Alpine Walks in Valais

[Ragged Robin]

Luit, it's great when photos rekindle memories, especially when they are happily spent on holiday somewhere special.  This Autumn has been very unusual in the mountains and today, for instance, was 17 degrees and no coat weather    even seeds are still germinating although the nights get much cooler.  Snow has come and gone but really only stayed on the highest peaks, we have had a thin covering at 1200 metres but it's gone in the day....only the skiers are getting agitated as the Christmas holidays are not far away    thanks for dropping by 

[Paddy Tobin]

Robin,

You must have a great pair of legs! This walk in the Valais is on to its 17th page. I think it is a case of, as we say in Irish, "Giorraíonn beirt bóthar" - company shortens the road and you have had very happy and interested company on your walks in the Valais. I look forward to our next stroll - or will be be skiing at this time of the year?

Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

Paddy, it will be snow boots and crampons I think - I might even try racquettes to go off piste in the forest    I love walking and all that i am so lucky to see on each adventure....I just hope that Jazzy, now 14.5 but still keen, will be up to snowy armpits this winter    All in all companions, as you say, are so much a part of the whole experience, two legged or four footed 

[Ewelina Wajgert]

Robin, you lovely photos cause that I move my thoughts to this region, so close to my heart.

[Ragged Robin]

So glad my photos bring your thoughts here, Ewelina, so you can share the feelings and wonderful mountain scenery  


 edit by Maggi:  some lovely photos from Ewelina, moved here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4387.30

[Ewelina Wajgert]

 edit by Maggi:  some lovely photos from Ewelina, moved here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4387.30

O, Maggi, you react too quickly  . I have managed to search brakdown in my computer after my post disappeared and didn't refresh.

My photos from the Alps are still here http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3019.0

[Maggi Young]

Sorry, Ewelina!  I will make a note in the other thread, too! 

[cohan]

thanks for another lovely walk, robin
i've always been especially fond of the transitional stages of the seasons--of course here at high latitude or at high altitude, it sometimes seems as if all seasons are transitional!

we were in the mountains last weekend, though we didnt go very high as winter is a bit farther along here, and lots of snow about halfway up the mountains, we stayed below it...

so you are going on holiday now? you mentioned it will be snowy when you come back...

[Ragged Robin]

Hi Cohan, glad you enjoyed this late season walk, it is surprisingly warm here, even at night - I think it will be somewhat of a shock to go back to the UK to visit family and friends with wet weather and the cold damp but seeing everyone and catching up will more than make up for the change in climate 

[cohan]

Hi Cohan, glad you enjoyed this late season walk, it is surprisingly warm here, even at night - I think it will be somewhat of a shock to go back to the UK to visit family and friends with wet weather and the cold damp but seeing everyone and catching up will more than make up for the change in climate 

well have a nice trip home then i trust you arent going to one of the areas i have been seeing on the news! that would be damp, alright!

[Ragged Robin]

Snow falls high above in the Swiss Alps; layer upon layer of white crystal flakes covering the rocks and turf beneath, moulding itself to the alpine landscape in a soft protective blanket.

[Ragged Robin]

This is a world of dark and light, stark contrasts frozen in time a world away from summer hikes and alpine flowers. This is a time for snow layers everywhere on trees, on roofs, on people, winter skiing on alpine slopes.

[Ragged Robin]

From the top of the mountain snow has fallen as far as the eye can see and now a tide of clouds creeps and rises against the mountainside like waves breaking on a cliff, a mysterious sea-like vista…then all at once the view is clear.

[Ragged Robin]

Only the swish of skis breaks the silence leading down the slopes to the forest, overtaking the call of birds hiding in the tops of the trees and leaving behind a trail in the snow…. and here and there footprints show the trail of a deer, or fox or bird busy in the forest searching for food to survive the winter cold.

[Ragged Robin]

Where once leaves and flowers beckoned now the barks and lichens and frosted berries glow, frothed and topped with creamy snow....