Mountains Touching the Sky

I've been very negligent as you all know and for that I apologize. I have been in locations (hostels) with limited Internet access and then with my friend Sara and now aunt and uncle in the last three countries. Yes, I'm that far behind in writing!

So Switzerland. I made it to this beautiful, remote village high up in the Alps called Gimmelwald. You have to take a gondola (cable car) to get there, which really limits access by less determined tourists. I was in love with the town and the mountains as soon as I arrived, even though it was a bit of a rainy and foggy afternoon.

My first full day was spent climbing the Schilthorn, one of the tallest mountains in the Berner Oberland, with new Australian friends from the hostel. The hike was a full five hours of uphill hiking, with a wonderful break at a mountain hut halfway to the top. The sights only got more amazing as we gained in elevation - more waterfalls, valleys and peaks, and of course cows and sheep! My climbing partners for the day were four Auzzies and one west-coast American.

New friends and awesome views

 The last half mile was straight uphill in snow, mud and ice along practically sheer cliffs, and so that slows down the less experienced hikers in our group; one Auzzie and I pulled ahead and got to the top a full 30 minutes ahead of the others, which was long enough for him to enjoy a beer and a hot tea for me. Once the group was reunited we ate at the revolving restaurant at the top, which was in some Bond movie.

The gondola ride back down would have been $40, so I opted to hike back down. However what should have been a 3 hour downhill became a four hour up and downhill because signs were missing and we (the American girl and I) got lost. We made it back just as it was getting dark and our friends started worrying about us. It was a long day, but we had some beautiful views as we walked along a ridge line with two valleys on either side.

A beer, some wine, some Spanish honey rum, pizza and pasta rounded out the night with new friends. I definitely slept well that night!

Pictures will follow later and sorry for the delay; I know how eager everyone is to read about my life!