September 11 - Hike from Kreuzboden Lift to
Saas-Almagell
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
10:54:13
2019:09:11
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10:54:27
2019:09:11
My lodging was a ground floor apartment in Haus
Wedeli.
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11:02:14
2019:09:11
Bottom station for the lift to Hohsaas and Kreuzboden.
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11:11:12
2019:09:11
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11:13:04
2019:09:11
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11:18:25
2019:09:11
The lower lift ended at Kreuzboden. I boarded the
upper lift to visit Hohsaas.
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11:24:25
2019:09:11
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11:25:17
2019:09:11
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11:25:26
2019:09:11
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11:27:47
2019:09:11
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11:28:05
2019:09:11
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11:29:03
2019:09:11
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11:31:08
2019:09:11
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11:31:22
2019:09:11
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11:31:37
2019:09:11
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11:31:44
2019:09:11
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11:32:19
2019:09:11
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11:32:48
2019:09:11
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11:34:37
2019:09:11
A path led upward from the top lift station to a
viewpoint above. The snow-covered path led past
monuments dedicated to summits in the view.
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11:35:24
2019:09:11
Each monument had an informative poster describing the
first ascent of the peak and displaying a rock sample
from it.
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11:36:02
2019:09:11
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11:36:57
2019:09:11
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11:38:27
2019:09:11
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11:38:49
2019:09:11
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11:40:31
2019:09:11
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11:42:02
2019:09:11
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11:42:25
2019:09:11
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11:44:56
2019:09:11
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11:45:15
2019:09:11
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11:46:06
2019:09:11
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11:47:13
2019:09:11
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11:48:00
2019:09:11
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11:48:10
2019:09:11
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11:48:34
2019:09:11
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11:48:46
2019:09:11
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11:49:37
2019:09:11
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11:49:55
2019:09:11
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11:53:02
2019:09:11
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11:58:07
2019:09:11
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12:01:43
2019:09:11
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12:05:49
2019:09:11
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12:06:23
2019:09:11
I'd considered walking to this hut, Weissmieshutte, as
viewed from the lift, but I chose other options.
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12:06:49
2019:09:11
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12:07:07
2019:09:11
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12:11:54
2019:09:11
From the midstation, Kreuzboden, I set off to walk to
Saas-Almagel.
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12:13:36
2019:09:11
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12:13:46
2019:09:11
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12:30:16
2019:09:11
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12:32:19
2019:09:11
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12:36:57
2019:09:11
Looking back at Kreuzboden.
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12:38:17
2019:09:11
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12:46:44
2019:09:11
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13:03:48
2019:09:11
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13:07:51
2019:09:11
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13:10:03
2019:09:11
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13:14:15
2019:09:11
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13:14:47
2019:09:11
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13:17:10
2019:09:11
The route included a few 'assisted' stretches.
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13:21:20
2019:09:11
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13:21:36
2019:09:11
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13:21:57
2019:09:11
View across the valley; Saas-Grund at the lower right,
Saas-Fee in the center.
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13:24:16
2019:09:11
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13:26:24
2019:09:11
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13:26:35
2019:09:11
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13:31:51
2019:09:11
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13:32:50
2019:09:11
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13:35:08
2019:09:11
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13:36:48
2019:09:11
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13:44:36
2019:09:11
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13:45:55
2019:09:11
The walking was scenic and pleasant, on a 'balcony'
trail, largely horizontal along the valley wall.
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13:53:40
2019:09:11
Looking south, in the distance, the Mattmark Dam and
reservoir fills the end of the valley. A hike
option starts at the dam and ascends to the Italian
border at the Monte Moro Pass.
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13:57:13
2019:09:11
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14:00:47
2019:09:11
The route turned away from the main valley, Saastal,
and began to descend.
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14:02:44
2019:09:11
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14:02:51
2019:09:11
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14:02:57
2019:09:11
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14:05:36
2019:09:11
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14:07:44
2019:09:11
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14:08:16
2019:09:11
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14:09:14
2019:09:11
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14:39:11
2019:09:11
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14:39:53
2019:09:11
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14:40:17
2019:09:11
Almagelleralp.
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14:44:39
2019:09:11
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14:45:06
2019:09:11
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14:45:29
2019:09:11
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14:46:01
2019:09:11
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14:47:52
2019:09:11
The side valley leading from Almagelleralp was
generally pleasant.
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15:08:07
2019:09:11
But the trek culminated in a steep descent to
Saas-Almagell, located on the floor of the main
valley. My knees might have appreciated my continuing
to a lift down to Saas-Almagell - instead of
negotiating the steep descent.
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15:52:15
2019:09:11
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15:59:37
2019:09:11
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September 12 - Hike Gsponer Hohenweg from
Kreuzboden Lift to Gspon
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
09:06:42
2019:09:12
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11:05:24
2019:09:12
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11:15:21
2019:09:12
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11:33:17
2019:09:12
Back at the Kreuzboden lift station, my plan was to
walk the valley wall 'balcony' path in the other
direction, northward, to hike the 'Gsponer Hohenweg'
to Gspon.
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11:33:33
2019:09:12
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11:33:51
2019:09:12
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11:40:35
2019:09:12
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11:45:51
2019:09:12
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11:47:34
2019:09:12
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11:49:43
2019:09:12
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11:52:53
2019:09:12
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11:56:52
2019:09:12
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11:57:06
2019:09:12
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11:57:20
2019:09:12
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11:57:50
2019:09:12
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11:58:50
2019:09:12
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12:01:25
2019:09:12
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12:04:41
2019:09:12
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12:07:15
2019:09:12
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12:09:40
2019:09:12
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12:18:44
2019:09:12
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12:18:56
2019:09:12
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12:19:31
2019:09:12
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12:19:40
2019:09:12
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12:20:02
2019:09:12
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12:25:06
2019:09:12
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12:42:19
2019:09:12
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12:45:18
2019:09:12
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12:58:15
2019:09:12
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13:03:12
2019:09:12
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13:09:04
2019:09:12
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13:21:15
2019:09:12
Scenic spot to recharge my Camelbak and change into
short pants. It was a pleasant, cool day (maybe 65F?)
but with a clear(!) sky, the sun felt quite intense.
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13:36:21
2019:09:12
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13:41:20
2019:09:12
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13:47:26
2019:09:12
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13:47:46
2019:09:12
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13:49:19
2019:09:12
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13:55:53
2019:09:12
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13:56:37
2019:09:12
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13:57:25
2019:09:12
I encountered a few individual hikers and couples, but
the route felt pretty solitary.
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13:58:45
2019:09:12
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13:59:18
2019:09:12
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13:59:34
2019:09:12
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13:59:46
2019:09:12
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13:59:53
2019:09:12
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14:00:03
2019:09:12
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14:00:50
2019:09:12
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14:08:24
2019:09:12
I was surprised to see a large group of hikers
approaching.
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14:08:51
2019:09:12
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14:13:09
2019:09:12
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14:14:15
2019:09:12
The group had traveled from Geneva for the hike.
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14:14:35
2019:09:12
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14:19:55
2019:09:12
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14:23:53
2019:09:12
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14:29:47
2019:09:12
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14:31:39
2019:09:12
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14:32:23
2019:09:12
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14:33:08
2019:09:12
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14:45:11
2019:09:12
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14:45:59
2019:09:12
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15:02:25
2019:09:12
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15:04:22
2019:09:12
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15:23:11
2019:09:12
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15:34:05
2019:09:12
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15:36:57
2019:09:12
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15:40:36
2019:09:12
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15:41:47
2019:09:12
Emerging from the woods in my descent toward Gspon, I
cam upon this small village with its tiny chapel.
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15:42:11
2019:09:12
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15:44:23
2019:09:12
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16:01:01
2019:09:12
Gspon.
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16:14:57
2019:09:12
Approaching Gspon.
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16:16:55
2019:09:12
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16:17:06
2019:09:12
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16:22:23
2019:09:12
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September 13 - Walk
Across Glacier from Felskinn toward Britannia Hut - Explore Saas-Fee Lifts
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
10:14:47
2019:09:13
Awakening to another clear, spectacular day, I figured
this was my day to ride up to Felskinn and try the
glacier walk, and then to ride the other available
lifts from Saas-Fee to see what I could see.
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10:25:07
2019:09:13
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10:27:38
2019:09:13
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10:39:32
2019:09:13
An underground train led from Felskinn to
Mittelallalin, where there was active skiing. Many of
the skiers, there for training, were Olympians and
other high-powered competitors.
I didn't visit Mittelallalin, but headed out to look at
Felskinn.
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10:43:54
2019:09:13
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10:44:29
2019:09:13
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10:44:45
2019:09:13
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10:45:15
2019:09:13
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10:45:50
2019:09:13
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10:46:17
2019:09:13
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10:47:32
2019:09:13
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10:48:11
2019:09:13
A trampled route led across the glacier toward
Britannia Hut.
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10:48:20
2019:09:13
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10:57:32
2019:09:13
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10:57:58
2019:09:13
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11:01:08
2019:09:13
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11:01:21
2019:09:13
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11:05:05
2019:09:13
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11:06:35
2019:09:13
It appeared that the trail led across a
crevasse.
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11:08:50
2019:09:13
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11:09:53
2019:09:13
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11:10:02
2019:09:13
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11:11:27
2019:09:13
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11:18:27
2019:09:13
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11:18:50
2019:09:13
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11:19:00
2019:09:13
I intended to walk to the Britannia Hut, visible on
the right. But the easy trail was closed due to
rockfall.
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11:19:12
2019:09:13
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11:20:45
2019:09:13
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11:22:40
2019:09:13
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11:22:52
2019:09:13
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11:23:06
2019:09:13
There was an alternative trail that approached the hut
from the left, but it was much longer and involved
substantial descent and ascent. I did not feel
acclimatized to the thin air at 9,000 feet - and I had
other ambitions for the day - so I abandoned the goal.
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11:23:48
2019:09:13
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11:24:01
2019:09:13
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11:24:10
2019:09:13
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11:24:19
2019:09:13
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11:24:35
2019:09:13
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11:25:17
2019:09:13
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11:26:27
2019:09:13
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11:26:39
2019:09:13
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11:26:55
2019:09:13
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11:27:09
2019:09:13
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11:28:23
2019:09:13
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11:28:45
2019:09:13
Looking back toward Felskinn.
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11:29:19
2019:09:13
Not reaching Britannia Hut, I only made it as far as
Egginerjoch.
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11:32:19
2019:09:13
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11:37:51
2019:09:13
I appreciated the fixed rope to hold onto as I skirted
the rock wall.
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11:38:12
2019:09:13
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11:38:25
2019:09:13
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11:38:37
2019:09:13
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11:38:58
2019:09:13
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11:39:51
2019:09:13
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11:40:28
2019:09:13
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11:40:57
2019:09:13
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11:41:27
2019:09:13
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11:42:49
2019:09:13
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11:46:07
2019:09:13
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11:54:22
2019:09:13
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11:57:48
2019:09:13
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11:59:34
2019:09:13
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12:00:02
2019:09:13
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12:01:21
2019:09:13
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12:01:29
2019:09:13
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12:04:49
2019:09:13
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12:05:16
2019:09:13
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12:33:41
2019:09:13
I lifted down to Saas-Fee. Then I boarded the lift to
Spielboden.
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12:33:58
2019:09:13
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12:34:36
2019:09:13
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12:43:05
2019:09:13
Riding up on the lift I spied these people below who
were feeding a marmot. I hastened to snap a photo, but
my frame only captured part of the marmot.
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12:44:09
2019:09:13
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12:44:57
2019:09:13
Spielboden.
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12:46:15
2019:09:13
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12:46:53
2019:09:13
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12:47:10
2019:09:13
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12:47:18
2019:09:13
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12:47:26
2019:09:13
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12:47:53
2019:09:13
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12:49:33
2019:09:13
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12:49:44
2019:09:13
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12:50:24
2019:09:13
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12:51:26
2019:09:13
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13:08:39
2019:09:13
I saw that
there was another lift heading upward from
Spielboden. My free lift pass granted entry,
so I rode to Langfluh.
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13:08:55
2019:09:13
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13:09:04
2019:09:13
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13:09:29
2019:09:13
Looking toward Felskinn.
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13:09:51
2019:09:13
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13:10:09
2019:09:13
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13:10:16
2019:09:13
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13:10:28
2019:09:13
Langfluh was perched on a small rock ridge between two
dying glaciers.
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13:10:41
2019:09:13
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13:11:35
2019:09:13
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13:11:58
2019:09:13
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13:12:12
2019:09:13
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13:12:24
2019:09:13
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13:12:48
2019:09:13
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13:12:56
2019:09:13
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13:13:10
2019:09:13
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13:13:42
2019:09:13
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13:14:06
2019:09:13
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13:14:21
2019:09:13
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13:15:30
2019:09:13
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13:15:39
2019:09:13
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13:18:40
2019:09:13
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13:20:45
2019:09:13
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13:21:42
2019:09:13
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13:40:03
2019:09:13
Lifting back down toward Saas-Fee.
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13:40:34
2019:09:13
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14:13:58
2019:09:13
I walked across Saas-Fee and lifted up to Hannig.
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14:14:08
2019:09:13
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14:14:23
2019:09:13
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14:14:30
2019:09:13
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14:14:50
2019:09:13
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14:14:56
2019:09:13
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14:15:05
2019:09:13
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14:15:29
2019:09:13
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14:15:36
2019:09:13
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14:15:54
2019:09:13
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14:16:12
2019:09:13
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14:18:17
2019:09:13
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14:18:26
2019:09:13
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14:18:35
2019:09:13
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14:19:31
2019:09:13
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14:20:35
2019:09:13
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14:20:58
2019:09:13
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14:21:07
2019:09:13
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14:27:38
2019:09:13
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14:27:47
2019:09:13
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September 14 - Hike Balcony Walk from Kreuzboden
Lift as Out-and-Back
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
11:12:08
2019:09:14
From the ear window, I noticed this hanging glacier in
the mountains behind my guest house.
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11:49:11
2019:09:14
With another spectacular day, I lifted back up to
Kreuzboden. I'd decided that I would repeat the
'balcony' part of the excellent 'balcony route' I'd
walked three days before, on 9/11.
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11:49:21
2019:09:14
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11:49:27
2019:09:14
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11:49:52
2019:09:14
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11:54:29
2019:09:14
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11:54:59
2019:09:14
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11:55:26
2019:09:14
A better view of the hanging glacier behind my
lodging.
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12:11:33
2019:09:14
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12:11:42
2019:09:14
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12:29:05
2019:09:14
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12:32:35
2019:09:14
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12:33:06
2019:09:14
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12:33:23
2019:09:14
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12:34:44
2019:09:14
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12:35:04
2019:09:14
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12:35:41
2019:09:14
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12:36:06
2019:09:14
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12:36:28
2019:09:14
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12:36:56
2019:09:14
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12:39:31
2019:09:14
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12:49:19
2019:09:14
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12:59:51
2019:09:14
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13:00:04
2019:09:14
Mattmark Dam and Reservoir.
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13:00:10
2019:09:14
I had not thought to look for the Britannia Hut during
my previous hike. Now, I saw that it is visible on a
ridge on the left. A trail - that should mostly be
within this view - goes from the hut to the closed
Plattjen lift, visible in the right foreground. I
don't see the trail.
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13:00:21
2019:09:14
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13:00:31
2019:09:14
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13:00:44
2019:09:14
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13:00:52
2019:09:14
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13:01:00
2019:09:14
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13:01:11
2019:09:14
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13:01:21
2019:09:14
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13:01:30
2019:09:14
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13:01:39
2019:09:14
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13:02:47
2019:09:14
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13:08:44
2019:09:14
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13:18:31
2019:09:14
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13:22:51
2019:09:14
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13:23:10
2019:09:14
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13:31:06
2019:09:14
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13:31:16
2019:09:14
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13:31:29
2019:09:14
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13:31:41
2019:09:14
Saas-Almagell.
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13:32:02
2019:09:14
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13:32:17
2019:09:14
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13:34:32
2019:09:14
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13:37:00
2019:09:14
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13:44:31
2019:09:14
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13:44:54
2019:09:14
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13:44:59
2019:09:14
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13:59:45
2019:09:14
Serious snow fences. I presume they prevent an
avalanche on Saas-Grund.
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14:00:02
2019:09:14
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14:03:52
2019:09:14
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14:13:02
2019:09:14
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14:15:24
2019:09:14
The safety appurtenances are generally reliable.
Occasionally, one finds an item in need of repair.
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14:41:49
2019:09:14
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14:42:11
2019:09:14
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14:42:39
2019:09:14
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14:43:04
2019:09:14
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14:56:07
2019:09:14
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15:10:07
2019:09:14
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15:10:29
2019:09:14
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15:11:17
2019:09:14
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16:06:55
2019:09:14
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16:07:04
2019:09:14
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16:07:17
2019:09:14
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10:10:06
2019:09:15
I enjoyed a comfortable apartment in Saas-Grund.
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10:10:21
2019:09:15
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10:10:35
2019:09:15
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10:10:47
2019:09:15
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10:11:01
2019:09:15
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10:11:10
2019:09:15
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10:11:41
2019:09:15
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10:12:00
2019:09:15
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10:12:18
2019:09:15
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10:13:59
2019:09:15
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10:14:23
2019:09:15
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