As reported in my previous post, Pilatus (Mount Pilatus) overlooks Lucerne and with the weather forecast proposing only -3 deg. C at the summit and blue skies, we set off with scarves, jackets, gloves and beanies excited to see some proper snow and ice.
Other than walking or climbing, you reach the summit (Pilatus Kulm) either via cable-car or via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Unfortunately, there was still too much winter ice and snow remaining and the railway was not yet open (in a few more weeks) and so we ascended via the cable-car route.
[table caption=”Plan of attack for Mount Pilatus” width=”600″ colwidth=”75|250|100|175″ colalign=”center|center|center|center”]
Sector,Transit between,Transit time,Difference in elevation m (feet)
1,Kriens – Krienseredd,10 min,546 (1\,793)
2,Krienseredd – Frakmuntegg,15 min,390 (1\,280)
3,Frakmuntegg – Pilatus Kulm,3.5 min,716 (2\,352)
[/table]
At the end of sector 1, Krienseredd, we left the cable-car. This is an intermediate stop with restaurants, picnic areas and numerous walking trails leading away into the forest. After having a look around and taking some photos, we rejoined the cable-car for the next sector.
At the end of sector 2, Frakmuntegg, you have to leave the cable-car and change for the fully enclosed and larger capacity “Dragon Ride” gondola which only transits sector 3 to Pilatus Kulm every fifteen minutes. Like Krienseredd, Frakmuntegg offers restaurants and wonderful views both up and down. Aside from the walking trails that lead away, there was evidence of ski lifts and toboggan runs being shutdown for maintenance at the end of another season.
The final sector to the summit is brief but breathtaking – and stepping out onto the observation deck, once leaving the gondola, was awe inspiring (given Chris and I have limited experience with snow and ice).
And so we just horsed around for a bit…
We observed a number of paragliders setting up and then launching themselves into the alpine skies after just a few steps down the slope behind Hotel Bellevue. (In the image above, you can see the canopy of a paraglider on the snow as the control wires are being sorted out.)
From Pilatus Kulm, a nearby peak called Oberhaupt can be climbed, using steps – no pitons or ropes required 🙂 other nearby peaks were still closed. From there I was able to take a panoramic photo of the 360 degree view from the top.
We enjoyed lunch with an equally attractive view while listening to a trio of alpine horns and, then later, a duo of piano-accordions. The only things missing from the cultural overload was a cow-bell medley and some Swiss folk dancing.
We decided to beat the afternoon rush and departed just before 3 pm (the last gondola leaves at 4:30 pm and there was still a lot of people at the top).
Chris was ever alert for scenic pictures on the way down too.
We arrived at Kriens and were waiting for the bus to take us back into Lucerne when I realised we hadn’t used any of our warm weather items and that it actually seemed warmer at the summit and in no way was it -3 deg. C. This just goes to show that weather forecasts are never completely reliable – except for the part about the blue skies.
PS – We had to filter more than 230 images to prepare this post – digital film is wonderful. 🙂