Adelboden, Switzerland 2005 - Travelogue

Sunday, 14th August

In the morning we all walked down to the cable car station to board the cable cars (with some trepidation for those who did not like heights) which would take us, via two stations, up to the top of the 1978m high Sillerenbühl above Adelboden.

Once at the top, having taking in the alpine view, we set off on a 5km (3 mile) circular alpine walk. The first half of the walk saw us descend 271m down the side of the valley to Geils where we boarded another cable car to take us back up to the top of the 1956m high Hahenmoospass.

The second half, following an initial climb, took us at an approximately level path, much of it at just over 2000m, along the Blumenweg, or Flower Trail; so called because of the many alpine flowers that could be seen on the route; before ending with another short (but steep) climb back up to the Sillerenbühl.

Once back to the top of the Sillerenbühl, and having stopped for a well earned drink in the alpine restaurant, 40 intrepid, or should that be foolhardy as it had now started to rain, Scouts and Leaders donned helmets and mounted their scooters for a 5km (3 mile) 492m descent of the mountain to the next cable car station at Bergläger. The rest, less adventurous, took the cable car back down to Adelboden.

The rain and wet road definitely made the ride interesting, especially on the hairpin bends. Despite three or four crashes on route we all made it safely down with no broken bones, though some did have some grazed limbs to show for it. We then took the cable car back down to meet the others at the coach.

After a late lunch back at the chalet, some of the Scouts went swimming in the outdoor pool in Adelboden. The weather was not overly warm, and swimming during a rainstorm in the open-air at an altitude of 1350m was definitely a new experience.

After dinner, the evening was spent playing games and inter-team competitions.