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Benjamin
Sales Consultant, Transa store Markthalle Bern
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Off we go: we’ve planned a snowshoe tour with various stages high above the Lauterbrunnental valley including a night in a tent. There will also be squalls and a feast of momo dumplings.

Sunday, 10 am, in Isenfluh: we greet each other with happy anticipation. Even Laya the dog is here. Travelling with a dog? Not everyone’s cup of tea – but as it turns out, even Tamar will get used to it. We take the cable car to Sulwald and from there climb up through sparse fir forest and boulders towards our cabin.

We feel like we’re in a fairytale forest. We’re in Chüebodmi, a small, open plateau with a view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – and we’re enchanted. A cold wind bites into the sunny winter weather. Nevertheless, we can’t resist taking the little detour via Alp Suls. After an hour and a half, we reach the Lobhorn cabin (1,954 metres above sea level).

Irene, the cabin warden, welcomes us with a delicious blackberry tart. She and Talak, who’s from Nepal, are the couple who run the cosy cabin. Today, as an exception, there’s a special menu for us: momos. We don’t need to be asked twice; while the wind whistles outside, we set about preparing the dumplings in the kitchen. We have great company and conversation as we work under the guidance of the expert.

After a hard-earned dinner (making momos is time-consuming), we help with the washing up and finish off the day with a game of rummy. Meanwhile, a gale-force snowstorm rages outside.

Today, a route in the Lobhörner region beckons. We wake up at 6 am. Snow flurries and snowfall await us. Mountain guide Stéphane goes through the route and key stages with us over breakfast.

We’re ready and, after checking our avalanche transceivers, we set off. After the first few steps: uh oh – it seems Tamar has caught something! Suffering from flu symptoms, she turns back with a heavy heart. We admire her self-diagnosis. Our number reduced, we set off for the first key stage: the steep section up to the Schärihubel (2,124 metres above sea level). One steep section further on, always walking at a safe distance, we reach Höji Sulegg (2,413 metres above sea level). What a view! Lake Brienz and Lake Thun at our feet, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in sight. But there’s more to come! Via Sulegggrat (a safe but spectacular ridge hike), we reach Nideri Sulegg. The weather conditions alternate between wind, snow and sun. During our lunch break next to the lake of Sulsseewli, we all agree touring in snowshoes is a blissful experience. And the varied weather contributes to the incredible atmosphere.

  • Eine rote Gondel steht bereit, vier Personen steigen ein. Sie tragen einen Rucksack und Schneeschuhe in der Hand.

    The snowshoe tour starts at the cable car to Sulwald.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • Personen gehen auf einer Schneeschuhtour durch einen Wald.

    The path to the cabin takes us through a forest.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • Personen mit Schneeschuhen an der Füsse erreichen eine Hütte in den Bergen.

    When we get there, everyone is looking forward to the warmth.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • We get to help with the cooking; we’re having Nepalese momos.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • Personen mit Schneeschuhen im Gebiet der Lobhörner.

    On the second day, the snowshoe tour finally takes us in the direction of the Lobhörner.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • Personen stellen in einer verschneiten Berglandschaft ein Zelt auf.

    We spend the second night outside in a tent. We first tread the bivouac site flat, then set up the tent.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • Zwei Personen essen aus einem Beutel Pasta.

    Our second dinner is simpler: pasta from a pouch.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi
  • Drei Personen sitzen im Schnee, hinter ihnen sieht man das Zelt und die Schlafsäcke.

    We enjoy the evening on a sofa made of snow.

    Photo © Ruedi Thomi

We spend the second night in a tent. We quickly find a good spot for the bivouac – somewhat sheltered from the wind, with a beautiful view. We use a probe to determine the depth of the snow, then create a level surface with our snowshoes. And soon the tent is up.

The wintry night in the tent is a first for Isabelle. But what’s going to happen when you’re with experienced colleagues? You’ll hardly freeze; we all have our own secret weapons. Raja swears by an inlet, Isabelle has an emergency bivy sack and I know the drinking bottle trick. After some Bolognese out of a packet, we’re soon in our sleeping bags.

Early in the morning, we admire the view under the starry sky and then descend at a leisurely pace. And we’re back in civilization again.

Right this way to the tour description.

Tour to the Lobhörner at a glance

Isenfluh – Lobhornhütte: Distance: 3.1 km, altitude difference: 428 m, duration: approx. 1.5 h

Round trip via the Sulegg to the Lobhörner: Distance: 7.4 km, elevation gain: 633 m, duration: approx. 3 h

Sulwald – Isenfluh sledge run: Distance: 4.6 km, elevation gain: 444 m

Trip profile: A varied and beautiful tour in the Bernese Oberland high above the Lauterbrunnental with views of the proud peaks of the Jungfrau massif on one side and Lake Thun on the other.

Day 1: Ascent to the beautifully situated Lobhorn cabin and afternoon tour.

Day 2: Atmospheric tour over the exposed Sulegg to the rugged rocky peaks of the Lobhörner and descent down to Isenfluh.

Journey there/back: Take the train to Lauterbrunnen, then continue by bus to Isenfluh, from there take the cable car to Sulwald.

Overnight stay: www.lobhornhuette.ch

  • #Snowshoeing

  • #Bivouacking

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