Day 12 Grimentz to Gruben
A quiet breakfast and wash up to avoid disturbing
our irate neighbours . We left just before eight. Walked round to
Mottec through the woods in cloudy weather. The sight of a cafe
right on our route was so novel and welcome that there was no discussion,
we all just stopped and had a coffee or hot chocolate. Then relentlessly
straight up through the woods and out into the open with lots of
cows for company. Round the mountain to a lunch spot with fine views.
Then a hard grind up to the Col Forcletta. It was still cloudy on
the tops. Phip came up the other side, just for fun and walked down
with us. Fine views of rocks and glaciers on the way down. Through
the very muscular cows coming home to be milked to the Hotel at
Gruben. It was now sunny and hot and we were all tired. We consumed
much beer and nibbles under the trees on the lawn. The village was
tiny but there was a cosmopolitan collection of people on the lawn.
A welcome shower and dinner in the hotel. Read in the papers that
the hut on the Matterhorn had been evacuated because of rock falls.
Global warming is with us. Tried to ignore the rather extrovert
group of Canadians who had come in just before us! Bed in a crowded
dorm next to Adrian who snored! |
Exodus Trip Notes
Day 12 A longer day that starts with a gentle
walk through woods to reach the valley bottom at Mottec (1,556
m.). From here there is a short but steep climb to join the main
trail at a higher level. The climb continues to today’s
col, the Forcletta (2,874 m.) where we enter German-speaking Switzerland
(though it’s often hard to tell the difference). We have
views back to Grand Combin and possibly Mont Blanc as well. Descend,
with views of the Weisshorn to the south-east, to the Turtman
Valley and Gruben (1,822 m.). This is the longest walking day.
Inn (dormitory accommodation).
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