Logbook 0: How These Logbooks Work
The aim of these Logbooks is to document each trip to the 153 huts.
Over time, I suspect the logbooks will evolve. For the easier approaches, the log might be fairly short and simple. For more involved trips, especially ones that are overnight or where I do multiple huts in one trip, I will try to be more detailed and provide information on the route, trip planning, equipment, gear reviews, etc.
I will link my Garmin activity page (example here), which will show complete stats for the hut approach - time, pace, heart rate, calories, and even sweat loss in case that disgusting statistic is of interest.
Each logbook will also include an iframe of Caltopo and the .gpx route recorded by my Garmin watch showing the route, time, and other data collected along the way. Like this:
I intended to use SwissTopo which is the main mapping tool used in Switzerland and is by far and away the single best map, route planning, and general outdoor tool I’ve ever come across in my life. But, unfortunately, SwissTopo was not cooperating when I tried to do embedded iframes on this blog while also hosting a .gpx file on the map so it would show my route. Secondly, Caltopo (what is shown above) does not allow for iframe’ing of the Swisstopo scanned map layer due to copyright issues I imagine. So, for now, it forces the iframe to use the open source maps provided by Caltopo. While they are still high quality, it felt appropriate to use the Swiss maps for a Swiss hiking blog. I will continue to work on this and maybe find a solution with more research.
I will try to provide some route beta - unique information based on my experience - where appropriate. Given how well documented the Swiss alpine landscape is, especially by the SAC Route Portal, I don’t know how much new information I’ll supply. I am doubtful there is a single square meter of the Swiss Alps that haven’t been hiked over the last few hundred years given how old the trail system is and how small the country is.
I will also periodically give some gear reviews especially if it is a longer overnight approach requiring a more serious gear load.
