In what must be one of the highlights of our trip we spent a day hiking across the 3rd largest glacier in Europe -- the Kanderfirn Glacier -- ending up at the Mutthorn Alpine Hut to spend the night. Our guides for the trip were Andrew (from Australia) and Rob (from Ireland). After getting our gear (crampons and ice axes) at the Scout Centre we boarded a bus for a 7 mile ride to Selden, up the Kander river valley from Kandersteg. From there we continued up the valley until reaching the glacier, then over the glacier to the hut.
While we were on this trip, another 1018 group was hiking up to the Lötschen Pass Hut. Pix from that trip will be posted soon.
At the Scout Centre - getting our gear and preparing to leave In Selden - checking out the route
Final prep at Selden The oldest German Bible - from the late 1600's
We're off! Rob, with the Gasteretal (valley) in the background
John makes friends with the goats . . . . . . and they follow up up the path
Break time
Another short break. Looking back down the Gasteretal -- the valley carved out by the glacier
Made it to the glacier. Time to change into something warmer and prepare for the trek across the ice
Final prep for the glacier hike -- roping everyone together and putting on crampons
Hiking on the glacier
Scoutmaster at the summit The hut . . . finally
View from the hut Are these guys tired????
That's 9,514 feet in altitude The hut warden's family - our hosts for the evening
Enjoying dinner at the hut