A week in the Engadine

[Diane Clement]

and finally we reached the top 2978m (9770ft)

[Diane Clement]

The Swiss lay on activities to suit all tastes.  Firstly, not for the faint hearted (Martinr wake up) – you could tackle the Klettersteig routes (Via Ferrata) - all the information here including compulsory equipment including hard helmet and ropes:

[Diane Clement]

Or, if that’s a bit too tough, there was a mountain top Jacuzzi – at nearly 10,000ft  this surely must be one of the highest in the world

[Diane Clement]

We didn’t indulge in these, as for us, the scenery, plants and wildlife are enough entertainment.  The best bird of the day was a Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis which was feeding off crumbs under the picnic tables.

[Diane Clement]

At this altitude we are bordering the permanent snow line, and the land not covered by snow was rough with various sizes of boulders and rock

[Diane Clement]

At this altifude, I was hoping for a few special plants, we were pleased to see large quantities of Ranunculus glacialis in good condition

[Diane Clement]

Ok, just one more for "you know who" 

[Diane Clement]

Plants growing in these harsh conditions included:
Saxifraga exarata
Saxifraga bryoides
Phyteuma globulariifolium
Leucanthemopsis alpinum

[Diane Clement]

This is the view towards Piz Lagalp where walked later in the day

[Diane Clement]

Still at the top, we took a short stroll along the path
and through the snow

[Diane Clement]

We then returned down to the valley using the cable car, and then took the bus to the famous Bernina Hospice at 2329m, where you can stay the night or have a meal.
On the side of the Hospice, a line marks the snow levels in 1879 and 1986

[Diane Clement]

We walked from here along the lower slopes of the front of the Lagalp where the flowers were excellent.  Later in the week we walked the other side (Val Minor).  Thanks to Tony Goode for an account of this area on the old forum, that I had kept for reference.

Here's some of what we saw on the walk
Trifolium alpinum
Saxifraga paniculata
A very large patch of Achillea erba-rotta ssp moschata

[Diane Clement]

I find the small gentians difficult to identify, I think this is Gentiana verna but would be glad of any corrections to this or any other identifications

[Diane Clement]

Campanula barbata
Saxifraga paniculata or maybe not?

[Diane Clement]

When we finally reached the valley, we walked to the train station to see the times of the next train and between the road and the station were damp meadows with large patches of Campanula cochlearifolia