On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
BigJimSlade
A longish, but super wonderful hike from First (pronounced feersht), to Bachalpsee (that’s a lake), to Faulhorn (a high point with dramatic views), and ending up at Schynige Platte (pronounced Schynige Platte ;-) ), which is serviced by a cog train bringing you back down to the valley near Interlaken, where we could take the regular train back to Grindelwald.
We were going to do a different hike (which we did the next day), but after waiting for a bus for 30 minutes, we realized we totally misread the schedule and it only comes every hour and we had almost another 30 minutes to wait. But about 20 yards away (for that whole 30 minutes) was the gondola up to First, so we improvised, called an audible, and jumped right on the gondola.
This is the First Cliff Walk, to give tourists a rush by walking over emptiness. We didn’t bother, but it probably would’ve been at least kinda fun. We just headed straight out. Embiggen
Across the valley we had an ever-changing view of the bigger local peaks (iphone picture). Embiggen
I saw these cottony things only in a couple of boggy spots. I really liked when the sun shined on them. Embiggen
Along the path to Bachalpsee, there was a little berm on the uphill side of the trail. It was full of flowers. Embiggen
The blue flowers are always special. Embiggen
We have arrived at Bachalpsee. Many people turned around here to go back to First. Embiggen
Looking back at Bachalpsee, as we head off to Faulhorn, with Wetterhorn (I think) being cameod by clouds. Embiggen
eclare
Great photos! Although as someone with a fear of heights, that first one gives me the willies.
sab
@eclare: Agreed.
Geo Wilcox
When I got my hip joints replaced due to arthritis, I told my surgeon and the PT folks that all I wanted was to hike in Switzerland. I hope some day soon to fulfill that wish.
stinger
Is today Sunday??
Second pic, of the valley with the tiny farm, I could gaze at that all day. First pic, no way a-tall.
All great photos!
Princess
It’s early and I’m slow and for a moment I thought Embiggen was the name of a mountain in Switzerland.
You have to admit, it sounds like it could be.
Anyway, I love the blue gentians!
Kristine
Lovely photos.
Blue flowers are always special. Such intense color.
Argiope
@Geo Wilcox: Go! Switzerland and the Dolomites are both spectacular. And Big Jim’s photos are so enticing.
Argiope
@Princess: Same, the first time I saw it. Absolutely reads. Jungfrau, Monch, Eiger & Embiggen.
frosty
I’ve been there! Without a camera though so all I have are memories and the journal I kept. My buddy and I railpassed to the Bernese Oberland and, late in the day, hiked up to Schynige Platte, following the train tracks. With no place to stay, the stationmaster let us sleep on the floor.
We hiked for the next couple of days; overnighted in a hut at the Faulhorn. Beautiful views of the Eiger across from us. My favorite memory was watching Swiss Air Force fighters practicing. Below us!
delphinium
Lovely photos-all of your hikes look amazing!
WaterGirl
@eclare: I looked at that first photo and said “yeah, no!”
Stunning photos, all of them!
Yutsano
Anyone else have “Edelweiss” stuck in their head?
Also: that first picture is a big ol’ NOPE from me too. But the flowers are absolutely gorgeous! I need to hit a mountain this spring.
MelissaM
Look at that geology! The forms in that first picture are amazing!
BigJimSlade
@Geo Wilcox: Make a plan! We attempted to keep the prices down by staying in a vacation apartment (studio size), and mostly eating from supermarkets (cooking, as needed, in the apartment).
BigJimSlade
@Princess: In the first post of the series, which was a few weeks ago now, I mentioned that “embiggen” is old internet slang for “click to see larger image.”
“Have you climbed the north face of the Embiggen?” :-)
BigJimSlade
@frosty: That sounds great! Well, sleeping on the floor might have been a bit sub-optimal, but kinda fun, too.
BigJimSlade
Thanks for the nice words everybody!
StringOnAStick
Gorgeous! I am also a big fan of gentians.