Climbing Rigi Hoeflue from Timpel & descending to Gersau (2021/10/23)

Opis:
Challenging hike up Hoflue of the Rigi range that is not for the faint-hearted. We took the gondola from Brunnen up to Timpel and walked/climbed on the ridge all the way up to Hoeflue. There are several parts that are classified T5 and have you climbing straight up the rock face, hanging onto the iron cable, or crossing exposed parts that fall away on both sides, so you’d better be fit and not have vertigo if you attempt this hike. Around 20 people were sunning themselves on the mountain, it’s a popular destination, no matter the challenging way up. The way down on the sunny side towards Lake Lucerne was easier, a T4, though the Rega (Swiss Air Rescue) still had to help three hikers off that path and to safety. It appears one of the three fell and hit his head (or so a hiker who passed them on the way up told us) and the other two were traumatized, so the Rega rescued all three. It’s a beautiful time of year for this hike, the grass and the forests shine golden, orange and red in the sun. The steep way off the mountain and all the way down to the lake was quite strenuous and left me with sore muscles, but no regrets! It was a breathtaking hike with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.