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brooke beyond

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
USA / Washington

Sahale Arm to boston Basin via Mt Buckner & Sahale Peak

21 August 2021

Among the most popular photo vantage points in the entire North Cascades, Sahale Glacier Camp is simply breathtaking. After hiking an incredibly gentle trail to Cascade Pass and then continuing through the heather to ascend a much steeper, rockier route to Sahale Arm, the entirety of the range seems to stretch before you, Doubtful Lake acting as a sparkling sapphire centrepiece to the dark granite and bright snowy slopes. One look and I was hooked— I HAD to get here.

Unsurprisingly, permits for Sahale Arm are now insanely hard to come by, so when dad and Eileen managed to secure spots at not only Sahale Arm but also Boston Basin this summer, it didn’t take much convincing for me to drop everything and hop onto what would be a spectacular 5-day adventure (and my first real foray) into North Cascades National Park. Tossing in a few challenging summits and a new climbing partner, the week delivered even more than promised.

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Camped at the Cascade Pass TH

Day 1: Cascade River Road to Cascade Pass TH

Cruising along Cascade River Road towards the Cascade Pass TH on Wednesday afternoon, we were stopped around mile 18 due to road damage from a recent storm— we had expected this, but it didn’t make the 5.5mi hike on mixed gravel and pavement any more appealing. 

There was a massive string of cars already parked along the shoulder, but we slotted ourselves in right at the roadblock and were joined by Kellie moments after we pulled packs from the car. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

The next 2hrs passed as pleasantly as road hiking can ever pass, all exchanging excited chatter as we all looked forward to the week’s adventure. 

By the time we did reach the Cascade Pass Trailhead that evening, a spectacular destination in its own right with the glaciated Johannesburg lurking overhead, we pitched tents directly in the parking lot and launched into a luxurious dinner on the picnic table— the last seat we’d be seeing for a while. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sparkling view of Doubtful Lake

Day 2: Cascade Pass TH to Sahale Arm

The following day, we woke to partial sun and eagerly hit the trail up towards Cascade Pass, one of the most popular day hiking destinations in the entire state. 

On a Thursday morning with the road closes 5.5mi from the trailhead, though, we had the path to ourselves, save for one other group of backpackers who’d also camped in the parking lot. 

Beautifully graded and impossibly gentle, we arrived to Cascade Pass 2hrs later without having hardly broken a sweat, ready to enjoy a prolonged lunch break in the sun and sweeping view of the Cascades. It was easily an hour before we saddled back up and continued the ascent to Sahale Arm, our camp for the night. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Dad and Eileen hiking towards Sahale Arm

Treating the hike as if we had all the time in the world (which, in truth, we did), the group set a leisurely pace up the trail towards Sahale— allowing ample time for me to run around photographing the swathe of colourful wildflowers and all the sparkling alpine lakes coming into view. 

Cascade Pass is certainly beautiful, but it just can’t compare to the views afforded another hour up the trail towards Sahale Arm, where the mountains loom taller, the marmots run wilder, and the wildflowers are an explosion of texture in the foreground of every shot.  

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Hiking through endless wildflowers to Sahale Arm
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Friendly marmots in the North Cascades
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Hiking to Sahale Arm

Something about the narrow boot path winding and weaving through a sea of rough heather and scattered granite made the entire scene feel like a painting, distinctly set in the North Cascades. For my first true foray into the National park, we couldn’t have chosen a better spot. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

No sooner had we arrived to our camp at the base of the Sahale Glacier, one of the most coveted sites in the North Cascade (with a permitting system to match), than an enormous fog bank rolled in and blanketed our beautiful view in white. 

The only thing that spared us great disappointment was the fact that we’d have this site a second night and therefore that there would be innumerable opportunities to photograph the dramatic view. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Mountain goats waiting to eat our urine at Sahale Arm
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Mountain goats climbing the Sahale Glacier

An abundance of very friendly mountain goats also provided an excellent consolation, and I spent the better part of an hour photographing them in various locations around camp before I learned that all I really needed to do to secure a quality goat photo was pee near the tent and wait for them to come eat it up (strange, but true).

We fell asleep to wicked wind and the sound of goats munching nearby, which incidentally is pretty much how we woke up the following morning. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Eileen and Kellie leading off to Buckner

Day 3: Sahale Arm to Buckner Mountain & return

Poised for a lengthy day, we set out around 7.30am to tackle our first climbing objective of the trip, Mt Buckner. 

Despite appearing only a few miles beyond our camp at Sahale Arm, dad estimated that we’d need 12hrs to summit via the SW face and return to the tents— a timeframe that seemed overly conservative at the time, but ended up being several hours short of the truly massive day we had in front of us. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

We began the journey by descending on mixed snow and dirt outcroppings, soon reaching a mess of rock that required methodical down climbing, and finally arriving at a steep snow chute where we donned crampons and palmed ice axes in anticipation of a very hairy descent. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Dad navigating across rock slabs en route to Buckner
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Approaching Mt Buckner on endless snow and rock

After carefully finding our way into the side of an ice moat about an hour after leaving camp, we just as carefully ascended a vertical edge onto the frozen snow finger above and contoured across a gradual slope above the basin. 

Still unroped and far from high alert, I took my first slide of the day mere seconds after dad called out that this would be an excellent place to fall since the runout made serious injury very unlikely— the timing was so uncanny that Eileen genuinely thought I’d taken the fall on purpose, just to practice. 

Thankfully, the slide ended up being a bit of a shortcut towards our route and I didn’t bring anyone down with me (being unroped), but it was also a very valuable learning experience— the thick and very wet gloves I was wearing could hardly get purchase on my axe and it took me far longer to arrest than I would have liked. As soon as I was back on two feet, I changed into different gloves and vowed to keep my guard up. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Approaching Mt Buckner
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Approaching Mt Buckner

Over the next several hours, we ascended increasingly steep snow slopes in an effort to reach the 45 degree wall beneath Buckner and scramble up to the summit. 

It was incredibly tedious, the peak barely appearing any closer with each passing hour, but it was also incredibly exhilarating to meet the challenges laid before me, gaining confidence with every step. When dad called down to me that this was “no mistakes territory”, I felt fully capable of executing a considered, methodical route up the peak. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

After taking off crampons and ascending a treacherous slope of loose dirt and scree, we finally reached the summit block and made quick work of the final ascent all the way to the top. 

Climbing Buckner was no insignificant feat (a full 7hrs had elapsed since we left camp), but all were in high spirits as we enjoyed a boots-off break and an extended lunch on the summit. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Just below the summit of Mt Buckner
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Happy climbers on the Buckner summit

Those high spirits were quickly squashed by our return journey. Down climbing the summit block was no particular challenge, but descending over the loose dirt and scree was positively miserable— and it only got worse from here.

The exciting unroped climb we’d enjoyed up Buckner’s steep snow chute under pleasant morning conditions was a distant memory as we roped together and descended 1500ft of melting snow, every second step collapsing beneath our crampons as we all tried desperately to stay on the mountain, gripping axes with white knuckles as we slid pickets forward along our rope to be placed as protection. 

A fall here, if not immediately arrested, could mean all four of us falling to some terrible fate below— this was not lost on anyone. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

It was here that I took my second fall of the trip, and it was genuinely rattling to feel the snow give way beneath me and to then look up from my arrest and find that I’d yanked our entire rope team off their feet before I could get my axe dug into the snow.

Possibly worse was the realisation that we were still so far from easier terrain. It took us several hours to descend what had hardly taken one to climb, and every move felt precarious as we continued to place pickets and even front-point down— no sooner would I turn around to finally resume careful plunge steps than I’d slide and find myself hanging two-handed off the head of my axe. 

I could have cried at several points along that descent, frustrated by my own inability to stay upright on the soggy snow beneath us, and that’s to say nothing of the enormous spider that ran across the snow or the ice burns on my arm or the heat-related headache or the fact that every single person had run out of drinking water under the scorching sun. 

When we did finally drop onto rock and briefly de-cramp, I could have kissed the ground. And yet, we weren’t even halfway back to camp. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
The snow finger that led back to Sahale Arm

Over the next several hours, we put crampons on and took crampons off so many times that I couldn’t possibly count. 

The looming marine layer had finally settled into the basin and blocked out all light (the only silver lining was that I no longer felt at risk of heat stroke), and we struggled to navigate through thick clouds that obscured most of our route. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Snow moat

By 8pm, we’d climbed up the snow finger and circumvented the moat, but the rock climbing gave us significant pause as we once again struggled to identify our original route. I was acutely aware of every single minute out in the cold night, nothing passing quickly or easily or pleasantly, and I started to seriously question my sanity in having chosen mountaineering as an outdoor pursuit. Surely there’s more fun to be had, I don’t know, gardening or something. 

It was nearly dark by the time we finally FINALLY arrived back at Sahale Arm, collapsing into exhausted heaps as the freezing wind whipped around our tents and opting to eat a quick dinner inside before we all passed out. 

The day had been never-ending and I needed to be on the other side of it to actually appreciate what we’d done rather than just wince— but as with all epic adventures, the mental anguish fades and we’re back to plotting the next excursion before physical wounds have even fully healed. By morning, I was ready to do it again. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
View of Doubtful Lake from our camp at Sahale Arm

Day 4: Sahale Arm to Sahale Peak to Boston Basin

We awoke late in the morning to clear skies and sunny weather, finally getting that perfect view from Sahale Arm that we’d been so eagerly awaiting. 

The goats were out, Doubtful Lake was shining, and Sahale Peak looked incredibly close compared to Buckner— all signs pointed to this being a delightful day. 

We set off around 11am and made quick work of the steep ascent to Sahale, roping for the final section but never approaching anything I deemed to be overly challenging. Even as dad set pickets across steep snow, the day didn’t seem to possess any of the gravity or tension of our previous climb, for which I was very grateful. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Me and dad ascending the Sahale Glacier
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Eileen climbing Sahale Glacier

Once at the base of Sahale (thankfully without incident), we removed our crampons and slowly climbed as a rope team towards the rock summit. By early afternoon, we were all happily perched atop the summit and smiling at a genuinely fun ascent. 

The first of our complications came when we decided to rappel off the backside of the summit rather than retracing our steps, but it only cost about 30min for dad to rap down to his pack and climb back up to the summit while Kellie, Eileen, and I waited (having brought our full packs up to begin with). 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Buckner as seen from the summit of Sahale Peak
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Dad climbing Sahale Glacier
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Buckner in the background as we descend Sahale Peak

Rappelling down the backside of the mountain with a full pack was interesting, but with my growing climbing experience and brief foray into canyoneering earlier this year, it wasn’t anything unmanageable and actually proved rather fun. 

The second and most significant complication came immediately after the rap, as we peered over the opposite side of Sahale, down a glacier none of us had experience with, and saw only a heavy blanket of fog— the dreaded marine layer was back. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Marine layer off the back of Sahale Peak

What followed was every bit as stressful as the descent of Buckner, only for a different reason: we couldn’t see ANYTHING. 

We roped together, stepped into crampons, and piled on layers, but apprehension hung heavy in the air as we all hesitated to make the first step. We could go back the way we’d just come and descend the Sahale Glacier— although as steep as the terrible Buckner chute, at least we’d be able to see— or we could drop blindly over the ridgeline and hope for the best. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

After much nervous discussion and consideration of the gps, Eileen blazed down into the fog, pulling each of us along on the rope with dad acting as “stopper” in the rear. 

We had several false starts, reaching a rock ledge with no apparent exit route and having to climb straight back up again, but finally we connected with the glacier in earnest and I forced my anxiety to trust in the process. 

Had we been able to see, it wouldn’t have been a very remarkable descent at all— the glacier wasn’t terribly steep and the snow was in pretty solid condition, both true blessings, but our path was completely littered with gaping crevasses that we couldn’t see until we were nearly on top of them and the visibility never really improved. We had no way of knowing whether we were slowly approaching a drop-off or if we were threading dangerously between crevasses. 

Fear of the unknown kept us all on high alert until we finally stepped off the snow onto rock around 8pm and decided that we’d had enough for the day— this slab would have to suffice as camp. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Our rocky camp in Boston Basin

By the time we’d pitched tents, the marine layer had completely lifted and we were able to see our final climbing objective above, Shark Fin Tower; it took only a few seconds to decide that this would be saved for another trip. 

Instead, we whipped up margaritas and toasted the end to another challenging but ultimately successful day in the mountains. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Lush scenery in Boston Basin

Day 5: Boston Basin to Cascade Pass TH to Cascade River Road 

From our makeshift camp at the top of Boston Basin, we dropped about an hour down to the established campsites and then followed one of the worst trails I’ve ever seen in my life all the way out to Cascade River Road, popping out half a mile closer to our car than the Cascade Pass Trailhead. 

The bushwhacking had been terrible, the humidity was mounting, horse flies were hosting an all-you-can-eat buffet on my legs, but I was feeling pretty bloody pleased to have survived the most harrowing mountaineering trip of my admittedly short career (soon to be outshone by an ill-fated Ptarmigan Traverse). 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb

When we reached a busy string of parked cars only a short distance down the road around mile 21, I even managed to score a lift back to our car at mile 18 and return to collect everyone, saving several sweaty miles that no one was particularly looking forward to. 

It was just the boost we needed to end the trip on a high note and, over burgers and beers at Mondo’s in Marblemount, we laughed away all memory of the low notes. 

Sahale Arm Buckner Boston Basin North Cascades National Park hike climb
Descending from our rocky camp in Boston Basin

Read more Washington trip reports

CLIMBING MT RAINIER VIA CAMP SCHURMAN & THE EMMONS GLACIER

FROZEN LARCH HIKE: INGALLS LAKE & SOUTH INGALLS PEAK

CHELAN SUMMIT TRAIL (DAYS 1 & 2): PRINCE CREEK TO STAR LAKE VIA STAR & COURTNEY PEAK

MAPLE PASS LOOP & BLACK PEAK (DAYS 2 & 3): LEWIS LAKE TO WING LAKE & BLACK PEAK SUMMIT

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brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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The Comments

  • Ritvik Solanki
    22 February 2023

    Wow! A truly epic adventure with breathtaking photos! Which days did you complete this hike? Thank you! Feel like I found a treasure chest with this blog!

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Ritvik Solanki
      16 November 2023

      Hi Ritvik, thanks so much for reading! I did this hike in August and it was amazing, obviously conditions vary year to year, but the summer/later summer season is a good bet 🙂

      Happy trails!
      xx bb

      Reply

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hi, I’m brooke!

I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James). I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • it’s another “if it wasn’t so stupid beautiful, I’d never set foot in this country again because it’s bleeding me dry” kinda summer 🇨🇭🌸☀️🏔️🦋✨

(hands up if you feel personally victimised by Swiss prices but you can’t stay away because MOUNTAINS 😭😭)
  • magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
  • BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
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#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
  • This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
  • we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?!

I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights!

I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
  • NICE MINI GUIDE 🇫🇷🌊✨

some of our favourite experiences from last month in this charming town on the French Riviera!

WHAT TO DO
☕️ stroll through Old Town: beautiful alleyways with charming shops + bars (pass by Palais du Justice, Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice, Église Sainte Rita for photos)
🏖️ Ruhl Plage: picturesque beach club with striped umbrellas + chairs (but the free beach immediately beside it works just as well for a quick dip!!)
🪴 Jardin Albert 1er: leafy park separating central Nice from the Old Town
📸 Colline du Château: elevated park on the headland with excellent views of the coastline
🚃 day trip to Eze + Monaco: both can be done in a single day with public transport or inexpensive Ubers!

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK
🧀 La Cave du Fromager: fondue/cheese restaurant located in a wine cellar in Old Nice, beautiful and amazing food!
🦆 La Route du Miam: intimate 6-table restaurant serving legendary duck— the menu is bascially 3 options, but the duck-fat potatoes are mind-blowing, the wine selection is excellent, and the owners are impossibly charismatic (expect to leave with multiple kisses)
🍨 Finoccio: local-fave ice creamery with endless flavours
☕️ La Claque: small cafe with excellent coffee, matcha, kombucha etc
🍷 La Treille Bar à Vin: natural wine + small plates with charming outdoor seating
🍸 Soho: trendy bar with a good value happy hour 5-8pm
  • paris on (fuji)film 🇫🇷🥐🧀✨

we’d originally planned to spend June climbing in the French + Swiss Alps… but after I had knee surgery at the end of April, we had to pivot to something a little more recovery-friendly.

so we changed our flights from Geneva to Paris and instead spent a couple weeks sipping cocktails, making croissants, wandering through charming galleries, catching up with some of our favourite humans, and racking up steps around the city in an effort to get me hiking-capable asap. 

not exactly the summits we’d planned, but time well-spent all the same 💛 #fujifilmx100vi
  • 2-WEEK KYUSHU ITINERARY ✨

the perfect active road trip for exploring Japan’s 3rd largest island!

Days 1-2: Fukuoka
-  pick up hire car
-  Momochi district
-  Nanzo-in reclining Buddha
-  Gion district temples
-  Fukuoka yatai
-  Itoshima coast + Keya No Oto hike

Days 3-4: Beppu
-  Jigoku Seven Hells
-  Mt Tsurumi or Mt Yufu hike
-  Himeji-jo Castle
-  stay at Kunisakisou & make use of private onsen

Days 5-6: Aso
- Mt Aso National Park (countless amazing hikes!)
- best restaurants: 阿蘇内牧カレー屋 BATH (katsu curry) + Meshi no Yamaichi (beef bowls with endless toppings)
- best onsen (tattoos ok for private bathing): Yunoyado Irifune + 阿蘇内牧音泉 湯楽

Day 7: Kumamoto
- Takachiho Gorge
- GorogoTaki Waterfall

Days 8-10: Kirishima
-  Mt Karakunidake (10km hike)
-  Mt Kaimondake (7km hike)
-  Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath (free 100m baths with view of volcano) + Sakurajima active volcano

Days 11-13: Yakushima (car ferry to island)
-  Anbo Trail to Jomon Sugi
-  Mt Miyanoura scramble
-  Seibu Rindo Forest Path scenic drive

Day 14: return to Fukuoka
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#fukuoka #kyushu #japan #roadtrip #beppu
#onsen #takachiho
  • The famous bowing deer of Nara 🦌✨

The ancient city of Nara is home to around 1,300 sacred deer (believed to be messengers to the gods!) roaming freely around the parks and temples. They are SO cute & friendly, and feeding the deer in Nara was a top highlight of my 6 weeks in Japan 🥹

Tips for visiting the deer:
🦌 head to Nara Park & you’ll find deer everywhere near Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha & Kofukuji. Look for shikadamari (deer meeting spots) & approach respectfully!
🍘 buy shika senbei (deer crackers) for ~¥200 from local vendors. Hold one up, bow & watch the deer bow back!
🚃 get here in ~45min from Kyoto or Osaka by train
🏯 this is a popular day trip, but I definitely recommend staying overnight in a traditional ryokan & eating at some of the amazing local restaurants
⏱️ the park is prettiest early in the morning or around sunset when it’s quieter, the light is soft & the deer are more relaxed
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#nara #naradeer #japan #japantravel #traveljapan #wheninjapan
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  • it’s another “if it wasn’t so stupid beautiful, I’d never set foot in this country again because it’s bleeding me dry” kinda summer 🇨🇭🌸☀️🏔️🦋✨

(hands up if you feel personally victimised by Swiss prices but you can’t stay away because MOUNTAINS 😭😭)
  • magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
  • BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
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#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
  • This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
  • we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?!

I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights!

I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
it’s another “if it wasn’t so stupid beautiful, I’d never set foot in this country again because it’s bleeding me dry” kinda summer 🇨🇭🌸☀️🏔️🦋✨ (hands up if you feel personally victimised by Swiss prices but you can’t stay away because MOUNTAINS 😭😭)
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨ . . . . #swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹 just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!! so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge 💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!! - Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away - Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train) - Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility - Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake - Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms - Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views - Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail . . . . . #easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑 In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅 But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time) Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails! Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?!

I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights!

I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?!

I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights!

I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?!

I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights!

I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?! I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights! I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
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