Hiking through the Alpstein - caveat: lots of pics

[Peter S.]

Dear fellow camera collectors,

A few weeks ago I took a day of holiday and hiked together with a colleague through
the Alpstein mountains. It is part of Swiss Appenzell not far away from the
company's headquarter (that's where the colleague uses to work). I was crazy
enough to lug my 500c/m and three lenses (50/80/150mm) around.

We used the teleferic to ascend to the mount Hoher Kasten...




1. vista from Hoher Kasten deep into the Sämtisertal
500c/m, 80mm Planar, Provia 400X, direct scan from slide

The hiking route follows the righthand ridge to a point, that looks like
being near the end of the valley. Using the teleferic was a good idea, both
to go easy on my poor, old dog Zorro, and of course, it would have been a
tough tour for just one day.

The track leads along deep sheers (there are railings at the most exposed
places - no need to worry).




2. abyss to the valley of the river Rhine
500c/m, 50mm Distagon, Provia 400X, direct scan from slide

But after only two hours of hiking we arrived at the first inn.




3. Berggasthaus Staubern and Stauberenchanzelen
500c/m, 80mm Planar+Polarizer, Velvia RVP, direct scan from slide

We had a first drink, and headed up for the Saxer Lücke (a small pass,
for hikers only) with an incredible view on the Kreuzberge.




4. Kreuzberge, 500c/m, 80mm Planar+Polarizer, Velvia RVP

These mountains consist of limestone, and there are numerous (yet
very demanding) climbing routes there. We approached it more, and I could
not resist to take another frame...




5. Kreuzberge, 500c/m, 50mm Distagon, Velvia RVP

It is hard to convey that sense of impression these mountains evoke.




6. yours truly, thanks to Frank, how took the picture...

It is also hard, to give You an impression of the sheer one step behind
me. ;-)

We had a good lunch at the next mountain inn, drank a bottle a very fine
white vine - and took a less demanding route back to the valley.




7. Sämtisertal, 500c/m, 80mm Planar, Provia 100F

Btw, the peak in the center is mount Hoher Kasten where the hiking
tour started.

I hope You enjoyed this hiking tour as much as I did - but I fear,
this is about impossible, since this day was a day of pure pleasure.

Best regards
Peter


PS: any critique or comments is very welcome. I had some troubles
with underexposed slides. Also the harsh sunlight was a bit annoying.

[nikonbob]

Boy, there really is no substitute for larger formats than 35mm. There is something about mountains that I can't put my finger on, they are amazing to be in. Thank you for sharing your day trip with us, I thoroughly enjoyed your post.

Bob

[mickeyobe]

"I hope You enjoyed this hiking tour as much as I did..."

Peter, I certainly did.
They are beautiful pictures of spectacular scenery.

Thank you,

Mickey

[Rachel]

Pretty impressive scenery and photos Peters.

[PeterW]

What can I say? Absolutely stunning pictures. A combination of medium format film, a Hasselblad, Zeiss lenses, wonderful scenery and a photographer with a really good sense of a picture. Hard to beat!

Take care on your hiking trips. Just the picture of that sheer drop behind you is enough to give a person vertigo - and I'd hate to hear of the Hassselblad getting damaged in a fall - and you also of course.

PeterW

[Michael Fraley]

Spectacular! I especially like #2, 3, and 4.. and of course you with Zorro. Thanks for taking the time to post these, they are wonderful.

[Peter S.]

Dear Friends,

Thank You for that warm response!
I updated no. 5 for a version, where I tried to lighten the shadows.
The shadows still look a bit reddish. Maybe I can fix this during the
next time.

Btw, I am just preparing another series, which I took a few days
ago using my XD-7.

Best regards
Peter

[Peter S.]

OK, updated - I think it's OK now.
P

[paulatukcamera]

Outstanding pictures (& scenery)

Many years since I visited the mountains - your pictures really make me want to return.

Being cowardly, just enquiring if there is a nearby rack & pinion railway?

Paul

[Peter S.]

Dear Paul,

despite of the fact, that Switzerland might be the country with the best railway coverage,
there are only a couple of teleferics to go up to Alpstein. But Swiss teleferics are for sure
about the safest in the world. There are rail-and-pinion railways in other parts of Switzerland.
Alpstein has less altitude than other parts of Switzerland. Pretty handy when it comes to
breathing.

Best regards
Peter

[Peter S.]

Hi Ron,

as an engineer I am trained to be precise: there was about 1m at about 45° and then came a
deep sheer.

But (as You might have guessed by my relaxed look towards the camera ;-) ) I felt comfortable
standing firmly with both feet on solid ground. Without any intention to take a jump.

The situation was less comfortable a few days before, when I took this one...



:-)

P