The Ibex Trail

Introduction

Introduction

Description

Since I had started hiking, this trail had struck my fancy. Although it has been downgraded from T4 to T3, and the presentation brochure is very reassuring, I did not feel ready to tackle it alone. So I asked Andreas if he would like to accompany me: he very kindly made himself available. We set off from Pian Geirett at 10.25 a.m. and set off up the ascent to the Uffiern Pass, nothing too major. A short traverse on snow, but the difficulty lies in tackling the rocky spur that juts out. First rope, I informed Andreas that I suffer from vertigo, and he took the opportunity to check how I was holding up on a slightly more technical passage. With Swiss precision at 12:15 we have lunch, then we set off again for the pass. So far so good...From the pass, a view of the Lai Uffiern, small but very beautiful, gathered in a basin with very high and steep 180° walls, but easy to reach from the open side. Then we tackle the ascent to the Sasso Lanzone ridge. The first section gives me no problems, then as we climb the path becomes more challenging, narrower, and the number of fixed steel ropes laid increases. It must be said that the path is beautifully marked, impossible to get lost, every 50-70 metres you find a mark. We arrive at the beginning of the ridge, I look around, and start crying from joy and emotion. I try to tell Andreas, but my voice breaks. Around me, only peaks, for 100-150 kilometres, in the clear mountain air. I had only seen things like this in documentaries, too beautiful!!! Andreas patiently waits for me to recover, forces me to put the camera in the bag, and we set off along the ridge. It's only 800 metres, but it takes me 45 minutes to walk it. If Rita had seen the way I was hugging the boulders, she would have been jealous.... Tight passages, ropes, 300 metres of empty space to the right. Andreas seraphic, on the ridge above me, a metre ahead, guides me with his gaze, very few words. His is a reassuring presence. Every few steps I have to stop to regain control of my breathing, and not to hyperventilate completely. Halfway up the ridge, I stop, raise my head, look around again, and cry again, deep emotion from enchanted beauty. I come out of these 800 metres exhausted by nervous tension, I have eaten up a mess of psychic and physical energy. We immediately start with a beautiful descent, almost 90° down a gully of about 15 metres with a metal rope. Andreas is waiting for me at the bottom, checking that I don't screw up. The Laghetto / Cadabi pass done on 01.08.2009 now seems like child's play :-) We finish the descent down the slopes of Sasso Lanzone and pass below the Garina peak, heading towards the Retico. I'm amazed, the body is here, on this false slope, but the spirit is up there. It will take time for the two to reunite. We arrive at the Rhaetian, food and chat break. In all, we have had about two hours of breaks, including the half-hour at the Bovarina (later). It's now 5.30 p.m., I'm not exactly lightning fast. At 6.50 p.m. we are at the Bovarina, bad time, refectory full and they are serving dinner. Nevertheless, very friendly people serve us coffee and drinks. From here it's routine, no problems. We set off again at 19:20 and arrive at Campo Blenio at 21:00. Back home, we arrive at 22:00, Rita has prepared us a ladylike dinner. Then on the terrace drinking coffee and counting it up until after midnight. Thank you Andreas, it was a privilege, an honour and a joy to be accompanied, guided and helped by you. I cried with joy and emotion, savoured every single step we took together, every view, speech, and silence. You gave me one of the most beautiful days of my life, and in return I can only say 'THANK YOU', knowing that it is too little. Full description of the hike with photos and text.