THE LÖTSCHEPASS GLACIER HIKE
PHOTOS BY DAVE GARDNER & MARK HUTTON .

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 The Lötschepass hike is a two day, over night hike that we complete as a group.  For walking we split into three separate teams with the slowest starting first and the fastest last.  In the evening we all sleep and eat together.

 We stay over night at an altitude of 2690m (8824Ft) in the Lötschepass hut.  To get there we have to hike or get a lift along an un-tarmaced road up the Gasternal valley to the village of Selden which is at a height of 1537m. (5041Ft)  We then climb up to the Lötschegletscher (Lötschen glacier), cross the glacier and the climb across some rocks to the hut which sits just off the glacier.

 Group One, consisting of Gail, Nicola, Steven, Allan, Shane and John, set off first after getting a lift from our campsite to Selden
The River Kander tumbles into our valley.
Group three, the fit group.  
Group two set of from Selden about an hour later after also getting a lift most of the way.

 The road from Kandersteg to the Gasternal valley is very steep, narrow and one way.  For the first half of the hour you can drive up it, for the second half, you can drive down it.  It clings to a cliff edge and at places passes through tunnels in the rock.

The Gasternal Valley.

Group three (above) were given no such luxuries.  They had to hike with full packs from the camp site up into the Gasternal Valley themselves.

 Once in the Gasternal Valley we follow the road as it gently climbs for about 4 miles to the village of Selden.  We have to admit that for this easy bit of the Hike we did actually also get a lift, just to save time.

As Alan was hiking Tony had the job of cab driver, driving the Range Rover with ease along the steep mountain paths.
Group two about to start from Selden.
 

In the picture on the left is group two consisting of, from left to right Michael, Tim, Andy J, Danielle, Nick E and Geoff. They have just been dropped off and are about to start the long 1153m (3782Ft) Climb to the hut for our over night stop.

 The food for this expedition was split amongst the participants.  Everyone is also carrying a metal Ice Axe in addition to there personal kit.

 By the time these pictures of group two were taken, group one were already an hour ahead up the mountain and group three were slogging up the climb from the campsite.

 The long bridge that they are crossing on the right is very wobbly and makes an interesting start to the hike.
Wobbly bridge across the river Kander.
 

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