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Swiss Alps: Jungfrau to Mönsch (glacier trail)


Peaking at ~13,500 ft (4,000 m) Jungfrau is one of the tallest mountains in Europe. For context, commercial airlines fly at 33,000 ft, so yes, this is ~40% of the altitude we fly at. You arrive by boarding a train at Kleine Scheidegg which lets you off at Jungfrau station, which at 3400 m makes it the highest altitude train station in Europe.


My favorite experience was the hike between mt. Junfrau and mt. Mönsch along a glacier. This was a tough hike featuring high elevation gain, ice and thin air. It took me about 1.5 hours (one way) and really took the wind out of me. The reward though, was epic. At the end of the hike you arrive at lodge perched atop Mönsch serving beer, hot beverages and food and featuring magnificent views of the snow capped mountains and glaciers. You're so high that you're often (literally) in the clouds and can easily see the movement of weather systems (clouds) around you. By the way, I had the beer and it tasted like victory.





The area around Jungfrau station doubles as a weather station dedicated to measuring climate change and there are several (super interesting) exhibits featuring the data measured here. Between the actual weather station, the exhibits, the cafe and the glacier hike you should devote an entire day to this place.


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