In The High Alps

---

Switzerland was a lot less snowy the second time around. Our favorite hikes were open, the weather was fabulous, and our trip to the Jungfraujoch, for our 27th anniversary celebration, was the best. We had a lovely, clear day with miles and miles of visibility. The temperature was so pleasant that we spent a half hour sledding in the snow play area high on the top of the Jungfrau. We haven't been on sleds since we were kids. It was a blast, even when we wiped out and tumbled from the sled. We had a great week hiking and seeing friends in Interlaken before continuing on to Corsica.

After our not so great week in Corsica, we flew to Chamonix, France for more fun in the high Alps. The Montenvers cogwheel train transported us to the edge of the Mer de Glace (Ice Sea) glacier. Every year a new "ice grotto" is bored into the glacier. A new cave is necessary since the glacier moves 45 meters each year. After the train, a cablecar and 387 stairs took us down to the entrance of this glacial cave. Inside the electric blue ice cave there were ice sculptures, a live St. Bernard, and passageways into the glacier. It was amazing!

Thanks to Rick Steves' suggestion we took the lift up to Aiguille du Midi with plans to continue by cable car over the glacier to Helbronner at the border of Italy. Unfortunately, the weather at the top of Midi did not allow us to continue on to Helbronner. So, we spent a rather cold and windy day on Midi waiting for the weather to improve, which never really happened. Still, the day on Midi provided us with some fantastic views of Mt. Blanc and the glaciers.

From Chamonix we headed on to London and Edinburgh. Now, we are having a great time in Iceland before heading home. Still having fun.....

RPM

---

Photos

Heading to Jungfraujoch - Switzerland
Jungfraujoch is a visitor center near the top of the Jungfrau mountain. A train runs through the interior of the Eiger to reach the top of the Jungfrau. This is the view from one of the windows within the mountain.

Jungfraujoch Train
The train travels through a tunnel within the Eiger mountain.

Jungfraujoch
Visitor Center

The Top of Europe - Jungfraujoch
At the very top the elevation is 11,782 feet. There are outside platforms with spectacular views in all directions.

Aletsch Glacier
This is the huge glacier seen from the Jungfraujoch.

Heading into the Ice Palace
This ice cave within the glacier has numerous ice sculptures.

Sledding Hill
The long plastic covered tube is a conveyor belt that brings the sledders and the skiers back to the top.

Comments

[kathy maronet]

Absolutely beautiful and amazing! Sure takes the heat out of our Fl summer to see those views. thank you for sharing this!

[sandra brown]

Wonderful pic's
and BTW Happy Anniversary

[Jim Duerst]

Loved the pictures!! Happy Anniversary! 105 heat index in the sweat box known as Sarasota yesterday so your pictures helped me to dream about cooler weather. Take care.