Allegra!

Alpine trip to the Engadin

August 2010

is a common greeting in the Engadin. We take it literallyand enjoy our time in the mountains. A 4-day trip. Meetingplace: Pontresina, Graubunden. Taking the last cable-car,we ascend the Diavolezza. The “She-Devil” (2878 m) is thestarting point of our first hike.

“Allegra!“ (“Hi!”, literally: Be joyous! )

we set off at the crack of dawn for the“Marco e Rosa” mountain hut as it will takeus a good 6 hours. Our goal takes us abovethe 3000 m frontier, along the Fortezza-Grat.

Next morning

Right to the start of the first glacier.

Next we do some tightrope walkingalong the ridge.

The Bellavista with its glaciers isnext on our route.

At this altitude, the sun’s beating rays call for suncream to be

applied. In this gorgeous weather,the mountain ridge lives up to its

name of “Bellavista”.

We literally have to watch our step but our eyes are constantly drawn to the distant view.

Smile!

Our stopover for the night: the Marco e Rosa mountain hut at3597 m has been perched here for almost 100 years. But we’restaying in the bright red extension built in 1964.

Yoga?!

The next morning we start the return journey across the Morteratsch glacier. When Andi attempts a yoga position (or something) on top of a rock, Martina quickly gets him down again.

Together with the Pers glacier, the Morteratsch glacier is the biggest in the eastern Alps – but only just. The glaciers

are shrinking here as well. Since recordsbegan in 1878, its length has reduced by

2.2 km. But it is still impressive.

The crevices provide a real challenge in the upper part of the glacier. By the way, according to legend, its name is derived from a shepherd called Aratsch. He is supposed to have plummeted down theglacier to his death because of the death of his beloved (whoherself died of grief because hehad to travel far from home toearn his living). Whereupon theghost of his beloved wailed

“Mort Aratsch!” (Aratsch is dead).

The Upper Engadin valley is 80km long, formedthrough river erosion by the River Inn overthousands of years. We are hiking in the upperpart which is full of lakes as well as glaciers.And what better place is there to stop for a restthan at the water’s edge?

Heave-ho!

takes us in the direction of Piz Cambrena(3606 m), on the slopes of which the Persglacier lies. The mountain lies on the way toPiz Palü, which is more famous and thus morefrequented. In the meantime, we’re happy toenjoy “our” Piz Cambrena in peace and quiet.

Our last hike

?!

While the guys are arguing over the route ...

... Martina freshens up.

The winner!

It paid off - Martina reaches the summit first.

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Photos: Hansi Heckmair

Mountain trails: www.bergsteiger-pontresina.ch

Accommodation: www.diavolezza.ch

Information: www.engadin.stmoritz.ch

list of links: