COVID-19 My Coronavirus Mount Everest Climbing and Fundraising Challenge

[Wiebke]

Tonight I am resting on the top of the Wildspitz, a distinctive peak of the first chain of Alpine mountains, overlooking lake Zug (where all the rich - not just Swiss bankers from nearby Zurich - have their homes or second homes because of the low tax rates...)



Yes, you get the whole Alps panorama yet again, just a lot closer than from the Black Forest; so I'd rather feature a look back across Lake Zug and the Swiss Midlands towards the chain of the Jura mountains on the horizon instead!

 

[Posyrose]

Well done @Wiebke. I've climbed the stairs but not had time to sort out the photos. I'll do a catch up post tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

Tonight I have reached the Chasseral, the highest peak in the Swiss Jura (1607 m), located above Lake Neuchatel/Neuenburger See in the French speaking Western part of the country. The Jura makes great hiking country with splendid views over the various lakes at the foot of the mountain chain and towards the whole Alps chain.



I could of course have equally chosen the Casseron just a little further along at 1601 m... It's a bit more craggy than the Chasseral.
I guess it is more a matter of personal preference...




This is wine growing country; you can see the vineyards running along the foot of the Jura chain, facing south and soaking up the sun. Swiss wine is generally more dry and mostly drunk in the country so it is generally not well known internationally.

 

[Wiebke]

I have zipped right across the country to the far Southeast of Switzerland not far from the border to Austria where I am putting up my imaginery tent in the Alping village of S-chanf at 1660 m. It lies in the Engadin Valley, which runs from West to East and forms the upper part of the Inn river, one of the tributaries of the Danube. The water that runs under this bridge will eventually end up in the Black Sea!

This is view westward


And this the view to the East. Austria starts roughly where you see the tall mountains.


S-chanf (pronounced S-tchanf) lies in the Romansh speaking part of the country and borders the Swiss National Park, where you can spot marmosets, capricorns or even - fo you are very lucky - one of the successfully reintroduced bearded vultures that were hunted to extinction in the 19th century because they are big enough to carry off a lamb. This picture is from one of the side valleys off S-chanf. The Engadin is popular with hikers but tourists tend to concentrate on St Moritz at the top of the valley.

 

[Merab]

Well done both @Posyrose and @Wiebke
I love all the photos.

 

[Bill & Ted]

It’s really interesting, doing great both of you x

 

[Wiebke]

The last two warm days have been very sapping for me; by the time it got a bit cooler in the house again, hub had already gone to bed; so no afternoon/evening session!

Nevertheless I have reached the top of the highest mountain of the Jura mountains at 1720 m, the Crêt de la Neige ('The Snow Crest') just outside the Swiss border on the French part of the Jura.


You can see why it has got its name!


On good days, you can see across Geneva and Lake Geneva to the Mont Blanc/Monte Rosa, the highest peak in the Alps on the French/Italian border at 4810 m.

Way to go yet to get up there, but I will hopefully reach that summit some time in summer!
Way yo go for me yet... but I will

 

[Wiebke]

The Rigi mountain at 1798 m is one of the first mountains of the Alps when you approach Lucerne. It is very scenic as it mostly surrounded by lakes - Lake Lucerne (on the left) on two sides and Lake Zug and little lake Lauerz (in the front) on the third.

It is also very civilised with a little train running straight up and down on two sides; it is the oldest gauge rack railway in Europe - old enough that Queen Victoria went on it when she spent several years of her widowhood retired from public duties on Lake Lucerne!
Conveniently, you take one of the ferry ships on Lake Lucerne just outside Lucerne railway station to the foot of the Rigi and get onto the train that takes you right to the top; have a look around, have your lunch or a cup of coffee in the restaurant at the top and then take next train down on the other side to another regular railway station in ArthGoldau to pick up the next train back to Lucerne!
This was the first tour I did with my future husband. My dad had offered him his own gloves and his red woolly bobble hat when he my parents for the first time, which hub wasn't sure whether it was a practical joke. So I took them in my rucksack. While it was balmy short sleaves spring weather down in the lowlands, the top of the Rigi was still covered in snow with a fresh breeze blowing drifts. Then the hat and gloves came in very handy! Although hub is most definitely NOT red bobble hat material!

Here is a link to a little video of the train going down from the top towards Lake Lucerne. Of course you can walk in either direction if you are terribly eager! It is as popular as Snowdon in summer... You also get some of the stunning 360 degree views!

 

[Wiebke]

Tonight I have passed the Maloja Pass (1815 m) at the upper end of the Engadin Valley; it is the watershed between the Danube (which drains into the Black Sea) and the mighty Po river in Northern Italy which hits the Adriatic near Venice.
But you don't have to climb out of the Engadin Valley; you basically fall over the edge into a steep gorge which is gradually nibbling away at the Engadin. The little river that is the source of the En/Inn river isn't far from the edge; in the not very far future (geologically speaking), it will end up running down into the Po!



If you love serpentines, then you are most definitely in heaven!

 

[Posyrose]

Tonight I have passed the Maloja Pass (1815 m) at the upper end of the Engadin Valley; it is the watershed between the Danube (which drains intoe the Black Sea) and the mighty Po river in Northern Italy. But you don't have to climb out of the Engadin Valley; you basically fall over the edge into a steep gorge which is gradually nibbling away at the Engadin. The little river that is the source of the En/Inn river isn't far from the edge; in the not very far future (geologically speaking), it will end up running down into the Po!

View attachment 143502

If you love serpentines, then you are most definitely in heaven!

View attachment 143503

View attachment 143504

Wow! You're making great progress @Wiebke.

I've reached Snowdon but have been feeling a bit low and been in pain so haven't had the motivation to do the stairs or even post from the top of Wales.

Tomorrow is due to be a lovely day, so I'll try and get back to my usual routine.

Thanks for being an inspiration!

 

[Wiebke]

Congrats on reaching the top of Snowdon, @Posyrose !

Very sorry to hear that you have been feeling low, though! I hope that you can pick up again and feel a bit more like it as it is warming up again this coming week. It is easier for me to run up the stairs when it is not so hot, so the weekend has been better for me. I am dreading the summer, though!

PS: If you want to enjoy a bit of a panorama, have a look at yesterday's post from the top of Mount Rigi; it also comes with a little video.

 

[piggieminder]

I have just done a catch up of this thread and am impressed by how well you are doing. Well done both of you. I have enjoyed your journeys and the lovely photos. I sent a donation to TEAS this week as I had a small windfall from Ernie and wanted share a little bit of my luck.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I have just done a catch up of this thread and am impressed by how well you are doing. Well done both of you. I have enjoyed your journeys and the lovely photos. I sent a donation to TEAS this week as I had a small windfall from Ernie and wanted share a little bit of my luck.

They are both doing so well! The views have been amazing from both of you x

 

[Posyrose]

Thanks for the support. This nice weather should lift my spirits @Wiebke @Bill & Ted @piggieminder.

 

[Wiebke]

I am spending today's lunch still in Maloja, simply because it is such a stunning place. Yesterday evening, I have concentrated on the impressive drop. Now I am looking at Maloja village and beautiful Lake Sils at the very end of the wide upper Engadin Valley.
If you like hiking but not so much climbling lots uphill, then this area is great for giving you the Alpine experience. It is also a great place for cross country skiing in winter!

This picture shows you the Maloja Pass from the other side; you can now even better understand what I mean with the falling over the edge comment when you see just how close Lake Sils is to it!





Lake Sils (as well as Lake Silvaplana close behind and then little Lake St. Moritz) is lovely at any time of the year.



And fully iced up and snowed in... (which is of course becoming a much more rare event)


Lake Sils in the back and Lake Silvaplana in the foreground

 

[Merab]

Wow! You're making great progress @Wiebke.

I've reached Snowdon but have been feeling a bit low and been in pain so haven't had the motivation to do the stairs or even post from the top of Wales.

Tomorrow is due to be a lovely day, so I'll try and get back to my usual routine.

Thanks for being an inspiration!

Sorry you’re not feeling well. Hope your pain eases soon.
Well done on getting up Snowdon

 

[Wiebke]

And tonight I am putting up at the smallest of the upper Engadin Valley lakes, but the most famous ones - St Moritz on Lake St Moritz (or Lej da San Murezzan in Romansh) at 1822 m, which in winter freezes over most reliably.
This has been long since a great attraction for the sporty rich and the good since the Victorian and especially the Edwardian age - horse sleighing, snoe polo and racing on the on the flat of the frozen lake or bobsleighing downhill (the Cresta Run being the first purpose built run of them all).
Today it is mostly Russian oligarchs and the Chinese upper class that are staying there although racing enthusiasts from all over the world will still come to events. Most other people will rather stay away and enjoy the other more unspoiled and cheaper villages up and down the valley.

St Moritz with people enjoying the frozen lake





And the lake with the town in summer

 

[Wiebke]

I think the Grosser Mythen (The Mythen, pronounced 'Meeten') at 1898 m is a worthy summit to overnight; especially as it has a convenient hut to overnight in at the summit! It is the iconic peak of the canton of Schwyz (one of the original three cantons that seceded from Habsburgian Austria) and who has given its name to the country that would eventually grow out of the confederation of cantons.

Grosser Mythen with view towards Lake Lucerne and Seelisberg in the bend where the lake turns left - which now looks very puny indeed from up here!


It's been quite a climb and not exactly for the vertigo free (good thing I am doing this virtually!)
But the views across to the Rigi, Lake Lucerne on the left and Lake Lauerz in the middle are worth some rather heart-stopping moments!

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

It looks beautiful, but yikes that is one steep path! I probably did some similar in my far-off youth with my hubby (who was into mountaineering), but I'm not sure if I could cope with it now. Love to have the chance to give it a try though.
Is the zigzag path all walkable (with a rope for security perhaps) or is it climbing only?

 

[Wiebke]

It looks beautiful, but yikes that is one steep path! I probably did some similar in my far-off youth with my hubby (who was into mountaineering), but I'm not sure if I could cope with it now. Love to have the chance to give it a try though.
Is the zigzag path all walkable (with a rope for security perhaps) or is it climbing only?

From the pictures, it is all walkable with appropriate good footwear (hiking boots) with a rope rail. The path has all been firmed up and made passable for people moving up and down.

 

[Merab]

Awesome views

 

[Wiebke]

Despite a bit of a tummy upset and a busy day, tonight I have reached the Grosse Scheidegg, which is a pass off Grindelwald at 1962 m above sea levels, right up between the high mountains!



It is nice be able to look down and see how far up I have come compared to places I have been proud to work my way up to earlier on.

 

[Wiebke]

How are your health and mental frame holding up, @Posyrose ?

 

[Wiebke]

I have passed 2000 m!

Right at the end of my 6th week of stair climbing I have passed my second kilometre in height!
My legs are feeling decidedly firmer although running 10 stairs in one go is still enough for me...

Mount Moléson, which looms over the pretty town of Gruyère (home of the well known cheese) with its castle, is at 2002 m a very suitable place to have a cheese sandwich for lunch!




You get quite a panorama from there; if you want to take the easy option, you get there by cable car (on the left)!

 

[Posyrose]

How are your health and mental frame holding up, @Posyrose ?

Hi @Wiebke I've been having a difficult time, and have prioritised walks outside over stair climbing and have been busy with work. However, I feel more motivated today and have done half the day's steps this morning and will do the second half later - so I think I'm through this fallow period and am committed to keep climbing. I'll post my Snowdon achievement now and am hoping to reach a Belize mountain top next.

Thanks for your encouragement and kind thoughts and that of others on here

 

[Posyrose]

I've had a bit of an interlude as I've been feeling a bit down, not helped by back and leg pain. I lost my motivation for a while, but I've started stair climbing again today and want to keep going!

A while ago I reached the top of Snowdon, so I've gone past the 1,000m mark (and am in awe of @Wiebke in achieving twice that in such a short time!

So anyway, here's a look at Snowdon


The view's pretty good too!

 

[Wiebke]

Well done for your achievement and for getting back into the swing again. It takes a lot to do that after a break.

I've also had my difficult days and have not always managed to get my 20 runs, but I have usually been able to make up for most of it in the following days by running 25-30 stairs in two or even three sessions. But just getting at least one session in, especially when I am feeling very stiff in the mornings has often been a fight, so I fully sympathise with you!

 

[Posyrose]

Well, after today and looking at my records, I've now done more than 1200m.

I'm visiting a new continent and an old British colony, Belize, in Central America, hence the name for this mountain, Victoria Peak. It's 1120m high and located within the Maya Mountains in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.


It's surrounded by rain forest


and the odd waterfall.

 

[Wiebke]

Well, after today and looking at my records, I've now done more than 1200m.

I'm visiting a new continent and an old British colony, Belize, in Central America, hence the name for this mountain, Victoria Peak. It's 1120m high and located within the Maya Mountains in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
View attachment 143976

It's surrounded by rain forest
View attachment 143977

and the odd waterfall.

View attachment 143978

Well done!

This is stunning!
Sadly as I have got entirely the wrong genes from either of my grandmothers, tropic climes are nothing for me.
I couldn't even hack the tropic section at the Eden Project in Cornwall and had to head to the exit rather quickly long before my hub considered whether he might take off his coat!

 

[Posyrose]

Well done for your achievement and for getting back into the swing again. It takes a lot to do that after a break.

I've also had my difficult days and have not always managed to get my 20 runs, but I have usually been able to make up for most of it in the following days by running 25-30 stairs in two or even three sessions. But just getting at least one session in, especially when I am feeling very stiff in the mornings has often been a fight, so I fully sympathise with you!

Well done keeping it up; it's not easy. I find it really difficult to catch up, but i'm recording my progress more systematically, so I can log 5 or 10 laps, if I don't manage them all.

I often have to break mine up into several sections, sometimes just doing an extra two or three flights each time I need to go upstairs. Isn't much in the way of a cardio workout, but it all adds up! I just need to be better at managing my pain more proactively. I've just come back from an hour's walk through the woods, which I love, particularly in this lovely weather. I've managed to increase that from a 10 minute walk at the beginning of lockdown.