8th September 2010

Today we had planned to do a hike that is one of the highlights of the area. But again the weather not good. But it was too late to change our minds. It takes too long to check out another hike. So we headed to a small town called Stalden (pronounced Shtalden) at the junction of the Mattertal and Saastal (valleys). We caught a chair lift up to Gspon (drop the 'g') and started on the Gspon Hohenweg to Kreuzboden. The distance was 13km but graded medium difficult and took us 5 hours. Ray was trying not to panic as the last lift down was at 4.30pm and we didn't start the hike until about 10.30 or 11.00. But we made it with 45 minutes to spare.

It was a fabulous hike traversing many different types of terrain and it is this type of hike I love. Over forestry tracks, creek crossings, narrow gravel paths and clambering over boulders that have come down in an avalanche. The path even went through a man's farmyard as he was cleaning his dairy. I was expecting him to throw us a broom and get us to help pitch in. Unfortunately, we spent most of the hike in cloud, so views were at a minimum. Even so, I loved the hike. One that I would love to do again. Not sure about Ray though. Still getting over the close call at making the lift down. It doesn't worry me. If we don't make the lift, we just have to walk down. No drama!! The lift ended at a place called Saas Grund where we caught the bus back to Stalden.

This is Saas Fee, a small town in the Saastel that perches high on a ridge above the valley floor. This is the main hiking destination for the valley because of its proximity to the mountains and galciers that surround it on 3 sides.

Lake at Kreuzboden.

View behind Kreuzboden lift station.

Marmots at Kreuzboden