Up the Furka on Foot

No sign of the sun this morning so we decided to walk up to the Furkapass from Realp. Up the road made famous in the Goldfinger car chase.

WP_20151231_12_50_30_Pro — Quick cup of tea at the top of a bleak Furkapass

WP_20151231_12_55_08_Pro — Check out the Art Deco architecture on the pass

WP_20151231_13_07_46_Pro — Gletschhorn and Winterstock

WP_20151231_13_09_14_Pro — Tina on James Bond Strasse

Fellilücke – Last chance before the piste goes in

There will be a new lift installed in 2016 and the Fellilücke valley will become the main piste down to the Oberalp pass. We took the chance to enjoy it before the crowds arrive.

WP_20151230_09_57_35_Pro — Another beautiful day – almost too hot to be skinning.

WP_20151230_10_43_47_Pro — Heading up to the Fellilücke at 2478 m.

WP_20151230_11_10_06_Pro — The wind picked up near the col and the jackets had to go back on.

WP_20151230_11_34_43_Pro — Approaching the Unghurstockli. The new lift top station will sit just below this face.

WP_20151230_11_59_50_Pro — The valley faces south so snow conditions were a bit mixed on the way down.

Return to the Maighels Hutte

Our first ski tour was to the Maighels Hutte almost 12 years ago. It’s set in a lovely valley and, by Swiss standards, the hut is luxurious. Today was a chance to revisit and it did not disappoint.

WP_20151229_11_37_04_Pro — We both enjoyed the skin up – it was shorter than we remembered from last time

WP_20151229_13_08_12_Pro — Looking from the hut up to the Maighels Gletscher

WP_20151229_13_11_15_Pro — Enjoying the sunshine outside the Maighels Hutte

WP_20151229_13_28_12_Pro — We used the access track to get back – not ideal but snow in short supply

WP_20151229_14_41_48_Pro — Now, what time is the next train from Oberalp back to Andermatt?

Out for a Sunday Stroll

Went for a skin up to the Rotondohutte today. Original plan had been to go up the Stotzigen Firsten at the Furka Pass but, after a chat with some locals, made a quick change of plan.

WP_20151227_003 — Good track up to the Rotondo hut

WP_20151227_006 — Lovely weather again, just right for a picnic

WP_20151227_012crop — Here is our target in the distance – the Rotondo Hutte

Boxing Day in Andermatt – desperately seeking powder

After the driest Swiss December on record, untracked snow was in short supply. We hiked up to the Gafallenlucke south of the Gemsstock to see what we could find. Rather nice weather for the time of year.