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The Lötschepass hike is a two day, over night hike that we
complete as a group. For walking we split into three separate teams with the slowest starting first and the fastest last. In
the evening we all sleep and eat together.
We stay over night at an altitude of 2690m (8824Ft) in the Lötschepass
hut. To get there we have to hike or get a lift
along an un-tarmaced road up the Gasternal valley to the village of
Selden which is at a height of 1537m. (5041Ft) We then climb up
to the Lötschegletscher (Lötschen glacier), cross the glacier and
the climb across some rocks to the hut which sits just off the
glacier.
Group One, set off first after getting a lift from our campsite to
Selden
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| The
River Kander tumbles into our valley. |
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| Group
three, the fit group. |
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Group two set off from Selden about an
hour later after also getting a lift most of the way.
The road from Kandersteg to the Gasternal
valley is very steep, narrow and one way. For
the first half of the hour you can drive up it, for
the second half, you can drive down it. It
clings to a cliff edge and at places passes through
tunnels in the rock.
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Group three (above) were given no such luxuries. They had to hike
with full packs from the camp site up into the Gasternal Valley themselves.
Once in the Gasternal Valley we follow the road as it gently
climbs for about 4 miles to the village of Selden. We have to
admit that for this easy bit of the Hike we did actually also get a
lift, just to save time.
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As Alan was hiking Tony had the job of cab driver, driving the
Range Rover with ease along the steep mountain paths. |
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| Group
two about to start from Selden. |
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In the picture on the left is group two who have just been dropped off
and are about to start the long 1153m (3782Ft) Climb to the hut for our over
night stop.
The food for this expedition was split amongst the participants.
Everyone is also carrying a metal Ice Axe in addition to there personal kit.
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By the time these pictures of group two were taken, group one were
already an hour ahead up the mountain and group three were slogging up the climb
from the campsite.
The long bridge that they are crossing on the right is very wobbly and
makes an interesting start to the hike.
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| Wobbly
bridge across the river Kander. |
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