Alittlebitoutoffocus

Alittlebitoutoffocus

Quite a number of my walks go via mountain huts, or cabanes as they are called, possibly because they serve refreshments 🙂 , but mainly because they are built in some fantastic positions, with wonderful views.  Today was no exception, as I drove for 20 minutes up to Arolla and then walked from there up to the Cabane de la Tsa (@2,607m / 8,550ft).

On the way, I captured a number of ‘different’ flowers, but I was particularly pleased to discover that my Alpine Flora book described the Tansy-leaved Rocket (see Pic 12) as being “rather rare” and occurring only in the SW region of the Valais in Switzerland.   It also said that it only flowers in July, so I think this was quite a fortunate find.  🙂

In case you are wondering, the significance of the 1291 on the beer can, is that it was the year the Swiss Confederation was formed.

13 responses

  1. mawil1 Avatar
    mawil1

    Mountain cabins that serve refreshments? Beats a bothy! Switzerland is looking more attractive all the time!

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      Yes, I should do an article on mountain huts. The majority are more like 2 or 3 star hotels. They all vary, but most are staffed with a group of people serving evening meals and a basic breakfast. My walk with my mates last year (see e.g. https://alittlebitoutoffocus.com/2016/09/06/swiss-national-route-6-day-1-of-4/) went from hut to hut. It saves a lot of descending back to to the towns or villages!

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  2. Jackie Avatar
    Jackie

    Oh my goodness! All of your captures are beautiful. What an amazing view!! 😀

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      Thank you Jackie. The weather got greyer and greyer, so some of the pictures are a little dull, but I was pleased with the various plants that I found. Every walk has its surprises it seems! 🙂

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  3. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    That looks like quite a loop you made. Do you know how far around it is? That little thrush is well hidden, isn’t he. Lovely pictures! You always get great shots of the butterflies too!

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      Yes, my Swiss mobile Plus app tells me it was 7.69 km (4.75 m) with 781 m (2,562ft) of ascent and a hiking time of 3h 40mins. (I didn’t take my GPS, so I cannot verify that it’s what I did, but it seems about right). I heard some ‘shcreek’ing in the woods and looked to see what was making the noise, as it sounded unusual, and that’s what it must have been. We get a few of them in the fields about this time of year. As for the butterflies, there are so many… and it gives me a chance to have a rest while I capture them on camera! 🙂

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      1. Paula Avatar
        Paula

        All that climbing is what keeps you so conditioned for your marathons, 😁. An amazing hike.

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        1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
          Alittlebitoutoffocus

          I guess it keeps me ticking along, but you can’t beat pounding those roads or streets for getting really fit! 🙂

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  4. CeeJayKay Avatar
    CeeJayKay

    #privileged just wow!

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      I’m glad you enjoyed the photos – it makes the effort hiking up there really worthwhile! 🙂 I hope to visit more huts this summer, as well as some peaks of course!

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  5. Jet Eliot Avatar
    Jet Eliot

    Another fantastic and picturesque hike, Mike. And how fortunate to come upon the Tansy-leaved Rocket in July.

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      Yes, it was a wonderful find. It didn’t look anything unusual, but life is full of surprises! 🙂

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  6. Walk from Arolla to Evolène, via the Cabane de la Tsa | Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
    Walk from Arolla to Evolène, via the Cabane de la Tsa | Alittlebitoutoffocus

    […] of the yellow flower below (which, if correct, is quite rare), but what should I come across but my own image from this same walk 2 years ago!  However, it looks nothing like this one, so one of them is wrong, maybe even both are wrong.  […]

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