Where is this?

[hobbes]

It's a matter of perspective. In case it helps, I was skiing at the time.

[krummholz]

I'm throwing in the towel--partly for lack of time. If it's not a statistical high point and there isn't anything in the foreground that nails it, that makes it tough. I'm sure I'll kick myself when I see the answer!

[hobbes]

The writing on the building is: Hotel Restaurant Riffelberg.

[krummholz]

All right, thanks for the giveaway. So it's the Gornergrat. I never would have figured that out. If the camera shifts to the left, we get this image:



If you'd given a hint based on the literary connection, something about Mark Twain ascending the Riffelberg with hundreds of mountain guides carrying umbrellas and gigantic crates of gourmet foods, that might have helped my poor brain figure it out... but then again, maybe not!

[billysinc]

Here's one that's a little easier

IMG_0571small.jpg

[hobbes]

All right, thanks for the giveaway. So it's the Gornergrat.

Actually, if memory serves, it's Ober Gabelhorn.

[krummholz]

Thank you, Hobbes. I did have a speck of doubt in my mind because the Gornergrat is a ridge rather than a peak--and Ober Gabelhorn has the requisite profile. My geographic knowledge clearly falls short, and I am now bowing out of this game. It's been fun.

[krummholz]

But ater you've solved billysinc's photo, here's my parting shot. A very popular and obvious place in the Smokies--except not many folks approach it from this direction.

[krummholz]

Since a month has gone by and no one's come up with the answer, I'll give it away: Charlies Bunion.



You get there by going into the Porters Creek watershed and up the second tributary of Lester Prong, then climbing up the rock spine from the bottom. Serious bushwhacking. (Most people do something slightly easier and approach it from the Appalachian Trail.)

[billysinc]

nope, no where near the AT