{"id":3833,"date":"2012-07-23T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2012-07-23T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=3833"},"modified":"2024-06-19T07:25:26","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T11:25:26","slug":"climbing-mount-rothorn-in-switzerland-plus-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/climbing-mount-rothorn-in-switzerland-plus-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Climbing Mount Rothorn in Switzerland [plus Video]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I love the mountains, and I love hiking in the mountains. And despite the love-hate relationship I have with the actual act of climbing; I love the exhilaration of pushing my boundaries and reaching summits (and then, of course, making it back down to tell the story).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So on arrival to the cottage that is part of my house-sitting gig<\/a> in Switzerland, I was delighted at the sight of a mountain range within spitting distance of my backyard. I immediately honed in on what would be my first summit attempt in Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was originally published in 2012. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.<\/em>

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\"Mount<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On Hiking Solo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I’ve never done any serious solo hiking in the mountains. So I was trepidatious about taking on Mount Rothorn (or any mountain) on my own; from being nervous about encountering a crazy shepherd who would hold me prisoner in their mountainside farmhouse, to fearing a simple slip and incapacitating ankle twist<\/em>, I was aware that I needed to be extra careful when hiking solo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So in addition to the standard provisions and foul-weather gear that accompanies me on any mountain hike, I had my phone<\/a> with the various Swiss emergency numbers programmed, and I was sure to let a few people know where I was going so they could send out the cavalry if I didn’t return.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"the<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On Fitness and Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The last time I was in an alpine environment was almost a year ago in Ukraine<\/a> as a side-excursion while amidst the Ultimate Train Challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being horribly out of practice, I always seem to think I can summon up some sort of deep inner strength to get me to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As if physical fitness levels and recent practice with long upward hikes are somehow irrelevant to the mission at hand. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Swiss<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On Having Maps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh yeah. Maps. I had none. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I did, however do a little research online, and I could tell there was a route to the top. (That’s good enough, isn’t it?!)

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About Mount Rothorn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Given (or despite) the above debilitating factors, Mount Rothorn was a good choice of endeavour. I was assured by a few people that the path was very well marked, cell phone reception would be available the whole way up, and best of all \u2013 there was a gondola available to assist my journey back down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these elements of civilization, I felt relatively comfortable in tackling Mount Rothorn as my first solo summit attempt.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"a<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

But enough of my written diatribe about the event. I promise you’ll find much more entertainment dedicating the next five minutes to watching this video of my slow ascent up Mount Rothorn \u2013 and slow descent into insanity<\/em> \u2013 including an awesome time lapse of the 1,400+ metre descent, and a messy outtake at the end.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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