Met the cross and the Baptists

Monday, October 8, 2012

After yesterday's rain and fog all day long, the sun was a welcome sight as we opened the drapes to view the Appenzell pasture fields and hear the clanging cow bells.  With promising sun, we decided to take the gondola lift up to the highest point here in Appenzell - Hoher Kasten mountain.

Top right is Alp Sigel where we were last 

Saturday as viewed today from Kasten

Stopped briefly at Migros to get a few groceries for the day's lunch then headed for Brulisau and the cable car.  After our downhill walk at Ebanalp on Saturday we both are feeling the pain of the trail - Jean maybe a little more severe than me.

From the gondola on the way up to Kasten

Up at the top there were a few clouds but that did not stop the visibility.  From up there the  country of Liechtenstein is visible just across the Rhine River which divides the countries of Switzerland and  Liechtenstein.  In fact Austria is also visible.  Jean opted to go for a coffee while I explored the outside views.  There were trails leading down from there so decided to head down a bit.

That's where we're headed - top right peak - walked over to the cross on left peak

Could see off on yonder cliff a cross that someone had planted (seems someone plants a cross on the highest peak everywhere) so kept going toward it. 

The gondola stop is at the tower - photo is from the cross

I can climb up there said self so on I went.  The first part was rocky and down hill but the second part was fairly flat.  It was the last part that proved a challenge.

Proof it was a goat path at times

 No path just grass and goat/cow shelves for footing.  Made it up to the cross - took a few pictures to prove it and headed back - round trip was an hour and a half - great exercise.  Since Jean had a coffee earlier I was more than ready for one back at the restaurant.  Lunch had already been eaten on the trail.

Proof I made it to the cross

With the nice weather and the promise of more rain and fog tomorrow, we decided to check out Mount Santis about 25 km west of Appenzell near the village of Schwagalp.  Had read on the internet that it is the most visited and highest peak in Eastern Switzerland.

The trail back - half way to the gondola

The drive up to Schwagalp was a treat in itself - so many switch-backs and curves up to the gondola lift alone.  As we boarded the gondola, we could see that the peak and tower on top was a bit fog covered but we were not prepared for what we saw and heard as we exited the gondola at the top.  Nothing but fog was visible and the howling wind up there made it feel like we were in a blinding snow storm.

Fog and wind on Mount Santis

 Fortunately there were many indoor observation decks but we did venture outside several times but we really had to hang onto ourselves - the wind was that strong.  And we paid 90. Fr to see fog and hear wind???

One brief glimpse of the valley below = $90. view????

One neat thing - as we were waiting to board the gondola back down, 2 guys Christoph and Sabino were sitting at the other side of the room laughing as they looked at their iphone pictures.  We could hear the sounds of howling wind from outside the gondola station and Jean commented about the wind and mentioned about it sounding like a snowstorm.

This is Sabino hanging on to the cliff wall

One of the guys commented that they had hiked to the top there today.  Jean said with a guide or ropes and they said no and he showed her the pictures on the camera - they had just scaled the cliff by themselves.  She said were you scared and he said 'ya but he prayed - he said he prays a lot. Jean asked them if they were still in school or finished.  Christoph is going to start his 1 year mandatory service in the Swiss army and Sabino was working in a seniors home in lieu of militatry service then he was going to head off to Bible School in Switzerland.  Jean asked him if he was going to be a preacher and said he was. He said they both go to the same church and she asked the denomination.  He said Baptist.

Christoph with the cliff and their goal in sight

Christoph, who was going into the army had been to Canada last summer to visit relatives in Kenora and had Mennonite relatives in Fort Francis.  Super nice guys in their late teens we guessed.  I gave them my e-mail and said for them to come to Canada and visit us sometime - even offered to help them find a wife in Canada - they laughed and Sabino said that's why he was going to Bible School. Both were from Zurich and it was a day trip to climb Mount Santis - took them 4 hours to climb so they must have been in GOOD shape.  We did not even realize there was a climbable way up to the top - it was that rugged. 

Greeted back "home" outside our door by their brown Swiss cows waiting for milking

Back in town went to the "Drogerie" for pain meds for Jean and cold meds for me - I've been dripping a lot lately - from the nose that is.

We were back home by 6:30 and Skyped a while with Deena and kids while eating pizza and salad for our Thanksgiving Day special supper.