Day 3 of 5 days hiking across the heart of the Bernese Oberland and it’s pretty wonderful even with the throngs of tourists to rival the Grand Canyon south rim. Hiking the Via Alpina routes us up and over three major passes (we added a day at Grindelwald, where we climbed 5,350′ to Mannlichen just to keep our legs fit and mostly to reminisce back 42 years), so we don’t see or hike with too many folks until we reach a train or gondola terminus at the top.

Selecting a few photos of the 48 that I just took today becomes problematic because they’re hard to choose and review on a mobile device let alone edit them with filters or photoshop. The classic of the three in the center of today’s hike is the Eiger. I learned today from Stanna that Eiger means ogre in German and the Monch is defending the Jungfrau from the Eiger. Today not all three were visible at the same time and fit in the viewfinder. Check them out in Google Earth 3D or on the map above.

The transportation infrastructure in this area is remarkable taking literally thousands an hour up the various mountains. We were the only ones we saw trekking up the mountain. (See Stanna on the trail as we pass under one of the three cog trains an hour that wend their way up hundred year old rail beds). A number, lets say a tenth of a percent, do hike down some portions. And we did see five old men trying to get “younger next year” cycling mountain bikes just as we approached the pass.

One paraglider passed us going down above the Lauterbrunnen cliffs. He said he’d “only have to rapel 7 meters [thru the trees to the edge] before I can launch”. Paragliding has been a frequent sight in the skies along our route, as roads, lifts and access make launching for 5-7,000′ elevation flights easy. Looking down to Lauterbrunnen will give you an idea of his flight path.

Each time we come thru villages there’s plenty to stimulate discussion whether it’s Swiss construction, marveling at cutting grass on 45+ degree slopes with tractors or just the abundance of gardens and geraniums festooned like bunting from every house’s window box planters.