Hiking the Swiss Alps

So, last weekend, I hiked about 14 miles to the peak of a mountain in the Swiss Alps along with Hannah, Natalie, many of our classmates, and our directors leading the way. We were warned that it would take all day and that by the time we got towards the top of the peak, we would need to use all fours. But, that didn’t scare us away. I mean hiking the Swiss Alps is not an opportunity that comes knocking on my door all the time. So, I had to go! Needless to say, I was so excited.  And I was not let down. The view surrounding us from the beginning of the hike until we reached the tippy top of the peak was absolutely breathtaking. And that isn’t an exaggeration in even the slightest bit.

^^Our directors and their six year old daughter leading the way!

^^Sascha was pretty excited to make it over half-way to the peak, where we stop for lunch! This is where she stopped last year…the question is will she make it to the peak this year?

 ^^Not a bad lunch-spot view, huh??

^^This right here doesn’t look like much. A fresh baguette, cheese, and turkey. No condiments. But, I kid you not when I say that this was one of the most delicious sandwiches I have ever had. The bread in Switzerland and of course the cheese is literally to die for.

^^With full tummies and therefore a burst of energy, we were ready to climb the last chunk of the hike to the tippy top of the peak!

^^Up we go!

^^You can begin to see here how steep it is! This picture was taken right before I had to use both hands to help me get up the mountain, so I couldn’t take any more pictures until…

^^…I made it to the top!!!

^^Our directors, Todd and Sarah. We would all be so lost without them!

^^She made it to the top this year!! Don’t let the fact that a six year old making it to the top make you think that this was an easy climb. It wasn’t. All of us were so proud of her and honestly amazed she could do it! She is one tough cookie!

^^Girls will be girls…

^^…and boys will be boys!

^^And down we go. Can you tell how steep it is now??

^^And when we all reached the bottom, safe and sound, 14 miles later, Sarah and Todd treated all of us to some hot chocolate. Aren’t they the best?!

Oh and one last thing, I took a total of 298 pictures on this hike!! I can’t tell you how tough it was to narrow them down to 25. But, I think that just goes to show how beautiful it really was. I wish everyone in the world could experience this.