Pilatus, Round 2

Having looked at the forecast and brought proper insulation layers this time, I returned to Pilatus to conquer the mountain slightly better prepared. This kind-of worked, as the weather was gorgeous, but I hadn't anticipated just how much snow there would be (I've since learned that there are approximate snow-level maps available online; I've been gradually piecing together bits of information I probably should have all known before hiking). Still, knee-deep snow is significantly better than nearly freezing to death, so I consider this a step up at least.

A familiar view, Alpnachsee from above Alpnach. Everything is green and pleasant, right?

Alpnachsee and Stanserhorn, with a little bit of snow now visible in the distance.

Some deep, but at least solid, snow, with Pilatus Esel peeking out in the background. The cables on the right belong to the cogwheel train that connect Alpnach to Pilatus Kulm.

I think I passed one person the entire time. They were trail-running down from the summit! The regular switch-back trail wasn’t visible past this point, so I followed what I certainly hope were the remnants of someone else’s footsteps in a beeline up every incline, turning an already difficult hike into a grueling ascent, sometimes on my hands and feet, and often punching through the snow to my knees or even hips. It definitely set my expectations for other mountains during the winter/spring: don’t, unless you’re familiar with them already and have proper training/experience, or they’re small enough to have no snow. (you'll see in later posts how I ignore this advice like an absolute dummy). I only did my due diligence afterwards (in late 2022!), and it turns out some of these slopes are over 30 degrees; I really should have checked the avalanche bulletin to see how risky what I was doing was (bulletin available here: https://www.slf.ch/en/avalanche-bulletin-and-snow-situation.html#avalanchedanger).

Another familiar view, but with clear skies and snow.

A similar shot to last time, one season later.

From Pilatus Kulm. Gosh this country is gorgeous. You can see the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau in the background, as well as the Brienzer Rothorn sitting in front of them, which I went up November 2022 and has shots facing Pilatus.