Monday, July 22, 2024

On Monday, the weather was questionable. But we weren’t going to just hang out in our hotel room. So, we ventured out with a plan to go to the places where we wanted to go, and not let the weather dictate.

The map below shows where we headed. The day started with a train ride (BOP) from Lauterbrunnen (2,600 ft) station east up to the town of Wengen (4,160 ft), which overlooks Lauterbrunnen. From there, we took the Wengen LWM gondola (BOP) up to the saddle (7,320 ft) just below the peak of Mannlichen (7,694 ft). From there, we hiked through the fog northwest up to the peak for a view … of the fog. From there, we hiked back down to Berghaus Mannlichen for a snack, and then we hiked south 2.7 miles (672 ft ascent, 1,185 ft descent) to Kleine Scheidegg (with a stop for another snack).

From there, we took the train (BOP) further southwest from Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher, and then immediately took the gondola (BOP) northeast down to the town of Grindelwald. In Grindelwald, we had a bit of a hike from the gondola station into town.

From Grindelwald, John, Karen, and Ray took the train back to Lauterbrunnen, while Patty and I walked through Grindelwald to the Firstbahn gondola, and from there we took it (BOP) up to the First Cliff/(Fog) Walk. After taking in the view (of the fog), we rode the gondola (BOP) back to Grindelwald, and then took the train (BOP) west back to Lauterbrunnen, changing trains (BOP) and heading south at Zweilutschinen.

When we got to the top of Mannlichen (7,600 ft), the weather was pea soup. But nonetheless, here are our heroes posing at the peak. These were indeed, “white out” conditions.

Here are Karen and Patty, posing on the “Crown”.

From the peak, we walked back down to the restaurant at Berghaus Mannlichen, and then we hiked on towards Kleine Scheidegg, part of the time in light rain.

Along the way, seating at the spectacular overlooks was tight.

It was a beautiful walk, if not for the fog.

The flowers were lovely . . . and wet.

On approach to Kleine Scheidegg, we stopped at Restaurant Berghaus Grindelwaldblick for a snack. I had the blueberry pie.

Below is the train station at Kleine Scheidegg.

From here we took the train (BOP) to Eigergletscher (named for the glacier, which was just beyond, and well out of sight).

From Eigergletscher, we took the Eiger Express gondola (BOP) down to the station just outside of Grindelwald.

After John, Karen, and Ray headed off to Lauterbrunnen, Patty and I took the Firstbahn gondola (BOP) up to the First Cliff Walk. Here was one of the views on the way up.

And here is another.

I’m sure the Cliff Walk is spectacular, but it is much less imposing when the distance you can see is less than the height of a swing set you’ve jumped off.

But here we are, “soaking” it in.

At the end of the Cliff Walk, there’s a catwalk that extends out away from the cliff. If you’d like to see what the view looks like behind us on a clear day, go here.

Incredible view, isn’t it?

Patty and I rode the gondola (BOP) back down to Grindelwald, and from there we took the train (BOP) back to Zweilutschinen, and then another train (BOP) on to Lauterbrunnen.