Haute Route Highlights D7

Gruben to St Niklaus
18km, 1200m ascent, 800m descent, one rickety lift...

The clients last day, and it's spectacular.
We set off after the big groups, we soon overtook them.
It seems to be an especially British guide thing that we do a lot of coaching and instructing, but over the last seven days the clients have not got stronger or fitter, they have however got better. Better at personal movement, at efficient movement and route choice, more dynamic and vitally, more confident.
The 'signpost' time is 7 hours without any stops. We had lots of stops, two lunches and a lot of laughter... and did it in six.

And its a tough day out. The Agustbordpass is a wild rocky place. We boulder hopped down the valley until it turns into the Mattertal for a good few km.
As we approached the pass from the North there was the first frost we've encountered, the short Alpine summer is on the turn already. Clouds swirled moodily all day, but the drama seems fitting in this high wild place. It's great to see the clients comfortable, happy to look at the valley floor à mile beneath us, to want to stop and turn around, no longer looking at their feet, but searching out the moments.
As I say, it's a tough day. Today they made it seem easy, my job felt done. The clients grinned all the way, me too.

Beers and celebrations in the historic High Village of Jungu before a lift and then the (shockingly expensive) train to Zermatt and a last meal.

They're happy, I'm happy. The end.