Day 338 – EU – Switzerland [Zweisimmen to Montbovon]

08/03/21

36km

  From Zweisimmen (Switzerland) to Montbovon (Switzerland)

Europe

Between rain and snow, past ski resorts and uncertainties on the way to Montbovon

It was drizzling as I left Zweisimmen this morning. My plan was to run on the side paths and avoid the main road. According to Google Maps I would be able to do so the whole way. The first part of the run was all uphill and as I approached 1250m altitude, the rain turned to snow. And the landscapes too.

As I approached Gstaad, the side path I had intended to take had been turned into a cross-country skiing alley. That was too much for BoB the stroller, it simply could not roll into so much snow. I retreated to the main road. Not very pleasant, but there was no plan B, I was stuck in the valley.

Me, Nathalie and her husband, from Chateau d’Oex

I ran through the lovely town of Chateau d’Oex, famous for its resort and other activities notably hot-air balloons. I met some locals as I ran through town and I promptly asked them about the condition of the Pass I was intending to run through tomorrow. The answer came unequivocal: the Pass is all snowed under and not accessible, especially with a stroller.

I spent the next 10km running towards Montbovon thinking about how I could re-route my itinerary for tomorrow. It became obvious the most logical choice was to start again from Chateau d’Oex (10km before today’s finish point) and run all the way down to Lake Geneva by the main road. I therefore stopped my GPS at Montbovon, took a train back to Chateau d’Oex. And I will restart tomorrow from a point I have already run through. This way I don’t get to backtrack on a road already run (which I would have to subtract from my total, according to the WRA rules).

Later this afternoon, as I was resting in Chateau d’Oex, I got the visit from a journalist and a photographer from “La Liberte” the local paper. I haven’t forgotten today is International Women Day and I was happy to share the story of my journey and my involvement with the NGO Women for Women International. The goal to fulfill my promise to them (1$ per km run) is as important to me as the journey itself.

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: