Friday 28 September 2007

Currently away doing field reseach


...not exactly. To be honest, the authors are simply away, out in the woods, on holidays. So everyone checking out our blog once in a while, please be patient and come back by the end of October. Well, now is a great time to explore the outdoors of the Bernese Oberland, so you probably won't have time to visit our blog anyway. Intermission then! Bye for now, blog to you in a few weeks!

Sunday 23 September 2007

Gehrihorn


Sunday, 24 SEP 2007 @ 12.27 live - stunning view... and Bernese alps in the back :)

Post-hike addendum: Here a nice 5-hour hike from Kiental, Bernese Oberland. From Kiental village take the chairlift to Ramslauenen (restaurant), then follow the well-marked footpath to Gehrihorn. The ascent takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is quite tough. Once you reach the ridge the view is simply magnifisant. To the South you face the Bernese Alps including the peaks of Eiger, Monch and Junfrau and several other snow-covered giants. Frutigtal (valley), Lake Thun and Emmental spread in front of you in the North. After a lunch break on Gehrihorn (2'130 metres above sealevel) follow the ridge to Grathütte (attended alpine hut, light snacks and accommodation available) before heading downwards to your starting point at Ramslauenen again. As there are a few short but tricky passages just after Gehrihorn, check the weather forecast beforehand. Kiental can be reached by a public bus service from Reichenbach (train station).

Sunday 9 September 2007

Trift Bridge between Susten and Grimsel


Just a quick update, a few days have past without any news, sorry for that. I've been quite busy enjoying the last warm summer days. But now that fall arrives I will probably have more time in front of my computer again.



Anyway, two weeks ago Sue and Philipp joined me on an easy walk to Trift Brücke (trift bridge), a spectacular rope bridge over a canyon formed by the Trift glacier (Bernese Oberland, Switzerland). If you use Interlaken as your gateway, drive to Innerkirchen, then follow Susten. After a few kilometers up towards the mountain pass, you will come across a small cable car station. The cable car is run by the company in charge of the water power station in the region. Take the small gondola that runs every 10 minutes to the top. From there, a well marked trail leads up to the bridge (walking time approx. 1.5 hours). The path is somewhat steep and people who are not used to the mountains may find it a bit exposed in some parts. The scenery from the Trift bridge is supurb! Look down into a natural bowl sourrounded by mountains, a glacier lake and the permanent ice in the back.