21.8.15 - Appenzeller

The Appenzeller region is the heart of the Switzerland, land of cheese, beer, mountains and mountaineering. Very typical!The National Geographic cover photo is of the region and, therefore, nothing better than coming to see it before the mass influx of tourists.So, I carried the Monte Campo with water, sandwiches and fruit, prepared bats and leggings and made me the way, having as target the mythical Wildkirchli. 
To get there, first by car, I drove one of those roads that I love the Alps, in the middle of the green, going up the mountain between hills and cliffs, curve against curve. Those roads which, if it were a race car was able to ear the echo of the engine, gearbox, tires, for kilometers and kilometers.
 Passing the village of Appenzeller, access to Wildkirchli is where the road ends, where it ends, also, the railroad and has the teleski station. From that point, for me, was always walking. 
Among the many routes to choose, after some time chating with a lady who took Mary, who shouldn`t have more than 3 years, touring the mountain, I chose what seemed to me more beautiful and easy. 
Crossing a river with several cows for company, even with asphalt road but prohibited the car, I started to rise, and rise and rise. So much so that he had only been half a dozen meters and was already stretching bats to help me them; so much so that even a small fork that was less than 600 meters from where I started walking had stopped three times. 
That fork had two possibilities: either moved on to the lake and towards Santis - four hours walk - or, turn right towards Ascher and Wildkirchli. I opted for the second.At this point the asphalt disappeared and the walk was along a narrow path, where only fit a person and as a constant ascent. Stone by stone, meter by meter, in effort and without having a small resting point. Imagine climbing a ski slope without the seats. Imagine climb those remote sites where the teleski the poles are installed. That's about it without poles.As I climbed the landscape was becoming different: what began as the base of trees, "quickly" became a sight for them, the cows have only heard in the distance and the birds of prey is to be felt.On the way in the opposite direction, down, many people, many highly equipped walkers, alone or in family, with infants - or backpack childs - and conveying the idea that for the Swiss contact with nature, seeing her, exploit it, it is a national sport.Toward the top of the mountain, where there is no vegetation and the yellow of the stone takes place, I hear the bleating of a sheep. I look ahead, and inside a small fence, there they were. Later the same with rabbits. Beautiful, fat.A few meters ahead, Ascher and characteristic restaurant / mountain retreat built into the rock.It was crowded and it was difficult to find a place to sit. First five minutes I shared table with a beautiful Estonian who told me that the food at that place was very good.Thus, besides the traditional beer Appenzeller wheat, I asked no less traditional cheese Routti: fried potato sticks with melted cheese, herbs and pepper. 
However the Estonian went away and gave place to Luana, to Nadine and Deniz. Three Swiss youths, very very nice - we have the promise we find ourselves in the near future - who, like me, decided to come see Wildkirchli before the demand of tourists approaching.
 Lunch was lively with conversations about travel and Appenzeller history. Either we proceed together the rest of the afternoon.Before going down even I went to see a cave which has an altar and celebrate Mass: Wildkirchli.
 On the descent I bumped me with more people going up and visited homes of farmers who sold cheese produced by its imposing cows.With my new friends, before reaching the mountain's base, stick up a Swiss tradition: drink a wine and eat a pie made with macerated pear. Well good, those moments for later recall because instead of glasses, drank wine in coffee cups with saucers and everything. 
On the way back, a short stop in Appenzeller brewery to sample the local flavors.