When we began the day, I expected cold temperatures, and I expected some hiking: I was ok with this. Our journey at the top (9600ft at Eggishorn peak) was full of interesting viewpoints and lookouts. However, we could see a higher view point that could be hiked, and I'd already stated that I would be avoiding that trail.
So Jimmy told me that he would like to hike "down" around the other side of the peak and see what we could find that way. (Ok, hiking downward is always easy, and we could see along the icy glacier in the direction we were headed. No problem. I could do this one and skip the other.)
So we make our way along this "downward" trail. We can see the peaks of the glacier the whole way and the much lower valley from which we started the cable car on the other side. But just as we reach the bottom of this "downward" trail, Jimmy announces that his plan is to hike UP the mountain that now appeared in front of us. Umm.. change of plans? "Well Jimmy, you said we were going to hike DOWN this side, then go back to flat ground so YOU can hike up to the other viewpoint. YOU hiking UP while I sit warm with a coffee." His response is somewhere along the lines of "but this trail looks really cool and now I want to do it."
So what now? I am frustrated that I have to hike back up to the start alone if I don't attempt this trail, and I am truly not interested in either.
This "trail" that Jimmy claims he is hiking should really be considered more rock climbing than hiking. I mean, no joke, this "trail" is a pile of rocks with paint on some of the stones to mark the way. That is, not always easily visible paint lines signaling which rocks wont send you crashing 9,000 feet down this mountain. Let me also note that the people we passed made note of our tennis shoes.... everyone else was prepared with legitimate hiking boots. (Should have been a sign.)
So I end up on all fours climbing up these rocks. And slowly. We are getting higher and higher, and the pile of rocks is showing the distance of 10,000ish feet down to the bottom of the valley more clearly with each step. I didn't think I had a fear of heights, but something about this journey sure induced the feeling of fear.
I joked in the previous Cinque Terre post about how that hike was worth "all the sweat and tears"... but also noted that the joke was that it really only produced sweat. Well, this hike traded the sweat for the real tears. Somehow between guessing stable rocks for each next step in my tennis shoes while being passed by badass 4 year old Swiss children (yes.. really) I was reduced to tears.
The view was absolutely incredible, I have to give it that. I'm not sure who cries in one of the most beautiful places you can imagine, but the rock faces that we were climbing and the insane height that we were at without ANY kind of barrier... let's be real, I don't know how any sane person wouldn't be a little scared.
I am proud of making it halfway up that cliff. Again, the thing was sheer rocks and I am adamant that it should NOT have been labeled a hiking trail! Rock climbing is more accurate. But I had a good audio book, and with a double rock barrier I sat waiting for Jimmy to return from the highest peak. Seriously... who wants to climb rock faces at more than 9,000ft anyway??
I will say that the trail was awesome for the view - but attempting to climb it seriously sucked. Another reason why Switzerland is awesome? The people can "hike" things easily that the rest of the world wouldn't want to touch.
Take me back to the flat land for a warm cappuccino, ASAP! And yes, this is what I did while Jimmy still climbed the (much more reasonable) trail that I had originally decided to sit out on.
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