Hiking the Alps 2013 Summary

“This is the end. My only friend, the end.” — at least, that’s how Stage 13 felt, walking into Zermatt under the Matterhorn. But it was really just the beginning.

In the summer of 2013, my dad Bob and I set out to do something we’d been dreaming, praying, planning, and training for since he first floated the crazy idea back in 2012: hike across the Alps. Two trails, three weeks, one stubborn father-son duo.

We started on Switzerland’s Haute Route — thirteen stages of high passes, cowbells, and cold mornings — until we finally reached Zermatt. Then we crossed to the E5, from Oberstdorf, Germany, over the Austrian Alps and down into Bolzano, Italy: 61 miles, five passes, and more rain than we’ll admit.

There were blisters, wrong turns, snow in July, and a lot of sausage and chocolate. There was also a whole lot of time with my dad that I’ll carry for the rest of my life. We did a hard thing for an epic payoff — and we’d lace up and do it again tomorrow.

Thanks for hiking it with us. — Hans