Ok, this stage was kinda tough. 1800m ascent, 5 hours, constant sun and heat. When I was at 1500m I've actually had enough. But I continued to my destination Etzlihütte anyway.
I left the official Trans Swiss Trail (and with it the E1) after the first 100m in Amsteg. From then on it was officially a 'mountain trail' (Swiss white-red-white markers). I barely met anyone beside a cow or two (mandatory in Switzerland). Actually a major part of the trail on a higher altitude were pastures I had to cross. And there were lots of cows.
The trail ended at Etzlihütte at 2052m altitude. I was rather late and there were already lots of people there. The hut provides for running water and in house toilets, but of course no showers. The Etzlihütte provides the 'Bade-Bottich' as a special feature: a huge wooden tub in front of the hut, which was sort of a jacuzzi, very nice. Anyway I washed myself with the cold running water in the restrooms.
Our host served dinner on the patio of the hut. Apparently he did that for only the second time in all his years as the hut owner. It was still quite warm and sunny. And there was absolutely no wind. This weather is highly unusual at this altitude. You usually expect it to be cold and windy. It was very nice. Then again it soon got cold and all of us had to go inside.
I slept in a room for 24 people in a bed for six. The night was very calm. The people were not at all noisy. Window was open, fresh mountain air, perfect.
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