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camilla

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Alps location suggestions?
« on: June 21, 2005, 12:10:35 pm »

Hi Lisa:
Great suggestions from everyone. I lived in Lausanne for many years and traveled throughout Switzerland but not on any photographic trips at that time, nor afterwards- too many kids to
raise and show the sights to...
Anyway, I just wanted to suggest a small hotel in Zermatt where we have always stayed- lovely chalet, gorgeous view of the Matterhorn and great owners- it's called the Chesa Valese. There's also a small restaurant which specializes in Raclette and everyone will be able to direct you to that.
Enjoy your trip! Share some photos upon your return.
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camilla

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« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2005, 08:20:41 am »

Lisa:
I had kep this name and it may serve a purpose for. Freddy Grossniklaus. He is now in Park City Utah at 435 615 0476. Later in July at 41 79 334 6159. he runs Swissrockguides.com, hiking
 for five days or so in the Jungfrau region. not that it would be what you want but he might be able to direct you to either hikes or names of guides. In my experience with my three boys in Switzerland over the years, I always hired a guide for the day who took them rock climbing etc. There is an excellent one in Zermatt. His office his right on the main street, across from the ski rental shop in the middle of town, to your left if you are facing the Matterhorn. The window of his shop is full of pictures of adventurous people. Sorry I can't remember his name. You can also check out the local photographers- I am sure that Daniela Julen owner of the Chesa Valese hotel (has a website) can refer you to someone. By the way, you will see that every place in town is owned by someone in the Julen family.
Another wonderful thing to do but it takes a full day (and then the return unless you have other arrangements- is to take the Glacier Express which goes from Zermatt to St. Moritz and takes the entire day with beautiful scenery. It's a perfect way to get across to the other resort without having to drive.
Another area I would explore and it's less visited than Zermatt and maybe you can get some pointers for that area from a local guide, is Saas- Fe which is not far from Zermatt. Gorgeous. Ciao.
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Lisa Nikodym

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Alps location suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2005, 08:31:04 pm »

In about two weeks, I'll be spending a couple of weeks in Zermatt (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France), with a little bit of time in Sion and Lugano (both Switzerland).  I'll be prepared to do day hikes up to about 10 miles (16 km) & 3000 feet (900 m) elevation gain, with camera bag.  Does anyone familiar with those areas have any suggestions for "can't-miss" places for hiking & photography?   (I'll even take restaurant recommendations.    )

Thanks,
Lisa
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francois

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« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2005, 06:45:19 am »

While in Chamonix you can take the Aiguille du Mont-Blanc cable car and exit at the first station (Plan de l'Aiguille) and hike across to the Montenvers Hotel and Mer de Glace. You'll be just below the famous Aiguilles (needles) de Chamonix. This usually takes an afternoon to complete.
On the other side of Chamonix, you can take the Brévent cable car and then hike to the Lac Blanc and then further down the valley. On this side you'll be further away from the Aiguilles and Mont-Blanc. Scenery is great especially at sunset.

I guess your best option while in Chamonix is to visit the Alpine Guide office. They will give you all the info you need. Near the train station you can find the Pierre Tairraz camera store. He was a famous photographer and you can see a bit of his work there.

In Sion, Switzerland, the main thing to visit is the old town and the 2 castles. You can get some info here. There's a small  (international     ) airport in Sion and you can arrange for a flight above the Alps for aerial photography or to please your eyes. Info here.

If you travel by car, the scenery from Martigny to Chamonix is fantastic. Just before driving down in the Chamonix valley, there's a pass called Aiguilles Rouges. This is a beautiful place with a direct but remote vista of the Mont-Blanc and all the Aiguilles.

Nnmmaa provided excellent suggestions for Zermatt. When you're there, ask for the Hörnli Hut. It's a very large mountain hut located at the foot of Matterhorn. Last year I planned to hike up there but an injury in my back made me stay "home". I'm not sure how long it takes and consulting the local mountain guides will provide you with the info.
You can see a photo of this hut here.

I've never been in Lugano, sorry!  

Good hiking & shooting,
Francois
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Wolfman

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Alps location suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2005, 01:06:12 pm »

Quote
In about two weeks, I'll be spending a couple of weeks in Zermatt (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France), with a little bit of time in Sion and Lugano (both Switzerland).  I'll be prepared to do day hikes up to about 10 miles (16 km) & 3000 feet (900 m) elevation gain, with camera bag.  Does anyone familiar with those areas have any suggestions for "can't-miss" places for hiking & photography?   (I'll even take restaurant recommendations.    )

Thanks,
Lisa
Lisa,
I know this isn't the area you are visiting, but you should drive through the Dolomites in N. Italy sometime. It is wonderful also.

I went to the Lauterbrunnen Valley last Oct. It's one of the most spectacular areas in Switzerland. I think you mentioned it and showed some of your stitched panoramas in a past post.
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Christoph

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« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2005, 02:58:05 am »

I don't know that well Lugano, but i would recommend I daytrip (by car) to the val verzasca (Reservoir, famous from a James Bond movie, rocky river and an old stonebridge) and an other trip to val di maggia (River with very impressiv rocks). Botha are located close to Locarno it is may an have an hour away from Lugano. The town itselfs lays at a lake as well.
It would be usefull to know what you would like to photograph (Mountains, Lakes, vallys, villages)

Greetings from Switzerland
Christoph
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nnmmaa

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« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2005, 08:38:39 pm »

Quote
I actually have that book already.  The only problem with such books is that they don't really tell you which of the many hikes are the best ones (for someone's idea of "best", anyway).  Having suggestions from someone (like you all) helps me to choose.
I would trust Lipton. We have found his hiking descriptions and directions to be very reliable.
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Lisa Nikodym

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Alps location suggestions?
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2005, 11:09:09 am »

Quote
I am sure that Daniela Julen owner of the Chesa Valese hotel (has a website) can refer you to someone. By the way, you will see that every place in town is owned by someone in the Julen family.

Funny, we already have reservations at the Hotel Daniela, "sister hotel" to the Hotel Julen down the block.  You must be right.  :laugh:

Lisa
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camilla

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« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2005, 10:33:31 pm »

hi again:
Since you will be traveling by train and not by car it might be something to consider going on the Glacier Express which takes you all the way to the other side.. just a suggestion...
ciao
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nnmmaa

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« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2005, 11:57:18 pm »

Lisa,

We are walkers, not rugged hikers, so consider  my recommendations in that light.  We have two favorites that can be varied in innumerable ways.  

First is the Gonnergrat. Take the Gonnergrat railroad (a private railraod across from the main train station in Zermatt) to the top station and enjoy the panorama. Then go back one stop to Rotenboden.  You can go as far down the trail toward Monte Rosa as you wish. Then return the same way and continue past Rotenboden toward Riffleberg (?). You can stop there or  continue down the mountain toward Zermatt. Another variation from the Riffleberg station is to go toward Grunsee and then to continue to Sunnegga and from there take the train back.  On this walk you will have views of Monte Rosa and many other peaks. The glacier is spread before you and as you go down the mountain you will have great views of the Matterhorn.  This is what they mean by a rocky mountain high! I doubt you will find any more scenic spots on your trip, but photography is so disappointing when compared to the moment. You will be drawn back here by magnetic attraction.

Second is the walk from the chapel at Schwartzee.  I'll describe more or less how to get there. Walk to the end of the village and take the cable car toward the Kline Matterhorn. You might want to go there first for an unbelievable view. At Schwartzee you can photograph the Matterhorn reflected in the lake along with the little chapel. The walk is simple. You follow the wide path down the mountain and return to Zermatt. There are different options as you reach the lower stages. With a map it will be obvious what to do.

You may also be interested in Chet Lipton's book, "Walking Easy in Switzerland" that describes these walks much better and has a lot of helpful info.

My wife and I  are leaving for Zermatt on Saturday. Keep a look out for an old man carrying a tripod, other stuff, wearing a big smile.

I don't know how rigid is your itinerary, but you should consider the Jungfrau region near Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. There you will find even more spectacular scenery and hiking.

Have a great trip.
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Lisa Nikodym

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Alps location suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2005, 04:08:27 pm »

Thanks, all.  Some excellent-sounding suggestions there, including about flight-seeing out of Sion; if the weather is good, that would be fantastic!

Quote
You may also be interested in Chet Lipton's book, "Walking Easy in Switzerland" that describes these walks much better and has a lot of helpful info.

My wife and I  are leaving for Zermatt on Saturday. Keep a look out for an old man carrying a tripod, other stuff, wearing a big smile.

I don't know how rigid is your itinerary, but you should consider the Jungfrau region near Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. There you will find even more spectacular scenery and hiking.

I actually have that book already.  The only problem with such books is that they don't really tell you which of the many hikes are the best ones (for someone's idea of "best", anyway).  Having suggestions from someone (like you all) helps me to choose.  I won't be getting to Zermatt until the 10th or so, though...

I was actually in the Jungfrau/Lauterbrunnen area last year (as Wolfman remembered  :) ) and thought it was fantastic, which is why I'm going back to the region.
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2005, 12:48:40 pm »

Quote
I don't know that well Lugano, but i would recommend I daytrip (by car) to the val verzasca (Reservoir, famous from a James Bond movie, rocky river and an old stonebridge) and an other trip to val di maggia (River with very impressiv rocks). Botha are located close to Locarno it is may an have an hour away from Lugano. The town itselfs lays at a lake as well.
It would be usefull to know what you would like to photograph (Mountains, Lakes, vallys, villages)

Regarding your last question, all of those!  Though perhaps the mountains are of the greatest interest to me (hence most of the trip will be spent in Zermatt and Chamonix).

We only have a day in Lugano (it's really more a scouting expedition to see if we want to go back to the region for longer on a future trip), and will be traveling entirely by train (no car), so I expect that day will have to be spent in or very near Lugano.  Some photos of the area I've seen are quite beautiful, with steep green hills around the lake.

You live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Cristoph.

Lisa
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #12 on: November 11, 2005, 09:23:43 pm »

I've finally gotten around to finishing all the good pictures from the trip and posting them.  Since Camilla (and possibly others) was(were) interested in seeing some, they're here:

New Pictures

Unfortunately, the weather in Chamonix (French Alps) was wretched for most of the time we were there.  Only bits of views now & then.  However, we made up for it with some stunningly good weather for most of our time in Zermatt.  I need to get back to Chamonix sometime when it's sunnier.  

Thanks, everyone, for all your suggestions.  They were very useful.

Next, Florence & Tuscany in December.  

Lisa
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2005, 11:45:07 pm »

Quote
I've finally gotten around to finishing all the good pictures from the trip and posting them.  Since Camilla (and possibly others) was(were) interested in seeing some, they're here:

New Pictures

Unfortunately, the weather in Chamonix (French Alps) was wretched for most of the time we were there.  Only bits of views now & then.  However, we made up for it with some stunningly good weather for most of our time in Zermatt.  I need to get back to Chamonix sometime when it's sunnier.   

Thanks, everyone, for all your suggestions.  They were very useful.

Next, Florence & Tuscany in December.  

Lisa
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Gorgeous photos, Lisa, even the ones in fog. I will be in Florence and Tuscany next April, so I hope to see your photos from there before I go.

Eric
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francois

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« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2005, 06:12:18 am »

Quote
Unfortunately, the weather in Chamonix (French Alps) was wretched for most of the time we were there. Only bits of views now & then. However, we made up for it with some stunningly good weather for most of our time in Zermatt. I need to get back to Chamonix sometime when it's sunnier.  

Beautiful photos  
Bad weather added drama to the jagged Aiguilles of Chamonix. I was there a couple of weeks ago, waiting for some clouds to show up at sunset... I only had clear sky, without any clouds except on few contrails.

Good luck for your Italian trip in December.

Francois
« Last Edit: November 12, 2005, 06:14:19 am by francois »
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2005, 05:23:09 pm »

Glad you enjoyed them.  

Eric, if past experience is any indication, the Italy pictures should show up on my web site around March (just in time for your trip).

Lisa
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2005, 09:38:41 pm »

Quote
Glad you enjoyed them.   

Eric, if past experience is any indication, the Italy pictures should show up on my web site around March (just in time for your trip).

Lisa
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Great! I'll definitely be checking. Have a great time in Italy!

Eric
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jani

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« Reply #17 on: November 13, 2005, 05:19:55 pm »

Even though you were at wimpy altitudes , I really like most of your photos.

Favorites:

 - FrAlps3.html (view of mountains and valley from above)
 - FrAlps7.html (tram in fog)
 - Switz43.html (Matterhorn on fire)
 - Switz44.html (organic flowing glacier arms)

Oh, BTW, the flowers in Switz33.html are known as bluebells (campanula rotundifolia, or a very close relative).
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