We got a cabin this time at Camping Jungfrau. At 19 SFr per night per person, it was a real bargain. A little cramped with 4 adults, but plenty warm. Good thing we are close friends! The cabins are plain, but cute, and the bathing, toilet, laundry, dishwashing facilities are very clean. There are plenty of tent spaces here, too, and limited space in the Pension in the campground, if you want a room. We highly recommend this place. It's close to rail connections, and the starting point for spectacular hiking trails.
Mary Beth and I went shopping in Grindelwald (very pricey!) and the fellas took the cog train to the Jungfraujoch - highest point in Europe. On the way, the train stops at the rescue window cut in the North Face of the Eiger (remember The Eiger Sanction w/Clint Eastwood?). Here's how it looks.
After arrival at the top and a tour of the observatory, they took a 45 min. hike out across snow fields to the the climbers' hut for lunch. This is a neat little place where hikers and climbers get set for their extreme adventures. Dorms (120 beds) and food are available. It is open from the end of March to mid-October with a few weeks closed in June. Contact info at 033 971 3472. Here's a picture of Sandy and Jeff hiking to the hut and here's a picture of the inside.
Then it was time to meet in Kleine Scheidegg. Mary Beth and I took the train up from Grindelwald and had lunch while we waited for the guys. This is a busy place - the point where trains are changed to go to the Jungfraujoch. Lots of food vendors here, from pricey to cheap. Clean toilets, too.
We wanted to try the hike around the base of the Eiger to Grindelwald. We made it up to the Eigergletscher train station, but then had a change of heart when we saw the mess of glacier detritus we would have to traverse to continue. We went back down to Kl. Scheidegg, had drinks and a quick snack and hiked a different, gentler way down to Alpenglen, catching a train to Grindelwald from Brandegg. We enjoyed this hike very much. The path is well marked and lined with alpenroses (we think). There were also pigs IN the trail, and cows and tame goats. There are people-friendly gates between fields which let people hike thru, but keep the animals in.
We also did a LOT of passes. In this area of Switzerland they are close together and each more spectacular than the last! We did the Brunig, and Susten to Andermatte. We saw a lovely church in Wassen - a beautiful surprise after rounding a bend. Then, on to the Furka Pass. The Belvedere Hotel at the top has a great view of the Rhone Glacier! We stopped in Gletsch for lunch in a nature preserve by a picturesque little chapel. That's the Rhone Glacier (from a different perspective) in the background. The fellas then took the bikes up to the Nufenen Pass. What a great road! Mary Beth and I stayed behind and had ice cream at the Glacier du Rhone cafe, which was next to our lunch spot. How convenient. Clean toilets here, too. There are rooms here, too. Phone 027 973 1515.
They loved the Nufenen Pass! Here's Sandy by the ice-blue lake at the top.
Then, back to Lauterbrunnen via the Grimsel Pass. Very good day. We saw spectacular roads and were awed by the avalanche damage we saw in many places. The power of nature puts it all in perspective!
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(beginning 7/27/99)