Hike - Creux du Van

Last Saturday I went on a hike near Neuchatel with Rob, Bernard, Travis, Tommy, Lindsey, Shiraz and Rebeca (new praktikant from Panama). The hike was up to a ridge called Creux de Van, and then down through a gorge with a waterfall, it was really pretty. Good level of difficulty, and nice because we were walking through the forest a lot of the time. The only open part was the big fields on top of the ridge, which was good because we took some nice pictures. The weather was perfect, a bit foggy at the start (we were worried it would stay) but then it cleared up and we had a beautiful view of the valley and the alps from the top.

We caught the train at 9:47, which was nice because we got to sleep in a bit. After switching at Olten we got on a train to Neauchatel. After that we went on another train Noiraigue (arrived at noon), where the hike began.


At the train station about to start walking. left to right: Bernard, Shiraz, Rebeca, Travis, me, Tommy, Lindsey, Rob












The first bit of the hike was uphill through a beautiful forest. It was a great time of year to come on this hike, because there were brightly coloured leaves all over the ground. We quickly lost our outer layers of clothes, except Rebeca who was missing the warm Panama climate, haha. Eventually she got used to it too though.


Taking a break by a fountain on the way up. Switzerland is awesome, there are drinkable fountains everywhere, even on hiking trails!
left ot right: Rob, Bernard, Lindsey, Travis, Shiraz, Rebeca, Tommy










Walking up through the forest to the ridge

















It took us about three hours to get to the top of the ridge, longer than we should of since we took lots of breaks and weren't really rushing. I think Rob would have liked us to walk faster, he was very concerned with keeping on schedual, and kept calling to us to stop taking pictures and hurry up, haha.

At the top we crossed over the other side of the ridge and there was an amazing view of the inside of the cresent-shaped steep cliffs (we had walked up the outside of the cresent). We walked around the top of the ridge and took lots of pictures (thanks to Rob for sharing his pics with me).




Finally at the top! Looking down into the valley below the ridge.














Me and Shiraz posing in front of the cliffs


















Shiraz and Tommy checking out the view













Group shot at the top of the ridge (don't you love camera timers!)
left to right: Rebeca, Lindsey, Travis, me, Bernard, Tommy, Shiraz, Rob.











All of us (except Travis, who took the picture) posing on the cliffs. It was scary standing up there, there was a steep drop on either side.
















Lindsey, Travis, Bernard, Tommy and Rob at the top of the ridge














Me, happy to be at the top posing with a random post, haha

















We had to head to Ferme Robert next (or "Farm Robert", as Rob kept calling it, haha)
















We stopped for lunch near the center of the horseshoe-shaped ridge where there was a sweet view (and were careful to not drop anything, haha). It took us forever to find a spot to eat, I was starving but we had to walk around looking at everything on the top, and see the alps before stopping, booerns. Haha, eventually we ate though, I had an awesome sandwhich, it was so good, mmm. Shiraz and Rebeca had not brought any food, but luckily Bernard and Lindsey had extra food to share with them.


Looking out over the cliffs during our lunch stop.
















Eating lunch, mmmm...













Umm, nice pose Tommy.












We walked around to the other end of the ridge and then down into the valley. The path down was fairly steep, but I was happy because I like walking downhill. I was until I slipped anyways, my walking stick failed me and I slipped on a rock, but I was ok. Just bitter at the walking stick, so I hucked it back into the forest in anger and continuted down freestyle, lol. The path flattened out near the bottom which pleased everyone (who were not liking the downhill walking, it was a bit hard on the knees) and we walked along inside the valley.



Walking down into the valley from the ridge.













Tommy's walking stick was better than mine :(












We made it to the next checkpoint in a couple hours, and Rob, Shiraz and Tommy decided to not continue with the last part of the hike, instead deciding to run to the nearest train station to catch an early train home. The rest of us continued along the path to the gourge, where we would end up at the next train station down the line. We didn't really know what to expect at the gourge, we didn't even know if there would be water. When we got there we were all really happy that we had decided to do the last part of the hike, because it was really sweet. There was a narrow gourge with a waterfall, and the path went down into the gourge and along the river. We walked along the water, and enjoyed the pretty scenery. We were a bit unsure if we were taking the right path, because there was no signs indicating that the train station was up ahead. It was alright though, because we were on the right path, and made it to the train station in time to catch the 6pm train home. Bernard and Travis stayed in Neuchatel for an extra hour (to save on train costs) and looked at sights, but Lindsey and Rebeca and I went straight back.



Me in the gourge
















The waterfall in the gourge



















The river we walked along to the train station.

















Near the end of the hike, we were back down to where there was a bit of fog and the sun looked cool streaming through it










I got home around 9:30pm to find Richard, Vance and Warren playing axis and allies in our living room. Vance had recently bought it, since he was feeling severly deprived of strategy games. They had tried to convince me to stay home from the hike and play, but I resisted the lazy option, which was a good call. I said I would chip in on the game (it was expensive) so I'll learn to play some other time. It appears really confusing and intense, and their game finally finshed after 10 straight hours. I don't know what I've gotten myself into...