Day 6 (October 6, 2008)

We got up very early so we could watch the tall icy Alps emerge from the darkness of night. It was a majestic sight to behold in the quietness and isolation of the mountainside so far from the hustle and bustle of my normal Philadelphia traffic jams.

After breakfast we set out for a day long hike. After half a day of hiking though alternating bands of rain and sunny skies, we got as far as a glacial rift valley not too far from the Faulhorn. On our way back, we were on a treacherous part of the trail on the Laucherhorn, when a formation of F/A-18 Hornets flew over us and caused the snowfield above us to give way. The falling snow sounded like a heard of charging cattle (baby cows might be more accurate). Had the snowfield been a little bit bigger, it might have pushed us off the mountain. As it was we had to hold on to grass in parts to keep from falling. There was another hiker coming towards us when this micro avalanche occurred. Needless to say he turned around even though there was no real danger.

When we got back to the hotel, we discovered we were the only guests. At first it felt very strange to be the only guests. Especially, when we saw a single table set for dinner. The table was complete with a reserved sign in a room that can sit a pretty big crowd during the high season. At least there would be no fighting for the table with the best view. There was the chef and the server and the two of us in the hotel. We had another fantastic romantic 5-course meal as we watched the sun set on another perfect mountain day. Being the only guests magnified the feeling of remoteness, and it did feel a little like being in a novel, but on the other hand it felt like we had the entire Alps to ourselves. It was a once in a lifetime experience and the Schynige Platte hotel is a fantastic place to stay in October after the crowds have gone for the season. The staff at the hotel is excellent.