Swiss Alps in the Spring-Some Questions
Jan 18th, 2017, 12:11 PM
#21
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I know a crazy guy who climbed Uluru in flipflops. But that does not mean it was a good idea and should be a model for others.
Please take the Alps seriously. Every year people die because they did not prepare well enough.
As for the Bergwacht, if someone gets in trouble due to their own stupidity they will rescue them but send them the bill afterwards.
Hiking boots must fit well and be broken in well to be comfortable.
Please take the Alps seriously. Every year people die because they did not prepare well enough.
As for the Bergwacht, if someone gets in trouble due to their own stupidity they will rescue them but send them the bill afterwards.
Hiking boots must fit well and be broken in well to be comfortable.
Jan 18th, 2017, 12:17 PM
#22
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I think that quokka, who no doubt has much more experience in hiking the Alps in general than me is talking about different types of trails than those in the Jungfrau Region than I'm talking about.
Ones I took I never felt dangerous or in fear of life and were caution was needed took caution.
It depends on the trail in my mind. Mannlichen to Kl Scheidegg - do you think hiking boots needed for example?
Boots are great for older folks unfit folks perhaps and again I am talking about the trails I mentioned -none of us ever felt we needed boots not felt we were taking risks at all or would not have done it.
Ones I took I never felt dangerous or in fear of life and were caution was needed took caution.
It depends on the trail in my mind. Mannlichen to Kl Scheidegg - do you think hiking boots needed for example?
Boots are great for older folks unfit folks perhaps and again I am talking about the trails I mentioned -none of us ever felt we needed boots not felt we were taking risks at all or would not have done it.
Jan 18th, 2017, 04:54 PM
#23
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We don't do dangerous hikes. They are more like rambles. Usually pretty flat. Exhaustion, pain and fear are not what we're going for.
I don't wear flipflops ever.
I may look for softer topped hiking boots, if there is such a thing.
Anyway, getting back to flowers and waterfalls. . .
I don't wear flipflops ever.
I may look for softer topped hiking boots, if there is such a thing.
Anyway, getting back to flowers and waterfalls. . .
Jan 18th, 2017, 05:04 PM
#24
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I was fortunate to see a number of Switzerland's very different nooks and crannies! 
To be clear about the weather -- the possibilities don't include just snow-covered trails. You could have snow, ice, sleet, trails closed due to avalanches, etc. I think that means that you would be wise to be prepared in at least two different ways -- both by having options in mind if you can't get out and hike (or hike the trails you planned) and by having attire appropriate to a variety of potential types of weather.
FWIW, there's a huge range of options between sneakers and full-support hiking boots. I didn't do any particularly difficult walks, but was grateful to be wearing very, very lightweight Gore-tex lined walking shoes (by Salomon), which are not only waterproof, but have soles that give much better footing than sneakers -- and without the weight of most walking shoes. Today's world also includes lightweight options for hiking shoes or boots with ankle support. And I've been intrigued by references to yaktrax by a fellow Fodorite, melnq8. I could easily be wrong, but they struck me as a lightweight option for travelers who want to do some easy walks in light snow.
I sincerely appreciate quokka's concern. I never cease to be amazed by the human capacity for idiocy -- or the willingness of some to risk their own lives and well-being to rescue idiots!
That said, I trust that you will make decisions about footwear that provide a reasonable assurance of safety.
Hope that helps!
To be clear about the weather -- the possibilities don't include just snow-covered trails. You could have snow, ice, sleet, trails closed due to avalanches, etc. I think that means that you would be wise to be prepared in at least two different ways -- both by having options in mind if you can't get out and hike (or hike the trails you planned) and by having attire appropriate to a variety of potential types of weather.
FWIW, there's a huge range of options between sneakers and full-support hiking boots. I didn't do any particularly difficult walks, but was grateful to be wearing very, very lightweight Gore-tex lined walking shoes (by Salomon), which are not only waterproof, but have soles that give much better footing than sneakers -- and without the weight of most walking shoes. Today's world also includes lightweight options for hiking shoes or boots with ankle support. And I've been intrigued by references to yaktrax by a fellow Fodorite, melnq8. I could easily be wrong, but they struck me as a lightweight option for travelers who want to do some easy walks in light snow.
I sincerely appreciate quokka's concern. I never cease to be amazed by the human capacity for idiocy -- or the willingness of some to risk their own lives and well-being to rescue idiots!
That said, I trust that you will make decisions about footwear that provide a reasonable assurance of safety.
Hope that helps!
Jan 18th, 2017, 08:58 PM
#25
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Oh yes, there are all types and weights of "hiking" boots these days.
Like kja, I have a pair of low-slung Solomon "hiking" boots that look like sneakers but have sturdy hiking soles --
http://www.salomon.com/de/product/x-...article=381637
I bought them here in Garmisch, and the sales lady told me they were good for most local hiking but cautioned me that I shouldn't try to hike up the Zugspitze in them. haha. No fear of that, I said.
I also have a pair of high-top Meindl (just look like sneakers when the top is covered by pants), also for light hiking:
http://www.meindl.de/produkt/ohio-lady-2-2/
Dianedancer, if your toes are now trashed, I suspect that your boots were too small -- that's a quite common error. You may want to go to a better shoe store or an outdoor sports store and get better fitted.
Have fun in Zermatt!
s
Like kja, I have a pair of low-slung Solomon "hiking" boots that look like sneakers but have sturdy hiking soles --
http://www.salomon.com/de/product/x-...article=381637
I bought them here in Garmisch, and the sales lady told me they were good for most local hiking but cautioned me that I shouldn't try to hike up the Zugspitze in them. haha. No fear of that, I said.
I also have a pair of high-top Meindl (just look like sneakers when the top is covered by pants), also for light hiking:
http://www.meindl.de/produkt/ohio-lady-2-2/
Dianedancer, if your toes are now trashed, I suspect that your boots were too small -- that's a quite common error. You may want to go to a better shoe store or an outdoor sports store and get better fitted.
Have fun in Zermatt!
s
Jan 19th, 2017, 05:08 AM
#28
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I will definitely check out the suggestions given. Thanks all.
swandav - We've already been to Zermatt (2 weeks ago). We're thinking of Spring in the BO (which we've also been to before.) That is, unless someone has a better suggestion for some Swiss mountain area for us in the last week of May.
swandav - We've already been to Zermatt (2 weeks ago). We're thinking of Spring in the BO (which we've also been to before.) That is, unless someone has a better suggestion for some Swiss mountain area for us in the last week of May.
Jan 19th, 2017, 09:48 AM
#29
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http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/top...ikes-in-wengen
this lists walks and hikes where they say hiking boots are not needed - stick to those and leave the heavy boots at home.
this lists walks and hikes where they say hiking boots are not needed - stick to those and leave the heavy boots at home.
Jan 19th, 2017, 09:12 PM
#31
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Hi again Dianedancer --
Oh gosh, even though your OP clearly states that you are thinking about the BO, somehow I thought you were going back to Zermatt. Sorry!!
A better suggestion . . .??
I am partial to Gstaad and that area. It doesn't have the towering, majestic peaks that the BO and Zermatt does; rather it has lush, green, rolling hills that go on into the distance. I find it far prettier and more inviting than high-mountain areas (with the caveat that I now live in a mountain town at the base of some big-ish mountains). There are a number of pleasant town-town walks and a number of walks in the nearby (low-ish) mountains. Because it is at a lower altitude, it may be more temperate in May. Here are some photos of my favorite walk:
https://swandavsgstaad.shutterfly.com/
Have fun!
s
Oh gosh, even though your OP clearly states that you are thinking about the BO, somehow I thought you were going back to Zermatt. Sorry!!
A better suggestion . . .??
I am partial to Gstaad and that area. It doesn't have the towering, majestic peaks that the BO and Zermatt does; rather it has lush, green, rolling hills that go on into the distance. I find it far prettier and more inviting than high-mountain areas (with the caveat that I now live in a mountain town at the base of some big-ish mountains). There are a number of pleasant town-town walks and a number of walks in the nearby (low-ish) mountains. Because it is at a lower altitude, it may be more temperate in May. Here are some photos of my favorite walk:
https://swandavsgstaad.shutterfly.com/
Have fun!
s
Jan 20th, 2017, 05:19 AM
#32
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swandav - Looks pretty spectacular to me! Lots of muddy walks too it seems. When were these pictures taken?
Also - I looked up the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg walk and it seems the cable cars for ascent and descent from/to Grindewald or Wengen WILL be open at the time we will be there.
http://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer-timetable.html
Also - I looked up the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg walk and it seems the cable cars for ascent and descent from/to Grindewald or Wengen WILL be open at the time we will be there.
http://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer-timetable.html
Jan 20th, 2017, 09:05 PM
#34
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Hi again --
Thank you!
The photos were taken in the summertime, either July or August. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Menuhin Classical Music Fest, and that's three weeks in July/August. I would walk/hike during the day and listen to amazing music at night.
As I recall, there had been a big rain storm a day or two previous to this hike.
s
Thank you!
The photos were taken in the summertime, either July or August. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Menuhin Classical Music Fest, and that's three weeks in July/August. I would walk/hike during the day and listen to amazing music at night.
As I recall, there had been a big rain storm a day or two previous to this hike.
s
Jan 21st, 2017, 05:25 AM
#35
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Many, but not all, higher elevation mountain resort hotels are closed in late spring. For example, we were in St. Moritz in late May (to catch the scenic post bus ride to Lugano). I walked around for a while and most hotels were closed with signs saying they weren't re-opening until mid-June earliest. Ditto for Zermatt, Wengen, etc. Just an FYI.
You will see beautiful flowers and flowing waters in the Ticino and in the lower elevations, and you will find hotels and restaurants open and buzzing in places like Zug (which has lovely lakeside gardens), Lucerne, Solothurn, Bern, Interlaken, etc.
You will see beautiful flowers and flowing waters in the Ticino and in the lower elevations, and you will find hotels and restaurants open and buzzing in places like Zug (which has lovely lakeside gardens), Lucerne, Solothurn, Bern, Interlaken, etc.
Jan 21st, 2017, 06:40 AM
#37
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Grindelwald "will have enough hotels open and it's a buyer's market."
Actually, no. If you look at the more highly rated hotels in Grindelwald (8+ on booking.com), for example, many of them are down to their last couple of rooms for those dates. Others are sold out or closed.
Actually, no. If you look at the more highly rated hotels in Grindelwald (8+ on booking.com), for example, many of them are down to their last couple of rooms for those dates. Others are sold out or closed.
Jan 21st, 2017, 11:26 AM
#38
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Well then Interlaken will be open- was not talking about highly rated hotels - I always base in Interlaken - great for taking day trips to say Bern or Lucerne if foul weather sets in or in 20 minutes or so be in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.
Something don't compute - most hotels are closed because it is off season yet the hotels that are open are almost fully booked?
Not a good marketing sense for some of the closed ones?
Something don't compute - most hotels are closed because it is off season yet the hotels that are open are almost fully booked?
Not a good marketing sense for some of the closed ones?
Jan 21st, 2017, 01:10 PM
#40
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http://www.naturfreundehaeuser.ch/2/...lwald/welcome/
All ages are welcome and families to at Grindelwald's Nature Friends House - private rooms I believe available and a communal kitchen - European hikers of all ages stay here=something different and much cheaper than a hotel.
All ages are welcome and families to at Grindelwald's Nature Friends House - private rooms I believe available and a communal kitchen - European hikers of all ages stay here=something different and much cheaper than a hotel.
