Magic Mountain _2

4_PATH TO OBERSTEINBERG
At the altitude of around 1800m we reached an open slope under the steep cliffs of Tanzbodeli. We followed the signed pathway towards the east side of Tanzbodeli and reached an overhanging pathway where we came face to face with the majestic Jungfrau (a). Glacial water streamed down the snowline, making us wonder how much longer before all these glaciers are gone (b). We came so close to these famous peaks all by ourselves, as if the two of us were the only visitors to the 'magic mountain'. Comparing to the year-round busy Jungfraujoch mountain railway station on the other side of the summit, where I visited ten years ago with my parents, this Jungfrau in front of us stood as if a different mountain (c). The high path ended at another green slope fenced off for cow grazing (d). This was the point where I mis-read the map and thought we should have followed a higher path. As I attempted to find our way through the grazing slope to reach my imaginary higher path, a shepherd appeared from nowhere and instructed me the right way - a short descend below the slope to the restaurant of Obersteinberg.


5_LUNCH
We reached Obersteinberg at around 12:45. On a bench facing the Talback Falls, we had our lunch - 2 cans of corn-beef, 1 can of tuna and 1 loaf of bread. We bought most of our food supplies the day before from the Migros supermarket at the Basel railway station. We knew that we would not find any grocery shop at Gimmelwald, and nothing would be open in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen by the time we arrived. Unbeatable scenery. Simple but delicious food. Pure glacier water. Zero complain.


6_STREAMS
After lunch, we turned our back towards Jungfrau and made our way further south towards the glaciers of Breithorn. We passed by numerous waterfalls (a), crossed the Tschingel Litschina (b) and other glacial streams at several occassions. As we approached closer to this deep end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the peaks of Jungfrau and Monch formed a magnificent backdrop behind us. At this time of the day, this west face of the mountains was completely bathed in the afternoon sun (c).