Lauberhorn and Grindelwald

Finally we came to our last full day in Grindelwald. I settled on the idea of a short ski tour in the morning and an afternoon strolling the town with Mary - which we had yet to do.

From our chalet this is the view of the Lauberhorn (left) and Tschuggen (right).

The ski lifts from Kleine Scheidegg had been closed for some time, but the terrain looked very nice so I elected to ski up to the summit of the Lauberhorn. A pic from the train as we approach the station with the Lauberhorn above.

The Europeans love their American Indian kitsch. They're big on watches too.

I was a little surprised to see several other parties heading up. This elderly gent was slowly making his way up.

Of course the views were terrific. The Jungfrau.

The Eiger (left) and the Monch (right).

A couple nears the summit ahead of me.

Looking straight down on Lauterbrunnen.

and Wengen.

The upper Lauterbrunnen valley.

and back east to Grindelwald.

A snowboarder hiked up behind me. Turned out to be a woman, about my age, getting a quick run in before work! 

Nice folks on the summit.

Went up for a second run to a sub summit. Looking back at the higher main summit.

The skiing was great on perfectly cooked corn - smooth, untracked, on playful terrain.

Next up was an afternoon in Grindelwald with Mary.

Had a high level match of mini golf. Worst course ever. Best views ever.

Stoked to see my car is very popular in Grindewald. Hardly see any here in the States!

Another day of fun and sun.

Mt Johnson Mini Couloir

Headed out above South Lake again. Climbed up through the Treasure Lake zone very close to where Ben and I skied on Friday.

This wind lip forms in this spot every year. Busted a rib here once upon a time.

Just above I found this fascinating zig zag pattern in the snow.

There are several couloirs on the north face of Johnson. I selected this one as it seemed to hold the best snow even though it was fairly short.

Getting up there.

Booting was hard work. Mid thigh deep in spots and over the knee all the way.

Once I got into the upper section of the couloir I was constantly pelted with snow pellets and, occasionally, small rocks. So I bailed out.

Dang fine skiing in the couloir. Wrapped around and found good skiing down into the main drainage too.

Looking back on the way out.

Surprisingly good skiing all the way out to South Lake too.
Nice!

Wengem, Lauterbrunnen, and Murren

The following day was penciled in for sight seeing. There's definitely no shortage of sights around here! 

The morning view of the Eiger (right) from our chalet.

At the Grindewald station the train arrives from Interlaken below.

and another arrives from Kleine Scheidegg above.

We took the train up and over Kleine Scheidegg (here).

Workhorse! Blower on the right, plow on the left.

The alpine views were once again astounding.

Approaching the town of Wengen

A mountain biker enjoys the fine day.

Wengen is another "car-free" town as there is no road to it. There are small service vehicles and taxis which were brought up on the train, but not many. It was the off season, so the town was very quiet and relaxing.

After an espresso and a pastry and a stroll through town we boarded the next train down to Lauterbrunnen. Quickly the views of the valley appeared.

Note the waterfall lower right.

Lauterbrunnen is the "valley of 72 waterfalls". We weren't counting, but we were duly impressed.

Staubbach falls from up on the rail line.

Simply stunning.

This one's for my ping pong buddies Jim and Elysia. Pack your paddles!

The valley is a popular paragliding area. I can see why.

We enjoyed pleasant strolling on this quiet bike/pedestrian path.

From Lauterbrunnen we took the tram and railway up to Murren.

The three famous peaks of the region. From left the Eiger (the Ogre), the Monch (Monk) and the Jungfrau (Virgin).

At the top of  the tram from Lauterbrunnen we transferred to a train for the fifteen minute ride to Murren.

The Eiger from Murren.

Sipped a tasty beer here on the deck.

and did some more strolling around town.

What a beautiful area!

Hurd Peak Loop

Still working on Europe pics, but in the meantime......

Don't want to get to far behind here on the homefront. Friday I got out for a short tour with my buddy Ben. Stuck close to home and did the Hurd Peak loop out of South Lake.

Ben cruises along with Hurd Peak behind.

Fast traveling across Long Lake.

We took a right turn towards the base of Mt Goode.

Not an Aiguille, just good old Mt Goode.

Ben launches from our high point beneath the north face.

After crossing the col we traversed high into this bowl and found great snow.

That was nice!

Great to be home.