Day 6

Hotel Weisshorn (2337m)  to Schwartzhorn, Gruben (1822m)

Ascend 589m / Descend 1104m / Maximum height 2790m

We had a good breakfast and were away by 9am, grateful for another perfect day, cloudless and warm.

Leaving the Hotel Weisshorn

We contoured round from the hotel, then lost some height before starting to climb, soon reaching grassy uplands (known as the alpage).  We were amused by several modern sculptures on the trail, which turned out to represent planets in the solar system.

One of several modern sculptures on the trail

 
We were climbing towards the Meidpass and our ascent was initially gentle. It was hot and we found we were drinking a lot of water as we climbed. 

The last half hour was a steep slog and it was good to gain the top.  We sat in the sun and enjoyed a biscuit, watching other hikers arrive hot and tired from the climb.

A steep slog!

The top is within sight

Made it

On the Meidpass

We were not alone at the pass!

View from the pass

The descent was rapid as the footing was good and we soon reached a large lake, the Meidsee, but pressed on as the descent today involved a considerable loss of height.

Approaching Lake Meidsee

The diagonal line is our trail down from the pass

A rest on the descent

The Meidsee

The final descent was a steep zig zag through forest above Gruben and our hotel was an impressive sight as we emerged from the trees.  It is the largest building in the small village and turned out to be well used by hikers, locals and other visitors.

Carole above the Meidsee

Descending to the tree level

Gruben below

We spot our hotel (far left)

Our room was modern and comfortable and had a washbasin, but we did not like the situation of the showers which are housed in the same area as the toilets and are mixed.

Arriving at the Hotel Schwartzhorn

From our room

Since we had arrived early again, we spent the afternoon reading and relaxing.

I am ashamed to say we were the first in for dinner at 6.30pm.  It was very good and we particularly liked the large green salad which was our second course.

To Day 7