Day 28: 24 July 2010

Bonus Video!

Woke up at 6am today to steady rain and heavy fog.  We were hoping to go to the top of Schilthom this morning, but no luck.  Joe took the cable car down to pick up some things we left in the car.  The weather did not improve by the time he got back so we decided to go back to bed hoping the fog and rain would burn off later on.  Unfortunately, by noon there was still no change in the weather so we made the most of another rainy day here and ventured out in the warmest clothes we had and plastic bags over my socks to keep my feet dry. 

It was 8 degrees Celsius at 2pm when we caught a cable car to Murren .  Went straight to the funicular that brought us up to Allmendhubel (6,??? ft) to the start of the North Face Trail.  Despite the light drizzle at times and the discouragement of the lift operator, the trail was fantastic!  We hiked through the valley of the Schilthorn (and under the cable car to the top), under several ski lifts, past four Alpine farms, through cow pastures and gates, and along fields of wildflowers.  Thin waterfalls were rushing down the sides of the mountains around us from all the precipitation.  There were very few people on the trail so it was a peaceful walk as we listened to the sound of cowbells.  We even got up close and personal with the cows a few times, and Joe got a quick zap from an electric fence as we tried to go through one of the gates on the farms!  Along the way there were signs posted about the views of the first climbing attempts on the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger peaks that would have been visible on a clear day.  The Schilthorn loomed over us in the opposite direction somewhere up in the thick clouds.  It was a whole different world hiking in the pristine Swiss Alps.

Towards the end of the North Face Trail, we decided to take a path that descended through the forest to Sprutz Waterfall.  Great choice!  The trail led us directly behind the waterfall and up the side where we got some great pics.  From there we walked a little further, then came out of the woods just over the town of Gimmelwald where we are staying.  There were so many pretty views I was sad for the hike to end even after 4 hours and wet, muddy sneakers!  The hike should have been 2.5-3hrs, but we stopped for so many pictures that it took us extra time…every minute was worth it, though, as it is definitely one of the coolest hikes we’ve ever done.

We were starving by the time we arrived at Pension Gimmelwald, so we decided to try dinner in their restaurant.  The mushroom tarragon soup with cranberry walnut bread was decent, esp. since it was warm on a chilly night.  My pasta sitting in essentially the same soup broth was not as appetizing, and Joe’s mango chicken salad just didn’t seem fitting for the cool temps. tonight.  We both agreed that the Pension has a monopoly on food in Gimmelwald and therefore can charge high prices for mediocre meals.  On the plus side, it is nice to be able to come downstairs from your room in flip flops and pjs to eat.

Took a nice warm shower after dinner and rinsed off the mud from our clothes.  Did a little research for the remainder of our trip, then dozed off to dream about warmer temperatures and sun in the morning.