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Published: June 24th 2017
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We look out of the window this morning and it’s not a sky we had hoped to see. There is low cloud covering the tops of the mountains. This was not part of today’s plan or the forecast. All might be different after breakfast.
One of the reasons for coming to this area was to hunt for the elusive blue alpine gentian. To get to the area in which they are growing we need to get above 2000 metres, we are currently at 1500 metres. We have some choices, take the gondola located next to the apartment, walk, or drive to the chairlift that will take us further up the mountain. By the time we have had breakfast the cloud has gone leaving a brilliant blue sky. We pack our mountaineering gear and head off for the chairlift.
The six person chairlift soon has us heading up the hill. It is so quiet. In the distance you can hear the cow bells, the only sound. Getting on was easy, but we still have to get off. At the top an attendant is there to assist if necessary, but being seasoned chairlift riders we have no trouble in getting off
with our pride intact.
Everything is so quiet. The alpine meadows are a lush green and wild flowers are everywhere. We start the climb to the top of this high plateau ever watchful for the one plant we have come to see – the gentian. The attending botanist is frantically photographing all kinds of flowers. One in particular draws our attention. This is it! It has to be. But it is not the blue we imagined. We photograph anemones, forget me nots, rhododendrons, buttercups, and many other unknown but equally attractive flowers.
We reach the summit, Pralongià, where there is a restaurant belonging to the family of our host. We order lunch and discuss our photographic finds. We were assured we would see the gentian all around the restaurant. We show the photo to one of the waitresses and she assures us we have found the elusive gentian. The locals are sure to know their gentians from other plants.
We head back to the chairlift mildly satisfied but still a little unsure. There are of course over 450 varieties of gentian. The walk down is much easier although the loose fine rock makes the going tricky. Because
of the high altitude breathing is easier on the descent than the ascent As we get closer to the chairlift we notice it is not working. “Oh no, we have to walk down!” Perhaps it only operates on demand. We will demand. Major problem, power cut. Ten minutes we are told. We’ve heard that before. After many false alarms, ringing of bells and two way talk chatter, the light starts flashing and the chairs are moving. Do we really want to be first on? Of course we do. We have to get down quickly and notify the world of our discoveries. Perhaps they’ll name the plants after us.
Back at the apartment we do some research that leads us to believe we have not yet seen the blue alpine gentian. In spite of this minor let down we have had a wonderful day. We head off into the village and buy the ingredients for an evening meal, including a large slice of appel strudel.
We still have tomorrow to find the elusive gentian.
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