Just Around The Matterhorn - Are We Nearly There Yet? - DAY 27 FINALE - Photo Diary

And so folks... this incredible "Just Around the Matterhorn" adventure Photo Diary comes to an end... Making it back all the way from Arolla to Zinal, powering up the final 1200m climb in just 2hour and then with a little help from kind strangers and a Val d'Annivier liberte pass making it back to the motorhome after an magnificent 27 days!  Just in time for us to use the free indoor swimming pool to get squeaky clean and in time for me to take part in a free yoga class, put on as part of the European Yoga Conference Zinal was hosting, helping to loosen out some tired muscles! Here are the photos of the final day and also of a very happy Dan as he's reunited with the comforts of our rolling home!  Thank you for taking this journey with us, I'm grateful to everyone who's gotten in touch and so glad you've enjoyed the photo diary..... oh but wait?! Does our journey doesn't stop there.....?  Keep tuned over the next few weeks.... there might just be another surprise or two in store!

If you've not already got a copy, Dan's super book is waiting for you....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Ice Climb - DAY 26 - Photo Diary

The penultimate day of our amazing Just Around the Matterhorn Tour and we're both up a final challenge, testing our physical limits to the max as well as our head for heights as we head up to Cabane du Bertol at over 3000m. This is one of the most challenging hikes we've undertaken, renting crampons to cross the glacier and scaling over 200 vertical metres using D rings, ropes and vertical ladders.  The views were breathtaking, spectacular, AMAZING!  Like we'd entered a secret ice world!  Photo diary below....
Download Dan's super book detailing all the adventures and more....

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Tomato Sauce - DAY 24 - Photo Diary

Waking up on day 24 over looking the Grand Combin massif, the scenery continued to inspire us all day as we continued along the Walker's Haute Route, high in the Swiss Alps and ending the day at the stunning Lac Dix.  Dan's willpower to continue our tour is still strong despite struggling to meet his energy needs.  Deciding to rest the afternoon in a cabane, he might have found an answer!  You'll have to check out Dan's amazing "Just Around the Matterhorn" to find out.  The photos speak for the scenery but Dan's book is jam packed with all the adventures you can and can't capture on camera!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Verbier - DAY 23 - Photo Diary

Day 23 and we're getting closer and closer to our motorhome.  Leaving the famous ski-resort of Verbier and following the Walker's Haute Route, we're once again we're up above 3300m and we find one of our most memorable and spectacular wildcamping spots.  I'm really excited to share these photos....
For the full story and so much more.... please take a look at  Dan's totally awesome book "Just Around the Matterhorn"  You never know what adventures might be inspired from it in 2020?!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Hot and Bothered - DAY 22 - Photo Diary

Day 22 and back in Switzerland.  Some incredible scenery as we pick up part of the Tour des Combins before joining the Chamonix-Zermatt Walker's Haute Route, which will ultimately get us back to the motorhome, in Zinal.  From a night in a cowshed cabin to ending the day in a wonderfully charming lady's bed and breakfast in Le Chable, playing with her guinea pigs and picking hundreds of blackberries from her garden.  Another day jam packed with adventures and a day in which we encountered a lot of interesting and incredibly kind strangers along the way.  Dan done a wonderful job in "Just Around The Matterhorn" to capture in words the amazing adventures that unfolded as we took one foot in front of the other and let the adventure lead the way.....

As always, thank you to those that have commented or left reviews... please do share any feedback or share the link to Dan's book with friends and family.... you never know what adventures it might inspire!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Thieving Marmot Bastard - DAY 21 - Photo Diary

Happy New Year to ALL!! "Wonder what adventures 2020 will bring?!?"
Day 21 of our" Just Around the Matterhorn" tour was one of the highlight days of 2019 so I wanted to share the photo diary today.... Yes, just as the title suggests, Day 21 started with the a big lesson about where not to leave the last of our food supplies overnight! Dan still soldiering on after his illness , Day 21 saw cross back into Switzerland, where we ended up staying in a strange, but thankfully warm and dry cow shed! And was Piotrick coming back?? Some stunning scenery so very excited to share today's photos diary....  I know I've said it countless times now but these photos only tell part of the story.... Dan's, in his wonderfully direct but humorous way, captures all the highs, lows, laughter, tears, illnesses, friendships and so very much more..... Thank you to all who have downloaded it in 2019 and for the feedback.  It's really appreciated and keeps us both motivated to keep adventuring and to keep sharing back the tales and lessons from our journey. 
For those that have already finished and enjoyed "Just Around The Matterhorn" there might be a surprise very soon waiting around the corner.....

Just Around The Matterhorn - Woozy - DAY 20 - Photo Diary

Day 20 and still on the Italianside of the Matterhorn.  It's decision time again as to which Col to cross to get us back to our motorhome.  Despite a chilly night, Dan's still choosing to walk and we're grateful for yet another unexpected adventure day of stunning scenery.  Photos below show that it was a day of two halves yet adventure all through...... Starting off misty and then crossing snow fields before ending the day with a beautiful stroll around a glacial lake.
Once again this is only part of the adventures Dan captures so brilliantly in his book..... Just Around The Matterhorn.  Please do check it out and get in touch with any feedback!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure/dp/167236356X

Just Around The Matterhorn - Risking It - DAY 19 - Photo Diary

Day 19 and it's a close call between getting transport back to the motorhome or continuing our tour around the Matterhorn... Dan's fever had broken, but he still wasn't able to eat anything because of his mouth being painfully sore with multiple ulcers.  He'd lost a lot of weight but not willpower!  We were going to at least try walking back to the motorhome.  I just had to trust he'd listen to his body.  Risking it we plan a gentle stage for Dan to ease back into the physical challenge of hiking and wildcamping..... umm ... easier? 10km, 1050m ascending and 260m descending!  Day 19 sees us again finding out more about the amazing Italian bivouacs once again.... which plants a seed yet again for future adventures.... (more to follow very soon on this one!)  Photo diary of the stunning scenery, wildlife and new friends we made below but please please do spread the word and share the link to Dan's incredible book "Just Around The Matterhorn".  It's jam packed with so much more than tales of our adventures.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Sicker - DAY 17 and 18 - Photo Diary

Photos of day 17 and 18 only tell part of the story.  It was a difficult, uncomfortable and very sweaty two days for Dan.  The weather reflected the mood, with another well timed hotel stay as storms hit the region.  With Dan tucked up in bed, it was buffet breakfasts, a lot of yoga and sauna time for me.  Trying to give Dan the space he requires when he's sick, on Day 18, the weather cleared slightly allowing me to go for a solo hike up to Rifugio Orionde on the slopes of the Matterhorn (or 'Cervin' as it's known on the Italian side) yet as I got above 3000m the mountains reminded me that the weather can change suddenly as a lightening storm came out of nowhere and that's why there are refuges to shelter at these times - no camera so no photos.  I've written a little more than normal because of the lack of photos but this is a brief and rather poor account of these days. Dan's the one who's brilliant with capturing in words the events, the moods and so much more.  No physical adventures but still reminding us that everyday is an adventure in one way or another.... Please do take a look at Dan's book "Just Around The Matterhorn" and also let me know and feedback or drop me a comment if you are enjoying these photo diary posts... Would love to hear from you ;-)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Sick - DAY 16 - Photo Diary

Getting sick isn't great at any time. Getting sick whilst wildcamping above 2000m and several kilometres from civilisation can cause a bit more of a challenge.  In Dan's own words; "when I'm poorly , trying to get me to admit just how ill I feel is a little like trying to get a politician to give a straight answer".... After walking and suffering in silence for the first part of the day, it was quite clear I needed to step in.... a couple of cable cars later and Dan was tucked up in a hotel bed in Breuil-Cervina.  The Italian equivalent to the ski-resort Zermatt, sitting right under the face of the Matterhorn. It was just a little quieter on this side of the border.  Day 16 still had me walking on a glacier and some incredible photo highlights as we get up close once again to Europe's most iconic mountain....
For all the adventures, the ups downs and some bear honest truths.... please give Dan's book, Just Around The Matterhorn, a download.... it's just brilliant!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Cool Dude - DAY 15 - Photo Diary

This has got to be one of the highlight days!!  And the photos only tell part of the story.  Yes we climbed, not just hiked, up to over 3600m getting up close and personal with the snow, but this was a day of friendship, laughter and human kindness from strangers.  It was also the day we saw a young man with only one arm, thru-hiking the Tour Monta Rose with 2 dogs!  It left a huge impression and obviously planted a seed... given what came after this adventure with Dan! But those stories are for another day...  This was an incredible day.
And again, if Boxing Day TV isn't up to much and you fancy a quick adventure trip into the heart of the Swiss Alps, then please do consider checking out Dan's book.  It's awesome and far more than just an account of the adventure.... Just Around the Matterhorn

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Ski Slopes- DAY 14 - Photo Diary

Yes it's Christmas Day today but I couldn't resist continuing with the photo diary and sharing a few photos of our "Just Around The Matterhorn" tour.  Sadly no snow photos today but still some very amazing scenery highlights, wildlife and sunsets!  Day 14, still circling Monta Rosa and still a lot of ascending and descending.... 1500m up and 1230m down over 15km! And so tired we ended up wild camping on a ski-slope!

If the Christmas TV isn't up too much, please consider checking out Dan's incredible book, jam packed full of adventures, bags of fun and also some open and at at times direct commentary on life's issues....
 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - How Much Higher? - DAY 13 - Photo Diary

Day 13 and we were well into Italy.  This was a big day 15km starting with a huge descent of 1550m into Alagna, where Dan was in the right place at the right time to be the hero (that he is); before climbing 1800m in the late afternoon.  We had reached our physical limits by the end of this day yet despite running out of steam and just pitching our tent as we couldn't carry on any further, we were grateful for all we had experienced that day and that we got to go to sleep in such an amazing place.  Dan's super-awesome new book "Just Around The Matterhorn" captures all these adventures, the ups, the downs, the tears, the laughter and so much more....
 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Benvenuto in Italia - DAY 12 - Photo Diary

Day 12 saw us crossing the border into Italy.  We were now well into our tour of the Monta Rose massif.  From the cold morning Swiss fog almost immediately after crossing the border we were catapulted back into high summer as we arrived in the village of Macugnaga.  This was the day we were introduced us to the Italian bivaccos where we met some wonderful and very interesting characters!  Here are some of the photo highlights.... They may show how spectacular the scenery was but that was only one part of the adventure; Dan's done an amazing job of capturing the full story in his latest book "Just Around The Matterhorn"..... please do take a look:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Lost In Fog - DAY 11 - Photo Diary

Leaving the comfort of our hotel rest stop behind, day 11 sees the adventure continue, now following the itinerary of the Tour Monta Rosa.  Making use of our 'SaasPass', the bus got us back on the route and we set off into the fog to hike up and over the 3081m col, Jatzilicku before spending wonderful another, but very chilly, night under canvas.  Here are the photo highlights..... One because I love sharing the photos we take and two, hopefully they are enticing and may inspire you to download Dan's incredible and funny book of our amazing "Just Around The Matterhorn" adventure!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Nude - DAY 10 - Photo Diary

Day 10 - our rest day was well timed as a huge storm blew in but we were safely tucked up in our hotel room in Saas Fee.  Even the cable cars and lifts weren't running  due to the lightening.  We re-fuelled at the buffet breakfast, caught up on some rest, a short stroll around the town during a pause in the rain and then to the spa facilities!! Getting squeaky clean and nude! Photo diary below.....
Thank you to those people who've emailed me to say that they are enjoying reading the chapters of Dan's brilliant book alongside this photo diary.... If you are enjoying the pics and haven't yet downloaded the book please please consider checking it out over Christmas! Just Around The Matterhorn - 4 weeks, 2 people, One Awesome Adventure!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Suspended - DAY 9 - Photo Diary

Here are some of the photo highlights from Day 9 of our Just Around The Matterhorn adventure.... The day starts off with a breakfast feast of wild raspberries before hiking the Europaweg and crossing the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge! 494m long.  And that's all before lunch.... The afternoon's change in weather changes our plans and the kindness of two strangers sees us getting to a hotel room in Saas Fee!  The pictures can tell only so much of the story, please check out Dan's book, he's captured all these wonderful happenings and done an awesome job!

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2 

Just Around The Matterhorn - To Glacier or Not To Glacier - DAY 8 - Photo Diary

On Day 8 we find ourselves not just going around the Matterhorn, but getting up close and personally as we hike to over 3400m on the slopes of this European iconic mountain to the Hornlihutte, where the ascents to the summit are made from.  Incredible views which I hope is captured in our photo diary.... the stunning scenery and much much more in Dan's superb account "Just Around The Matterhorn".

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Schon - DAY 7 - Photo Diary

Day 7 adventures began with picture-postcard views from probably one of the very best spots to appreciate the Matterhorn from.  17km with over 1300m ascent and 1400m descent, this day took in some of the very best scenery.  Once again we climbed to over 3400 this time to the Schonbielhorn.  Dan's new boots getting some serious breaking-in time! And what a wildcamping spot were had..... right under the Matterhorn..... Here are just a few photo highlights.... for the full story please check out Dan's brilliant account of our adventures..... "Just Around The Matterhorn"

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Around-Matterhorn-Sensational-Adventure-ebook/dp/B082FMF5F2

Just Around The Matterhorn - Icefall - DAY 6 Photo Diary

Another fantastic day out on the trails as we say farewell to Zermatt, after buying some new boots, and head up into the mountains to get up closer to the Matterhorn.  Day 6 sees us heading high up into the snowline and crossing our first glacier! Reaching the summit which gives incredible views - I'll let the photos do the talking.... This was another day jam packed with adventures where we found ourselves testing our limits yet again.....
To find out more you'll have to download Dan's totally awesome book "Just Around The Matterhorn"