It was a very early start today - up at 5.30am and breakfast for those that were awake enough to open their mouths.We were away at 6.15am and on the train at 6.40am, heading down to Brig in what looked like being a clear morning (pic 1).
We got a train to Beatenburg (I think, but I am sure someone will correct me if I have it wrong!) then the cable car at 8am up to Bettme
ralp.
We met up with our guide Bernhard Stucky and his assistant Heli and we were walked up from about 2,000m to 2,300m - it was pretty foggy and we couldn't see anything much. However the day warmed up as we crested the highest part and the clouds cleared to give us a great view down to the Aletsch glacier (pics 2 & 3), which is the largest in Europe. Now, fact fans, pay attention - it is 23km long, about 1km deep and every 1m of snow makes 1cm of ice.
ralp.We met up with our guide Bernhard Stucky and his assistant Heli and we were walked up from about 2,000m to 2,300m - it was pretty foggy and we couldn't see anything much. However the day warmed up as we crested the highest part and the clouds cleared to give us a great view down to the Aletsch glacier (pics 2 & 3), which is the largest in Europe. Now, fact fans, pay attention - it is 23km long, about 1km deep and every 1m of snow makes 1cm of ice.
We walked about 3km on the ice, from 11am to 2pm (pics 5 & 6). It was fantastic, really nice scenery and dramatic crevasses. We had a couple of tumbles and trips so apologies in advance for the ripped trousers that'll need a stitch! 
Once we'd finished on the ice we headed back up out of the valley - a very steep climb! These guides didn't let us stop as long or as often as us soft scout leaders - a lesson to learn there!
We got over the top and back down to Bettmeralp (pic 7) and the return journey via Brig to Kandersteg. There were some heavy legs (amongst the leaders too!) as we walked back up the track to our chalet.
Luckily Mick's friend Peter was here and cooked us dinner, and later on entertained us with his guitar (pic 8).
The Scouts all seem to have a second wind, and some are still awake now. Luckily we aren't going anywhere until 2pm tomorrow so we can get some sleep.
We'll be up at Ueschinenhutte tomorrow night, so no post - we'll be back on line on Thursday.
Dave
3 comments:
Well done everyone. You must be so tired.
Don't forget to take your inhalers with you tomorrow Sian.
We will miss the blog tomorrow- its been lovely knowing what you are doing.
Tonight has been a good night for shooting stars so we drove up to Beacon and craned our necks for half an hour and saw about four.
Glacier sounds and looks fantastic - very envious. Looking forward to the next exciting update!
Day on the glacier looks amazing, we are so jealous of you guys!!, wish we could be there with you.I'm sure there's not many kids that can say they have walked on a glacier, so well done.
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