What a strange title, but read on - it will be entertaining! The last few weeks have been so exciting that instead of just announcements (you'll find them below), we want to share a few highlights (and particularly one adventure) in this newsletter.
The latter first. After the fresh snow on Thursday, Domi decided to pay a visit to the lonely Teufelscouloir (The Devil's Gully). This fantastic gully runs from the Nätschen in 1000 metres of steep powder deep into the famous Schöllenen Gorge. Far below, the cars curve up the road while we take turn after turn in the marvellous snow. Finally, there's a bit of abseiling over the last rock steps - we're prepared for that.
But now the big adventure begins. Unlike the Gully, the Schöllenen Gorge is not very wintry: the River Reuss is largely unfrozen and the cold water gurgles merrily along. And so we are soon confronted with the same situation as the people of Andermatt in the Middle Ages, who were also unable to find a way to cross the wild Schöllenen.
According to legend, the locals asked the devil himself for help. The devil agreed to build a bridge, but demanded the soul of the first creature to cross the bridge as the price. To outwit the devil, the Andermatters sent a goat to be the first to cross the bridge. Enraged by the trick, the devil smashed a huge boulder down the Schöllenen to destroy the bridge, which still lies far down near Göschenen today.
Okay. Modern times, similar situation. We preferred to get out of the gorge without the devil's help. But after some trial and error, it was clear that we wouldn't get out of here dry-shod. At one point, the ice seemed to be barely bearing. So Domi mounts his skis, takes a running start (...speed is your friend, right?) - and a little later sinks like the Titanic in the cold water. Yes, the Teufelscouloir has its price. The Schöllenen Gorge has lost none of its wildness since the Middle Ages. Only people seemed smarter back then...
After a quick change of clothes, we finally head to the Gemsstock for the last runs and still find some lines untracked. All in all, a great day! Perhaps we should also mention that Domi wasn't guiding that day, but was skiing privately. So you don't need to worry about an involuntary ice bath if you want to do the Teufelscouloir with us one day. We're working on other solutions!
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