otherwise known as "why the Mynatt family doesn't take 14 mile hikes in the Swiss Alps in the pouring rain and fog"
Answer: Because that's what Mr. Margene does!
This morning, as every morning here in Murren, we awake to Denise's hearty breakfast awaiting us in the big family room. This morning, as every morning here in Murren, we surround the tables like pigs at the trough :-) and what a time we have!
Just after breakfast the students head to the Coop grocery store across the street to stock up on snacks and drinks both for the hike and for dinner this evening.
Before you know it, we're assembled in front of the Chalet Fontana to begin our divergent paths with only a few stray forgotten Toblerone candy bars lying on the bench or fallen from our pockets to mark our starting point.
Mr. Margene doesn't "HAVE" to lead this hike...Mr. Margene "GETS" to lead it. He's been giddy with excitement for DAYS leading up to this point - kind of like a kid in a candy store (or a middle aged man in the Co-co Puffs Aisle ;-)
Today was the 14 mile hike with Marg or the Schilthorn with the Mynatt's. Twelve students chose the formidable hike and two chose the dryer option of the Schilthorn adventure. The Schilthorn is where the James Bond movie "In Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed. We boarded the Schilthornbahn gondola to be whisked up through the clouds to the very top of Piz Gloria where the view on a clear day is quite incredible. We also saw a small herd of ibex hopping over the mountains' steep almost vertical cliffs as well during our journey up. In addition to the revolving restaurant and James Bond memorabilia, Chance, Jackson and Haley re-enact the dramatic bobsled scene below! I also uploaded the video to Facebook which may be easier for your viewing enjoyment.
Because Mr. Margene was the hike leader extraordinaire today he will tell you about their trails and sites and accomplishments accompanied by his own photographs here:
*****************************************************
Let me start out explaining the hike by saying that when we asked this morning at about 9:30 who wanted to go on the hike I was expecting to lead 2 or 3 kids. Months ago they almost unanimously voted that they wanted to do a long, all day hike, but that decision was made in the comfort of a CAK classroom. I figured that after days of late nights and early mornings while traveling, many would be worn out and chose not to go. I was wrong. Twelve hands went up, we packed our bags and hit the trail within a few minutes.
I knew fairly quickly that despite being told earlier they didn't fully comprehend how difficult it was going to be. Before we were a mile out of Murren I already had 2 kids ask me about whether they could exercise that evening at the Sports Chalet. In their minds we were going for a walk. I told them sure, knowing full well how the Swiss like to build their trails. Here's an elevation profile for the day's hike:
That would be an 800m rise (or 2600 feet) in just 2.8 kilometers (or 1.7 miles). From years of hiking out in California I know that a 1000 foot climb in 1 mile is very steep. Today's hike was ridiculous! We had some great views and we shared a lot of laughs at the top of that mountain. Then we braved a steep decent in the rain on the way down. We even had a Swiss lady compliment us on our bravery!
But for the most part it was overwhelmingly cloudy and rainy, and that is the neatest thing about these kids, not a single complaint!
We hiked over 14 miles up and down steep Swiss trails... no complaining.
Eight of those miles were in a steady rain... no complaining.
45 degrees... no complaining.
We ate lunch at the top of the ridge. All you could see was a field of yellow buttercup flowers and a wall of fog beyond them. Instead of focusing on what they were missing they were all excited about what they could see. What a positive attitude! It was a blessing and honor to take your kids on a hike today and it will be a memory that will last with me for a long time.
P.S. By the time we were done with the hike, none of them were interested in working out any longer.
*****************************************************
At the end of the day when all of the troops are gathered safely back at home base Haley takes the group to the Sports Chalet on the high road in Murren where the students go swimming in the nice indoor heated pool and hot tub. It's a rough life, I know, but SOMEBODY'S gotta do it, right??
The last order of business on the agenda this evening is a group dinner. After group planning, group grocery shopping and group cooking (and hopefully group CLEANING), the students had a great meal all prepared at a fraction of the cost of super expensive restaurant food.
The evening has been full of fun, laughter, camaraderie and hopefully a little rest will follow tonight!
You may remember that the trip to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway in Europe, was originally scheduled today. But the forecasted BEST day of weather is to be Wednesday so we changed our reservation from today. That's why we constantly talk about flexibility with the students. Today could have been a total wash out because of the rain. But I think I just gave you the proof that our flexbility (and your prayers) turned this into an EXTREMELY fun day! Mrs. Mynatt even got to take a nap today (Shhhh, don't tell her I told you). Good night from Murren. Thankfully we've got two more incredible nights here!
Answer: Because that's what Mr. Margene does!
This morning, as every morning here in Murren, we awake to Denise's hearty breakfast awaiting us in the big family room. This morning, as every morning here in Murren, we surround the tables like pigs at the trough :-) and what a time we have!
Just after breakfast the students head to the Coop grocery store across the street to stock up on snacks and drinks both for the hike and for dinner this evening.
Before you know it, we're assembled in front of the Chalet Fontana to begin our divergent paths with only a few stray forgotten Toblerone candy bars lying on the bench or fallen from our pockets to mark our starting point.
Mr. Margene doesn't "HAVE" to lead this hike...Mr. Margene "GETS" to lead it. He's been giddy with excitement for DAYS leading up to this point - kind of like a kid in a candy store (or a middle aged man in the Co-co Puffs Aisle ;-)
Today was the 14 mile hike with Marg or the Schilthorn with the Mynatt's. Twelve students chose the formidable hike and two chose the dryer option of the Schilthorn adventure. The Schilthorn is where the James Bond movie "In Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed. We boarded the Schilthornbahn gondola to be whisked up through the clouds to the very top of Piz Gloria where the view on a clear day is quite incredible. We also saw a small herd of ibex hopping over the mountains' steep almost vertical cliffs as well during our journey up. In addition to the revolving restaurant and James Bond memorabilia, Chance, Jackson and Haley re-enact the dramatic bobsled scene below! I also uploaded the video to Facebook which may be easier for your viewing enjoyment.
Because Mr. Margene was the hike leader extraordinaire today he will tell you about their trails and sites and accomplishments accompanied by his own photographs here:
*****************************************************
Let me start out explaining the hike by saying that when we asked this morning at about 9:30 who wanted to go on the hike I was expecting to lead 2 or 3 kids. Months ago they almost unanimously voted that they wanted to do a long, all day hike, but that decision was made in the comfort of a CAK classroom. I figured that after days of late nights and early mornings while traveling, many would be worn out and chose not to go. I was wrong. Twelve hands went up, we packed our bags and hit the trail within a few minutes.
I knew fairly quickly that despite being told earlier they didn't fully comprehend how difficult it was going to be. Before we were a mile out of Murren I already had 2 kids ask me about whether they could exercise that evening at the Sports Chalet. In their minds we were going for a walk. I told them sure, knowing full well how the Swiss like to build their trails. Here's an elevation profile for the day's hike:
But for the most part it was overwhelmingly cloudy and rainy, and that is the neatest thing about these kids, not a single complaint!
We hiked over 14 miles up and down steep Swiss trails... no complaining.
Eight of those miles were in a steady rain... no complaining.
45 degrees... no complaining.
We ate lunch at the top of the ridge. All you could see was a field of yellow buttercup flowers and a wall of fog beyond them. Instead of focusing on what they were missing they were all excited about what they could see. What a positive attitude! It was a blessing and honor to take your kids on a hike today and it will be a memory that will last with me for a long time.
P.S. By the time we were done with the hike, none of them were interested in working out any longer.
*****************************************************
At the end of the day when all of the troops are gathered safely back at home base Haley takes the group to the Sports Chalet on the high road in Murren where the students go swimming in the nice indoor heated pool and hot tub. It's a rough life, I know, but SOMEBODY'S gotta do it, right??
The last order of business on the agenda this evening is a group dinner. After group planning, group grocery shopping and group cooking (and hopefully group CLEANING), the students had a great meal all prepared at a fraction of the cost of super expensive restaurant food.
The evening has been full of fun, laughter, camaraderie and hopefully a little rest will follow tonight!
You may remember that the trip to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway in Europe, was originally scheduled today. But the forecasted BEST day of weather is to be Wednesday so we changed our reservation from today. That's why we constantly talk about flexibility with the students. Today could have been a total wash out because of the rain. But I think I just gave you the proof that our flexbility (and your prayers) turned this into an EXTREMELY fun day! Mrs. Mynatt even got to take a nap today (Shhhh, don't tell her I told you). Good night from Murren. Thankfully we've got two more incredible nights here!
I cannot thank you enough for these awesome daily updates. Christian texted to say it was a tough but awesome hike. Thanks for taking them, Mr. Margene...you too are quite the trooper. Congrats on getting a nap, Mrs. Mynatt. Sounds like a wonderful day was had by all!
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