A week in Grindelwald.
Saturday 3 August - We flew from Edinburgh to Geneva and traveled on to Grindelwald by train. A straight forward journey thanks to Easyjet and Swiss Rail. It was hot and sunny when we arrived but the forecast suggested that we were in for a week of mixed weather.
Sunday 4 August - It was a bright start to the day so we stuck to our plan to walk up the Eiger Trail to Kleine Scheidegg. As it was our first day we cheated a little a caught the train up to Alpiglen. By the time we arrived rain was falling and thunder could be heard in the distance. We set off any way hoping that it was only a shower. We were right and had an excellent day which we extended by climbing the Lauberhorn above Kleine Scheidegg.
The start of the Eiger Trail at Alpiglen Station.
Heading off in the rain.
Full waterproofs below the Eiger Norwand.
The sun soon made an appearance.
Walking within 'touching distance' of the north face.
Old snow bridging a stream.
Looking back along the Gridelwald valley.
Fantastic views west towards the Jungfrau.
Looking up the west ridge of the Eiger at the end of the trail.
Susan taking a well earned rest at the end of the trail.
A train heading for the Jungfraujoch.
Setting off to climb the Lauberhorn.
On the summit - unfortunately cloud had built up so we didn't get the view hoped for of the Eiger.
The Eiger and Monch north faces emerged briefly from the cloud as we descended.
Monday 5 August - As the forecast was good we were up and out early to complete a 'classic alpine walk' from Schynige Platte to First. We traveled to the start by train which was a superb journey. The route was excellent but hard work as in was very hot. We climbed three tops on route and descended by cable car from First to Grindelwald.
Susan and her new Swiss friends at Schynige Platte Station.
On the first top just above the station - Tuba (2076m)
On the superb ridge leading to the second top - the Oberberghorn.
The climb up the Oberberghorn is aided by ladders.
On the summit of Oberberhorn (2069m) looking back to the start of the 'weg'.
The next stage gave amazing views with a variety of scenery.
Approaching the Manndlenen Hut about halfway along the 'weg'.
Taking a wee break.
A steep pull up from the hut.
Susan trying to cool down.
My more 'conservative' cooling system.
The trail leading to the Faulhorn - the final summit of the day.
The final climb on the Faulhorn.
On the summit of the Faulhorn (2686m)
Great views on the descent to First past the lake at Bachalpsee.
Tuesday 6 August - Another bright sunny morning meant that we could climb the Schwarzhorn at just under 3000m from the cable car station at First. We were up and away early meaning that we were the first to reach the summit which we had to ourselves. We moved quickly and beat the guide time by 50 minutes. On the descent we stopped by a wee burn to eat lunch and cool our feet.
The Schwarzhorn ascent has:
alpine meadows;
scree slopes;
snow;
and scrambling.
On the final rock slabs to the summit.
Happy to be first to summit.
A superb day out together.
Susan on the 'bad step' during the descent.
Descending through the final boulder field.
Cooling off after lunch.
We got to Wengen in sunshine and had some good views of the classic U-shaped valley. However, the rain came earlier than expected and by the time we were half way to Kleine Scheidegg it was pouring down. We 'proofed up' and continued in Scottish summer conditions of wind and rain. We saw no one and it felt quite wild and remote. There were some amazing waterfalls coming of the Jungfrau and Monch and we enjoyed the experience despite wet feet.
Kleine Scheidegg was as busy as normal and we chose to join the masses taking the train back down to Grindelwald.
Heading for the train to Lauterbrunnen.
The Lauterbrunnen valley.
Climbing out of the valley.
Arriving in Wengen.
The view across Wengen down the valley.
Wengen main street.
Susan with another Swiss friend.
Smiling and enjoying her day out despite the wet feet.
Battling up the moraine to Kleine Scheidegg with water pouring off the hill - great!!
Thursday 8 August - Rain was falling as we got up so we decided to stay low and headed back to Lauterbrunnen to have a look at the valleys amazing waterfalls. Visibility wasn't great but the falls were still spectacular and eventually the clouds parted and the sun came out.
Climbing up behind the waterfall below.
One of Europe's highest waterfalls.
Smiling in the rain.
The classic U-shaped valley.
The clouds parting in Lauterbrunnen.
Heading back to Grindelwald in sunshine.
Friday 9 August - Low cloud hung over the valley as we got up but it wasn't raining so we headed off to walk from Grindelwald to Alpiglen via the Gletscherschucht. This was a stunning path to follow even though cloud limited the views. We had the trail to ourselves until it joined the Eiger Trail near Alpiglen. We chose to walk down to Grindelwald after a beer even though it had started to rain.
Making friends with the locals again.
Looking down on Grindelwald.
An amazing trail to follow aided by ladders in places:
Leaving a wee emergency shelter.
One of several caves in the limestone rock.
The trail was well signposted but empty.
Our typical alpine lunch.
Crossing an old snow patch below the Eiger.
A wee limestone gorge.
A wee beer to celebrate a great 6 days in Grindelwald.
Sauturday 10 August - Our transfer day to Zermatt and typically the sun shone from a clear blue sky. We expected an easy journey but for once Swiss Rail let us down. The line between Interlaken and Spietz had no power so everyone had to use Shuttle Buses. It was chaos but Susan pushed us onto the second available bus and from Spietz the journey went like clockwork. We were in Zermatt by 2pm and in our apartment by 3pm. It gave us a great view of the towns iconic mountain - the Matterhorn. A view that was to change frequently during our stay.
The view from our Grindelwald apartment on our last morning.
The Eiger from Grindelwald on a perfect day.
The Matterhorn from our Zermatt apartment balcony - fabulous choice Susan!!!
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