The 7-Egg-Wanderung (7 eggs walk) takes in some of Canton Schwyz's most stunning pre Alpine scenery and, not far from Zurich by train, it was too much of a temptation for Tim and me to forego on a sunny day like yesterday. Greasy with SPF but raring to go, we took the Hoch Ybrig Laucheren chair lift up about 400 metres and were rewarded (effortlessly) with some poetic views. As we climbed higher, eventually reaching the Spirstock summit (1856m), we crossed obstinate snow fields and looked over to white peaks in the distance. In one direction, we could see Lake Lucerne with Mount Pilatus arising from it and, in the other, majestic mountains Toedi and Hoch Pfaffen (Swiss for 'Big Faff' - NB. This is Tim's translation!)
Behind us was the Druesberg (2,282m) - it looks like a cluster of Lego blocks thrown together. After a brief photo stop with the summit cross, we continued along the shoulder towards Ibergeregg, marvelling at the peace and quiet. Underfoot, flowers were blooming among grass still recovering from the snow cover. I managed to identify white crocuses and snow gentians. Ibergeregg was quite a built-up part of the route and accessible by a road, which led to inevitable sights of people 'hiking' in flip flops.
The route is interesting, however, because it has been used for hundreds of years connecting Schwyz and Hoch Ybrig. The next stretch was quite gentle - and perhaps therefore busy - but we found an idyllic picnic spot for lunch and a tap streaming with alpine spring water. Tim started working on me here, as we gazed ahead to a rock-like summit thrusting up on the horizon - the Grosser Mythen (Big myth). Reaching almost 2,000 metres above sea level, its rocky shoulders look impossible to ascend. "Wouldn't it be nice to say we have climbed that too?" He said. "Imagine what the views will be like from the summit." "Just think how much you would like to say you have climbed it." "Let's climb it now and then we'll have 'done' this part of Switzerland." Even though we have already scaled one summit and walked 13 kilometres in between?
As we approached, however, the summit looked marginally less imposing and I could see a steady stream of people traipsing up (including children and elderly people, which is perhaps what gave me the final push). Apparently there has been a path up it since 1864. Oh, and the flag was flying on the hut at the top - which meant it was open! We refreshed with Schorli (a tasty apple juice mixed with sparkling water) at the Holzegg hut. And then it was up... for the next 45 minutes ...
One of my favourite parts of the walk was seeing a cluster of solitary wild daffodils clutching to a sheer edge. Another, as we approached the summit, was a German chap stopping us to say he had a "short announcement" for the "Herr" and proceeded to tell Tim that sadly he had drunk all the beer in the hut at the top and so he should probably descend right away! Fortunately for Tim the guy had a sense of humour! At the summit, we felt as if helicopters and planes were swooping around us - there must have been a lot of sight seeing trips going on. We were so high up and on such a small platform - I certainly wouldn't want to be caught up there in a storm. The slog uphill was worth it for the views and the cute little hut and, really, it wasn't so bad. Uphill done for a short burst like that passes surprisingly quickly. Before we knew it, we had descended to Brunni and were enjoying a slice of apricot cake while waiting for the bus. I have remembered why I love living in Alpine places (the winter had made me forget it for a while...!)
