Between Christmas and New Year

The end of 2015 also remained without significant snowfall, even high up in the Swiss Alps, thus concluding a very mild year overall. From Hüttlisboden (1,510 m), which at this time is usually a beautiful resting spot on the popular ski tour to Gulmen (1,798 m), I gaze at the sunset over the Glarus Alps behind the deep, fog-filled valley floor with Lake Walen.

The romantic sunset is followed by a star-studded night, in which the quiet landscape is bathed in soft moonlight, creating an equally impressive atmosphere.

Incidentally, despite its modest height, the freestanding Gulmen is a fantastic viewpoint at any time of year, offering a panoramic view of the Churfirsten to the east, Säntis and the lowlands to the north, the nearby Mattstock to the west, and the Glarus peaks with Mürtschenstock, Glärnisch Ruchen, Rautispitz, and of course, Tödi to the south. As it was snow-free, I have now hiked to the summit for the first time and hope to have gained enough experience for an ascent with touring skis by next year.