"The Bernese Oberland" Caitlin's photos around Murren, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken, Switzerland Video

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Entry from: Murren, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken, Switzerland
Entry Title: "The Bernese Oberland"

Entry:

"This weekend we said good-bye to the fete de geneve (a month-long festival on the lake)and decided to get crazy and journey into what is usually described as the "quintessential Swiss" region, the Bernese Oberland. This is the German-speaking mountainous region of the country where one would expect to see Heidi frolicking about among picturesque villages of quaint, yet richly decorated chalets. Throughout the region one can see waterfalls crashing down sheer cliff sides and glacier-fed rivers and streams force their way through steep rocky canyons. Deep forests end at the foot of rocky peaks (that tower up to 14,000 feet) and cows wander about freely grazing under Alpine maple trees (the sound of the bells around their necks is lulling in the background, like church bells). The most astonishing part of it all to me was that above all these breath-taking views reigns the magnificent snow peaked mountain chains of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (known as the roof-top of Europe). We decided that we'd venture into Mürren, which is a really cool mountain village that is perched on a high (1650 m or 6500 ft) sunny terrace facing the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (the village is the highest altitude ski resort in the Bernese Oberland). The town is gorgeous, car free and accessible by gondola from Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg only (actually, more like a mountain train). It nestles at the foot of the Schilthorn with its revolving Piz Gloria Restaurant, made world-famous by a James Bond film. Mürren is bustling with nature-lovers, particularly hikers and bikers. Keeping in style, we decided we'd go for the ultimate outdoor adventure and camp somewhere up the mountain from the village for the night. We hiked for about an hour and a half around the area and up the mountain (it was quite grueling at times due to the incline and the altitude). Anyway, we were probably at about 7000 to 7500 ft when we decided to set up camp on a small ledge that looked out at the snow-topped mountain faces. It was by far the most breathtakingly gorgeous natural place I've ever seen and by far the most ridiculous place to camp. I couldn't believe my eyes the entire time we were there and I've become a die-hard mountain lover. I think I'm going to take up hiking once or twice a week while i'm here (you'd be a fool to live in this beauty and not take advantage of it). Anyway, it was quite interesting because for once in our relationship Devin was right about something. The entire way there he was lecturing me on how cold it would be at that elevation and that I'd need more warm clothes. I laughed at him and called him a sissy but around 11:00 at night I found myself bundled up in two fleeces, buried under a sleeping bag watching it snow (of course, it accumulated at the peaks and about 1,000 feet higher than us)! It only snowed lightly where we were (it was gone in the morning), but it was cold out there... about 40 degrees I would guess. We have a lot of camping equipment from previous trips, like a small propane stove, utensils, etc. But, of course, we forgot it... so instead of a nice warm meal, we had cheese, bread, raisins and wine. The wine hit the spot, warmed me up and put me to sleep so I cant complain. That stuff also goes straight to your head at elevations like that! Waking up in the morning the following day was awesome... its not everyday that you open your eyes and realize your on top of the world. I also realized half-way through the night that our tent was surrounded by cows... their bells were ringing all around us. Its funny, they just wander around and eat all over the mountain side. Its also weird to see cows that close. I guess i really am more of a city girl.. i was even kind of scared when one wandered into our path on the way back.. they are huge! Anyway, I came to my senses... cows like vegetarians...duh!! At around 9 am we broke camp and hiked back down the mountain ..."
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Photos from this trip:
1. "Cable car journey"
2. "Camping in Murren"
3. "Devin in Murren"
4. "Eiger and Jungfrau from Murren"
5. "Hiking in Murren"
6. "Lauterbrunnen Falls"
7. "Lauterbrunnen valley and Murren village"
8. "Me in Murren"
9. "Mountains and chalet"
10. "Mountains of Murren"
11. "Murren"
12. "Murren chalet near cliff"
13. "Murren chalets"
14. "Where we camped"

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