To the Top of the World (well nearly...to 9,740 ft. to be precise!)
We woke the next morning to clearing skies and the peaks of the Alps appearing through the parting clouds. We were thrilled! Our trip to the Shilthorn was a GO!! We took the gondola up to Gimmelwald and transferred to Murren, from Murren to Brig, and then one more gondola to the very top! There was one resounding gasp from all in our gondola as we emerged from the lingering cloud to the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss Alps! We felt we had died and gone to Heaven! After a quick orientation from Rolinka, we walked around mesmerized, taking pictures of the Eigar, Monch and Jungfrau Mountains and surrounding peaks, trying to capture what our eyes were beholding. To top it off, a paraglider was riding the air current right around us. The James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was partially filmed here so we briefly sauntered through the display and sipped on 007 Cappuccinos in the revolving restaurant, before heading back outside to continue to soak in more of the sensational scenery!
At the Schilthorn Summit
The Legend of the Eiger, Monch, & Jungfrau
These stunning peaks get their names from a Swiss legend that goes like this: the peaks from left to right are the Eiger (Ogre), Monch (Monk), and Jungfrau (Young Maiden). So the legend goes - the Ogre is peering at the Young Maiden and threatens to harm her, but just in time, the Monk steps in to protect the Young Maiden: Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau!
Down to the Beautiful Village of Murren
Reluctantly, we began our descent and arrived in the adorable village of Murren at an elevation of 5,400 ft. We took some time to explore this delightful town and ended up at the Funicular (a cable train that took us back up to about 6,200 ft. - to The North Face Trail head.
Our group taking a break before heading up the Funicular to The North Face Trail.