Spectacular Switzerland! This alpine country in central Europe is stunningly beautiful. Sheer cliffs and deep gorges define the landscape while meticulous attention to detail define the character of its people and Swiss society. It's a clean and orderly place, a pleasure to enjoy.
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Among
the many mountains that make up the Alps, majestic Matterhorn is
a national landmark and an international icon. It is also known
as Monte
Cervino and
Mont Cervin. Kudos to the Swiss for keeping it pristine while
accessible. The secret to the area's unspoiled appearance is that
cars are off limit for miles around. The best way to experience the
peak's stark glory is to drive to Taesch from which only rail is
available to the next town. The train from Taesch to Zermatt is
modern but from Zermatt to the last stop in Gornergrat the train is
vintage open air cogwheel rail. All trains are electric, clean,
and quiet.
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Once
in Gornergrat the
view, if not clouded over, is spellbinding. This is the final
destination for most everyone. The vast majority board the train back
to Zermat after enjoying the restaurant at the top of the world, or
simply taking in the fantastic view.
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At
this elevation glaciers flow at their geological speed undisturbed by
rumors of global warming while man-made duckies are erected and torn
down at the relative speed of lightning. Like in a giant Japanese
garden with sculptures witnessing the passage of time these zen
duckies partake
in the ebb and flow of the ages.
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Wandering
further afield away from this small outpost of civilization reveals a
rugged, untamed terrain. The occasional sign of man seems like a
futile imposition on a cold, foreign world. A lonely alpine
cross,
for example, looks more like a forlorn attempt than a symbol of
redemption, its incongruous setting a surreal expression of humanity.
It's
not an entirely hostile environment and in spite of the thin air and
cold rock life has a foothold here, however precarious.
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Yellow alpine
flowers bloom
impossibly out of the crushed granite.
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Blue
flower accents
punctuate the alpine landscape against exhilarating backdrops while
snow blankets distant mountains with pure white clouds floating
around in a piercing blue sky.
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Traces
of failed attempts at domesticating this otherwise pristine
environment crop up along the trail down to the next train station.
On a fine day some may meander station to station ever mindful that
the weather may change in an instant. Hiking is moderately hard and
an abandoned stone structure, now partially standing in ruins,
attests to a difficult land with one rock wall still holding a window
into the alps.
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Those
brave and optimistic souls who know the area venture to fish the few
glacial lakes that pool along the way, if not for catching
fish,
then for experiencing a quiet, peaceful afternoon.
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It
is these lakes gracing
monumental mountains with their soft reflection and reassurance of
life that make hiking the Alps an inclusive, hospitable experience.
The next train stop, though far, is a welcome bittersweet gateway
from wilderness back to civilization.
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