Kevin, Norbert (Volker's friend, who signed him up), Niki, myself and Volker getting ready to leave.
As with the previous morning, it was cool and slightly overcast, with trail going gradually up a quiet valley, through an alm with the noise of cow bells always present.
We follow the only road up the valley, above and view behind us, below.
As you can see, security at the Austrian/Swiss border is pretty tight, below.
Very close to the road was this marmote, similar to a groundhog in the US, waiting for us to stop taking photos and leave.
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Photo by Norbert.
The hut/farmhouse in Switzerland just before the Fimbe pass and at the end of the road.
Norbert and Volker just behind me, above and ahead, below. They have been friends since uni. We have left the road behind, and it is time for walking.
A view of the mountains behind us and the hut below.
The summit, at last! The highest point of the trip.
The Fimberpass and for reference, Kosciuszko is 2228m above sea level. Note that the routes on the maps and the profiles are from my GPS bike computer.
Between the summit above and the image below was a very steep, rocky descent and I went down on the brakes on until we got below the tree line.
The downhill from here was not as steep, much quicker and much more enjoyable.
Photo by Norbert. We regroup at the hut below run wholly by an 73 year old Swiss guy who mixes farming with a bit of trade in food and drink.
Photo by Nils. Ever onwards and upwards up the valley.
The second of two bridges on the trails through the trees.
We end up in Scuol, a very Swiss town, for lunch. We then cross over this very high bridge to ride up the opposite side of the valley.
The road back up is steep but sealed until we enter the S-charl valley proper. For a dozen kilometres, this valley is served by a road with warnings about landslides with quite a sophiscated warning system. There have been no less 3 in the past 10 years. No one has been killed. The settlement, S-charl, is a very old mining town and our hotel, Crusch Alba, has been beautifully restored. There are speculator views of the mountains through huge, triple glazed windows in the dining area. In winter, no sunlight makes it to the valley floor and it is closed for motor traffic. Access by horse and sleigh, only. It is quieter and more remote than our last stop.
