Wanderung

Hiking in the Berner Oberland : First, CH

 After visiting Trümmelbach Falls, we left the Lauterbrunnen Valley and drove over to the neighboring Grindelwald Valley. From the town of Grindelwald, we caught a gondola and rode up to First, CH--nearly 8,000 ft above sea level (about 2,200 m ASL). On the return, we decided to hike back down to the station at Schreckfeld. Along the way, we passed hikers going up.

 A different view of the Jungfrau : First, CH

Typical Swiss Alpine scene--cows and mountains : First, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Aletschgletscher

Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) : Jungfrau, CH

To reach the "Top of Europe" on the Jungfraujoch, you have to ride a cog train from Kleine Scheidigg to a train station deep in the mountain. The 5.8 mile (9.3 km) ride takes 50 minutes and brings you to a platform 11,332 feet ASL (3,454 meters ASL)--the highest train station in all of Europe!

The top of the Aletschgletscher : Jungfrau, CH

The main reason to travel to the top of the Jungfraujoch is to see the largest glacier in western Europe, the Aletschgletscher. The glacier is 14 miles (23 km) long and, at its thickest point, nearly 3,330 ft deep (~1 km). To see a photo of the glacier from space, go here.

Crevass : Jungfrau, CH

Strata : Jungfrau, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Blick von Kleine Scheidigg...

Blick von Kleine Scheidigg, CH

Once we arrived in Kleine Scheidigg, this was the view that greeted us: The Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger in all their ginormous glory!

Eiger Reflection : Kleine Scheidigg, CH

Blick auf Grindelwald im Tal : Kleine Scheidigg, CH

Not only is there a great view of this magnificent Alpine trio, but from Kleine Scheidigg, you can look down the valley and see the town of Grindelwald. If you click on the photo, you can see it off in the distance at the foot of the mountains.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Wengen to Kleine Scheidigg

 

On the Ascent from Lauterbrunnen, looking down the valley :
Lauterbrunnen, CH

On Monday, we decided to ride the cog train from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidigg. The 50-minute ride takes you through the town of Wengen and to the base of Switzerland's three most famous peaks after the better-known Matterhorn: the Jungfrau (Virgin), Mönch (Monk), and Eiger (Ogre). I'm sure there's some legend behind the names of the peaks, but I couldn't find anything.

The Jungfrau with a altocumulus lenticular cloud formation atop its summit :
Kleine Scheidigg, CH

Cog Train ascending... : Wengen, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Blick auf die Bergen von Mürren

Jungfrau at Sunset as seen from the terrace of the Hotel Edelweiss : Mürren, CH

The Schilthorn/Piz Gloria closes at 6:00 p.m., so we took the telecabine back down to Mürren. We stopped in at the Hotel Edelweiss, because they had a great view of the Jungfrau, the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and a simple repast of hearty bread, sliced meats and cheeses, and little gerkins and onions. Sunset from this point was lovely, as you can see above. To see more pictures of this moment of the day in Mürren, visit my Picasa Web Album.

 Prior to sunset : Mürren, CH

Also, I want to add a note of congratulations to my best friend, Amy Krauss, who is getting married today in Manassas, Virginia. I'm sorry I can't be there, but I'm sending all kinds of good wishes to you and Patrick! Congratulations, HB. xo

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/10

Isenfluh

 Der Blick auf die Jungfrau vom Isenfluh, CH / The view of the Jungfrau from Isenfluh, CH

High on the side of a mountain, through a corkscrew tunnel worthy of Disney's Matterhorn ride, and up a one lane road with infrequent pull outs sits the Alpine village of Isenfluh. Population: 70 or thereabouts. The town is serviced by a Swiss Post bus and there are a couple of chalet hotels. For those who live in this tiny little hamlet, this is the view they have to suffer day in and day out: the Eiger. Bummer, eh? To see a few more pictures, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/10

The Virgin, the Ogre, and the Monk

The other side of the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Monch : Canton Bern, CH

Three of Switzerland's most famous alpine peaks are known as Jungfrau (the Virgin), Eiger (the Ogre), and Monch (the Monk). The most common view is from Interlaken, but on a recent drive home, we noticed it from the south side.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/10