It's been an amazing few days, it's raining out now so we're relaxing and it's a good time to catch up. Saturday we geared up after breakfast and headed up to Wengen on the train and then took the cable lift up to Mannlichen. From the cable car station it was a short hike up to an amazing view point. We could see forever in every direction. One way was the Alps, the other beautiful lakes and in the distance the Black Forest of Germany.
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Looking towards the Alps
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From the lookout we hiked a great trail towards Kleine Scheidegg, it takes you directly towards the Eiger. Along the way we spotted/heard many cows grazing in the alpine meadows, their bells ringing.
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Trail towards the Eiger
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After arriving in Kleine Scheidegg we hopped on the train up to Eigergletscher station. This is the last stop for the train before it enters the mountain and makes it's way up to the Jungfraujoch. We hiked the first part of the Eiger Trail, which passes directly below the north face of the Eiger. At a high point we watched for rock cairns to show us where to leave the trail so we could climb the Rotstock. We found the spot and made our way up to the base of the face where we donned our helmets and harnesses in preparation for the climb. The trip up the Rotstock is a Via Ferrata. Here is a borrowed picture which shows the location of the Rotstock in relation to the Eiger.
On a Via Ferrata you are clipped in to protection the whole time. Although it can be very steep and exposed, you are always safe. It was quite challenging, we started in a section of vertical ladders, climbed up a chute past flowing waterfalls, and even had to traverse some sections which were covered in snow. Reaching the summit was a great experience, and the view was breathtaking.
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About to go past a waterfall
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| Going up...final destination in the background |
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Jo moving her pro (protection)
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Going up
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| Final push to the summit |
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Summit of the Rotstock
After summiting the Rotstock we descended the West Flank, which is the normal route that people who have climbed the north face of the Eiger use to descend. A short hike back down the Kleine Scheidegg and then we took the train all the way back down to Lauterbrunnen for a well earned supper.....grilled chicken with fresh herb butter melted on top, rosti, big salad, and some very tasty Swiss beer.....ah, life is good! |
