Pigs climbing the Alps in Switzerland

Photo. Herd of pigs on a trekking and climbing tour at Grindelwald with view towards the Berner Alps in the Jungfrauregion. Are they going on a short excursion or for extreme climbing? Perhaps they are just trimming their flesh?

This landscape represents some of the best parts of the Swiss Alps including age-old glaciers, colourful wildflowers, high and rushing waterfalls, small farms and peaceful villages.

It was really interesting to experiencing the constantly changing scenery, and it was especially fascinating to observe how the animals manage to keep their balance at the many steep hillsides.

Some of Switzerland's most magnificent views are found around the peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. The best rail trip, which is the highest railway in Europe, goes through both the Eiger and the Mönch before finishing at the tip of the majestic Jungfraujoch.

My friend Tore Hjartnes, popularly called Tore H, is born in the west part of Norway in beautiful scenery. Inspired by the nature in Norway he went to Switzerland to experience a similar grand nature. He also intended to experience the inhabitants` culture as the yodelling and hearing the sounds from alp horns.

The diversity of the landlocked, mountainous country is the essence of Switzerland and gives the country its unique identity. Switzerland is also well-known for its financial institutions, fine cheeses and chocolate, watch making industry, an excellent network of public traffic and steep, narrow Zig Zag roads.

Photos. From the Grimsel/Furkapass, ca 2500 metres above ocean. This narrow Zig Zag-road is open in summer. It's a passage between east and west Switzerland. Many of the passages are closed in the winter.

Grindelwald is located in the Berner Obeland-region in Switzerland. In the heart of the wonderful world of mountains, the village is surrounded by impressive "four-thousanders" and forms the entrance to an intact landscape. Here it's opportunities not only for recovery and relaxation, but also entertainment and adventure, for example trekking, climbing, skiing and watching the great variety of wildlife in the area.

In spring and summer, when the Alpine flowers wake up again, the landscape presents itself in its best light and it's time once again for long walks and outings in the surrounding world of mountains and glaciers. Those in search of an adrenaline kick can take part in an exciting river rafting trip or do a canyon jump, a daring leap into the depths.

The excursion to the Jungfraujoch at 3454 metres is a very unique experience. From the viewing terrace of the Sphinx, the unique panorama of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region, listed as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, really take you breath away.

In winter Grindelwald belongs to the top resorts for winter sport. Its 44 ski-lifts open up a total of 200 km of ski slopes. Those not necessarily interested in skiing can walk through crunchy snow at sunny altitudes, race down hills on toboggans or Grindelwald Velogemels or enjoy refreshment and the breath-taking views at one of the many mountain restaurants. For friends of après-ski there are numerous opportunities from simple mountain huts to sophisticated night clubs.

Photo. Farming life at Grindelwald ca. 2000 metres above the ocean.

This farm has its own production of cheese from cow milk, not from pig milk - NØFF-milk as Tore H. says it in is own strange language dialect, which is still popular in Switzerland. And it's a big celebration when the cattle are sent out to the mountain fields (Alpaufzug), and when they return at home in the autumn (Alpafzug).

Photos. Time for milking! The cattle have to be good climbers at these steep hillsides.

Photo. Bergrestaurant First, the mountain restaurant at First, Grindelwald, ca. 2000 metres above the ocean.

According to Tore H, this restaurant could be reached by walking or cable car. It's a good starting point for tours higher up in the Alps` mountain range.

Lucerne region

Tore H. also took is time to explore the Lake Lucerne region. It has a variety of countryside in the smallest area, and with magnificent mountains for great adventures.

Photo. Boat traffic on Vierwaldstättersee in the Lucerne-region, central Switzerland.

The scenery changes constantly so you never get bored.

According to the website MySwitzerland.com, the Lucerne-region is a panorama with changing frames. With its numerous feeder waters, whose character ranges from flat shores to steep-walled fiords, Lake Lucerne offers incomparable conditions for discovering the region first of all by boat. This is, of course, particularly exciting on one of the historic steamers of the SGV (the Lake Lucerne Shipping Company), the leading shipping company in Switzerland. Cast off and make time, goes the motto.

Some of the highlights around the Lake Lucerne:

· Mountains and towns

· Pilatus, the mountain full of possibilities

· The steepest rack railway in the world

· Rigi, the queen of the mountains

· Titlis glacier experience

· Historic paddle steamers

The scenery here changes constantly so you never get bored. The mountain world of inner Switzerland passes majestically by and changing cloud pictures use the lake as an open-air stage.

Switzerland has definitely many exciting areas for great adventures as Tore H. has shown. One can hardly see enough of the majestic splendour of the Alps mountain range. For the animal-lover the Grindelwald valley is a great observation area. Here you can spot chamois, ibex, marmot, eagle (king of the skies), the mountain jackdaw, hare, stag, fox and lesser kno wn animals , which feel at home in the glacier valley. You also have the opportunity to encounter "climbing" pigs! Take the necessary equipment with you as good walking boots, raincoat, camera, binoculars, food and drinks for picnic, and you will also have an unforgettable time as my friend Tore Hjartnes.

Stein Morten Lund, 17 October 2004

Additional information

All photos in this article are taken by Tore Hjartnes, Norway.

Facts of Switzerland:

Capital City: Berne

Major Cities: Baden, Basel, Bellinzona, Bern, Biel, Brig, Chur, Fribourg, Genève, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Lausanne, Locarno, Lugano, Luzern, Martigny, Montreux-Vevey, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Sierre, Sion, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thun, Winterthur, Zug, Zürich

Bordering Countries: Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein

Inhabitants: 7'261'200

Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch

Climate: Because of its central position, the weather is influenced by the four main European air currents - from the Atlantic, the eastern continent, the northern subpolar region and the Mediterranen south. The climate is temperate on the Central Plateau; otherwise it differs considerably from region to region.

Landforms: Alps and Pre-Alps cover 60%, Central Plateau 30% and Jura 10% of the country.

Land Area: 41,284 km2

Contact information and links:

Grindelwald Tourismus

3818 Grindelwald

Tel: +41 (0)33 854 12 12

Fax +41 (0)33 854 12 10

touristcenter@grindelwald.ch

www.grindelwald.ch

Grindelwald - summertime: http://www.grindelwald.com/summer-uk.php?frameset=3

Alpaufzug: http://www.berge.ch/index.php

Alpaufzug direct link to page: http://www.berge.ch/wissen/abisz/a/alpaufzug/alpaufzug.html