I forgot to mention that i think there should be a minimum of 4 people doing this, for safety reasons.

This sounds fantastic and I would really like to do it.

Unforutnately I can't make this date as my sister flies over from Scotland, assuming the ash has gone by then! I could do the following week, if people are open to that date.

Debs

[QUOTE=grimmus;782712]I can't see how having more people can be safer, but yes, about 3-4 people should be more fun.

Debs: 29th May is a full moon, but happy to do it a week before or later. Would be nice to have a more experienced runner

This sounds insane, but i'm still willing to participate.

If i'm wrecked after 2 ascents ill leave it at that.

A gentle bump, and an appeal to people yet to rsvp: we have some people who would like to do the hike provided there are more people to accompany them, for 1-2 ascents (something that is doable by any solid hiker). So please rsvp asap and encourage other fence-sitters.

I think it will be a lovely sight, to have half a dozen headlights criss-crossing the impressive Rigi massif, we will have the mountain all for ourselves, and we will be the first ones to greet the Sunrise at Rigi (BTW this too will become a crowded touristic thing soon, with special trains and restaurants starting at 4 am, from June I think)

So if you were looking for a pure, non-commercial adventure on your own steam in the true spirit of the word, here it is, come, make it happen

Watch this space for more updates.

I know you actually meant "This sounds insane, that's why i'm willing to participate."

It is probably the descents that will test our limits, I am telling this in advance so people have time to buy one (or a pair of) hiking sticks, they are not a fashion accessory.

Hi that would have been great except just had knee surgery on the miniscus and while might be able to do the ascents ok...I think going down might be a problem. Before the unfortunate knee accident I was training to climb to the summit of Mont Blanc so this would have been ideal for me.

I actually live on Rigi , near the cable car at Weggis, so if you do decide to do a repeat of this in a few months time please let me know.

Enjoy...

and also training for the Athens marathon at end of Oct - or will be when my knee is healed and thank god it turned out that the ACL wasn't torn. With my knee in mind I want to do a lot of trail running rather than just on the pavement. If anyone can make any recommendations for good places to run in the Weggis/Rigi area that would be appreciated. Had a look at the Davos swiss alpine marathon and hoping to enter at least one of the lower distances

many thanks

Lynda

Hey Lynda,
When I came home from a "family umbrella hike" () this evening and saw your message, it brought a smile to my face

Hope you won't mind my answering it here publicly, but climbing the Mont Blanc and then paragliding down and then doing the Athens marathon surely I am dying to meet you now, you are such an inspiration. A shame you "just" get to do the marathon now because of the knee injury.

I am answering you here because there are many specialists and coaches here who may have more experience/useful info than I have about knees and your local trails, but from my limited knowledge, if I were in your position I would indeed do some trails gently to maintain my CV fitness, of course within the limits set by my doctor. One idea is to ascend Rigi fully or partly like you suggested, but using small, fast steps (rather than big power steps which can stress the knee too; think of the analogy of super-small gears for climbs), and then descend by cablecar or train. Rigi is conducive for barefoot hiking/running too, if that interest you. I do plan to do a few hikes there with my son in the coming weeks, and will share with you any tips on the trails on that side of Rigi (never been that side).

As for me, I am more of a beginner in mountaineering, but I have some ambitious goals for next year, possibly Weisshorn, and at the very least the Matterhorn Hornli route, if I stay here till then. Indeed, this kind of 10-12 hour endurance activity is an excellent way to train for these big Alpine summit days, for the fitness part. As part of my pre-training, this summer I will be staying a few days at Fluhalp hiking at up to 3500m, this place is advertised as the highest normal hiking region in the world, then after acclimatising do an easier 4000er like Rimpfischhorn with a guide. I haven't asked anyone to join me yet, so anyone reading thi thread: I will be happy to have suitable partners for these 1-3 days of high altitude hikes (I can do the 4000-er separately but you are welcome to join me here too, if you meet the requirements), I haven't thought of the dates yet, but it will probably be early July, or end of July to coincide with my birthday.

Coming back to this event, it is no problem if you let us know your ability to join later on; it might be an idea that you join us for the last ascent, join our EF Mountain Athletes Social (ok, I just coined the name now, surely we wouldn't do the Social at a bar in Zurich, no?) that way you don't need to descend at all. Don't worry about "possibly" slowing the group, it will be a social thing.

Wish you a speedy recovery,
N

No problem answering publicly and I would appreciate any thoughts from other EF members. Athens will be my first marathon as more used to 10k but have hiked the distance for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge in UK. Mont Blanc will still be there next year for me to fly down from.

Sounds like a good idea for me to work towards the 3rd ascent and then the train down. I will confirm nearer the time depending on how the knee is.

Hope to meet you all soon

Lynda

Hi All,

This sounds brilliant am gutted I only saw it today, will definitely be in for any other hikes like this, am doing the 3 peaks challenge at the begining of July and need all the training I can get.

Did Killi last year and am so looking forward to getting back into the mountains this year.

Cheers :-)