Furggelenstock, facing the Mythen

This is not a tour for beginners. We traverse slopes, and at times the path drops a little more steeply.

It is not especially strenuous, though. There is little climbing, and on the broad paths early on, and the flatter stretches later, there is time to take in the peaks around us – above all the Grosser Mythen, which keeps an eye on us all day.

After fresh snow we are glad to stay below the tree line: snow-laden spruce trees are simply mythical (now, what was that mountain called again?). Beyond the Halbegg, out on the ridge, the view opens up to the mountains of Schwyz, Glarus, Uri and St Gallen.

On the Furggelenstock, weather permitting, we pause to enjoy the view and take our photos. Then we decide together how to descend to the Furggelen hut (SAC): steep and sporty, or slow and steady.

If the hut is open, we stop for a cup of tea (with or without a dash of schnapps) and perhaps a bowl of soup. The descent to Brunni is easy.