| P & O Tours held their fifth trip to The Continent this June visiting Zermatt and The Matterhorn. Messrs Patten, Ollerenshaw, Benison and new youngster Gwyn Flitters enjoyed a strenuous 10 day stay amongst the 4000 metre peaks in the Swiss resort. More snow had fallen in May than the winter so while it looked gorgeous to the photographers, some routes were out of bounds. While Britain drowned, the party enjoyed glorious weather with only one off day of rain. The excellent Hotel Jaegerhof offered four course evening meals for £12 and sumptuous breakfasts, but the odd sneaky chair-lift set them back £20+, but always up, never down. Zermatt itself is at 5300ft and many walks took them over 9000ft with stunning views over the many glaciers and up to the Breithorn, Weisshorn, Rimpelfischorn amongst many others. The Matterhorn as ever held all eyes with its constant changing cloud patterns. Brave efforts were made to reach the Hörnli Hut on the ridge of the same name but snow defeated them. Another day saw John O pioneer a new and untried route alongside and sometimes we hear on or under the Gorner glacier. While the main party enjoyed a relaxing rest in the bar, he struggled in three hours later with blood and wounds apparent saying "never again . . . " or words to that effect. Wild flowers were in profusion and animals seen included many marmots and chamoix, but no ibex though they are supposed to be around. All in all a magnificent return to this magical mountain resort. |
(above)"Seen one Matterhorn, they're all the same." (below left) "How are my shares doing?" (centre) " snow, what snow?" (right) "Wish they'd hurry up in there" |
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