Switzerland
The Bernese Oberland is out of this world. It looks like the Jolly Green Giant took to renovation and stretched fine green carpet over a field of enormous asparagus. It is in Jolly’s renovated veggie paradise of soaring spiky peaks, where we hiked over hill and dale carrying a few clothes and snacks from mountain hut to mountain hut. We started in Gimmelwald at the Mountain Hostel, perfectly wedged on a cliff overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. To all those ranch dressing aficionados out there, this IS the Hidden Valley. It was the ideal location to adjust our eyes to the incredible and non-stop views to come over the next five days. It was also the place to adapt to hut life—a communal sleeping and eating arrangement most Wake students have never experienced. There was opportunity to become pals with friendly travelers over meals and close bunk arrangements, and in other cases, not make friends with those unaccustomed to the volume of American university students. Nonetheless, we were hilarious and adorable and let everyone know it.
Our bags started out light on the first step from the Mountain Hostel, but a few feet on, the weight of the extra t-shirt, chocolate bar, and luxury item shampoo, created a full fledge, but brief personal crisis. Luckily, nerves settled by the time we reached Mürren, and a sense of resolve and partnership developed with our backpacks. The “extra” weight became part of the experience. Our days were full of up, up, up, then down, down, down, and pause for view, then pause for view, and one more time, pause for more views. Mountain vistas, wild flowers, and waterfalls, were on repeat. Our mouths were agape with wonder. We made our way to Rotstockhütte (affectionately known as Rotten Sock Hütte because, you guessed it, after walking all that way, our socks really stunk!).
Next, it was up and over the Sefinafurgga pass to the more luxurious accommodation, Hotel Waldrand in Griesalp (nicknamed Greasy Scalp because at this point, we are all due for a shower—and thank goodness, they have one!). Here we enjoyed lively card games with ice cream sundaes on the porch. In the evening, we were treated to a multi-course candlelit meal. Backpacking has never been so glamorous and gourmet!
With freshly shampooed and full bodied hair, it was time for the hardest day of the entire trip, an all-day 4,500 foot climbing affair to the Blümlisalphütte. Here it felt like we slept at the pinnacle of the Alps. At the top of the ridge and happily looking out the window of the hut, we encountered hail, snow and whatever else the Alps threw down hard at the ground in the afternoon. It made sleeping next to the Blümlisalp glacier all the more entertaining and spectacular. The storms put on quite a show, and so did the sun, I might add. The late afternoon storms validated our purpose of dragging 12 college students out of bed way too early in morning to maximize the beautiful mountain morning weather. On the final day we wound down the mountain on a trail etched into the side of a cliff and took a dip in the startlingly turquoise Lake Oeschinensee. Our final days in Switzerland were spent hanging out at the infamous Balmer’s Hostel in Interlaken, enjoying a celebration feast, hiking up through Trümmelbach Fall, and enjoying more adrenaline sports like paragliding.
Switzerland is special, no doubt. The peaks jut straight up, waterfalls shoot off layered rocky cliffs at every head turn, snowy glaciers miraculously cling to impossibly steep inclines, cow bells generate a cacophony of music in high meadows, and clouds dance around the valleys like Mick Jagger at Studio 54. I’m glad there is a “Global Perspectives in Food, Activity and Health” lesson we must learn in the Swiss Alps. Really there is nothing to say beyond the pictures, except “Holy Shitzerland Gary!”
