After minor material adjustments, we are on the way to the Albert-Heim Hut. It had just snowed a lot, now the warmth of spring is settling in the snow, it sticks and we're sweating. The next day we experience what is probably the most gruesome crust on the way to Lochberg! It doesn't support anything and as soon as you break in you immediately stop, even driving in the lane becomes a challenge. But it is only the first, short descent. We're soon after climbing comfortably between sharp granite needles to the Lochberg (translated as "hole-mountain"), this lovely first peak that doesn't have a hole, but offers an interesting climb and a wonderful descent down to Göscheneralp.
The expected powder lies on the north side and just in time for the already considerable midday heat, we sit on the cozy terrace of the Gwüest and enjoy the excellent hospitality of Seraina and Co. The Göscheneralp is a secluded world sandwiched between mountains and seasons. The proud three-thousanders around us are covered in snow, the birds are singing and the first flowers are blooming here and there. You could grow old here.
Day 3 starts motorized, with the snowmobile we go up to the Damma dam, then quickly past the Bergsee hut and via a hustle and bustle in the first gully we reach the Bergseeschjen. We extend the descent into the Voralptal a little with an additional climb and reach the hut after more than 1500 meters of pleasant curves.
On day 4, a bit of nasty weather passes by, 30 cm of snow fell during the night and the closer the Chelenaplücke gets, the more fresh snow there is. The pass is a bit blown in and needs to be cleaned out. Master Propper cleans well. On the way to the Sustenlimi, a stiff headwind blows against us and we are already in the whiteout, gratefully calling off the Sustenhorn. Instead, we fight our way across the flat glacier through bloody annoying zastrugis, and are happy when there is finally enough of a gradient to ski and the snow is getting better.
The Fünffingerstock on the last day is another final highlight, especially the direct, steep descent down to the Wendengletscher. We then sneak under the Titlis towards the Grassen bivouac, reverently amazed, enjoying our last ascent and soon afterwards the last descent to Engelberg. We hike the last few meters through newborn meadowland, covered in snow for months, the wet earth is now breathing heavily and here and there the crocuses are shooting out of the ground. New life begins.
Our path went from south to north, up and down in climatic and vegetation zones, what a privilege. We will be back.
Photography by different people:-)
