Karen in Wengen

Orchids and Lillies on Mannlichen

2010-07-08T14:32:00.006+02:00

A gentle stroll up Maennlichen today. Encountered at least seven different orchids, here are a few of them.
The others included the Black Vanilla Orchid, the Burnt Orchid, the Birdsnest Orchid and a new one, to me anyway, I believe to be the Coralroot Orchid.

Then quite amazingly I came across a whole field of St Bruno's Lillies.

Beautiful. And the whole trip I was accompanied by a cuckoo.

2010-06-17T14:33:00.001+02:00

Here is a Regemolli, as promised.

2010-06-16T19:26:00.003+02:00

The cows went up to the alp yesterday. The first lot waking us up nice and early at 6.30 ish with the clanking of the bells.
This is quite a stressful trip for the cows and can lead to injuries and mastitis. The alp farmers need to be quite careful about looking out for problems, especially as they don't as yet know the individual animals or their health.
The first few days of milk, after this event, therefore, is made into a raclette cheese. This cheese apparently being able to take a higher level of bacteria.

Salamander's return.

2010-06-12T13:31:00.003+02:00

Just quickly....on a hike up to Maennlichen this morning I saw 8 'regemollies'. This is a black salamander that is usually seen on wet days only. Hence the local name containing the German word for rain. Yes, it was drizzling nicely this morning.
Not long ago these little lizards could be seen regularly on a wet day in the village. It would be a rainy day pastime with toddlers to go splashing in puddles and searching for 'regemollies'. But then I started to see a lot squashed, probably due to increased traffic. Now they are rarely to be seen in the village.
That's why I was so excited to greet eight of them on my walk. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, so no pictures to show. I'll try to post one up soon.

Finally Spring

2010-05-20T10:30:00.004+02:00

At last, after 23 years of being in Wengen I've actually experienced spring. I arrived back home in the UK 21st April, the day that European flying space opened up again, volcanic ash having stopped play for 6 days. The bluebells weren't even out, the daffodils were just about to open and the trees were still in bud. How lovely to see the magnolias bloom from start to finish along with the cherry blossom and apple trees. Delightful.
Usually on leaving Wengen end of April, spring is about to begin. But in UK it's almost over. This year winter was very cold for a long time. Wengen didn't have the quantity of snow that it ususally gets but due to the continuing cold weather the snow stayed beautiful, right to the end.
Now back in Switzerland since 12th May, I'm enjoying spring all over again, fresh green buds on the trees, blossom, daffodils and tulips, and of course the early orchids.

Scenes of Winter 2010

2010-04-16T11:58:00.007+02:00

Wengen

Mannlichen

Lager Chair

New Eigernordwand Chairlift

Top of Honegg

It's Cold

2010-03-10T08:07:00.002+01:00

What a cold March we are having, minus 19 on Mannlichen yesterday, and minus 8 this morning. With a tiny dusting of snow too. The piste conditions continue to be perfect. This does make my life easier as teaching on ice and slush, which is usual for March, is not a wonderful experience.

My apologies for lack of communication here. I met a couple of Irish friends the other day who mentioned that they missed the regular updates. It's been a sad time for me as my mum died quite unexpectedly at Christmas, luckily I was at home then. I just haven't felt like doing anything since. Just getting myself out of bed and to work has been enough effort in itself, fending off the anxiety and the wish to pull the covers over my head and forget everything, an overpowering desire.

I still have plenty such moments but gradually I feel I am coming back to life.

It's Snowing

2009-12-01T14:58:00.004+01:00

This weekend we will be skiing!

Come and join us.

Autumn around Wengen

2009-10-30T10:51:00.011+01:00

Just to get you folks excited, this is how it looked on Maennlichen last Sunday.
The trees are bursting with berries. The predictions therefore, are for a long, cold, snowy winter.

The "Start Hut" Bar on Lauberhorn has even organised a start of winter season party for
15th November!
The colour of the trees has developed tremendously since this was taken 5 days ago. However, locals have commented that because it has been so dry, the colours have moved through to brown very quickly.

From my balcony, about 9am.

And especially for my friends...

Me at the top of the Moench Tuesday 27th October 09.
An amazing, fabulous day.

Many thanks to my guide Oskar Gertsch for getting me up and down safely.

Herbs and Health on Holiday

2009-09-22T09:51:00.009+02:00

The Herbs and Health on Holiday week was very successful. The weather was perfect, we were able to go out and collect some of the plants we were talking and learning about.
We produced some of the recipes spoken of in the course.

And visited a Botanical Garden found at 2000m, Schynige Platte.

Next years course will be at the same time of year, Monday 6th September til Friday 10th 2010. Traditional Remedies of the Swiss Alps.

Schynige Platte

2009-08-19T15:28:00.008+02:00

In September I am holding a residential herbal course here in Wengen. This years theme, Alpine Traditional Remedies. My guest speaker is Tina Stapely MCPP, Herbal Historian and Author. She has also, incidentally, appeared as a herbal expert on several television programmes the next appearance will be on Autumn Watch.

A trip to Schynige Platte is part of the course programme. So Yesterday, I hiked 1200m from Wilderswil to the top, a reconnaissance day to find my bearings in the Botanical Garden up there. We will be allowing the train to take the strain on the day.

A few pictures to whet your appetite.

For further information on the course contact me by e-mail karenwengen@netscape.net

Migraine

2009-08-04T09:52:00.004+02:00

On my last trip up to Maennlichen I got talking to the only other adventurer, a girl from Finland. As is quite common when people find out that you are a medical herbalist, I was asked " What herb can I take for.....?". Unfortunately its not as simple as that.

Medical science may say take Imigram. As herbalists we wish to get to the bottom of the problem, not just kill the symptom. A herbalist will look at the individual, no two people have the same migraine, the same history that led eventually to that symptom, the same causes, or the same cures.

The wonderful thing about herbs, apart from there being so many, is that they work synergistically. It is possible, and often advisable, to incorporate four or five herbs in one individual mix. For example, we could be supporting the liver, reducing inflammation, keeping the arteries nice and calm, and reducing muscle tension all at the same time.

An initial consultation with a herbalist lasts for usually one hour. In this time we can really get to know your medical, social and emotional history. We can advise on lifestyle changes to help you improve your condition and suggest suitable supplements. As a complimentary therapist, my position is to accompany you on your road to health, to identify and encourage you to make healthy decisions, you are in charge of your health.

What causes your migraines? Are they linked to your menstrual cycle? Is it stress? What is this symptom trying to tell you? Is there anything that makes them worse? What brings relief?

The first port of call is to make a daily note of foods eaten, menstrual cycle, length of bleed, PMT, amount and quality of sleep, activities, stress, emotions and symptoms. This can easily be done on an A4 sheet, landscape, monthly, days of the month at the top, symptoms etc. down the side. Use a scale of 0 - 3 for severity, 0 = nothing, 3 = the worst possible. Contact me for an example via e-mail.

After a few months it may well be possible to see some connections. There could even be a simple cure such as avoiding chocolate pre-menstrually.

Further suggestions for self-help are certain supplements that have been shown to be beneficial and are available in all health food shops. Advisable is to buy the best you can afford, the good quality supplements such as Solgar, Quest, Natures Own. A good Health Food Shop will also be able to offer advice.

General daily supplements are:
Magnesium 300mg,
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 400mg,
Multi-vitamin and mineral containing 50mg B-complex,
Fish Oils with EPA
Co-enzyme Q10 90mg

Keeping a detailed account of your symptoms while introducing supplements and or making lifestyle changes, all noted on your Observation Chart, can encourage you to keep up the good practices as you begin to see improvement. This may be in the form of reduced duration of pain, or an increase length between attacks, or pain that is now relieved by simple pain killers.

The other nice thing about herbs and supplements is that they can be used in conjunction with your normal migraine medicines.

For the Finnish girl I met last week, I hope this reminds you of what I said on our hike. The nearest herbalist I have found is unfortunately in Sweden, Skane, Christina Harvidsson, her website is http://www.jeppagarden.se/

Til next time

Kx

Orchids and Lillies on Maennlichen in July

2009-07-24T20:36:00.007+02:00

Nigritella nigra

Paradisea liliastum

Traunsteinera globosa

Orchis ustulata

Coeloglossum viride

Listera ovata

Arnica

2009-07-15T12:58:00.013+02:00

Arnica montana

After two weeks away on holiday the change in the flowers on the mountain is amazing. Walking up the new Gemsweg to Maennlichen I encountered at least seven different orchids, plus the paradise lilly. At the top, 2300m, Arnica montana is nicely in bud and about to show her face.

In the 1950's Dr Alfred Vogel, a Swiss Naturopath said of Arnica that it was to be found everywhere in Switzerland. Now it is a protected plant due to its dwindling numbers. True that here in the Swiss alps it remains fairly prolific, hence it has a partial protection status. However, the rest of Europe it is illegal to pick.

Arnica likes a poor soil, as do all the meadow flowers. To such an extent that under the flight paths in France it has died out due to air pollution.

Arnica is for topical use only, and in very diluted amounts as it can produce allergic reactions. I think everyone knows that it is for bruises and swelling, only to be used on intact skin though.

Homeopathically it can also be used in cases of shock, both emotional and traumatic. Hence it is often suggested for use immediately following surgery, where it reputedly reduces bruising and swelling post operatively. Several cosmetic surgeons I know recommend their patients take it. Please tell the hospital staff, so that they are in the picture.

There has been some research comparing Arnica Gel to Ibuprofen Gel applied to arthritic fingers. Arnica came out equivalent to the Ibuprofen, reducing pain and improving movement, with the addition that it can be used concurrently with Warfarin, unlike Ibuprofen.

The English equivalent, for use on bruises etc, is the common daisy, its old name was bruisewort.

The Long Hot Summer!

2009-06-23T07:56:00.006+02:00

I don't know when our promised long hot summer is going to start, but this wet and cool sort of weather is exactly what the Cypripedium calceolus likes. Just as a teaser though, above is a photo I took last year.

There is only one location in the UK where a surviving, true wild Lady's Slipper exists. However,Kew Gardens have a programme to repopulate the various sites that this orchid was known to live. Once germinated, it takes up to fifteen years before flowering. These plants are extremely long-lived, over 100 years.

Pseudorchis albida
A Small White Orchid seen up at Wengernalp last week.

Day Lillies and the Jungfrau.
A reminder of how it all looks when the sun is shining.

Yesterday, hiking up to Maennlichen, I walked into a snow storm, and looking out this morning all the tops are white washed.

Here's hoping for a turn in the weather.
Kxxx

The Lady's Slipper Orchid

2009-06-16T15:34:00.005+02:00

It is often the case on grotty weather days that the interesting photos are taken.Despite the rain we went in search for, and found, the Lady's Slipper Orchid.
I was made to promise not to reveal their home.
It is a local secret.

Today also happened to be the day the cows walked up to the alp.

Alpenrose about to bloom

2009-06-15T19:06:00.006+02:00

The meadows around the village are slowly being cut, here is one still in full bloom.
Chilchestein
A nice easy Sunday climb took me to the top of this rock, where I found a small bush of Alpenrose.

Time to start looking out up the mountain for the alpenrose display.

Day Lillies with the Jungfrau behind.

Tomorrow I go in search of the lady's slipper orchid. Lets hope the weather is nice to us.

Orchids in Brech Alp

2009-06-12T21:03:00.008+02:00

This weeks hike was from Wengen up towards Mettlen and down through Brech Alp to Trummelbach in Lauterbrunnen. It was overcast and a pleasant temperature.

Following are various flowers seen on the way.

A spring meadow in Lauterbrunnen

A spring flower meadow in Wengen, featuring an early purple orchid.

Trumpet gentians near Mettlen.

Heading off for Brech Alp we discovered this wonderful display of common globularia, with a spring gentian just appearing at the bottom of the photo.

This could be a fragrant orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea.

A white helleborine.

A birdsnest orchid, Neottia nidus-avis.

On the Hoof Blister Remedy

2009-06-08T08:15:00.000+02:00

On a short hike last week, one of the first of the season, a blister started to rear it's ugly head. It was only a stroll of a couple of hours, I had not one plaster with me. then I spotted this leaf:

Tussilago farfara Tuss - cough, lago - away, farfara - with the fairies.

Coltsfoot. The German name is Huflattich. And the Swiss call it Zytroesli

So this plant is a cough remedy, but only recommended for use over a period of no longer than 6 weeks in a year. This is due to certain alkaloids in its constituents that have been known to cause liver damage.

However, it is also a wound herb. These leaves are quite thick, the underside being very soft and furry.

These two leaves are no longer. They were picked and placed furry side next to the offending article, enabling me to continue on my way in comfort.

The placement of a leaf over the area of a headache will apparently relieve the pain. Still to be tested by me on this one.

I'm off now up the mountain to see what I can find.

Til later
Kxxx

The Stinging Nettle's Time Is Up

2009-06-06T11:20:00.006+02:00

Tender-handed stroke a nettle,

And it stings you for your pains;

Grasp it like a man with mettle,

And as soft as silk it remains.

Aaron Hill 1685-1750

We are coming to the end of the nettle season. June is the latest month for fresh nettle consumption. They have traditionally been eaten as a spring cleanse, especially by those with chronic skin and joint problems. It is amongst the first greenery to appear in the garden after the winter hardship, and must have been a welcome sight for the dinner table with its abundance of vitamins and minerals, replenishing the body with much needed nutrients.

Only take the top four to six fresh new green leaves. In my laziness I will just throw a handful in with the rice or pasta to cook. Add it to spinach, or make a soup. Nettle can be eaten raw. By rinsing under running cold water the sting is removed. Do make sure every leaf is rinsed. I once missed the middle of the bunch and got quite a shock biting into my lunch. Otherwise, cooking, steeping and drying also renders the sting painless.

The nettle is an important larval food plant for several butterflies, including the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and the Peacock (Inachis io), so please keep a little plot going. Cut a third back in June, then another third in July and again in August to encourage the butterflies further. Small tortoiseshell and peacock eggs are found on the underside of the leaf. A rolled up leaf may contain the red admiral's eggs. Those in webs are from the Comma Butterfly (Polygonia C-Album).

The stinging nettle has its uses in the garden. Make a natural fertiliser by leaving the cut plant in a tub of water for a few weeks until it degrades. Then use this mix to water your garden. A spray of the same will also help to keep common plant pests at bay.

Altogether a very versatile plant and that is without mentioning its many medical uses. That's for another time.

Kxxx

More Aquilegia

2009-06-05T17:05:00.008+02:00

These plants multiply by the continuous production of seed, therefore any picking of this flower can reduce the amount appearing next year.

White and pink flowers are quite seldom, so I'm very lucky to have this display just up the road.

The alpine variety is quite rare, and somewhat smaller. The spur is straighter, and the stem has only 1-3 flowers. Am now on the look-out!

From My Front Door

2009-06-05T09:26:00.008+02:00

The columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris, is blooming beautifully. POISONOUS. The flower spurs are shaped like an eagle's (aquila) talons, hence the Latin name. It has been used as an astringent, Culpepper used the leaves in lotions for sore mouths, a bit hit and miss as to whether the patient survived though. A fabulous garden flower, that grows wild up here. (Information from Mrs Grieve, A Modern Herbal).

It's roasting!

2009-05-25T17:24:00.008+02:00

Today in Wengen Dorf Strasse at three o'clock, the temperature was 31C! In the picture above, from yesterday, you can see it was also a beautiful day, but brewing for a down pour. Big drops of rain sparkling in the sunshine fell about an hour later.

Following are several pictures from my hikes this weekend.

Murren Bach with 430m drop.

Looking back to Wengen from Stechelberg.

Sweet violets, bury your nose in them for a heavenly scent.

I think this is a Dactylorhiza majalis.

This orchid doesn't appear have an English common name. Translated from the German it would be "broad leafed orchid"

Ibex. Seen just off the path after Mettlen Alp.

I'm off home to UK again on Wednesday to celebrate mum's 70th birthday. I promise to be more prolific with my postings on my return.

Byeee

From My Front Door

2009-05-21T07:45:00.005+02:00

This is the view from my front door. The alpine meadows, at this height of 1200m, are just coming into bloom. Down in the valley the dandelions have already gone to seed.

I was delighted to find this snakeshead lily, Fritillaria meleagris, yesterday.

Also just beginning to flower, here in Wengen, are the early purple orchids, Orchis mascula.

The Very Last Day of Skiing!

2009-04-26T10:36:00.006+02:00

Today is the last working day of the Schilthorn ski area, and guess what?......there is a foehn storm. 100 km winds are blowing through again. I believe that now makes 23 days closed this season. Oh well, it's sunny and warm down here in Wengen. Spring has sprung, time to go flower spotting.

Some wild salad options:

Lady's Smock: the leaves when chewed have a peppery taste.

Hedge Garlic: tastes of garlic!

Enjoy!

Season's End

2009-04-21T09:22:00.003+02:00

Well, the skiing is nearly over. Maennlichen closed a week ago, Kleine Scheidegg at the weekend. The Schilthorn top three lifts remain running til this weekend.

For the last few weeks of the season we had the most beautiful weather resulting in some fabulous spring snow. This is like skiing on a soft, smooth, shag pile carpet. You can ski everywhere and the snow carries you perfectly. It's a time to be relaxed and unhurried, to enjoy the views away from the crowds. You ski through light forests, and round stone heaps. It's off piste so it's wise to know where you are going, or there could be slight problems with big drops and dead ends.
This snow should be skied early on in the day. As soon as tracks trail behind it is time to stop. Then the sun can melt that top layer into smoothness, and allow the night to freeze it into the perfect carrying carpet. This delight can then be enjoyed again the next day.

Here are a couple of pictures of our spring snow escapades, very cleverly construed to make it seem that we were miles from the pistes. Thank you to my lovely guests for allowing me to use them.

For Friends of Seasons Past

2009-04-16T15:45:00.011+02:00

Wengen Station

Cafe Oberland's replacement at Allmend

A kids class heading for the mountain

Childrens Nursery Area

There are new lifts on the kids nursery slope

The Maennlichen Cable Car is now in the centre of town.

A bit of History

2009-04-03T08:42:00.005+02:00

A little bit of recent history....

Back in 1955, the first year of the cable car from Wengen to Maennlichen, there were no piste markers, let alone pistes or piste bashers.
This was the job of the Wengen school kids.
They had to ski from Maennlichen to Grund, take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, ski to Wengen, take the cable car up and...... do it all again.

What a fabulous day at school that would have been!

Spring is Here Again

2009-04-02T08:00:00.005+02:00

Spring arrived again this week. The snow is melting fast in the village, and little pockets of colour are developing in the form of crocuses and snow drops.

The temperature on Maennlichen at 8.00 today is already 7 C. It's going to be another slushy day up there. The first couple of runs will be beautiful, snow just softened, wonderfully pisted, no one around. Then towards lunch time it will be getting heavy, the heaps of snow will start pushing back at you. The way through it is with determination, weighting both skis in the turn, and making the turn nice and smooth, all the way round.

Easter Expectations

2009-03-23T08:00:00.003+01:00

Last week spring arrived. Hot sunny days. The snow survived extremely well, only just getting a little wet after lunch. But if you then headed back towards Maennlichen from Kleine Scheidegg, perfection.

All of a sudden, Friday was freezing. Minus ten. And Saturday too. The pistes were hard and fast. Now, after a couple of nice snow and weather days, we are expecting a return of winter for the rest of the week. Snow, snow, and more snow. Really good for all of you coming out for Easter.

Full Moon

2009-03-13T08:20:00.005+01:00

There was a full moon this week, not that we saw it through all that snow! So here's one I made earlier!?!

After a fantastic, full, four weeks of ski teaching, I've now had a whole day and a couple of afternoons free to do as I please. No, actually this time I didn't go skiing. Well, once or twice, maybe, as the off piste powder was so amazing, I couldn't resist.

There is so much snow. It's almost impossible to clear my pathway, the heaps at each side are as tall as me. Takes a lot of effort to throw the snow over that.

The pistes are wonderful, as you can imagine. The weather is due to improve, getting warmer for a couple of days, sunshine, even! Then more snow coming again next week.

I'm off to work now, Blue Prince Children (they can stop and turn) we're going up to Maennlichen, skiing the blue down to Holenstein. It will take us all morning.

What are you all doing this morning?

Lol Kxxx

2009-02-21T18:19:00.003+01:00

Three pictures of me with my class this week, skiing on Honegg. It's been a fabulous week, plenty of snow and a fair amount of sunshine too with more snow expected tomorrow.

Major Snowfall

2009-02-17T17:22:00.003+01:00

Just quickly before I go to my Spanish lesson......Today it has snowed a good half meter, with predictions that it will continue over night and well into tomorrow. Some "nay sayers" have even mentioned the winter of 1999! That's when the Oberland Cafe was wiped out by an avalanche and the old Mannlichen station dangerously damaged. There was a silver lining in that cloud, of course, as now the cable car station is in the middle of town.

It certainly was fantastic skiing this afternoon, off piste was on piste! And no one around. My teeth were so cold, because I couldn't stop smiling.

Enjoy!

Amazing Conditions

2009-02-13T18:16:00.006+01:00

Well, I'm back in town. You'll be pleased to know that my mum is now out of hospital. So its back to business as usual.

This week hasn't been great, weather wise, for our guests. Lots of snow, no visibility, and a day of storm winds producing our tenth day this season where most, if not all, lifts were closed.

Then today, the clouds parted, the sun ventured out, the pistes were perfectly groomed and the skiing was superb.

We now have the most fantastic snow for the busiest week of the season about to begin.

Enjoy.

Thinking of Summer

2009-01-23T19:53:00.004+01:00

Please accept my apologies for the lack of posts. Things have been rather hectic here what with work and popping home to UK visiting my mum in intensive care. Not to mention there is still a problem signing in to this blog. Oh well, it'll all be the same in a hundred years! This is a test phase, it'll get sorted.

Thinking of summer on this very wet and windy day. I experienced two "firsts" in 22yrs today.... travelling up from Grund in the Maennlichen Gondola, we had to get out at Holenstein! So back down we went and enjoyed lunch at the Jagerstuebli. Only to find that the way home to Wengen was around the valley via Zweilutschinnen and not over Kleine Scheidegg.

A Quick Trip Maennlichen to Scheidegg

2009-01-10T21:21:00.013+01:00

Maennlichen Gondola and Grindelwald

On the Lager Chairlift

Heading off piste at Tschuggen

Mountain Hut Refreshments Arven

Kleine Scheidegg and Eiger

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T19:49:00.003+01:00

Happy New Year. It was a wonderful start to 2009 here. There had been another Foehn storm on Boxing Day. On the mountain it looked very sad, brown and wind blown with white stripes denoting the pistes. And those were rather hard packed to say the least. Down in the village the snow still lay on the ground but it was quite dirty looking, littered with cones, branches and leaves.

A little flurry of snow was forecast, but the locals weren't expecting much to write home about. At about 23.30 I caught site of snow on my balcony, was that left from before? No, its snowing! So out, up to town we went. Tramping through freshly falling snow nearly up to my knees. Fantastic. Fireworks were bursting all around, the colours reflected perfectly by the white background. Pink, green, red and gold.

The Cow Bell Ringers began at 23.55 through the main street ringing in the new year, warding off any bad spirits. They usually carry on well into the early hours ringing their way through all the hotels and bars. Its quite an impressive sound and rather deafening.

A perfect start to the new year.

It's raining, but not to worry!

2008-12-21T07:53:00.003+01:00

It was raining on and off most of yesterday, and looks like its rained during the night too. The snow line I can see from the window must be about 1800m. There is no snow left on the trees at the height of Murren. My lounge looks out towards Grutschalp and Winterregg, and too the left through the trees down to Stechelberg.

The rain serves to settle the snow and helps to form a good base. So there is nothing to worry about. There is still a little snow on my balcony, and the sun is due to come out again tomorrow.

I go back to the UK tomorrow to spend Christmas with my family. On returning it will be full on with ski school. I hope to be able to find the time to keep you posted on the state of things here in Wengen.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas. I do believe it will be a white one here.

Love

Kxxx

Let it Snow!

2008-12-17T08:31:00.003+01:00

Just briefly this morning...apparently they recorded record wind speed on Lauberhorn last Sunday, 250km/hr. At Kleine Scheidegg train staion 205km/hr. So I will not be hearing any more complaints about the mountain being shut because of a little wind!

Well, this morning, its snowing again, a lovely gentle, quiet, soft snowfall.

Enjoy your day.

Kxxx

The Foehn Hits Again

2008-12-15T08:54:00.002+01:00

Yesterday the Foehn wind blew all day. It was a "lower" Foehn, one that can also be seen at the end of the valley. This is a bad sign for Wengen because then we feel it in the village too.....and did we!

Everything was closed, no trains, no cable car. A real Sunday day off for all the mountain workers, you might say. Well, not quite, because then they generally have to hang around in case the weather improves enough for them to get up there.

This morning I look out of my window, the snow has gone from the balcony, there is no dusting on the trees anywhere, and the fields look rather dirty with leaves and bits all lying on the snow.

I check the Meteomedia, Lauberhorn recorded 109km/hr gusts at 08.00, and the Mannlichen webcam says that all is closed up there. Doesn't bode well for my guest this morning. Still maybe by 11.00 things will have settled down some.

The Skiing is Fantastic

2008-12-13T11:14:00.002+01:00

Yesterday there was some more fresh snow, with the sun coming out in the afternoon. The off piste was fantastic, powder up to my knees. The pistes were beautiful, and empty.

Today, however the Foehn wind is due to appear again. In the micro cosmos of the Jungfrau region the Foehn is a frequent visitor. This phenomenon occurs on the lee side of a mountain, which is us. The wind comes up against the mountains, from the south, as it ascends it cools producing precipitation and with it the common cloud formations. On it’s descent it speeds up and warms up. A temperature increase of as much as 30 °C has been recorded and can lead to an amazing disappearance of the snow. After a Foehn storm the Lauberhorn piste can be rather glassy and bare. Not a very nice surface to ski on.

These gusts of wind can reach high speeds. The chair lifts have to be slowed and usually stopped, otherwise the cable could be hooked off the rollers or a chair swung into the pylon. It has been known for a train to be derailed, especially when empty. Hence the trains stop running.

This wind comes from the south and sometimes it brings with it the Sahara sands. Everything then has a slight yellow tinge.

In the Pennine this wind is known as the Helm, in Ticino, Italy as Favonio, as the Terral in Malaga, as the Nor’wester in Hawkes Bay New Zealand and as the Chinook winds in the Rocky Mountains.

We're Skiing!

2008-12-03T09:45:00.004+01:00

Last weekend the resort opened for winter! With Mannlichen to Holenstein, the "Carousel", Arven, Lauberhorn, Honegg and down to Almend all open and pisted. Well, Scheidegg was open to begin with, but the Foehn wind blew its best, and stopped play by midday on Sunday.

Of course once the Foehn "broke", a literal translation from the local vernacular, it snowed. All day Monday. So now I am off to Kleine Scheidegg for some fresh air and exercise.

Wish you all a great day.

Kxxx

Winter has begun

2008-11-24T18:48:00.001+01:00

Winter appears to be starting rather nicely.

On Saturday a snow storm raged all day. Despite high winds (170km was recorded on the top of Europe) 20cm of snow deposited itself on my balcony!

Then Sunday dawned clear and bright. The sky was blue, the air was cold and the ground was crisp and white. I went walking in untouched snow which came nearly up to my knees (that’s not difficult really as I am rather vertically challenged). Others were more adventurous, taking out their snowshoes and going off road up the mountain.

The ice has been made on the ice-rink, and the kids are skating again. The nursery slope lifts are back in position and the snow cannons are hard at work on the race course.

So as you can see it’s all coming along rather well.

Welcome to my Blog

2008-11-24T16:58:00.001+01:00

Welcome to my ramblings. For ease and speed I’ve gone for the blog option, over a Website with a blog. I will be honest, this is an experiment. Can I regularly write? Can I keep you coming back for more? Can I be interesting? This remains to be seen.

In winter I wish to be informative of weather and snow conditions. Considering I am skiing all day everyday, it should be a true recording.

In summer, there will be reports on the development of spring and summer, the flowers, especially orchids, gentians and lilies.

Throughout, at any time, I will throw in herbal information, advice from how to improve your immune system to making and using ointments. Feel free to join me, make comments or ask connected questions.

The winter time is more likely to be my thoughts and encounters from the piste. Several rants come to mind immediately, cigarette butts in the snow, peeing on the side of a piste and the rules of the piste. On a lighter note, advice on taking kids skiing, what age is a good age to start teaching kids, clothing.

Does this entice you back to my blog? I hope so. Look forward to hearing from you. Kxxx