According to my calculations, there are still almost 20 kilometers to go to the finish in Geneva. This would mean that the targeted 500 km would be reached (of course that is a completely stupid goal, in the end everything else counts). But let's see, I'm curious to see how emotionally you can feel the impending end. Now, early in the morning, while I...
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble. But what you think you know for sure, even though it's not true. (Mark Twain) On this long hike it has often occurred to me how little I actually know and how little of what I thought I knew was correct. This may have come with age...
The Hotel Chez Yann actually has a human element this morning in the form of a young lady who kindly serves me breakfast. With a little effort, I still put on my grimmest face. “C'etait pas tres drole here soir”. I can't help but grin too, because a grin is all I know as...
It's coming to an end. Sometimes I think I see Geneva in the distance, which of course can't be true. There are still four tough stages and many kilometers to cover, today to Etoy, a small village in the interior. But what the heck, today's tour also promises a lot: without the slightest incline and ...
I wouldn't be surprised if today's stage was the most beautiful of the entire hike. It's eight in the morning, the sky is as blue as it should be, the lake is rippling in the morning wind, what more could you ask for from an ordinary Saturday. The evening low disappeared after many hours of deep sleep. And …
Three in the morning at the hotel window. Pitch black night. The contours of the trees are absorbed by an impenetrable blackness. Not a sound, not a single one. No owl calls in the distance, no wind whistles through the leaves, no raindrops hit the roof, absolutely nothing. Somehow beautiful and irritating at the same time. This reminds me of one of the famous novels...
I know that sound - the slapping on the window, the pattering on the roofs, the drumming on the asphalt. It's just after midnight and it's raining. It has also become cold, a frosty breath comes through the open window, and for the first time in a long time I am grateful for a warm blanket. Wonderful prospects for…
Connoisseurs, culture lovers and nature lovers will get their money's worth on the stage from Jaun to Gruyères. On the section that leads first along the Jaunbach and then along the Saane, hikers can discover how the water has shaped the landscape. Churches, chapels and the unique heritage of La Gruyère characterize the route. Well, I'll have Gruyère tomorrow...
Everything repeats itself the older you get. Some clever soul put this wisdom into the world, understandable but also quite trivial. It's similar to Bette Davis' (or Mae West, as the case may be) famous saying: Growing old is not for cowards. Of course, one could now claim that hiking is also a repetition of the same thing over and over again. The …
It seems as if the weather gods have become artistic for once. Through the square window you think you are standing in a landscape painter's painting. Steam rises from the wet meadows and condenses just above the hills into a long arm of cloud that hangs like a fluffy blanket over the trees and meadows. So exactly the right ones…
As lords of the castle, we actually expect to be served in bed, of course by servants in shiny dark blue liveries and white stockings, as is appropriate for noble gentlemen. They would wish us a good day while pouring coffee and providing poached eggs with salmon. Of course we are disappointed, instead of the liveried servants creep in...
It's actually a miracle that no one shouts "wake up" at six and you have to stand in front of the bed after half a minute. But waking up in a room with four people, which is actually vaguely reminiscent of the military, is much more pleasant. Instead of the shouting sergeant, Fridli quietly murmurs “half past eight” and so the first day together begins. That yesterday...
Old hotels are like history books. Even more than those in the big cities, it is the small country inns in whose rooms you can smell the scent of bygone times. The wood breathes, the floor creaks when you stand on it, sometimes a groan comes through the walls as if little goblins were trapped inside. The rooms have a lot…
The hotel manager loses his overly friendly composure in a matter of seconds when I ask him about the lack of WiFi support in the hotel rooms during check-out. He stutters about technical problems, effort and costs. I point out possible repeaters to him, but he seems to have never heard of them. Once again an example of how stupid and...
Sometimes, more often lately, I wake up in the morning and for a moment I'm unsure where I am. This always happens when you find yourself in quickly changing overnight locations. This morning is one of them: but it only takes a moment before I recognize the roar of the tractors and trucks. Sure, Luthern, the...
Life is like riding a bike. To keep your balance you have to keep moving. (Albert Einstein) So there's no lack of movement, I'm quite happy with the balance, so Albert would be very happy with me. Today I inevitably have to take an alternative route because, according to the host, the hotel on the Napf is closed due to staffing...
While I enjoy picking at my breakfast plate, I listen to the postman's conversations with the innkeepers. Like probably half of Switzerland, they are talking about yesterday's voting results. Interesting how factually and differentiated the discussions and evaluations are. That's how it should be always and everywhere. Unfortunately, a pious wish. The bakery where I arrived shortly after...
At seven o'clock Lynyrd Skynyrd wakes me up from a deep sleep, of course with Free Bird (see below) in the 1977 live version with Ronnie, Steve and Cassie. For a few months all three were dead. RIP. Straight up American fucking rock n roll. There are quite a few experts who consider the three-part guitar solo to be the best of all time...
So then, after the short interruption, the journey continues. I set off early and arrived in Meierskappel just before half past nine and said hello to the first 3 signpost. I feel like I'm meeting an old friend. The route, as explained during yesterday's interruption, is about 10 kilometers shorter, so...
The gap in the plan These one and a half stages are missing, so just a few brief comments on the details that would otherwise be forgotten. This is what the plan looks like according to the guide: Unterägeri – Zug Length: 13 km, ascent | Descent: 260 m | 560 m, hiking time: 3 hours 20 minutes Zug – Lucerne Length: 29 km, ascent...
Who would have thought that after yesterday's rain, one of the most beautiful days of the entire trip was waiting for me? There is nothing better than positive surprises. The daily plan actually calls for a wonderful route, for once completely in my opinion: Length: 19 km, ascent | Descent: 720 m | 860 m, hiking time: 5 hours 25 minutes…
During the night - who is surprised that the rain is once again galloping over the roof like a horse's hooves - I finally decide on an alternative route via Sattelegg. I will take the post bus to the turnoff to the pass and then hopefully find a suitable hiking trail. The actual plan for today would be something...
The real highlight of the day is breakfast with the Sikh family. While I quietly dig into my opulent breakfast, the couple keeps me company. He tells the crazy story of his journey, which led him from all over the world to Amden. Apparently the hotel has been empty for a long time, a…
At some point I want to stop starting the day with rain and ending it with rain. I hope that today means Resurrection Day, the day with the last fucking rain until Geneva. Of course, this will remain a pious wish, because this morning, too, the first look out of the window reveals exactly the same thing as...
A sleepy look outside doesn't reveal much that's new. And not much positive. It's still gray and wet, even though the rain has taken a short break. The farewell to the hut staff is warm, everyone laughs about yesterday's evening, which also brought a few surprising insights. I'm back now...
My fears were confirmed - when I woke up my head was ringing like an old church bell. Miserable sleeping pill! It did knock me into an unconscious state for a few hours, but that's all there is to say about it. Well then, with little euphoric feelings, I stagger to breakfast, look around, everything...
Murmuring noises wake me from a deep unconsciousness. Looking at the clock, I saw that I had slept for ten hours, not surprising after yesterday's ordeal. But today, according to the hiking guide, things should be a little more leisurely. From Trogen (AR) over two gentle hills with great views of the Säntis, the city of St.Gallen, Lake Constance and the hilly...
Strange. For a few moments a green jungle appears outside the window, hard to believe, but for a very short time neither a building nor a road nor any sign of civilization is visible. A rare sight in our paved country. I'm sitting on the train heading towards Lake Constance, looking with still tired eyes...