As we were not sure of the forecast for the coming days, we opted for the trip giving us possibly the most extensive panorama of the Saastal and its 18 mountain peaks over 4000 metres. It is hard to imagine , coming from a country with no mountains 4000 metres tall! Anyway, the decision was perfect and it started our stay here with such a brilliant day out, that it will be hard to match it.
Hohsass, the top station is already 3098 metres. The views all around are breathtaking, as is the altitude. I certainly struggled for a while with this, but soon acclimatised.
On the one side was the truly spectacular Trift glacier descending from the Weissmies, just over 4000 m.
On the other side , in stark contrast, the impressive red walls of what used to be a glacier from the Lagginhorn, just a few metres lower than its neighbour Weissmies!
Then tucked into the little nooks and crannies everywhere were a huge variety of wild flowers, here some gentians
And here a colourful selection of pretty alpine flowers
It was fantastic to get so close to such a vast glacier, though also a bit scary as there had been a number of rock slides
It was certainly worth the walk down to the glacier edge and then on down to a ski hut/ restaurant which was closed, but which offered some of the best views of the mountains , glaciers and valley. It was awesome to be standing there taking in such wonders of nature, all alone. Very memorable.
On the other side of the hut, I had absolutely sensational views of the Saastal, very bleak and yet incredibly beautiful at the same time
It is hard to sort out photos for this blog because I have so many I love!
I took the gondola down to the middle station where I found a gorgeous round trip walking track where I stopped to have lunch with this fantastic view
The walk was what they call a 'wellness' track, with reflexology pools and stones and hammocks with exceptional views! They think of everything here.
Most of the time I found myself alone amongst the marvelously colourful, lichen- covered rocks, the alpenroses and of course constantly changing yet always remarkable vistas
Looking back up the valley was a peak which looked like a miniature Matterhorn
I finished the day with a gentle meander through the street of Saas Fee. I like this town because it offers tourists a great deal of activities and points of interest but it thankfully does not attract the massive groups that Zermatt, its wealthy neighbour does.
Tomorrow I hope to see some more marmots. They are certainly around because you can hear them, but they are lying low! I had to make do with this one today!
I must say I very much prefer the real thing and they are very much more beautiful!
Back home to Aristella as the clouds rolled in. What good timing and what a great day.
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