SWITZERLAND 2010 - FIRST MOUNTAIN HIKE

                           On Tuesday I woke up early and at 8 am I drove to a family owned bakery in Grindelwald for some fresh baked Croissant, sweet rolls and Hero marmalade. We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony and after 4 coffees each we got on our way for our first hiking trip.

Map of the Berner Oberland, house is marked  below the Eiger

                          A 3 minute ride with the train brought us to the  bus station in Grindelwald. From there we rode a 45 passenger Grindelwald bus to our hiking destination Grosse Scheidegg, 6000 feet above sea level. The bus ride was an adventure itself. The mountain road was only about 2 foot wider as the bus itself and before every curve the driver had to blow his air horn to warn descending traffic. About every half mile there was a small  plateau for passing on coming traffic. Donna and I, sitting in the back of the bus where hanging over the cliffs in every hairpin curve. Of course, the free roaming cows where a challenge too to our excellent driver. 

                          The sun was covered from the Wetterhorn and we had to start of our hike bundled up in chilly mountain air, but after a few hundred yards we had to peel off some clothing. It was again a gorgeous day. Our mission was climbing 4 miles up the mountain to an outlook and restaurant named First. We also had to find a good looking stone to bring home with us for Brian. He requested  a picture taken with the stone as prove that it came from Switzerland.

Still bundled up, the sun is just peaking over the mountain top

First is  far away. Our mountain walk is to the right top

Still full of energy

Donna is resting in front of the Eiger



Donna found a stone in the form of the Eiger, so we took a picture in front of

the famous north face

Same with this stone, shaped like the Wetterhorn in the back ground

End product of Brians gift

We had to cross several streams

We admired lots of flowers on the way, like this alpine Distel

                          The hike  was posted as 1 hour and 45 minutes for regular hikers. We arrived at the restaurant  in 2 hours and 45 minutes, hard breathing and exhausted  but happy. The two bottle of beer tasted wonderful and I enjoyed also a great meal ( Grilled chicken breast with wild  mushroom sauce ) . Donna had a hard time finding her way in this large self service restaurant and ended up with a funky sandwich, but she did not accepted my well meant help. Ha, Ha.

Right in front of the restaurant 

The training zip line, half mile long, people in harness sliding down the mountain

at speed up to 80 miles an hour.  Sorry, a have no better picture



2 more beautiful views from the First

                           We admired the view from up here, the hang gliders and the zip line for hang glide training, before we rode down in the gondolas all the way back to Grindelwald. Being already 6:30 pm, we decided to have dinner in our favorite local restaurant "Bahnhof Grund

                               We had assorted Salads, Entrecote and Alpine Makkroni. Thoroughly excellent food, but no room for dessert, but room for a bottle of Epesses, one of Swiss finest white wine. After a couple of espressos we went home to our relaxation time on the balcony.