The Haute Route – Day 12, September 2

Cabane Bella Tola 2346m – Meidpass 2790m – Gruben 1822m

An unusually colored mountain, Bella Tola, and its rugged area are strangely beautiful. After lunch at the steep col of Meidpass with our Haute Route hiking mates from Massachusetts, we started going down to another valley, Turtmanntal.
In descending the valley we spotted majestic Weisshorn. The clouds were hiding the top of the mountain but its horns are pointy (like horns) and the glacier massive. We were so excited with this mountain that we stopped at cute Meid-Mittelstafel, where a collection of small wooden houses gather, and simply sat and admired, waiting for the clouds to move away, uttering “Sugoi sugoi (=fabulous)!”

Cabane de Balla Tola in the morning

With the American team

Our trail in the mist

Lac de l’Armina 2562m

Sano-san and the American team

Karen, from the American team. We walked together on that day.

Our trail

Surrounded by the mist

Bella Tola peak (?), this mountain looks like an impressionist paining.

Steep uphill to Meidpass (2790m)

Walking up to Meidpass

The half is hiding in the mist.

Finally, today’s highest point, Meidpass 2790m

We came down from this pass!

Pointing to Gruben, today’s goal

Majestic Weisshorn in the clouds

Weisshorn above the glacier. The peak was in and out from the clouds and we just sat there and watched this nature spectacle.

Meienoberstafel, some cute mountain houses

Meiden Oberstafel 2334m

A hamlet of Gruben

A view from Gruben’s hotel room