The Tullmann Travels The Tullmann Travels

Five countries

2013

Haute Route & E5

152 miles · 34 days — Summer 2013

The one that started it all — the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, then the E5 over the Alps, a father and son on foot for 34 days.

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The trip in brief

The one that started it all

Summer 2013 · 37 entries

Where we went

Two great treks in one summer — the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, then the E5 from Germany over the Alps into Italy. Thirty-four days, five countries, 152 miles.

Why it mattered

A father-and-son adventure of a lifetime — the trip that gave The Tullmann Travels its name.

Favorite moment

Walking into Zermatt under the Matterhorn after finishing the Haute Route. (Hans: confirm.)

On the trail with Dad

Bob and Hans, hut to hut — wandering sheep, wrong turns, vegetable soup, and a birthday celebrated on the trail.

The distance

Thirty-four days on foot across the high Alps — the long way, entirely on purpose.

The photo essay

Hiking the Alps 2013, in pictures

God and Wives
God and Wives
Stage 6
Stage 6
Stage 8
Stage 8
Stage 11.1
Stage 11.1
Trains, Signs, and Automob
Trains, Signs, and Automob
E5 Stage 8
E5 Stage 8
E5 Stage 10.2
E5 Stage 10.2
Rest Days 2 and 3
Rest Days 2 and 3
Busses, Ferries, and Cherr
Busses, Ferries, and Cherr

The journal

Every day of the trip

37 entries · oldest first

A New Adventure on the Horizon...
Entry 1
A New Adventure on the Horizon...
April 28

In 2012, my dad (#Bob Tullmann) propsed a long distance hiking trip across European Alpines. The trail he mentioned was called the E5: " from the French Atlantic…

Adventure of a Lifetime
Entry 2
Adventure of a Lifetime
June 3

The next series of blog posts for Tullmann Travels, will unfold the epic journey of Bob and Hans Tullmann, the father-son duo, and their hiking trip to Europe,…

Hiking the Alps Gear
Entry 3
Hiking the Alps Gear
June 8

When considering long hiking trips, what kind of gear do you need? Well, you need food, water, clothes, shelter, etc. Right? Partially. It depends where you going, how…

15 Day Countdown
Entry 4
15 Day Countdown
June 18

We are now a half a month away from our departure for Switzerland! My dad and I are both very excited about this adventure. Both of us are…

God and Wives
Entry 5
God and Wives
June 23

Only a few weeks left before my dad and I fly to Europe for our 34 day alpine hike! As we get closer, I think back to the…

Training for the Alps
Entry 6
Training for the Alps
July 3

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" Albert Camus "Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk…

Hiking the Alps 2013: Departing and Arriving
Entry 7
Hiking the Alps 2013: Departing and Arriving
July 5

We departed from Bakersfield on an airport bus to LAX on July 4, 2013, at 3:00am. When we arrived at LAX, we went straight to the TSA officers…

Stage 2: A Mountain of Challenges
Entry 8
Stage 2: A Mountain of Challenges
July 8

Chamonix to Trient Saturday, July 6 We woke up early the next morning in the hostel Ski Station in Chamonix, France and tried not to wake our roommate.…

Stage 3: Road to Recovery
Entry 9
Stage 3: Road to Recovery
July 12

Going back to Chamonix Sunday, July 7th We never hiked stage 3 of the Haute Route. We woke up in the attic of the undesirable converted garage/Hostel in…

Stage 5: Above the Trees
Entry 10
Stage 5: Above the Trees
July 12

Le Châble – Clambin – Cabane du Mont Fort Tuesday, July 9 After waking up in the ski refuge in Le Châble , we got some breakfast (toast,…

Stage 6: Snow and Rain
Entry 11
Stage 6: Snow and Rain
July 12

Cabane du Mont Fort – Col Termin – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri Wednesday, July 10 "Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon…

Stage 7: Climbing the Ladder of Success
Entry 12
Stage 7: Climbing the Ladder of Success
July 12

Cabane de Prafleuri – Col des Roux – Col de Riedmatten – Arolla Thursday, July 11 "He that riseth late must trot all day" Ben Franklin We awoke…

Stage 7.1: A Day of Rest
Entry 13
Stage 7.1: A Day of Rest
July 17

Relaxing in Arolla, Switzerland Friday, July 12 "If you pick 'em up, Oh Lord, I'll put 'em down" Anon. The Prayer of the Tired Walker HALF WAY THROUGH…

Stage 8: Waterfalls, Wildflowers and Wrong Turns
Entry 14
Stage 8: Waterfalls, Wildflowers and Wrong Turns
July 17

Arolla to Le Sage Saturday, July 13 "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."…

Stage 9: On a Hill Far Away
Entry 15
Stage 9: On a Hill Far Away
July 20

Le Sage to Cabane de Moiry Sunday, July 14 "There is more to life than increasing its speed" Gandhi We set out at about 5:45am, from our Hotel…

Stage 11: The Lost Son and the Birthday Dad
Entry 16
Stage 11: The Lost Son and the Birthday Dad
July 20

Zinal to Gruben Tuesday, July 16 "Who walks with beauty had no need of fear; The sun and moon and stars keep pace with him; Invisible hands restore…

Stage 10: On Top of the World
Entry 17
Stage 10: On Top of the World
July 21

Cabane de Moriy to Zinal Monday, July 15 "...the brisk exercise imparts elasticity to the muscles, fresh and healthy blood circulates through the brain, the mind works well,…

Stage 11.1: A Day of Rest
Entry 18
Stage 11.1: A Day of Rest
July 25

Hotel Schwarzhorn, Gruben Wednesday, July 17 "Three things there are that ease the heart-- water, green grass, and the beauty of woman." Frank Herbert, Dune Following 2-3 days…

Stage 12: Wandering Sheep and Vegetable Soup
Entry 19
Stage 12: Wandering Sheep and Vegetable Soup
July 25

Gruben to St. Nicolas Thursday, July 18 Our day of rest yesterday, was well needed, because today's climb would bring a set of unique challenges. The Hotel Schwarzhorn…

Stage 13: The End of the Beginning
Entry 20
Stage 13: The End of the Beginning
July 25

St. Nicolas to Zermatt Friday, July 19 "This is the end. My only friend, the end" Jim Morrison, The Doors We left Nicholas early in the morning, after…

Stage 13.1 a Day in Zermatt
Entry 21
Stage 13.1 a Day in Zermatt
July 28

In Zermatt, Switzerland Saturday, July 20 WE FINISHED THE HAUTE ROUTE! This was the hardest and most rewarding hike we had ever done. Here are some quick stats…

Trains, Signs, and Automobiles
Entry 22
Trains, Signs, and Automobiles
July 28

Zermatt to Gruben to Zurich to Constanz, Germany Sunday, July 21 After our second night in the Matterhorn hostel, in Zermatt, Switzetland, and ending the Haute Route, it…

E5 Stage 6: Over the Mountains and Under the Snow
Entry 23
E5 Stage 6: Over the Mountains and Under the Snow
July 30

Oberstdorf, Germany to Kemptner Hutte Tuesday, July 23 OUR FIRST DAY ON THE E5! The E5 is a long distance trail that goes through Germany, Austria, and Italy,…

E5 Stage 7: Lightening and Thunder
Entry 24
E5 Stage 7: Lightening and Thunder
August 1

Kemptner Hutte to Memminger Hutte Wednesday, July 24 Even with two Advil p.m., sleeping sardine-style is weird. They stack you along a long mattress, like hot dogs, with…

E5 Stage 8: Climbing Passes, Building Bridges
Entry 25
E5 Stage 8: Climbing Passes, Building Bridges
August 2

Memminger Hutte to Zams, Austria Thursday, July 25 After another sardine-style sleeping arrangement, we ate a meager breakfast and hit the trail. Because of yesterday's rain, the drying…

E5 Stage 9: Cable Cars and Living Large
Entry 26
E5 Stage 9: Cable Cars and Living Large
August 4

Zams to Mittelburg Friday, July 26 We enjoyed a restful night and woke up to have breakfast with another hiking couple who were also on the E5. After…

Stage 4: Down to the Valley
Entry 27
Stage 4: Down to the Valley
August 7

Champex – Sembrancher – Le Châble Monday, July 8 We woke early, next to the Lake in Champix, and had a breakfast of bread, cheese, ham, coffee, and…

E5 Stage 10.1: Cabin by the Glacier
Entry 28
E5 Stage 10.1: Cabin by the Glacier
August 7

Mittelburg to Braunsweiger Hutte Saturday, July 27 We awoke at the Anger Alm Hotel in Middleburg, Austria and had the best breakfast of our trip. Downstairs in the…

E5 Stage 10.2: Poka to the People
Entry 29
E5 Stage 10.2: Poka to the People
August 7

Braunsweiger Hutte to Zwieselstien Sunday, July 28 In the morning we ate breakfast and were some of the first hikers on the trail. With the beautiful view of…

E5 Stage 11: From Austria to Italy... in the Rain
Entry 30
E5 Stage 11: From Austria to Italy... in the Rain
August 7

Zwieselstien, Austria to Bolzano, Italy Sunday, July 28 We enjoyed a buffet style breakfast which included all the regular stuff we normally eat for breakfast. After checking out…

Rest Days 4 and 5
Entry 31
Rest Days 4 and 5
August 7

Rest Day 4: Thursday August 1 - leisurely walk through Longmoso church, cemetery, chocolate - pizza - Classical quartet concert Rest Day 5: Friday August 2 - nothing…

Rest Days 2 and 3
Entry 32
Rest Days 2 and 3
August 14

Rest Day 2: Tueaday July 30 - Moved into an apartment farm house called Sallrainhof, which we learned was 1,000 years old! - Cable car to Rittenhorn -…

We Finished the E5!
Entry 33
We Finished the E5!
August 14

Lichtenstern, Italy Monday, July 29, 2013 After 7 days of hiking the E5, from Oberstdorf, Germany through Austria, and ending in Bolzano, Italy, we are calling it quits…

Rest Day 6
Entry 34
Rest Day 6
August 17

Rest Day 6: Saturday August 3 - Down to Bolzano - ran into Klaus ad Tim, the E5 hikers we talked to in Zwieselstien - went shopping -…

Rest Day 7
Entry 35
Rest Day 7
August 17

Rest Day 7: Sunday August 4 -moved to a new hotel: Spögler Hotel hiked to see the naturally formed pyramids (from erosion around late rocks over time) -…

Busses, Ferries, and Cherries
Entry 36
Busses, Ferries, and Cherries
August 21

Traveling in Germany from Constanz to Oberstdorf Monday, July 22 We awoke early in our hotel room in Constanz, Germany; we had a long day of travel ahead…

Hiking the Alps 2013 Summary
Entry 37
Hiking the Alps 2013 Summary
February 22

To see a summary of our trip click here

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