. . . resp HB9DIZ met HB9BQU on Grosser Mythen, HB/SZ-019
Dear all
Yesterday Friday was a “bridge day” between Ascension Day and this weekend. And the weather forecast promised a beautiful day, but also slight wind and some clouds here and there. This was the best day to hike up to Grosser Mythen, HB/SZ-019, a summit of respect for me. I had read the existing report by Paul, HB9DST, what didn’t reduce substantially my concerns.
The basin of Schwyz seen from the balcony of Brandegg, HB/UR-074.
A map for Grosser Mythen, HB/SZ-019, with all relevant places.
How to get there? Take the Rotenflue gondola from Rickenbach nearby Schwyz (SZ), hike down 170 m to the saddle of Holzegg and start the hike up of 500 m to the summit. You can also drive to Mythenbad below the two Mythen and hike up to Holzegg and Grosser Mythen in case you have strong legs like e.g. our ham radio retailers @HB9NBG and @HB9FZC, hi. A third way is to drive in via Einsiedeln (SZ) via the Alpthal valley and take the Brunni cablecar to Holzegg. Yeah, Switzerland offers variety!
This is the face of Grosser Mythen . . . yep, when facing it!
Grosser Mythen is the main summit just north of the basin of Schwyz, capital of the Swiss state of Schwyz, or HB/SZ in the SOTA language, around 1900 m high and one of these summits seen from far away since located on the first ridge twowards the Alps. It was one of my special summits so far, since the way up is very impressive when you look up from Schwyz or stand at the wall at the saddle of Holzegg. There is also a second Mythen summit just aside, Kleiner (small) Mythen, HB/SZ-020, but this is the tougher one and a project of its own for experienced mountaineers, as well as Haggenspitz, a non-SOTA-summit.
Instructions at the trail head.
Can you see them hiking up and down in the middle section? View the picture in original size.
. . . and the zig zag trail of the starter section.
46 turns lead you upwards in the wall, merely vertically. But I was convinced to do it now, and its okay. Always be concentrating on the path, and take pictures only when you stand firmly on a safe place. There are a lot of new chains, and a group maintains the Mythen Trail very well. The trail is classified T3, and you need a good pair of hiking boots and your hiking poles. But you will meet people doing it without poles, and there are even mountain joggers proving mountain goat, hi. And you’ll meet probably Armin Schelbert (75), a domestic hiking up and down several times per day, and this for years. He’ll celebrate the 5,000th “activation” of Grosser Mythen soon.
The summit zone with the summit cross and the hut.
Don’t expect to be alone on the way. The trail is extremely popular, so we met hundreds of people. The most important task is to say “hello” to everyone.
Your place of wellness at the top of Grosser Mythen - the hut.
There is a hut on the top, selling a good soup and famous nut and almond pastries. The summit area is quite small, but I found a good place for my activation, even with the big 10-m-mast.
HB9DIZ activating beside a panorama stand.
I had read in the hut on our local Whatsapp channel that Hans, HB9BQU, is up. And we had just finished the soup and Hans entered. He had hiked up earlier with his daughter and had already activated on 2 m FM, which was promising with over 10 contacts what is much for HB9. Its always fun to meet other SOTA activators or Ham Radio fellows on a summit! Hans explored my EFHW with 1:64 coupler and 20 m of wire.
Checking out equipment of other activators is always fascinating. Hans, HB9BQU (on the left), and Markus, HB9DIZ (on the right).
The set-up and the activation went well, almost exclusively on 20 m. Slight noise on both band originating probably from electronic installations on the summit. But the place nearby the summit panorama stand was okay. Some 2 m FM QSOs completed the success from a SOTA perspective.
Don’t underestimate the way down from HB/SZ-019, this is probably worse for your knees than the way up and remain focused on the path again. And a “Wow!” will come over your lips when you are back safe and sound at the bottom of the wall.
Some turns and the stone bench.
Marvelous views here – towards the Alps . . .
. . . and there – westwards to the Mount Rigi summits (5 SOTA summits around the ridge in the middle).
Grosser Mythen was not only on my list. Mark, @HB9DBM, and René, @HB9CRY, activated today, only one day later.
What remains on my special list? Probably Marwees, HB/AI-003, but this one is not just nearby my home door, hi. Manuel will smile . . .
Vy 73 de Markus, HB9DIZ
