2023-09-04 The Big Hike

The hiking mountain, Muottas Muragl was the goal for the day. The hike includes breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz extend far beyond the mountain ranges into the distant horizon. Joyce assured her hikers that the views were worth it and that it was the hike she wanted to make.

The hike began with a lift ride up the mountain about half way over tall trees with shaded trails below where hikers happily hiked down the trail.

The group arrived at the top of the lift with their sticks and jackets. They took some pictures to start out the trip. The pamphlet said that the trail went through pine forests which implies some trees. They heard the gentle clanking of cow bells and off they went. They walked through water, they walked through rocks, they sat, they hiked, they drank water, they shed clothes, they saw the breathtaking views.

After 2.5 hours, they came to the restaurant for lunch. All supplies come via helicopter or are hiked in. After a rest, they continued on with the addition of switchbacks. Debbie’s favorite. Jerry and Larry started scouting benches. Debbie thinks that there was discussion of a cattle prod for her. The most difficult part was the last part which was an ascent to the lift chairs.

All agreed it had been a worthwhile hike but were ready to descend. There were a couple of other incidents that day.

First at the end of the hike, Debbie went to the kiddie toilet by mistake. Something she noticed once she was almost sitting on the ground. She recovered from the floor but then discovered that she was locked in. Debbie rattled and beat on the door but had to yell for help. And no for all you little problem solvers, you couldn’t crawl under the 6 inch gap at the bottom of the door nor launch yourself over the top given it was the little short kiddie toilet. Debbie also did not think you would want to see her come launching over the top. Joyce heard her yelling and went for help. The guy immediately pulled a wrench and unlocked it which makes Debbie think it has happened before. Really, do you sit at your desk with a wrench?

Secondly, Swiss precision is a myth. In certain places in the late afternoon, the buses stop running on one side of the street and just use one side for the buses. All the electronic schedules show both sides. All the tourists line up on the wrong side where a local will occasionally amble over and say “You are all on the wrong side” causing great disarray and people missing buses and Debbie’s sink eye.

All in all a good day though.