage, hope you're making a speedy recovery.
The ladders are kinda scary looking, but that bridge is the coolest thing ever! Wish we did more stuff like that here...
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:54 pm
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I love that area. It's been several years since I've been there last, and I had no idea about the Mürren/Gimmelwald Klettersteig.
A fairly new installation perhaps.
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13117 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:20 pm
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Sweet trip.
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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:53 pm
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way cool!
(except for the getting sick part)
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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kayaker Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2011 Posts: 31 | TRs | Pics
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kayaker
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:10 pm
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That's a pretty sweet Via. There is one in WV that I have done, although it is nothing like that.
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:42 pm
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Oh man! That is so on my list now. Too bad our family already did a trip in that area when the kids were younger. It's going to be hard to talk my wife into going back without telling letting on about via ferrata being my secret agenda!
It's blasphemy around here to suggest it, but IMO Garfield Mountain would be a great place for a few via ferrata for the adventurous tourist. Heck, Infinite Bliss is already a via ferrata with bolts 50 feet apart! Bring your own cable-rope.
And you nailed the music in the video. Hope everything works out for you re the medical emergency.
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Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
Glad you're ok. Guess there is no good time to get sick.
The Swiss look like they maintain their via ferratas better than the Italians. Great shots
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Eek still kind of a dork
Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 144 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah |
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Eek
still kind of a dork
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Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:43 am
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Great video in a cool area. I don't recall that via ferrata being there when I was there in 2005, although it could have been and I just didn't hear about it. Looks fun. Guess I'm going to have to figure out a way to go back!
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Eric Peak Geek
Joined: 21 Oct 2002 Posts: 2062 | TRs | Pics Location: In Travel Status |
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Eric
Peak Geek
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Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:01 pm
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Glad to hear that you are feeling better again Mr. Gimpilator. Too bad about the timing of the illness but you're young and the peaks aren't going anywhere.
Cool via ferrata. I wish we had more of those in the US. Not a lot, but a few more.
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Noble Hiker Member
Joined: 17 Aug 2012 Posts: 17 | TRs | Pics Location: Central Washington |
I lived in Switzerland for a few years. Lauterbrunnen tal is one of those rare places on earth.
Thanks for the pics.
Do they have those ladders and handles the entire way up the rock face?
"Be not weary in well doing."
"Be not weary in well doing."
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campwire Member
Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 1 | TRs | Pics
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campwire
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Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:12 am
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See any base jumpers while on route?
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