Before our glacier trekking in Jungfrau we spent few days in Grindelwald.

Railway tickets in Swiss are very expensive! Our daughter us still 14 years old. So, if she travel with one or two parents- this is free for her.  Till she will be 15 years old. But you need to take in Swiss information on railway station special card!! For myself I bought 50% discount ticket (100 euro). Mow all my next tickets will be with 50% discount.

Ok. That’s all))

We arrived to Swiss celebrity – Grindelwald.  This place located before the main Alos ridge turned by high mountains Eiger, Shrekhorn, Jingfruau, Finestaarhorn ext.

Prices here are for milliners and it was strange for me, I cannot pay in Euros ( card also ), only Swiss francs or USD! After, it seems to me, I understand. This resort is in the special program for American and Japan tourists. In winter time for Russians. That’s a secret…

List of main sport attraction in this city was huge! It were also trot bikes, toboggan, paraglide, open swimming pool, skating ring ext.

List of concert events added. Of course, horses , massage, spa and so on.

Main street is quit long and with shops, restaurants,  cafe ext.  Crowds of people roll both sides.

We took lunch and went for small walking. Everywhere there are signs about trekking destination and time of walking. It is not possible miss you way. May be you are piece of log.

So, we tried to make small walk but it’s became 4 hours long real trekking. 10 km minimum. All over us were alps meadows with different flowers. Smell was so strong! Around we hear sounds of cows bells. This Bells are huge- 2-5 kg. And cows are light creamy colors with soft wet big  noses)))

We found a lot of very delicious wild berries on the slopes. No one pick them up. And drink real fresh milk in small house on the slope ( 1 glass 3 euro but you need to pay in francs!)

We return home completely dead and fall into  sleeping in one second.

***************************************************

Next day we took lift First to 2100m altitude.

We made big trekking to Falkhorn (2670m) around charming alps lakes and breathtaking views. All time opposite us was all Jungfrau region. There were a lot of people by the way. We change our direction way back and went to station Bort ( 1560m) by lower pass. That’s why our trekking distance from First to Bort was 18 km, ascending 800m, descending 1200m. For making this trek I use more then 4 different ways.

In Bort possible to rent trot bikes to ride to Grindelwald. Renting price as usual – 18 francs for 10 min of pleasure ….

This bikes are strange, you cannot move on plain or up. Only downhill. There is no seat in this bike.  We put on helmets and start. At first it was little bit scared. Then it was joy and fan!

******************************

Next day we decided follow the most picturesque trail in the region – Eiger Trail.

First we took the railway to Kleine Sheiddegger and descent at Alpenglen. The train was overcrowded by Japan tourists fully equipped. But on Alpenglein only 6 persons, including 2 of us, get out.

Trail steep go up. It was nice to be in shadow of Eiger – not so hot. Sometime we met small groups descending the same pass.

At the end we see beautiful Eiger glaciar and follow to Kleine Sheiddegger. It seems to us that we made not a big trek so we follow next station and went down. After two more hours I understand that to rich Grindelwald we need more then tree hours. We were tiered. It was miracle, that we took the last cabin to the village.

There were no marmots or chamois by the way – too much tourists.

Our day record was 20 km, 2750m descending and 900m ascending.

Evening time we had been completely dead…

Next day was devoted to real ascending to Shwarchorn (2930m)

We took the bus to Grosse Sheiddegger. It was precious on time. The bus was full of Japan tourists. We all together have the same stop.

But it was a difference- they have an excursion and we have ascending.

At first time trail was mire or less on the same altitude. Then we turn to mountain and quickly began ascend. Last 1,5 km was more then 600 m of ascending. On the top there were hard plains stones like books. I name places like this library))

It became windy and cold. Eiger was in clouds and rain fast come in our direction. It’s not good stay on the top during storm))) so, we run down as fast sa we can. It was pretty ling way to the top of First station. But here was another funny option – get little bit down with long speedy personal lift. So, rope is between two station, you seat in special chair with hardness and then flight down with great speed. Scared for mr only first two seconds. Then – enjoy your flight!

To Grindelwald we again get by trot bike. This time we were so experienced that Anastasiya fall down after two minutes of riding…. I made photos and filming of this event!)))

Today we will go to Kleine Sheiddegger. But we have still few hours before Ivan will artive.

Do early morning we went to Grindelwald Glacier. This place is interesting. As I understand, there is a big problem in small and expensive Grindelwald- glacier lake. Now it is so huge that specialists afraid it can suddenly flow down and swept all around. Swiss engineers made special project. They digged long tunnel from end of glacier to lake, like a bath tube and think if the pressure will be strong, water will flow in tube and go into river! Very simple and expensive!

But we are going to the gorge with the end of glacier. Of course, it is entrance fee and it’s big as usual. But it worth to do it! The pass follow inside gorge may be more than 1 km. Gorge narrow and cold like a fridge! We spent there half of hour and follow to toboggans.

Thus is our final destination of attractions for today!

Toboggans are slates fir all age. But mostly for child.

Afternoon we met Ivan and follow to our overnight hotel in Kleine Sheiddegger.  Evening time starts strong storm. It was during all night.

But morning was so quite and sunny!

We met our old friend and the best guide in Alps Thomas. He is mist experienced guide as I think!

Our train, full of Japan people move to the top of Jungfrau. This is long way. Only Swiss can did this tunnel…. The way is going through Eiger with two stops. This stops are just for fun, toilet and window view…. Nothing more…. Wonder….

Then we arrive to the top. 3500m. Highest point in Europe for train station. Babylon for shoppers! Cafe, restaurants, souvenirs, watches, t- shirts and so on in enormous prices. But japans paid and paid. They are so happy….

Our way is little bit aside.

We pass through tunnel and appeared on glacier. From here you can ride by rubber circles, make small walk. Or start your very special journey on glacier. So we did!

It was not so sunny like in morning. And we had been in big cloud. But as we went down the weather became much more better and soon we see all glacier. And of course, we were roped, with harnesses and with crampons ( still in our backpacks).

Adventure starts.

Glacier as usual was beautiful. All this crevasses, lakes and blue holes. It’s also moss rose color. And fleece which live in small water ponds. They cannot live when it’s warm. But can move till -15C. Strange creatures. Thomas took as to the second glacier. We didn’t reach Aletch glacier yet. Here was huge lake with ice shores. Beautiful! In one place Tasya fall in crevasse. Afraid of course! But she was roped. The deep of glacier in this place more then 900m. So crevasse can be endless…

After few hours we reached staircases of Concordia Hut. Every year glacier melting. And every year it’s need to add some new parts to staircase. We had been here few years before. Since that 3 new long pieces were added!

The way to Concordia Hut was long. Something like 150 m of ascending.

This year there are new owners of Hut. They doesn’t bring the rests of food on the stone near hut. That’s why I cannot find here marmots, like last time.

The weather here as usual- humid, rain, cold. Toilet facilities in the neighboring small building. Water leeks so slowly! And it’s cold!

I want to eat all tome. It’s impossible! May be because the weather.

Thomas told us that before this was one of the first luxury glacial hotels, build by English. They came here, rest, drink whisky. There were maiden girls and separate rooms for guests. All was expensive and luxury.

Then English sold hotel to Swiss mountain association of guides. And Association now propose take it for rent for Swiss families. Life here is difficult and expensive. No roads. Only glacier trails or helicopter. Even the post arrive to Jungfrau. Actually, Thomas pick up journals, few latter and parcel to bring them to Concordia.

But the view from terrace is so spectacular!!! No words…

The way from Jungfrau to Concordia is 9 km and descend only (300m). Not hard))

We slept in small room. We had been 6 persons instead of 10. But there were hot and airless.

Morning after breakfast we follow to Hollandia Hut. First need to descent awful staircases.   Then we put on crampons and step on glacier. Dark clouds cover clouds. It was nit very cold. But extremely beautiful!

After few hours the clouds went away and we see Aletchhorn. This is not the biggest mountain in Alps. But only one or two persons during the tear attempted get the summit. This is dangerous, steep and windy mountain. During our pass to Hollandia small avalanches rolled from Aletchhorn. With loud sounds.

It was pretty long walk. But again scenery. Close to hut all glacier was full of snow. That means that we are not only roped but the distance between us is very big. We need a time and strength if someone duck into crevasse…

Hollandia Hut stay on the slope. And it’s terrace look one side on green valley and next side to Aletchglacier. It’s one of the most cold huts in Alps- it’s stay

on 3250m on the pass and all time full of strong and chilly winds.

This day Tasya was completely dead. We made again 9km. Ascend was not more then 400 m. But altitude is pretty high.

Weather became awful- strong wind, lightening, rain. This storm was even below the hut. Thomas told us they in mountains if happens so it’s scared- your body trembling and sometime the St. Elba fire possible to see on your fingers, alpenstock and hairs.

We slept in huge room completely alone. We have big goose down covers. It was nice but short.

Morning was so nice that we cannot believe in this! Aletch was rose color on new fallen snow.

We start to descent into the valley. Snow cover again all crevasses and Thomas two times fall into them.  Right side rolled another huge glacier. It was very close to us. Then we turn to the main body of glacier. We jump  sometimes crossing the holes, small lakes and crevasses.

Our way down was long. We tiered.

Half way was new built Anytahut. Previous one was swept by avalanche. And new one was built in the best modern traditions.

We met Ursula, Thomas wife by the way and our trekking and took perfect dinner all together in local restaurant.

Now waiting for new adventures with Thomas!