Expecting thunderstorms at some point in the day, we pack rain gear in Jim's backpack. We're on an early train from Wengen to make the train connections to our trail head.
Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, transfer to another train to go further down the valley to Wilderswil.
We squeeze--literally--into the remaining seats on the little cogged rail train to Schynige Platt. Then we squeeze some more to let two more folks on.
Our intention is to take trains to a high point, Schynige Platt, and walk to First along a ridgetop trail. This would give us yet another perspective on the mountains and valleys near our home base, Wengen, and the Lauterbrunnen valley.
The little train hooks up to the cogs in the rail bed and starts climbing. It's slow, it's steep. Those of us in the backwards-facing seats are sliding into the knees of the folks in the seats facing us; everyone's enjoying the view of meadow and woods.
And then, it's full stop.
Earlier winds that came with rain have knocked down a tree branch. Seems like an easy fix.
But then we see that an overhead wire also got knocked down. After checking things out, the driver puts the train into reverse and we go back to the Wilderswil train station. It will be "one to hours" before the train runs again, assuming they can repair the dangling wire.
Jim and I consider what to do--wait and hope? Or go back up the valley and take another walk route? The weather up top is closing in, and looks like thunderstorms are staying true to forecast.
We go into the small market across the street from the train station to secure lunch for later.
Plan B is to stay in a valley, away from lightening and our fading hope of a ridge-walk today. We hop on another train and go back up the valley to a transfer point, Zweilutschinen, which is a way to Grindelwald (we were there the other day--was that yesterday?). But we're not going all the way to Grindelwald.
On the train, if you press the button near the door the train will stop at the "request required" station.
We are the loners who hop off at Lutschental.
As we get off we hear thunder and by the time we pull out our rain pants and jackets from the pack, it's raining. After this photo we step into that dry patch by the bench behind me and look at Jim's GPS. There's supposed to be a geo cache here, right here, but we can't locate it. Ah well.
We're going to walk down the valley, the way we came on the train, and then either take a train back home or keep walking. Somewhere. Depending on how wet we are and how my toe feels.
Firewood art is everywhere.
I didn't know that goats don't like to get wet. I stop to chat; these are talkative goats.
The village we're walking through has narrow streets which double as the signed walking trail.
Decision time. Train? Or keep walking up the valley to Lauterbrunnen?
We walk, and it's lovely. The path winds through forest and along the river. We come to a 1600's stone cabin, now part of a small picnic area on the walking trail where we step out of the rain and eat our lunch.
There is a mist on the river. From a glacial blue earlier this morning it's turned brown and torrid from all the runoff.
And the view! Always makes the walk worthwhile.
Rain stops. We stuff our wet rain gear back into the pack.
Almost to Lauterbrunnen and still feeling peppy. Well, maybe not peppy, but we really want to see Murren. So we decide to not go back home yet. Instead, we take the tram car in Lauterbrunnen up the steep opposite side of the valley from Wengen, to "Grutschalp" where the tram car stops. There's a small train to Murren from there. But we'll walk to Murren, which is uphill--uphill being better for my sore toe--and take the train back to the tram, then back down the mountain.
There's Wengen across the valley. This view is from the top of the tram.
Some photos from the trail to Murren:
See Wengen across the valley, on the right?
That peak's the Eiger. (above)
Below, more mountains up the undeveloped valley. Waterfalls drain the glaciers and snow. This photo is from Murren.
Rain begins again, but not till we're on the tram.
Then, tired puppies, we take tram and train to Wengen and dinner.
Lovage soup. SOOO good.
Edelweiss from the garden. We sit at the same, assigned, table each evening. Acquaintances are departing tomorrow and we chat with them for a while after dinner.
My big toe begs for a day off tomorrow. Jim will hike all day, undoubtedly along narrow mountain trails that would scare the socks off me. We'll see what photos he brings back from his trek.
No comments:
Post a Comment