Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

narrow abyss of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
© Ryan Simpson | 500px
Lauterbrunnen
Mountains jostle the path as I climb out of Meiringen where, around 1300ft
(400m) above the town, the trail detours on to a ledge overhanging Reichenbach
Falls. It was from this very ledge that Holmes plunged to his end, duelling with
Professor Moriarty.
For five hours, I’ll hike relentlessly uphill to Grosse Scheidegg pass, squeezing
through a narrow, forested gorge. On one side of the valley, Alpine meadows rise
gently up the slopes. On the other side of the valley, the Wetterhorn bristles with
rock spires and glaciers fractured with icefalls.
By the time I cross Grosse Scheidegg, grey cloud drapes from the mountains like
damp laundry. My greatest hope when starting this hike had been to stand on this
pass and eyeball the Eiger – that mightiest of Alpine peaks – but in these
conditions even Grindelwald, 3600ft (1100m) below me, is obliterated. As I
descend, so do my spirits.