Crampons, Ice Picks, Crevices and Hockey Helmets

Saturday, September 20 - Rhone Glacier

The infamous Faculty Glacier trip takes place every year. The sign-up shows up one day on the High School Faculty room coffee machine and everyone scrambles to sign-up. Then about two days prior to the trip it gets canceled due to weather be it wind, snow, or rain. This year, I was happy the trip got canceled, because the first day was scheduled for the Elementary School's second day, so none of the adventure seekers across the street could attend. Then the second list went up and there was a nice little buzz going around and I got my name on the list, only for the date to change two or three more times before finally settling on yesterday. And the day was perfect. Blue skies, no wind, and relatively warm weather. At least as warm as it can be considering we were standing on a sheet of ice.

We all met at 7:30 at Denobli to load the vans, scarf down some food and get on our way. It took about 2 1/2 hours to arrive in Andermatt. We took the old road above the San Gottardo, which provided quite a view and really chilly weather when we got out to stretch our legs, take some pictures and have a little bathroom break.

As we continued up the road we got stopped by a cow crossing. However, it was worth it because right below our road was a golf course built on the slope of the mountain. It looked rather challenging and it would be quite a workout walking all eighteen holes. A nice little hike while hitting a few balls.


Next stop was Andermatt to grab our boots and crampons.







Matt Zahner had a good time showing off his skills in the parking lot and posing with a polar bear on skies.



















Finally there. We unloaded the vans, put on our ski gear, figured out the whole wader situation. Don't know if that is what they are really called. Took a few pictures and we were on our way. We walked through a little building of souvenirs, out the back door and literally walked maybe 100 feet and were standing on a receding glacier. We put on our crampons and headed out on the ice.

The whole crew!

The very edge of the glacier

Matt didn't get the memo that the crampons were for walking on ice not picking up rocks.

Beth and I were trying a new technique of hiking the glacier.

Josh Kieth did most of the work throughout the day. Here he is trying to dig out steps so that we are able to cross the crevase without falling in. However, Paul was a little impatient so we decided to just go for it with a man powered crossing of holding hands and leaping.


We had to jump over a couple of crevices, pronounced crevase. During this time, Kelly reminded us all that she was not a mountain goat. Yeah the jumping skills were a little lacking for some of us. But others managed the leap like a pros. I myself asked for a nice helping hand from Josh and Zahner who were kindly stradling the crevase.








We walked maybe if we were lucky ten mintues before reaching the place were we were going to climb. At this point everything had to be set up and the ropes anchored before putting on harnesses, repelling down and working our way back up.

The crevice that we repelled into.

I was brave and volunteered to go second. The first climb I had to get use to trusting the rope and leaning all the way back to walk down the ice.



The second climb however, was a lot of fun and a little more difficult because I could go farther down and the ice was slicker due to melting.

The second climb location. Slippery fun times.

Down in the crevice. Josh was actually working belaying the climber, Carla, Kelly, Beth and I were just watching the show and posing for pictures.


The returning ES and the ladies who enjoy playing outdoors. Allie and Carla.
Once everyone was done climbing and the area was broken down, Paul had tea for us all to warm-up before heading back to the vans. We dropped off all the equipment and headed to Camorini for dinner at San Martino, where I had probably the best meal since being back in Switzerland.