Jenni in front of Eiger Glacier and Fiescherhorn. Sun and snow, a great combination.
Action at rear, sluggish feet fore, at Schreckfeld. Engelhorner finally appearing after Wetterhorn;
covered in clouds for last ten days.
Waterfalls in front of Waldspitz area, one of our hikes in snow without visibility, last week.
(Brown building just showing, top left, tea-stop)
‘We have to get to Bachalpsee, by hook or crook, if necessary,’ our editor announced. “How about we walk
there,” we suggested nonchalantly.
‘Look smart Alec or whatever your name is,’ she retorted, ‘There’s the issue of thick snow on the trail
at that altitude and avalanche threats. However, the internet information page says it is open. So let’s go.’
Jenni goes artistic with the mountains and clouds, leaves a gap to crawl through.
We took this route last week in poor conditions. Today it's sunny and crisp. The views are going to be
superb as we shall be able to view the whole region by reaching high ground and then rotating our
bodies to face each segment—a real treat. The route commenced from the village up to Bort Cable Station,
then onto (up) Schreckfeld and finally, First. Thereafter, it's a hike to Bachalpsee. We could have bort a
ticket to Bort and then walked the rest of the way or secondly, walked to Bort and ridden to First. Instead, we
decided to hike the whole way. Unfortunately, after climbing 3,000 feet, tough but very rewarding, we
found the trail closed, the Swiss National Guard blocking our way. We had a further 40 minutes to
go, which at the time, was nothing much as we were hyped for the final trek. A disappointment again as the
destination area is exquisite.
Finsterhaar, one of the most striking and highest, usually cloud covered—Ober Glacier in view.
Oh Schreck! One 'cuckoo' flew over the Wetter. (We came close to trying this, Sean, but not
close enough. It's on the 'cards', though)
It was disappointing but we are big people and understood. We had a good cry, wiped our eyes, blew
our noses and returned via the same route—it has become a favorite. Today was a day where the views
were mostly unobstructed for lengthy periods, clouds blew in, stayed for short periods and then left.
The meadows were green and inviting, the mountains, as always, superb. The snow is very thick in
places but melting quickly at lower altitudes. We were able to see all the points to which we have
hiked over the last two weeks, thus providing us with a perspective of the greater Grindelwald area.
The snow level below First Station, together with avalanche threats, barring us from reaching Bachalpsee
In the thick of things, sun smiles on back mountains, he joins in
En route, we stopped to speak to at least three sets of Americans who were walking down the trail. We were
quite flattered when one of them said, 'We watched your progress from the cable car and then from the restaurant.'
We were a little disappointed when they did not follow through and ask for our autographs. We had purchased
pens just in case, some time ago. Funny, they're still not used.
Wetterhorn rises from behind the curtain.
On a 'nearly clear day'...a scene so striking, words fail us...snow desert?
“Can a place be too beautiful? And if it is, is that a good thing?” Thank you, Haya, Jonna and Maude for
your meaningful insights.
In a fashion, sometimes one develops a level of frustration because one is overwhelmed with the beauty of the
region. Wherever one turns, there is another outstanding feature, one after another. Perhaps more
imperfections in the natural phenomena would allow the mind to absorb the beauty at an easier pace—a contrast
so to speak. Perhaps it is clumsily expressed but the area is a wow, perhaps too much beauty after all.
We are grateful that we are not beautiful and were given imperfections—unfortunately, overdone.
In the distance, the Jungfrau, aging beautifully.
The leader of the pack, a framed Eiger
In conclusion, we offer this observation. Once the snow melts, the harshness of the mountain-faces
will be revealed. We would say that the structure/outlines will still be wonderful but beauty enhanced by
the snow, might be downgraded, somewhat. We suppose everyone has an opinion.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Making like a glacial valley. Y? Who knows?
Another of Finsterhaar, sitting above a glacier
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