Attention: Bob Brown
 

I can't help but notice that we frequent the same sites; Montana and Switzerland.
I was wondering if you are from Montana also and your perspective on Glacier park and the Alps.

We sold some tickets we were unable to use to Prof.Brown and thus got into a considerable exchange. He is a retired professor in Georgia... has lots of opinions on the Alps and Glacier Park. (We also share a disdain for W. -:) Perhaps this message will rise to the top and get his attention.

Are you wondering if they are similar?

I got the message ok. My first trip to Glacier was in 1966 when I was a 33 and in shape to walk 5 miles uphillwithout stopping for anything.

My last visit to Glacier when I did anything more than look was 1999 when I struggled up to Sperry Chalet.

I started visiting the Alps in 1998. We spent a week in Lauterbrunnen and a week in Saas Grund, near Saas Fee.

Since then I have fallen love with the area and have returned several times for prolonged visits.

I like both areas, but to see Glacier I think it is imperative to hike to some back country destinations. People who see it only from the Going to the Sun Road may get a glimpse of some of the beautiful glaciated features of the park but many more jewels are hidden behind the ridges.

For example, I doubt if more than 1% of all people who enter the park ever see Lake Ellen Wilson, or visit the cirque of the Grinnell Glacier, which is fast leaving us.

The Alps on the other hand present more challenges than I could ever have attempted, but they are beautiful mountains.

Which do I prefer? I think I will take the Alps. On the other hand, if you throw the Canadian Rockies into the mix, then we have 3rd location over which to make a decision.

Let's just say that I would not want to forget having seen any of the three.

Thanks for your reply. I am from Kalispell and spent many years hiking in Glacier. My husband and I leave in 2 weeks for Switzerland and will be staying in Meiringen. All my research has lead me to believe that the trip will be very satisfying for this home-sick, mountain-loving minnesotan.
I will post a trip report when I return.