Hikers at Larch – Saas-Grund to Gspon (T2)

We might be a bit early in the season, but let's try: Go to Valais to see how far the Larch trees are in their change to their yellow-orange-golden autumn colours.
Plus: There is one of the water catchment canals («Suonen») to explore between Gspon and Saas-Grund.

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OUTBOUND TRAVEL:

• 06:50h: Meet under the «Blue Angel»
• 07:02h: IC8 (direction Brig) to Visp
• 07:20h: Optional: Breakfast in the dining car
• 09:14h: Postauto 511 from Visp (direction Saas-Fee)
• 09:48h: Arrival at «Saas-Grund, Bergbahnen» & start of the hike

THE HIKE:

• Duration: 5h (plus breaks)
• Distance: 15km
• Maximum altitude: 2'280m
• Ascent/descent: 1'000m/650m
• SAC classification: T2 (red-white markings)
• Map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=en&photos=yes&layers=Wanderland%2CStation&trackId=6216323

ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

• https://www.wandersite.ch/Tageswanderung/632_Oberwallis.html

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Status regaring the orange-yellow-golden autumn colours:
  https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/summer-autumn/autumn/foliage-map/
• «Suonen» water catchment canals:
  https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suone
• Photos 2019: https://www.meetup.com/zurich-hike-outdoor/photos/30461013/
• Photos 2022: https://www.meetup.com/zurich-hike-outdoor/photos/32906907/

LUNCH:

• Picnic

RETURN TRAVEL (target):

• 16:40h: Cable car down from «Gspon (Bergstation)» to Staldenried and onwards to «Stalden-Saas (Talstation)»
• 17:08h: Local train RE 42 «Stalden-Saas» to Visp
• 17:29h: IC6 Visp to Olten
• 19:20h: IC5 Olten to Zürich HB
• 19:56h: Arrival back at Zürich HB

Alternatively, from Gspon at 16:10h or 17:10h (faster and less changes, but in a very full IC8 train)

COST w/HALBTAX:

• Special offer «Day-pass for 2» at CHF 78.- for two (plus drinks /food)
  I.e. CHF 39.- per head.
  https://www.sbb.ch/en/campaign/day-pass-for-2.html
  - Only one person of the two needs a Halbtax.
  - I suggest we agree on the pairs of two beforehand via the comments section (esp. as some need the pass already to get to HB)
  - Can be bought via the SBB mobile app.
  - Note: Return travel must be together as well!
• The cable car down is public transport covered by the daypass and GA.

COST w/GA:

• Fully covered (plus drinks /food)

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DISCLAIMER:
By joining the walk you accept the terms listed here.

This is NOT a guided tour. Instead, this is a get-together of individuals who themselves are responsible for their judgement, choices and actions.

It is your own responsibility to prepare appropriately before the event:
You need to understand what activity is foreseen, assess the difficulty, risks and dangers and the expected weather conditions.

Furthermore, you need to assess the requirements regarding experience, capabilities and fitness condition, and judge if you personally have the necessary experience, capabilities and fitness level.
You yourself also need to assure adequate preparation, equipment (boots, clothes, gear...) and insurance cover and do everything as if you were going by yourself.

During the event it is also your own responsibility to apply your own judgement and to take considerate responsible decisions yourself, fully within your own responsibility and judgement.

The event is entirely at your own risk. The organiser also does not warrant on the accuracy or completeness of the description above. The organiser just offers you to join one another and to go together, but holds no responsibility for anything, including injuries or death that might result directly or indirectly from this event.