High Alpine on the Platthorn

Now Zermatt, another tourist hotspot. And even though I have become somewhat used to the Swiss price level by now, Zermatt takes it to another level - a day's use of the gondolas and Gornergrat train with bike for a mere 150 Swiss francs. In Davos, I only paid a tenth of that with a guest card. Nevertheless, there is also an amazingly affordable camping site here, and this time without motorized neighbors. And since the supermarket is right across the street and open daily, many supply problems solve themselves, which otherwise arise elsewhere. Because usually the places are somewhat outside, and the tent meadow is advertised as "sunny". In reality, this means that the tent is exposed to the scorching sun during the day and heats up to sauna temperature. If you then cycle two kilometers uphill to the only small supermarket to do your shopping, you have to think very carefully about what food to take with you and when exactly you plan to eat it. If you plan poorly, the chocolate bar quickly turns into hot chocolate.

Zermatt, of course, also scores with its unique landscape. Everything that is outstanding in terms of mountain technology in Switzerland gathers here in a small space - Strahlhorn, Dufour-Spitze, Liskamm, Dent Blanche, Castor & Pollux, and of course the good old Matterhorn. And despite dozens of lifts and trains, there is still enough space for demanding and less developed tours. One of them leads to the Platthorn. A 3345 meter high peak that can be climbed without high alpine equipment. And it even makes sense to take the bike with you. At least for some of us.

It started right behind the train station. Pretty steep, although not very rocky. Nevertheless, it was quite concerning to me that this is supposed to be the easier line in terms of downhill riding. Exposed, steep, and tight hairpin turns. Well, let's get up there first, we'll see what to do next. After the first sweaty 1000 meters of ascent, the slope opened up into a wide basin, revealing the view of the immense amphitheater of the highest peaks in Switzerland, with the proud Matterhorn towering above everything else. The path continued in a pleasant uphill slope until at 3100 meters it was time to stop for the bike - the first snow fields had to be crossed. And yet the hike continued uphill to the Platthorn, while already surrounded by glaciers. The view from the summit was overwhelming. Not only because of the usual suspects on the other side of the valley, but especially because of the numerous second-rate peaks and glaciers that were within immediate distance at eye level. From the panorama, it felt like a high alpine tour, but technically it was only a moderately difficult mountain tour. And the best was yet to come - the descent.

I could hardly wait to get back to my bike. Quickly putting on the protectors, and then into the high alpine flow. The first 700 meters of descent were a grand spectacle. There are generally very few suitable mountain bike descents in the Alps at this altitude, and then with such a panorama and riding so smoothly. Unique.

Further down, just before the first mountain hut, it became increasingly technical. Steep and slippery, completely dried out, and again and again nasty rocky sections. And then it happened. The bike blocked, and the whole body wanted to fly a little further forward following gravity. Generally, things don't end up as bad as they look. But this time, the ring finger somehow got caught on the handlebars and didn't want to follow properly. Ouch, that was painful. It felt like something more serious. But at least all fingers were still intact, and not significantly bent.

So there was no more downhill riding for now, and I mostly pushed through the remaining descent, which was already quite challenging in terms of technique. Arriving at the bottom, the back of my hand was already swelling somewhat worryingly. What a nuisance. I hope it will get better. Anyway, the plan for the next day was hiking.