Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken, Switzerland - July 1999
Page 2 - Death-Defying HIKE!
We took the cable car (about 28 Sfr per person) from Grindelwald to First (web info) and hiked down to the Schynige Platte. This was a really ambitious hike (about 15 km with an altitude change of almost 5,000 ft!) and we may not have started it had we know that parts of the trail were still obliterated with SNOW. Here are Jeff and Jim in their shorts and tee shirts getting sunburn and frost-bite at the same time!
Also see Lisa and Jim perched on the edge of the world here! We were continually awed with the scenery! What a super trek! We stopped at the Faulhorn Hotel (8,796 ft) for lunch and a rest. We had planned to picnic but found that you have to order to enjoy the sun terrace. We had goulasche soup and beer to help us recuperate.
Here are more pictures from that part of the hike to the Faulhorn.
The terrain changed (for the worst, some would say) after the Faulhorn. What a challenge - take a look at several spots on the way to Schynige Platte. The pictures don't show the incredible drop-offs on these ice cliffs. We were very proud of ourselves afterwards. Kind of like an "eco-challenge" in that we survived natural perils without too much damage! Hint: Even in summer, don't attempt a high-altitude trek without GOOD hiking boots! (You can actually get a good pair to try for FREE at the Schynige Platte rail station. It's a LOWA boot test center ...)
As we got into lower elevations a couple of hours from Schynige Platte, the landscape changed again. We felt like we went through a time machine into different seasons, and to different countries! As we rounded a peak, look what we saw! Here are Jim's new friends ...... At least we knew we were going the right way - thanks to a creative trailblazer! Check out these directions.
We were very relieved to make it to the Schynige Platte. The rest of us looked a little pooped, but Jeff got a burst of energy and RAN up the hill to the hotel to bring back some beer while we were waiting for the train. We arrived with 20 mins to spare to catch the LAST TRAIN OF THE DAY at 6:02 p.m. back down to Wilderswil. This lovely train ride cost 29Sfr per person. Wonder what would have happened if we missed it???? (Actually, there is a hotel up there - here's some web info). And, more info on hikes in this area.
At the end of the day, Lisa still had enough energy to try out the motorcycle back up to Grindelwald. What a trooper! Here she is - click for picture.
Boy, were we ever tired that night! Just had a lazy evening, enjoying the local beer - Rugen brau, Tell (yes, after William) and local lager.
If you want to read more - go to this page for the next day's adventures!
Click here to go back to the start of the July '99 Switzerland trip.
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