FROM THE OLD and pleasant village of Maienfeld, a footpath winds through green, shady meadows to the foot of the mountains, which look down from their stern and lofty heights upon the valley below. The climber has not gone far before he begins to breathe the fragrance of the short grass and sturdy mountains plants, for the way is steep and leads directly up to the summits above?.

The place, where Heidi lived was Maienfeld (as described above). It is in the east part of Switzerland (one hour from Zürich). We will explore the mountains of the opposite side of the valley. You will have a great view of Maienfeld and the mountains where Heidi lived. This hiking route is known as Five Lakes Hiking Trip, because we will visit five little beautiful lakes.

There are two routes you can chose depending on your strength

Group A. Hiking tour for everyone:

Five Lakes Hiking Trip

This hiking trip is designed for everyone. It includes 550m uphill altogether. You need neither experience, special equipment nor an extraordinary physical condition.

Duration 3-4 hours

From Pizolhütte and Wangsersee (see=lake in German) (2224m) we will go up to Wildsee (2493m), where we have a great view of Pizol and the little glacier. After the Wildsee we will go down to Schottensee (2335m). We will go up again to a pass called Scharzplangg (2551m) and then go down to Schwarzsee (2368m). We will have lunch there. After lunch we will go down to Baschalvasee (2174m) and to the Bergstation Gaffia (1800m), where we will take a cable car down to the village Wangs. It is not possible to swim in the lakes, because they are too cold and dangerous.

This trip is relativly easy and gives you a great view.

Group B. Advanced trip:

Hiking trip to the summit of PIZOL (2848m)

This is a trip for people, with good condition and good hiking shoes. It includes 600m uphill to Pizol and either 600m or 1800m downhill. To reach the summit of Pizol we have to cross a glacier. If the condition of the glacier is O.K. we will climb up to the summit of Pizol (2848m). Otherwise we will walk up to the other summit. After climbing Pizol, we may join Group A or climb up other summit. We can discuss. The number of the people in Group B will be limited.

Walking time: around 5-(6) hours.

All guides are coming from the area where we will make this hiking trip. They know this mountains very well and are very experienced in mountain hiking.

DATE: Saturday: 9 SEPTEMBER 2000

ONLY WITH GOOD WEATHER CONDITION!

The day before the event (September 8st) I will send an e-mail to the trainee-list, if the hiking trip takes place or not.

MEETING POINT: Bad Ragaz railway station

MEETING TIME: 8 30 AM

You can reach Bad Ragaz from Zürich with the train which departs from Zürich mainstation at 7 10 in direction Chur. It stops at Thalwil, Wädenswil, Pfäffikon, Ziegelbrücke and Sargans before Bad Ragaz. DO NOT TAKE THE TRAIN AT 7 33 BECAUSE IT DOESN`T STOP AT BAD RAGAZ and you will miss the whole event.

RETURN TRIP:

We will back in Sargans in stead of Bad Ragaz between 17 00 and 19 00

COST:

about 15 Fr. for trainees and members of IAESTE

35 Fr. for guests without Half-Fare Ticket

20 Fr. for guests with Half-Fare Ticket

The money will be collected at the beginning of the hiking.

Remember that the railway ticket to Bad Ragaz and the return ticket from Sargans is not included. Bring your own food and drink with you.

The ticket from Zürich to Bad Ragaz costs 32 Fr. one way. We will be back at the railway station around 17 to 19 p.m. If you have Gleis 7 / voie 7 / binario 7, you can probably use it for your journey back home. Train departs from Sargans at Zürich at 18 40, 19 40, 20 40,..

WHAT YOU HAVE TO BRING WITH YOU:

1. good, heavy hiking shoes, warm cloths and Rucksack

2. food and drink for the whole day

3. personal items like camera, sun cream, sun glasses, cap,..

INSURANCE:

Please take care of your own insurance if necessary. Neither IAESTE nor the organizers will be responsible in case of accident.

REGISTRATION:

The registration procedure is the same as usual. If you have no internet-access by e-mail to uwalser@hotmail.com. Because of time pressure I will answer your question only twice a week.

Heidi and Peter are looking forward to seeing you!

See you in the mountain trip!

Urs

Summary of the story of Heidi

Orphaned at the age of five, Heidi is forced to live with her solitary grandfather who dwells in a lonely cottage high in the Alps. Neighbors say the old man is a fierce hermit but Heidi soon learns that her grandfather is kind, hearded and wise. She grows to love her life in the learns that her grandfather is kind, hearded and wise. She grows to love her life in the mountains with Grandfather, Peter, and the animals - and then Aunt Dete arrives. Life changes dramatically for Heidi when Aunt Dete sends her down to the village to be a companion to Clara, a sick little girl. The girls become close friends, but Heidi can`t hide her homesickness; she desperately longs for her mountain home?

This story was written over hundred years ago by Johanna Spyri from Zürich.

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