North face of the Eiger

Using trains and cable cars we set out early today to dodge forecast rain showers. We took the train and cable car up to Mannlichin, hoping to walk to Kleine Scheidegg. This would have taken us close to the North face of the Eiger - but the walk was closed - supposedly because it was blocked with snow, though there didn’t seem that much around. It was unsafe anyway, so we took an alternative option that still gave us views of the North Face, though more distant. This walk was from Mannlichin to Holenstein. This was just a cable car stop, halfway down the mountain. The whole walk took nearly 3 hours. We were about an hour into it when the rain began. We had no choice but to keep going - on and on downhill. My leg muscles soon started screaming! And I knew that those muscles would be screaming even louder tomorrow!

So we didn’t get too many photos of the actual walk, Didn’t want to get the camera wet. Nonetheless the experience was exhillerating and the views stunning. The majesty of these mountains is breathtaking.

After the soaking walk we picked up the cable car at Holenstein down to Grindelwald. Couldn’t believe that the cable car station is unmanned. We just scanned our passes in at the turnstile and hopped on the next cable car. It was all deserted. And then to find ourselves flying gently and quietly through the sky down the mountain over meadows, empty mountain chalets, cows grazing with their neck bells clanging away as they munched. It was so peaceful and relaxing.

After lunching in Grindelwald we then took a circuitous route back to Lauterbrunnen, via Grund, Brandegg, and Kleine Scheidegg.

The network of cog railways is incredibly expansive. Just love them. And at this time of year aren’t at all crowded. We are guaranteed a good seat with views.