After hiking back into town we walked down to the train station and picked up some regional passes. Good for unlimited travel on the local train, bus and cablecar systems for 6 days. As it was raining we decided to ride the rails. We headed up the next valley to explore Grindewald. It's a bigger town than Lauterbrunnen, but it's much more touristy and doesn't have the same feel that it does here. We grabbed a bite to eat, and then stopped at the Bakerei for some treats. From there we decided to head up, up to the Eiger that is. We rode the train from Gridewald up to Kleine Scheidegg which sits at the base of the North Face of the Eiger. Anyone who has ever seen the old Clint Eastwood movie The Eiger Sanction, will be familiar with this place.
We got out and had a quick look around. The weather wasn't great and we couldn't see the entire North Face....but it did clear long enough for us to make out the Rotstock, which we will be climbing in the coming days. From there we took the train back down the mountain to Wengen and then back to Lauterbrunnen. The train ride is amazing, and the views are spectacular.
At dinner we ended up sitting beside a couple who are both school teachers in England. We were sharing stories about what we'd done and what there was to do in the area. It turns out that he had seen the Eiger Sanction years ago and wanted to come and see the Eiger for that very reason....just as I had.
Our legs are feeling rested up and the forecast looks to be improving for tomorrow......hmm, which hike/climb to do? So many choices, and so little time!
Near the bottom of Trunnelbachfalle where the water emerges to daylight once again |
Flower growing from the rock |
Looking down into the falls with another viewing gallery in the distance |