The first thing that went wrong was a camera accident as I was waiting for my train towards the Alps. I don't want to dwell on my clumsiness, but let's just say that my camera and I parted ways down the side of a train track. So, camera down. Fortunately, it wasn't really a complete tragedy. I had uploaded the most recent of my photos to my iPad, so I have still all of my pictures from the earlier parts of the trip. And they sell digital cameras in Switzerland, so I was able to replace the camera this morning.
I love taking photos, and this was going to be one of the most scenic parts of the trip, so I was rather disappointed that I wouldn't have my camera for the day. But I continued on towards Lauterbrunnen via train, and then to Grütschalp via a very fun cable car (which turned out to be even more fun to ride down). At this point, I was at 4,879 feet, the sun was shining, and the scenery was incredible. I took a small train further up to Mürren, where I was at 5,381 feet. The Swiss alps scenery was still breathtaking, although the clouds were becoming increasingly dense. I made the short walk through very quaint Mürren to reach the cable car to the famous Schilthorn mountain. As I reached the cable car station, I looked up- the peak wasn't at all visible from the station due to very dense clouds. I went inside, and before buying my ticket, I was warned that viewing conditions were very poor at the top: the second thing that went wrong for the day. I seriously debated whether or not to go up anyway, and then decided against it, at least for a few hours to see if the weather might clear.
Instead, I thought I would start the hike towards the Schilthorn and take in more of the scenery, while hoping that conditions might improve later in the afternoon and I could go back up. A very good hiker can make the hike from the cable car base to the top of the mountain in 4 hours, I had neither the equipment nor the physical ability to try this feat. But I thought I would at least follow the trail so I could say I hiked up the side of the Schilthorn; we can ignore the fact that I never got near the top. I bought myself a very expensive bottle of water and a Swiss chocolate bar (for strength, of course), and headed towards the peak.
The views and the hike were incredible, although they were breathtaking in two respects: first, because it was one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen, and second, because hiking at that altitude is HARD. The trail was tough, but there were flowers along the trail and the sound of tinkling cowbells in distance to make the walk incredibly enjoyable. The cows here actually wear real cowbells, and the sound is wonderful. I hiked for about an hour and a half before I decided it was time to turn around. Not only was I becoming physically very tired, I also had the convenient excuse that rain was starting to fall and I could hear the faint sound of thunder in the distance. So I headed back towards Mürren, and I by the time I had reached the town I was completely exhausted. I decided it would be best to head back home and call it a day, as the weather was becoming increasingly cloudy and cold.
I reached my hostel and grabbed a nap. Still a bit tired, I spent the evening reading and got to bed early. Although the day hadn't gone perfectly, I still felt like it had been fun, too.
I have a new camera and I'm booked on a scenic train towards Lucerne today, so hopefully I'll be able to make up for not having a camera yesterday. But here's some photos taken with my iPhone:
So sorry about your camera, Sarah, but the iphone takes darn good photos! Don't you love Switzerland -- so orderly and well organized! ( What a contrast to Africa!) I loved hiking in the Alps because there were cafes along the trails, so civilized! Enjoy!
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