Swiss Oberland Untour, Summer of 2002
by Fred & Jo Clark, Sarasota, FL
Dear Friends:
Having recently returned from Kandersteg on July 3 and recovered from jet lag and two weeks of hiking and travel, we now want to express our appreciation.
This was our fifth Untour, and our third to Switzerland. We so much enjoy the Swiss Rail pass and our complete freedom from auto travel. We used the trains almost daily, and the Postal bus connections, and several of the boat trips. The pleasure of merely showing a pass and no ticket buying made travel very easy. Auto rentals in Europe at our age (over 80) are not always possible, and there is no back seat driving on public transportation. How we wish we had this kind of travel in the United States!
The local representatives in Switzerland were very cordial and joyful people. We especially enjoyed Susy Meister and Marietta Gugger who we got to know better on the cheese trip to Griesalp. When an emergency occurred at lunch time up in the remote valley (man with heart attack, not part of the Untour group), they went into action and were a great assistance prior to the arrival of a helicopter with trained medical people on board. This was a very reassuring action to see how such an emergency could be handled in the mountains, and a real credit to Swiss planning. They were also present to lend fun and games at our final dinner at Aeschl — much laughter and friendly participation.
One minor humorous aspect at the end of the trip - we arrived at Zurich Airport on our way out and saw the Idyll Sign with Marianne? There to welcome the new arrivals. We spoke to her and she asked for our names to check on her list When we told her we were leaving not arriving1 she laughed and said she thought we looked familiar!
Since this was our second trip to Kandersteg, Fred decided that he was going to take o paragliding trip that he had observed on the first visit in 1999. Obviously this is not soloing but conducted by experts who do all the handling of the parasail. At age 84 there are some things Fred does for the last time, and this was one he had dreamed of for two years. We took the Allmenalp tiny cable car to the summit, and then had to climb a very steep trail in a field where we were to take off. Franz, the leader, asked me if I could carry one of the two packs, and having been a backpacker camper in Scouting days, said "Sure, I can take one!" It was a fairly heavy pack and I struggled to make it up to the take-off area - much higher than I had expected, and an extremely steep slope better suited to alpine cows. Franz spread out the huge parasail, adjusted the many nylon cords, helped me put on a zippered jacket, heavy gloves, and a helmet, then strapped me into a seat to which all the cords were attached. Franz sat right behind me; we ran about three steps and were off into space about 2000 feet above the valley below. I was holding onto the two ropes at each side very tightly. I had a camera around my neck but any thought of letting go to take pictures was dismissed. After a few minutes he maneuvered the sail very close to one of the peaks so we could get an updraft from the heated rock face, and up we went. Finally, he asked, "Are you OK?" And I assured him I was fine. So off we went across the valley to another peak and more lifting above the tiny town of Kandersteg down below, and Lake Oeschinensee in the distance. After about 20 minutes, he said it’s time to land. The landing field is about 200 feet square, and he came down in graceful circles and we landed so gently with out even running at all. Freddy, the experienced operator of these tours told me that I was the oldest person he had ever taken in 20 years. He asked, "Did you get some good pictures?" "No, but I developed some good muscles in my two hands holding on!" At age 84 I was elated! Don’t visit Kandersteg without taking this trip!
A suggestion for the return trip. We stayed in Hotel Allegra in Kloten. To get there we needed to get off at Zurich Main station, then go Downstairs to the local tracks and take the S7 train to Kloten. There are several stops before reaching Kloten. The hotel is right next to the station up a stairway labeled Hotel Allegra.
We can’t finish this report without a very special appreciation for all the Idyll staff both in Media and in Switzerland for an outstanding organization, and the best independent travel planning guides we have ever seen.
We hope we can join you again sometime, somewhere!