Ladderpass - Davos Dorf

Pius and Miriam with Gypsie and Mia (from 27.05.18):

As it rained quite hard last night, we wait with getting up until the sun shines and our tent dries a little. A chamois allows us a visit in the early morning but runs away like crazy when she notices our dogs. At 10.20 a.m. we strap on our snowshoes and set off again in good weather. The ascent is, as the day before, extremely difficult and requires our full concentration and strength not to slip constantly on the soft snow slopes. We are all the happier when we finally reach the crest at 11.35 am. The Scalettapass has a crest height of 2'606 m.a.s.l. and connects the Engadin with Davos. It is the highest point of the Swiss Way of St. James. Up here, there is a weather shelter which is accessible all year round in order to seek shelter in case of rapid weather deterioration. At the signpost we take a break and eat the fine farmer chips and take some photos with the dogs.

Afterwards we start the descent towards Dürrboden, which is not less strenuous than the ascent. As the path is not visible at all, we follow a ski track with the snowshoes, which leads us towards the valley. For the descent we need almost twice as long as indicated on the signpost. Our attempts to slide down on the backside to save time do not help much in the end. Once down we can finally take off our snowshoes and hike along the Dischmabach to Dürrboden. Here we find a historic mountain inn, which unfortunately is not open until next week. In summer a bus runs to this alp. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also offered as far as Davos. The way here is again unique and beautiful.

It is now only 12.4 km to Davos. The path is always slightly sloping and leads through the romantic Dischma valley with isolated stables and typical Walser houses over pastures, sometimes left and sometimes right along the Dischma stream.
(Walser = an alemannic ethnic group which, starting from the Upper Valais, settled in various alpine regions from the 13th/14th century onwards. On a length of about 300 km there are still about 150 Walser settlements spread out in the Alpine region today)

We are happy when we reach the train station of Davos Dorf at 5.50 pm. Davos grew out of a Walser farming settlement and is now an Alpine metropolis that lives largely from tourism. This place offers enough overnight accommodations. But since we have our tent with us, we decide to stay overnight on a camping site. Therefore we get on the train and drive a few stations to Glaris, where the nearest camping site is located. The Camping Rinerlodge is located directly at the river Landwasser and is open all year round. For the overnight stay with tent and two dogs we pay Fr. 25.00, but with the guest card we can take the bus or train back to Davos Dorf for free the next day (Fr. 4.40 per person 1/1).

Today we have covered 18.23 km with an ascent of 243 m and a descent of 1'121 m. This hike should also not be undertaken until June. When there is no snow on the pass, the descent leads over a scree field in the upper part, but the path is solid and well marked. Nevertheless, a certain surefootedness should be present.