Hiking Conditions in Switzerland - late May

We are planning a hiking trip in Switzerland. Unfortunately, we must go in
late May, a little early in the season, and are concerned that some of our
passes may still be snowed in. We are hiking around Zermatt and from
Kandersteg to Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland. Does anyone have
suggestions for finding trail conditions?

Many Thanks.

Hi Joseph,

We are planning a hiking trip in Switzerland. Unfortunately, we must go in
late May, a little early in the season, and are concerned that some of our
passes may still be snowed in.

Yes, hiking at the end of May is possible but it can get difficult over,
say, 2000 meters altitude: patches of snow, wooden bridges destroyed
during the winter and not yet fixed, ... It all depends on how harsh the
winter was, and this year I believe we got plenty of snow during the winter.

We are hiking around Zermatt and from Kandersteg to Grindelwald in the
Bernese Oberland. Does anyone have suggestions for finding trail
conditions?

To go from Kandersteg to Grindelwald, I assume that you would go over
the Hohturli pass to Griesalp, then over the Sefinenfurgge to Wengen.
These two passes are quite high and steep, the crossing could be a
problem. The people who know the best the trail condition are the hut
warden, but none of the huts will be wardened at that time (the
Rotstockhütte opens 1st of June). So your best bet is to call the
tourist office in Wengen, Kandersteg and Grindelwald. They will know or
will direct you to the right person to ask.

Same for Zermatt, although I think it will be less a problem there
because you are saying you hike around Zermatt so you can turn back any
time, unlike the crossing Kandersteg-Grindelwald.

--
Philippe Noth, Clarens/Montreux, Switzerland - http://www.noth.ch

try here for up-to-date rerports:
http://www.kandersteg.ch/english/spo...r_wandern.html

Sarissa

Joseph Harchanko wrote:
We are planning a hiking trip in Switzerland. Unfortunately, we must go in
late May, a little early in the season, and are concerned that some of our
passes may still be snowed in. We are hiking around Zermatt and from
Kandersteg to Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland. Does anyone have
suggestions for finding trail conditions?

Many Thanks.