Hiking in berner oberland in late july
Apr 23rd, 2006 | 07:14 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2006
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Hiking in berner oberland in late july
Does anyone know what kind of weather, and temperatures to expect in the berner oberland in late july? I am going to be staying in the mountains near interlaken a few days and taking hikes and gondola rides up to the peaks, but i have no idea how to dress, or what kind of gear i will need for this. A winter jacket? Are sneakers ok? Rain gear?
Apr 23rd, 2006 | 07:52 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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Hi Kitten72,
Well ok I'll start. Though I've usually done my "hiking" in conjunction with my skiing trips, I've got an idea about hiking in Switzerland in July.
It'll be hot. Especially at the higher elevations. Be sure to LAYER so you can peel off as the day goes on and you get warmed up. A tank top, then a shirt, then a cardigan or a raincoat, for instance. Be sure to wear rugged shoes as you'll probably see a lot of loose rock (scree?).
Good luck!
s
Well ok I'll start. Though I've usually done my "hiking" in conjunction with my skiing trips, I've got an idea about hiking in Switzerland in July.
It'll be hot. Especially at the higher elevations. Be sure to LAYER so you can peel off as the day goes on and you get warmed up. A tank top, then a shirt, then a cardigan or a raincoat, for instance. Be sure to wear rugged shoes as you'll probably see a lot of loose rock (scree?).
Good luck!
s
Apr 23rd, 2006 | 08:36 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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I'm going next month and basing myself in Grindelwald, and besides all the great hikes and threads on this forum, someone recommended the book: Swiss Bernese Oberland - A travel guide with specific trips to mountains, lakes, and villages by Philip & Loretta Alspach - 3rd Edition.
I think I bought it on Amazon. It's an excellent guide. Talks about the walks, the length, and whether they are easy or fairly strenuous.
I think I bought it on Amazon. It's an excellent guide. Talks about the walks, the length, and whether they are easy or fairly strenuous.
Apr 23rd, 2006 | 08:40 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
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In my experience, the clothing you need all depends on the cloud cover and the wind as well as the elevation.
For example, three years ago we were at the Jungfraujoch walking the snow track to the Mönchsjochhütte - hikers' shelter.
We were on the lee side of the ridge in full sunshine. Even though walking on snow, I was hot in summer clothes.
Suddenly we emerged from the shelter of the ridge and wind was blowing very strongly. I suddenly felt chilled and was glad my Polarfleece pullover was at top of my pack.
After eating at the shelter house (it is 3 stories) we started back. Suddenly clouds began to roll in and the sun was blocked. What had been a hot hike coming out became much cooler as the sun disappeared and the wind changed direction.
If you are at lower altitudes, changes will not be that extreme, but sudden rain storms can cause a major problem if you have no protection.
As for sneakers, if that is all you have, I suggest you avoid the more rugged trails. You could walk from the First gondola station to the Bachsee, or take the relatively flat trail across to Grosse Scheidegg, but I would not take the Eiger Northwall Trail because of the loose rock, which as already mentioned, is sometimes dangerous underfoot, particularly going down hill.
Another easy trail is to walk down to Kleine Scheidegg from the Männlichen, that towering ridge that looms over the Lauterbrunnen Valley on the east.
You could also handle anything around Schynige Platte, which is reached by train from Wilderswil.
My prime objection to jogging shoes is that you need ankle protection on some of the more rugged trails. Boots 6 to 8 inches high protect against twisting and bruising.
I also caution against sun burn. often you are above tree line and there is no natural shade and there isless atmosphere to filter the rays of the sun. As a result you get more intense rays directly as well as those which are reflected off of any snow and smooth rock surfaces.
OK, now how do I prepare? My standard hiking equipment for Switzerland in the summer includes the following:
light weight hiking boots with lug soles
light weight trousers which convert to shorts
light shirt
a Polarfleece pullover
a Goretex jacket and rain pants
sunglasses and hat
plenty of sunscreen
water, food, and two hiking poles
If the day is cloudy, I usually throw a sweater in my pack to go under my Polarfleece if the objective is above 6,000 feet.
If I am not going up very high, I leave the Polarfleece behind on a sunny day. So what I carry is not locked in stone; I vary it depending on the weather outlook, where I am going, and the month. In late July you can be less cautious, but remember a sudden shower can cause a quick drop in the temperature.
Therefore, I am never without my Goretex jacket and at least a light sweater.
For example, three years ago we were at the Jungfraujoch walking the snow track to the Mönchsjochhütte - hikers' shelter.
We were on the lee side of the ridge in full sunshine. Even though walking on snow, I was hot in summer clothes.
Suddenly we emerged from the shelter of the ridge and wind was blowing very strongly. I suddenly felt chilled and was glad my Polarfleece pullover was at top of my pack.
After eating at the shelter house (it is 3 stories) we started back. Suddenly clouds began to roll in and the sun was blocked. What had been a hot hike coming out became much cooler as the sun disappeared and the wind changed direction.
If you are at lower altitudes, changes will not be that extreme, but sudden rain storms can cause a major problem if you have no protection.
As for sneakers, if that is all you have, I suggest you avoid the more rugged trails. You could walk from the First gondola station to the Bachsee, or take the relatively flat trail across to Grosse Scheidegg, but I would not take the Eiger Northwall Trail because of the loose rock, which as already mentioned, is sometimes dangerous underfoot, particularly going down hill.
Another easy trail is to walk down to Kleine Scheidegg from the Männlichen, that towering ridge that looms over the Lauterbrunnen Valley on the east.
You could also handle anything around Schynige Platte, which is reached by train from Wilderswil.
My prime objection to jogging shoes is that you need ankle protection on some of the more rugged trails. Boots 6 to 8 inches high protect against twisting and bruising.
I also caution against sun burn. often you are above tree line and there is no natural shade and there isless atmosphere to filter the rays of the sun. As a result you get more intense rays directly as well as those which are reflected off of any snow and smooth rock surfaces.
OK, now how do I prepare? My standard hiking equipment for Switzerland in the summer includes the following:
light weight hiking boots with lug soles
light weight trousers which convert to shorts
light shirt
a Polarfleece pullover
a Goretex jacket and rain pants
sunglasses and hat
plenty of sunscreen
water, food, and two hiking poles
If the day is cloudy, I usually throw a sweater in my pack to go under my Polarfleece if the objective is above 6,000 feet.
If I am not going up very high, I leave the Polarfleece behind on a sunny day. So what I carry is not locked in stone; I vary it depending on the weather outlook, where I am going, and the month. In late July you can be less cautious, but remember a sudden shower can cause a quick drop in the temperature.
Therefore, I am never without my Goretex jacket and at least a light sweater.
Apr 23rd, 2006 | 07:52 PM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
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Excellent advice above, I am probably the one who reccoed the walking book by the Alspach's to Budman, it is really good, even just for short walks.
If you are going to the top of the Jungfrau for the day, consider bring gloves and a hat as well. There is always snow up top, it is sometimes really cold, and with these you can stay outside up top longer.
The layers are a good idea if you don't actually want to bring a ski jacket. I have been hiking in July above Wengen and worn a ski jacket and been glad to have it, but with several layers you should be OK as well. I always bring gloves because they don't take up much room and my hands get cold easily.
An umbrella is always a good idea in Switzerland.
I agree that if you can bring any more study and supportive shoes than sneakers, you will be more comfortable. Esp again up on top of the Jungfrau where you will find snow and ice. Sneakers are not so good there. If you can fit good walking boots in, I would bring them, even on easy flat walks they just make things more pleasant and if you get a wet day, much drier. In addition to the scree mentioned, the walking paths themselves are mostly loose gravel and not macadam so are a little bit slippery themselves, esp when wet.
Take a look at weatherbase.com for average temps. Use Lauterbrunnen as the locator town for the valley. Remember that for every 1,000 feet in elevation, temps will drop by about 3.5 degrees. Therefore if Interlaken is at 65 F (and is at 2,000 feet), then temps at the top of the Jungfrau at 10,000 feet will be freezing at 32 F. Even if Lauterbrunnen at the bottom of the valley is warm, it can be much cooler walking up above Wengen, another few thousand feet up. You can see photos and sometimes temps at the top of the Jungfrau at http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/Deskto...183_read-808/; this might be useful for the day you plan to go up the Jungfrau.
If you are going to the top of the Jungfrau for the day, consider bring gloves and a hat as well. There is always snow up top, it is sometimes really cold, and with these you can stay outside up top longer.
The layers are a good idea if you don't actually want to bring a ski jacket. I have been hiking in July above Wengen and worn a ski jacket and been glad to have it, but with several layers you should be OK as well. I always bring gloves because they don't take up much room and my hands get cold easily.
An umbrella is always a good idea in Switzerland.
I agree that if you can bring any more study and supportive shoes than sneakers, you will be more comfortable. Esp again up on top of the Jungfrau where you will find snow and ice. Sneakers are not so good there. If you can fit good walking boots in, I would bring them, even on easy flat walks they just make things more pleasant and if you get a wet day, much drier. In addition to the scree mentioned, the walking paths themselves are mostly loose gravel and not macadam so are a little bit slippery themselves, esp when wet.
Take a look at weatherbase.com for average temps. Use Lauterbrunnen as the locator town for the valley. Remember that for every 1,000 feet in elevation, temps will drop by about 3.5 degrees. Therefore if Interlaken is at 65 F (and is at 2,000 feet), then temps at the top of the Jungfrau at 10,000 feet will be freezing at 32 F. Even if Lauterbrunnen at the bottom of the valley is warm, it can be much cooler walking up above Wengen, another few thousand feet up. You can see photos and sometimes temps at the top of the Jungfrau at http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/Deskto...183_read-808/; this might be useful for the day you plan to go up the Jungfrau.
