Grindelwald hike, walk or something (2nd update)

BokerTov · #2 17.10.2011, 20:34

Tj this is an awesome idea but I already have something planned then have fun though sorry for the atrocious or rather nonexistent punctuation but I am new at this “Blackberry” thing

On the other hand hiking in Grindelwald paging LiB hehehe

stephen_NE · #3 17.10.2011, 20:49

I am tempted, but it would mean me getting up at 4:45 in the morning to make it to Grindelwald by 8:40, and realistically I know I won't do it. They are forecasting snow down to 1,000 metres on Wednesday, I hope you will be able to do what you have planned !

Tj88 · #4 17.10.2011, 20:56

@Federica.. thanks

... and dont worry i can read you quite well xD

@stephen_NE .... yeah i have been waching the weather forecast but i think is my last chance to make this trip with a decent weather... it is expect for saturday to be a clear day... so will see how that goes xD

i also suck at waking up early ... but if you want we can do a little bit more late.. i put that time because i want to make the most of that day .. and i can also sleep on the train xD

so hopefully someone else will tag along

MysteryMachine · #5 17.10.2011, 23:00

Have fun! Hopefully not too much snow. The hike between Schynige Platte (Wilderswil) and First (Grindelwald) is excellent but might have snow now and I think maybe the restaurants on the trail are closed now. I went in June before all the snow was gone and it was pretty tricky in parts as I didn't have the ice axe etc. Here's some pics of the hike I took.. hopefully if someone is on the fence about going the pics will help (sadly I can't make it). You should be able to get a deal in a hotel in the area now in offseason if, like me, you don't like getting up super early but love the area. No pictures of the difficult snow parts as I couldn't use the camera when hiking the tricky parts. You could ask the ticket sales in Wilderswil or Grindelwald and they should know the condition of the trail

I was hiking above Brienz saturday and its BEAUTIFUL right now with the fall colors etc but looking over towards Grindelwald looked like fresh snow. Haven't had a chance to look at those pictures yet but I'm betting they are amazing!

MFC · #6 18.10.2011, 09:57

I was hiking in the Gimmelwald (across the valley from, and not to be confused with Grindelwald). I can say that as of this weekend there was some serious snow on trails once you got above 2000 m. Im not sure where you are inteding to hike, but definitely wear good, waterproof boots. You will almost certainly be running into wet, muddy, and/ or snowy conditions. That said, I had a great time last weekend, and Im planning a hike in the Lucerne area for Sunday. I posted it in the sports section. Maybe I should have posted it here as well.

Pictures from Gimmelwald last weekend

BokerTov · #7 18.10.2011, 10:01

	Quote:	MFC
	I was hiking in the Gimmelwald (across the valley from, and not to be confused with Grindelwald). I can say that as of this weekend there was some serious snow on trails once you got above 2000 m. Im not sure where you are inteding to hike, but definitely wear good, waterproof boots. You will almost certainly be running into wet, muddy, and/ or snowy conditions. That said, I had a great time last weekend, and Im planning a hike in the Lucerne area for Sunday. I posted it in the sports section. Maybe I should have posted it here as well. Pictures from Gimmelwald last weekend

Gimmelwald is my favorite place in all of Switzerland that I have been so far. Nice pics!

summerrain · #8 18.10.2011, 10:04

	Quote:	MysteryMachine
	Have fun! Hopefully not too much snow. The hike between Schynige Platte (Wilderswil) and First (Grindelwald) is excellent

I was just there over the weekend and the plan was to do that exact same route. But the train from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte ran out of electricity half way through and we all had to be brought back to the Wilderswil station!

We ended up hiking from First back down to Grindelwald instead.

Thats a gorgeous route. Still no snow at all on the paths but that might change over the week. Steep downhill - so avoid if you have dodgy knees, like me.

Uncle Max · #9 18.10.2011, 11:29

	Quote:	MysteryMachine
	Have fun! Hopefully not too much snow. The hike between Schynige Platte (Wilderswil) and First (Grindelwald) is excellent but might have snow now and I think maybe the restaurants on the trail are closed now. I went in June before all the snow was gone and it was pretty tricky in parts as I didn't have the ice axe etc. Here's some pics of the hike I took.. hopefully if someone is on the fence about going the pics will help (sadly I can't make it). You should be able to get a deal in a hotel in the area now in offseason if, like me, you don't like getting up super early but love the area. No pictures of the difficult snow parts as I couldn't use the camera when hiking the tricky parts. You could ask the ticket sales in Wilderswil or Grindelwald and they should know the condition of the trail ...

There's always a bit of slippy snow on that route, however the webcam from below shows it not so bad today. Decent hiking boots will be enough but at your own risk! The quoted picture is above the ridge on the following image. Who knows how it'll look on Saturday, but going up the Faulhorn is lovely for the view over the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfraujoch.

MysteryMachine · #10 18.10.2011, 11:58

	Quote:	summerrain
	I was just there over the weekend and the plan was to do that exact same route. But the train from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte ran out of electricity half way through and we all had to be brought back to the Wilderswil station!

Thats a huge bummer! I would tell you how amazingly beautiful it was over the weekend hiking above the clouds but that would be mean.

Sorry about the knees.. thats another topic but my knee started hurting on a hike from Grindelwald to Griesalp in late June and its hurt ever since (despite never having knee problems before). I got an MRI and the dr. didn't seem to know what was wrong (mentioned a defect on the back of my knee cap but I can move my knee cap around etc and the pain doesn't change) and told me there was nothing he could do.

Longbyt · #11 18.10.2011, 12:15

Knees hurt while walking? Doctor cannot help? Get thee to a physio who will look at the way you walk. Might be something you could get rid of with the appropriate exercises.

Tj88 · #12 18.10.2011, 13:58

Thanks everybody for your replys, even if you are not coming im having a better picture of what i want to do, and the pictures they are freaking great ... if i wanted to before.. now i most definitely need to go.

Will someone will suggest a good route to make, once im there?

... im looking and reading to see where should i go... but any more information from someone who was already there will be awesome

thanks, and hopefully someone will join me

in a knee bursting hike

lost_inbroad · #13 18.10.2011, 14:06

Alright folks, I have a newbie question here pertaining to this hike. Ehmm, what type of gear would one require for such a trip?

(it does sound like something I would be up for..but I'm not sure whether I have the right equipment for this particular undertaking).

Uncle Max · #14 18.10.2011, 14:13

	Quote:	lost_inbroad
	Alright folks, I have a newbie question here pertaining to this hike. Ehmm, what type of gear would one require for such a trip? (it does sound like something I would be up for..but I'm not sure whether I have the right equipment for this particular undertaking).

Decent boots, weatherproof coat, decent pants, decent backpack. It's not the Eiger, but can get blowy up there and you'll need food and drink for 50% longer than you anticipate. *Always* ask a local in situ as to conditions. That said, I can do it... It's a lovely hike.

lost_inbroad · #15 18.10.2011, 14:16

	Quote:	Uncle Max
	Decent boots, weatherproof coat, decent pants, decent backpack. It's not the Eiger, but can get blowy up there and you'll need food and drink for 50% longer than you anticipate. Always ask a local in situ as to conditions. That said, I can do it... It's a lovely hike.

Thanks for the tip. I guess, I'll have to invest in some hiking gear then. TJ, if I manage to gather up some hiking gear by then, I'll join ya for the trip.

Tj88 · #16 18.10.2011, 14:28

	Quote:	Uncle Max
	Decent boots, weatherproof coat, decent pants, decent backpack. It's not the Eiger, but can get blowy up there and you'll need food and drink for 50% longer than you anticipate. Always ask a local in situ as to conditions. That said, I can do it... It's a lovely hike.

Thanks

for that

	Quote:	lost_inbroad
	Thanks for the tip. I guess, I'll have to invest in some hiking gear then. TJ, if I manage to gather up some hiking gear by then, I'll join ya for the trip.

thank you and hopefully you can get all that you need... i just got back from manor and bought some trail boots .. the ones i used wear (and were cross trail sneakers) are done ..

I always carry 2 litters of water and also a lot of sugar to keep me going ... and try to eat the day before not a big ammount of carbs... but just enough to burn the next day

lost_inbroad · #17 18.10.2011, 14:31

	Quote:	Tj88
	Thanks for that thank you and hopefully you can get all that you need... i just got back from manor and bought some trail boots .. the ones i used wear (and were cross trail sneakers) are done .. I always carry 2 litters of water and also a lot of sugar to keep me going ... and try to eat the day before not a big ammount of carbs... but just enough to burn the next day

Awesome! I'd have to get my shopping done by tomorrow evening as I'll be on the road from Thu-Fri...will report back by tomorrow.

summerrain · #18 18.10.2011, 14:49

	Quote:	Uncle Max
	Decent boots, weatherproof coat, decent pants, decent backpack. It's not the Eiger, but can get blowy up there and you'll need food and drink for 50% longer than you anticipate. Always ask a local in situ as to conditions. That said, I can do it... It's a lovely hike.

To add to that, decent proper hiking socks to go with your hiking shoes. Those thick enough to cushion your feet as well as allowing it to breathe.

Layering is key. At this weather, with the sun shining, you can get away with hiking in a t-shirt. But do layer with a fleece and waterproof jacket and strip off/put back on when necessary. No need to invest too much if you already have those staple items in your wardrobe.

lost_inbroad · #19 18.10.2011, 14:51

	Quote:	summerrain
	To add to that, decent proper hiking socks to go with your hiking shoes. Those thick enough to cushion your feet as well as allowing it to breathe. Layering is key. At this weather, with the sun shining, you can get away with hiking in a t-shirt. But do layer with a fleece and waterproof jacket and strip off/put back on when necessary. No need to invest too much if you already have those staple items in your wardrobe.

I'm more of an urban kid...soooo, I'd have to pretty much get everything.

Uncle Max · #20 18.10.2011, 14:53

Oh, and don't hike in jeans. If you've never done it, you'll soon learn once it gets cold. No need to get fancy hiking pants but generally cotton isn't your friend if it gets wet.