The Gorge Alpine via ferrata knows no boredom: Again and again you shimmy from one side of the gorge to the other, balance on wooden planks just a few centimetres wide, walk across narrow suspension bridges - always perfectly secured.
Two hours of outdoor fun ahead: Marco Barneveld has just entered the Gorge Alpine via ferrata near Saas-Fee.
Probably the most exciting section of the Gorge Alpine via ferrata leads into a cave.
Probably the most exciting section of the Gorge Alpine via ferrata leads into a cave.
Gorge Alpine via ferrata: A long ladder leads out of the cave - through an opening in the cave ceiling.
This spectacular 60 metre long suspension bridge on the Saas-Almagell adventure trail must not be overloaded. You should therefore only cross it in pairs.
Just over two hours and almost 400 metres in altitude are now behind us. Just a few metres ahead of us is our destination: the cosy Almagellerhütte.
Marco Barneveld takes a breather and enjoys the view of the unfortunately somewhat cloudy Täschhorn, Dom and Lenzspitze mountains.
The snow-covered section around ‘Triftgrätji’ follows the Alpine flower promenade, which presents around 240 different types of flowers, including edelweiss and gentian, when they are in bloom. Now, unfortunately, only a fraction of them.
On a monster scooter, I hurtle 11 kilometres and 1,000 metres in altitude down to Saas Grund, interrupted only by a few photo stops like this one.
There are many anecdotes about him: Herbert Volken, mountain guide, mountaineer and former prefect, the highest-ranking politician in Valais.
Last safety briefing before we explore the Aletsch Glacier.
Pure enthusiasm over - and on - the Aletsch Glacier: Marco Barneveld (left), glacier guide David Kestens (right) and his son (centre).
Master of superlatives: the Great Aletsch Glacier is the longest (22.6 km), largest (81.7 km) and thickest (up to 900 m) glacier in the Alps.
The ice of the Aletsch Glacier moves down the valley at a rate of 74 to 86 metres per year.
Overnight hostel and starting point for glacier hikes: The Gletscherstube.
The hiking trail up to the Eggishorn offers spectacular views of the Aletsch Glacier time and again thanks to the glorious weather.
Shortly before the Bettmergrat gondola station: view of the Fieschertal valley with its peaks Risihorn, Setzehorn and Wasenhorn.
Brendon and Hassen return from their Eggishorn summit exploration (right), on the left the Aletsch Glacier stretches up to Konkordia, a six-square-kilometre expanse of ice.
Traditional wooden houses with partly weathered facades along the river Fieschera in Fiesch, Valais.
