Gruetzi Schwiez

From the right, Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau

Eiger

Uphill, running for Mürren

Lauterbrunnen valley

Swedish summer =)

This time, without warning Zurich and Switzerland gave us a hard welcome. The Promised ski country who always treated us so well. Not a vacant hotel room in town! After two hours of searching, we were puzzled by a Marlbro smoking young Swiss German who managed to arrange a room in Bern. Which meant a train back in the same direction we just came from for about an hour, then finally some deserved sleep after 15 hours traveling.

The day after Keni and I split up. Keni went to Appenzell to meet up with Daniel and I to Mearingen to follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or, rather, explore the Bernese Oberland and central Switzerland. After a short bus ride, the rain beating against the window, I stoped by Schwarswald Alp. The rain hung in the air and the immediate future was to become a thoroughly soaked history. After three hours of running in thunder and lightning, at over 2000 meters altitude weather finally become clear when I ran into Grindelwald. Grindelwald is perhaps best known for it guarding the north side of the Eiger, a legendary peak in the Alps. In the afternoon I ran the last hours into Wengen mountain village located in the neighboring valley to Grindelwald. Who are also proud organizers of the Wengen World Cup Ski downhill race.

The weather continued to persist with rain the second day, actually quite nice. So much easier to run in the rain, the air becomes easier to breathe, you've probably know this feeling yourself. Lauterbrunnen invited to a magnificent valley that stretches for miles south of the city surrounded by steep rock walls. Waterfall after waterfall rinse out the rocks several hundred meters before they reach the valley floor. Deep in the valley is a charming little “hutt” which I later about a week or so from now will be staying at. The village of Murren is 3 hours up from the Hutt. Murren is balancing built on top of one of the massive rock walls and the village's living are based on tourism and skiing. After running up the steep trail I ended my day here with a 2 km swim in the local bathhouse, and a good dinner at the hotel.

The last day started with a klätterstieg in nice sunshine. 1.5 hours later I thanked for the loan of the climbing gear that I borrowed from the hotel owner, tied on my shoes and ran along the mountain side toward Isenfluh. A few hours later, with the help of Swiss engineer skill I transported myself the last way down to first Wilderwil and finally Interlaken.

Now I`m in Chamonix meeting up with a new group of people. They will walk around The Mount Blanc Massif in eight days with Daniel and me.