Wish you were here...having a lot of fun...hmm!
Peering through the clouds, only for a moment. The position is incredible but without visuals
one is obviously disappointed.
What a week. We achieved the highest elevation gain ever: 14,600 feet in five hikes over six days. The middle
day was for resting in which we still had to get from the village to our house, a mean trip in itself. It
sounds boastful but it is a fact and we suppose we want to enjoy it. It seems crazy that our vertical gain
was 2.8 miles. We salute our editor who continues to confound us, astound us and make us feel quite inadequate.
Wait until she finds what we have planned.
The days began with rain at our altitude. Things were not looking great when the internet failed, the
kitchen sink overflowed, covering the floor in soapsuds. The toilet was not flushing well, the shower
basin did not drain and to top it all, the sewage flowed freely in the laundry, positioned within smelling
distance of our bedroom. Otherwise, things were looking pretty good. So much for house ownership.
As close to an edge as we got. Eiger faintly in background. Disappointing because on a clear day
the sights are outstanding.
One of views we would have seen had it been clear on the day.
After informing Frau Roth of the issues, we headed for Waldspitz, some 2,800 feet higher than where we started.
When we reached an altitude of about 4,700 feet, the rain became snow. For the remaining 1,800 feet, we walked
in and on the snow. Strangely enough, it was a wonderful experience. We were alone again; most of the other
residents and visitors have more sense than we do. However, the forest, completely covered in thick, virgin
snow made quite an impression—it was wonderful, almost fairy-tale like. The downside was that the views were
blocked because of the conditions. The sights should be astounding from that position.
Through a forest on virgin snow, the bundled up editor.
Arriving at the restaurant, always amazing for us where they place them, warmly welcomed
As with our hike to Grosse Scheidegg the previous day, we arrived at an inn. We climbed the steps to the
balcony and just then, the front door opened. The proprietors invited us in, insisting that we hang our wet
things in front of the hearth. Once again, it was amazing to be in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere
and find ourselves in a cozy and warm restaurant/inn. We spent over an hour conversing with Nik and Monika.
Nik spent nearly two years in South Africa in the early nineties. As a chef, he related many of his experiences
which were most interesting. Besides, one always listens to a chef holding a carving knife. Our editor says we
were not that quiet either although unarmed. We really enjoyed the stay including a couple of cups of tea.
These occasions are most meaningful—difficult to explain though. Days like today, weeks like this past one make
a person feel incredible. Tremendous effort but uplifting and immensely rewarding. It will be hard to top it
but we will give it a full go.
Peering towards Eiger Glacier, the shape of Southern Africa
Similar position as above. We suspected the sun might make an appearance late in the day...we waited.
It caught the peak at the rear, one of the area's highest.
For perspective: Taken from the opposite side. The restaurant sits above the cliffs, at mid-left
When problems were occurring at the house, we were not happy but took a perverse satisfaction because of it.
Why do we say this? Whatever we see in the Germanic side of Switzerland, whether it be the trains and mountain
transport system in particularly, it's so amazing that one feels inadequate. Thus, when we see the imperfections,
we are comforted to find that the Swiss are, funnily enough, not perfect. Nevertheless, after viewing the mountains
with their complex network infrastructure, one cannot help but be astounded—a country of superb engineers with
ingenuity and imagination. Never point to a mountain and dare a Swiss to build a restaurant, cable-car or railway
system at or to the top—it’s a losing bet.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Room with a view. Only the Swiss can build in an impossible position. (left side)
We cannot allow dull weather to be a downer. Here are a couple when the sun stood its ground:
Notice the snow thinning already at Fischerhorn (Happen to love this spot, you might have gathered)
A different perspective of a cloudy Eiger at sunset; the peak already under its 'blanket'.
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