We took a train back down the Rhone Valley to Interlaken. Then we bisected the two lakes and ascended a narrow box canyon to Grindelwald. There we found ourselves face-to-face with the Eiger and other high mountains surrounding the Aletsch Glaciier … this is Europe’s largest glacier at an elevation of approximately 14,000 feet.
The next morning, we ascended via gondola and cog railway to 13,371 feet. The railroad is an incredible experience. If you have ever seen “ The Eiger Sanction, “ there is a window on the railway that was used as the climax of Clint Eastwood’s attempt to climb the Eiger, North Face. I have been enamored by the Eiger ever since seeing this movie and to finally ascend it in this railway was a dream come true !!
This is a photo of workers drilling the upper railway. I am amazed that this could have been built at all. It is a little over nine km in length and the upper railway is built entirely in a tunnel. It is the highest railway in the world, ending at 11,300 feet above sea level. AND it was completed in 1912.
Unfortunately, we had to deal with some rain and clouds that hid our views for the majority of our visit. The mountains would start to pop through, and then they’d disappear again. But we still had a great time being on Europe’s ceiling.
They have built a nice observation tower at the top of the glacier. It lets you walk on the glacier, ski or tube down adjoining slopes, or become involved in some mountaineering. I for one, and I wasn’t the only one, felt the effects of the high altitude. I celebrated with younger cub by splurging on hot chocolate after walking on the glacier.
There is just something special about Swiss hot chocolate made with the double cream !!
Another highlight was the appearance of a group of the Swiss version of bighorn sheep, which meandered below us while we are lunch.
Too soon it was time to head back down and regain our breath. On the way, we walked by the commemorative wall of climbers who had died trying to climb the Eiger.
The Adventures of Barry Brink 