VIA001
Location: 46.493479, 7.560155
Adelboden: Bus station at Adelboden
VIA002
Location: 46.491149, 7.563545
Beginning the climb out of Adelboden to Bunderchrinde Pass.
VIA003
Location: 46.491121, 7.563626
Beginning the climb out of Adelboden to Bunderchrinde Pass.
VIA004
Location: 46.491095, 7.56377
You'll climb from town on narrow paved roads, dirt farm roads, and trails.
VIA005
Location: 46.489625, 7.566323
Hang a left at this intersection.
VIA006
Location: 46.492437, 7.57663
Chalet
VIA007
Location: 46.492162, 7.576867
Dennis Lewon
VIA008
Location: 46.488864, 7.58121
VIA009
Location: 46.486573, 7.585143
VIA010
Location: 46.486127, 7.588275
The Via Alpina is very well-signed.
VIA011
Location: 46.486268, 7.590646
VIA012
Location: 46.488441, 7.595412
Dennis Lewon prepares to hang a left to climb through the woods.
VIA013
Location: 46.488546, 7.597714
VIA014
Location: 46.489053, 7.601767
VIA015
Location: 46.489126, 7.601761
Looking back on Adelboden.
VIA016
Location: 46.490083, 7.60167
VIA017
Location: 46.488086, 7.604526
VIA018
Location: 46.488239, 7.604579
Adelboden
VIA019
Location: 46.485134, 7.614411
VIA020
Location: 46.485115, 7.614529
VIA021
Location: 46.484982, 7.616615
VIA022
Location: 46.484984, 7.616677
VIA023
Location: 46.484986, 7.616755
VIA024
Location: 46.482386, 7.624595
VIA025
Location: 46.482365, 7.624616
VIA026
Location: 46.482343, 7.624632
Our first look at snowy Bunderchrinde pass.
VIA027
Location: 46.48236, 7.625995
Shannon Davis layers up atop 7,825-foot Bunderchrinde.
VIA028
Location: 46.482402, 7.626049
Looking east from the pass
VIA029
Location: 46.482417, 7.62607
VIA030
Location: 46.482459, 7.626124
VIA031
Location: 46.482496, 7.626172
Beginning our descent to Kandersteg
VIA032
Location: 46.48253, 7.626218
VIA033
Location: 46.482583, 7.626285
VIA034
Location: 46.478372, 7.631484
VIA035
Location: 46.476777, 7.630046
Keep an eye out for chamois, a local goat-antelope species with distinctively curved horns.
VIA036
Location: 46.482674, 7.664895
28-OCT-09 18:31:29
VIA037
Location: 46.495216, 7.67174
Rail station at Kandersteg
VIA038
Location: 46.494862, 7.674015
Kandersteg
VIA039
Location: 46.495449, 7.674406
Hang a right near this hotel in downtown Kandersteg.
VIA040
Location: 46.493409, 7.700471
The Via Alpina is marked by a #1 logo.
VIA041
Location: 46.497611, 7.714639
Berghaus by the stunning lake
VIA042
Location: 46.497883, 7.715138
First view of the lake
VIA043
Location: 46.498045, 7.715471
The path tracks long the left shore.
VIA044
Location: 46.498281, 7.715814
VIA045
Location: 46.498333, 7.716694
VIA046
Location: 46.502587, 7.72385
Just past the lake, you'll start gaining some serious elevation.
VIA047
Location: 46.502602, 7.723989
VIA048
Location: 46.504334, 7.727809
VIA049
Location: 46.509477, 7.736998
Navigating through a boulderfield.
VIA050
Location: 46.509484, 7.737234
VIA051
Location: 46.508229, 7.740029
VIA052
Location: 46.508916, 7.74431
VIA053
Location: 46.508893, 7.744406
VIA054
Location: 46.508336, 7.751053
VIA055
Location: 46.508362, 7.751225
Hanging glaciers on the opposite side of the valley.
VIA056
Location: 46.508395, 7.751402
VIA057
Location: 46.508923, 7.753279
VIA058
Location: 46.508934, 7.753336
VIA059
Location: 46.509286, 7.754236
Climbing toward Hohturli, the highest pass on the Via Alpina at 9,114 feet.
VIA060
Location: 46.511582, 7.759216
VIA061
Location: 46.512356, 7.760768
VIA062
Location: 46.512401, 7.761004
VIA063
Location: 46.511888, 7.767769
First clear view of Hohturli pass.
VIA064
Location: 46.511873, 7.76787
More impeccable signage
VIA065
Location: 46.511862, 7.767956
Kelly Bastone on her way to Hohturli.
VIA066
Location: 46.511301, 7.770225
Descending toward Griesalp, using the fixed hand-line for support.
VIA067
Location: 46.512937, 7.771107
The sun setting on a ridge to the east.
VIA068
Location: 46.528871, 7.77257
VIA069
Location: 46.53046, 7.771845
VIA070
Location: 46.534451, 7.769823
The Via Alpina passes through a small farm just outside of Griesalp.
VIA071
Location: 46.547173, 7.761146
Don't Blink: The village of Griesalp is nothing more than a few hotels and cottages.
VIA072
Location: 46.547528, 7.761639
Griesalp: Interesting post bus ride. It's the steepest road serviced by bus in all of Europe.
VIA073
Location: 46.547535, 7.761787
VIA074
Location: 46.548472, 7.766562
Dennis Lewon hiking out of Griesalp.
VIA075
Location: 46.537954, 7.796279
Access the trail to the pass just behind a small collection of shepherd huts.
VIA076
Location: 46.53785, 7.796538
Dennis Lewon climbing toward the pass
VIA077
Location: 46.532759, 7.809774
VIA078
Location: 46.5324, 7.812684
Shannon Davis
VIA079
Location: 46.531521, 7.813028
Our first view of the Eiger (peak on the left) as we crest Sefinenfurgge Pass.
VIA080
Location: 46.537226, 7.819777
VIA081
Location: 46.537639, 7.820292
VIA082
Location: 46.537934, 7.820678
VIA083
Location: 46.538466, 7.821396
VIA084
Location: 46.540912, 7.823702
Stay straight. Another route (to Rote Hard) branches off to the left.
VIA085
Location: 46.542156, 7.824841
VIA086
Location: 46.542789, 7.825656
VIA087
Location: 46.545971, 7.832441
VIA088
Location: 46.544761, 7.837134
Rotstockhutte, an alpine hut with 52 bunks is open from June to October.
VIA089
Location: 46.545344, 7.854538
View across Lauterbrunnen Valley. Hanging glaciers often crash down the steep walls.
VIA090
Location: 46.548826, 7.874
Creek crossing. Just past here, look for a trail to the left leading to a small collection of cheesemaker's huts.
VIA091
Location: 46.551217, 7.881821
VIA092
Location: 46.558329, 7.891295
Muerren-CableCar
VIA093
Location: 46.558329, 7.891595
Village of Murren. Keep hiking to Lauterbrunnen or get a room at the Eiger Hotel.
VIA094
Location: 46.559491, 7.892373
Left turn.
VIA095
Location: 46.565342, 7.897883
View point near train station.
VIA096
Location: 46.598381, 7.907892
Rail station in Lauterbrunnen
VIA097
Location: 46.598395, 7.908064
Camping Jungfrau, a great place for trekkers. There are bunks and a community kitchen. camping-jungfrau.ch
VIA098
Location: 46.575324, 7.937493
The best lunch break ever, halfway between Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg.
VIA099
Location: 46.575589, 7.947621
View of the Eiger.
VIA100
Location: 46.584951, 7.961526
Kleine Scheidegg, a beautiful mountain pass at the base of the Eiger. Hop the train here to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, or keep hiking to Grindelwald. Or stay awhile--there are restaurants and hotels here too.
VIA101
Location: 46.584947, 7.961601
Jungfraubahn
VIA102
Location: 46.548, 7.98749
Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe and the Aletsch Glacier
VIA103
Location: 46.548029, 7.98779
Bust at a rail stop on the Jungfraubahn
VIA104
Location: 46.548974, 7.996159
Hiking to the base of the Monch.
VIA105
Location: 46.549149, 7.996404
Hiking from Jungfraujoch to the base of the Monch.
VIA106
Location: 46.549904, 7.997854
Looking back at Jungfraujoch
VIA107
Location: 46.552578, 8.00265
Rope up
VIA108
Location: 46.552589, 8.002939
Roping up to attempt the Southeast Ridge.
VIA109
Location: 46.555157, 8.002617
Shannon Davis kicking steps.
VIA110
Location: 46.555924, 8.001781
Looking back at Jungfraujoch.
VIA111
Location: 46.556942, 8.001008
Southeast ridge of the Monch
VIA112
Location: 46.558034, 7.999249
Summit ridge, The Monch
VIA113
Location: 46.558137, 7.998884
Descending the summit ridge
VIA114
Location: 46.558255, 7.998487
Descending the summit ridge
VIA115
Location: 46.558447, 7.997746
Summit cornice.
VIA116
Location: 46.558506, 7.99751
John Harlin on the summit of the Monch.
VIA117
Location: 46.558528, 7.99736
Summit of the 13,474-foot Monch, a peak that lies in between the Eiger and the Jungfrau.
VIA118
Location: 46.584464, 7.962218
Dennis Lewon in front of the Eiger
VIA119
Location: 46.584343, 7.962314
Executive Editor Dennis Lewon with the Eiger behind him.
VIA120
Location: 46.585368, 7.96129
Kleine Scheidegg
VIA121
Location: 46.624169, 8.033924
Rail station in Grindelwald
VIA122
Location: 46.675885, 8.133974
Schwarzwaldal
VIA123
Location: 46.713694, 8.186944
Schwendi1
VIA124
Location: 46.727367, 8.184759
Meiringen Train Station
VIA125
Location: 46.705599, 8.2295
Innertkirchen
VIA126
Location: 46.727356, 8.263454
Near Underbalm, the contours of the Wetterhorn come into glaring clarity as the team moves further into Meiringen. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA127
Location: 46.755299, 8.305106
Camp
VIA128
Location: 46.754975, 8.305922
Kristin Hostetter tests the Sierra Designs LT Strike 2. The Wetterhorn sets the perfect backdrop. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA129
Location: 46.755505, 8.305836
VIA130
Location: 46.766853, 8.315191
Snow melts below treeline along the valley route. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA131
Location: 46.767176, 8.315749
VIA132
Location: 46.774995, 8.327336
Anthony Cerretani works his way towards Meiringen.
VIA133
Location: 46.777441, 8.333431
L off Via Alpina
VIA134
Location: 46.778837, 8.337848
VIA135
Location: 46.775788, 8.344288
Beer
VIA136
Location: 46.775444, 8.344556
Overnight in Engstlenalp
VIA137
Location: 46.775876, 8.36184
VIA138
Location: 46.778361, 8.386778
JochChairTop
VIA139
Location: 46.778695, 8.387759
Joch Pass
VIA140
Location: 46.783194, 8.391366
Kristin Hostetter and Jon Harlin work their way above Trubsee lake. Rigidalstock, and Wissberg mountains can be seen in the distance. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA141
Location: 46.783484, 8.391575
Anthony Cerretani, Kristin Hostetter, and John Harlin work their way up to Jochpass. In late October, snow started appearing at around 6,000 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA142
Location: 46.790917, 8.387722
JochChairBase
VIA143
Location: 46.792299, 8.395234
Trubsee lake
VIA144
Location: 46.792803, 8.395185
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter takes in the sites from the Trubsee lake as the team gets ready for the push up to Jochpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA145
Location: 46.793006, 8.395911
A view of Trubsee lake. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA146
Location: 46.793625, 8.398876
Engelberg-GondolaTop
VIA147
Location: 46.807756, 8.40055
The Gasthaus Gerschnailp in Engelberg. The team awoke to the sound of cowbells echoing through mountains at 4,139 feet. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA148
Location: 46.812778, 8.392696
Expensive gondola
VIA149
Location: 46.816083, 8.396361
Engelberg-GondolaBase
VIA150
Location: 46.819416, 8.403082
Rail station in Engelberg
VIA151
Location: 46.83544, 8.546015
VIA152
Location: 46.836354, 8.545636
VIA153
Location: 46.836413, 8.545593
From left, John Harlin, Kristin Hostter and Anthony Cerretani recharge for the descent down the south side of Surenenpass. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA154
Location: 46.836512, 8.545549
Pass (Jon's Photo)
VIA155
Location: 46.836512, 8.545625
VIA156
Location: 46.836908, 8.546215
As the sun begins to set, John Harlin takes in the view from the south side of Surenenpass at 7516 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA157
Location: 46.837011, 8.547782
Anthony Cerretani postholes his way towards Surenenpass. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA158
Location: 46.838163, 8.553221
VIA159
Location: 46.838369, 8.553736
VIA160
Location: 46.842713, 8.561332
John Harlin pushes towards snowy, postholing ground. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA161
Location: 46.843726, 8.569229
VIA162
Location: 46.843744, 8.569508
VIA163
Location: 46.843976, 8.577488
Angistock peak, on the way to Surenenpass. In late October, snow started appearing at just about 6,000 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA164
Location: 46.844064, 8.578163
Snow starts appearing more frequently along the path to Surenpass. Angistock peak looms in the background.
VIA165
Location: 46.844115, 8.578354
John Harlin and Kristin Hostetter on the trail to Surenpass.
VIA166
Location: 46.845304, 8.585739
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter and Contributing Editor John Harlin.
VIA167
Location: 46.843802, 8.591781
Backpacker.com editor Anthony Cerretani works his way up the trail.
VIA168
Location: 46.843513, 8.593733
Snowy, rocky peaks line the horizon.
VIA169
Location: 46.843433, 8.594002
Anthony Cerretani takes in the view on a set of natural steps on the route.
VIA170
Location: 46.843249, 8.598009
John Harlin makes time. Oberalpstock and Piz Tgieschen peaks can be seen to the southeast. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA171
Location: 46.843231, 8.5981
Backpacker editor John Harlin leads the way.
VIA172
Location: 46.843356, 8.598449
Backpacker editor John Harlin leads the way.
VIA173
Location: 46.843356, 8.599065
A view of the Angistock peak hovering at over 9,000 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA174
Location: 46.843689, 8.60207
Backpacker editors Kristin Hostetter and John Harlin make their way up the trail. Angistock peak hovers in the background.
VIA175
Location: 46.84327, 8.605906
Backpackerc.com Editor Anthony Cerretani gets moving. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA176
Location: 46.843168, 8.606415
At the trailhead in Grat. Time to head up to snowy 7516-foot Surenenpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA177
Location: 46.843117, 8.606662
At the trailhead in Grat. Time to head up to snowy 7516-foot Surenenpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA178
Location: 46.842961, 8.60693
Top of bahn (Jon's Photo)
VIA179
Location: 46.842956, 8.607005
At the trailhead in Grat. Time to head up to snowy 7516-foot Surenenpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA180
Location: 46.845986, 8.616414
A view of the town of Altdorf from the seat of a Gondola. It would rise some 3,000-plus feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA181
Location: 46.847102, 8.617358
A view of the town of Altdorf from the seat of a Gondola. It would rise some 3,000-plus feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA182
Location: 46.848393, 8.618388
A view of the town of Altdorf from the seat of a Gondola. It would rise some 3,000-plus feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA183
Location: 46.856967, 8.622607
The team jumps a gondola near Attinghausen and heads to the trailhead. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA184
Location: 46.861453, 8.62916
Attinghausen bus stop
VIA185
Location: 46.875716, 8.631772
Altdorf Train Station
VIA186
Location: 46.875741, 8.631831
Altdorf Train Station
VIA187
Location: 46.875686, 8.631842
A view from the Altdorf Train Station. (Jonathan Dorn)
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