Hiking poles:
Some are telescopic, some aren't. Sometimes you can find some good deals on them in department stores. They are more expensive in sport shops.

I bought mine in Wengen at Intersport. I spent over SFr. 100.-- but it was worth it.

Make sure you get the hiking poles and not the Nordic walking poles. The tips are different.

Weather: you just never know. Last June was super! July wasn't. And in August we had the floods. Check the weather websites for a ten day forecast.

Now, how about taking yodeling lessons before you go over? That will really help you to "blend in." Oh wait a minute, that was another thread.

Oh, Faina - how quick you are to catch my error - LOL! I wasn't literally meaning to break them apart. Dad's poles pull apart into a couple sections. That's what I meant by breaking them apart. Each end sticks into the other, one piece with the point that you stick into the ground when walking and one piece with the handle.

Again, serious answer to the hiking pole question. I suggest Gabel brand with the snow baskets and the rubber tips.

If you need to cross a snow bank, conditions can vary from fluffy to hard and granular. If the snow is fluffy, the baskets keep the poles from digging in too deeply. If the surface is hard and granular, take the rubber tips off so the sharper tips can dig in.

The poles telescope and I have no trouble putting them in my checked luggage. I do have to lay them in on the diagonal, but they fit with an inch to spare.

I find them to be essential on snow, and very helpful on the downhill to take some of the stress off my knees and, if the downhill is rocky, they are great for balance.

I have hit patches of graular snow that were so hard that even stabbing the poles hard into the surface did not cause them to penetrate.

After the second slip, I remember deciding that the easiest way down the slope was to slide. Sort of fun going down like a sled.

Any good hiking supply store in the US should have either Leki or Gabel poles.
I have Leki poles but I prefer my wife's Gabels.

Kopp, aren't we all too fast to catch SOMEBODY ELSE's errors? :)

Amen, Faina!

Dad's sticks (poles) are the Leki variety as mentioned above.

It is amazing how many people have them on the trails. Our only problem was that Dad would use them as a pointer, turning around to point something out of interest to him when - you guessed it - someone coming up behind him would get whacked. I don't know how many times you have to say sorry before you learn. I learned to walk behind him so I'd be the one getting whacked instead of some innocent.

Did I mention non-strenuous hikes? Don't think I will need hiking poles or snow shoes, but thank you all very much. If there is snow, I'm heading for the nearest fireplace & cognac. They have Gluhwein in Switzerland?

Linda, I didn't know my knees were famous. :-) We're flying out on 31 May, so you have nothing to worry about. ((a)) ((b))

Hi Budman, where did you decide to stay? And really, it only matters if your lovely wife has her flat iron! Cheers~

Yeah, the flat iron. :-)

We're staying at Chalet Alta for the week in Grindelwald. ((b))

I hope you both have a great time! We'll be at the Chalet Hohturnen in September so I look forward to your report/resto recs.

Budman, you bet your sweet bippy they've got gluhwein!

Budman, since you mentioned your wife, I can tell you from experience that I wished I had taken hiking boots. I was trying to keep my luggage to a minimum but if I ever go again, I will definitely take hiking boots or at least those athletic trail shoes with the heavier soles - not just running shoes. I felt every rock on the trail.

The trails are quite rocky and rough - even the more level ones. My feet were killing me after a couple of easy hikes. While I was comfortable layering, and quite warm enough, I forgot gloves and bought an inexpensive pair at the Lauterbrunen train station - gray with little embroidered eidelweiss. We were there in July.

As for the beer, might I suggest one of those camelbacks with the straw like tube. As for keeping it cold - just fall in da snow and make snow angels.

Actually, come to think of it, we took a hike back in the mountains to see a glacier (north of Grindelwald - think Bob Brown recommended it)and there was a restaurant serving beer and bratwurst back in there! They either had to bring the supplies in by horse or helicopter! It was great; we had a wonderful view of the glacier and sat at a table overlooking the canyon and glacier. Course, it was a VERY expensive bratwurst! While we were sitting there, a piece of the glacier broke off and fell with a thunderous roar. It was amazing.

The name of the place was Stieregg. See the following for more detail:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34427852

I've only ever been in winter, when the skiing is lovely, but I love this thread, both the humorous and serious replies. Wow, I think Bob must be a scientist.

Bud, it kind of sounds like you'll want to wear the same sort of thing you might wear in San Francisco in Spring! Although, I don't know if the cuddleduds and lederhosen would go over well in S.F. -- Now that I think about it, maybe it would.

Also, for a tummy warmer, don't forget the Bud!

I'm not sure the scientist tag holds up under close scrutiny because my formal education was in history and economics.
I was both dumb enough and smart enough to teach relational database theory and retrieval techniques using sQL at the end of my working career.

I understand from another thread that the restaurant at Stieregg was removed.
Seems like the ground in that area was unstable. The level spot where the restaurant sat was a lateral moraine.
The subsoil was a very uncompacted mixture of dirt and glacial rubble.

It you walked valley inward from the restaurant, the trail soon traversed a yawning gulley washed in the glacial deposits. Hikers with the agility to navigate the gully could walk deeper into the glacial gorge until they reached the cliffs of the Rots Gufer.
These sheer rock faces have been made easier to ascend with cables and ladders. I must admit that is where I whiffed and decided that I had not lived to be 68 by being foolhardy all the time. I did a 90 degree turn and headed back.

Bud..do NOT NOT NOT miss a trip up to Gimmelwald. Definitely one of the coolest places in the world! You can take the lift, that's okay. By the hostel, they have this fabulous little restaurant with a view of the mountain face- awesome! This is THE place to have fondue and salad and a BIG beer.

Budman, you're irresistible.

One more point:
Can you get Budweiser? Yes, but only in special bars or in many supermarkets.

What do the Swiss really drink?
1. Swiss beer (Eichhof is the most famous maker but there are many other brands.) From tap, you can order a Stange (a glass) or a Chübel (a glass mug) of local beer.

2. White or red wine. (or rosé)

3. Coffees with Schnapps. You can order a Cafe Schnapps (or Träsch) with apple/pear brandy, a Cafe Zwetchgen with prune brandy or a Cafe Krauter with herbal brandy. The coffee is made by using weak coffee, top it off with Schnapps and put in two cubes of sugar. Prost!

By the way, if you're stomache is feeling a bit strange, a shot of Krauter Schnapps can really help.

He leaves as Budman and comes back as Schnappsman.

schuler, no Budweiser in Switzerland for me. I'll definitely be into the Schnapps. Also looking forward to the Swiss beer - draft 1/2 litre steins.

Ronda, what kind of hiking boots would my wife wear -- not only for hiking but for all day long? I'm thinking now I could limit the amount of shoes she will be taking. :-)

Looks like it will be poles & boots. Instead of lederhosen, can I wear shorts with my hiking boots? ((b))

Only if your legs are "hot."

Shorts are fine for someone hiking while on holiday. German men seem to prefer extremely short and tight shorts--you could easily blend in if you follow the style. Also, be sure to wear socks with your sandals.

Budman, I really like athletic style hiking shoes in Gore-Tex (waterproof). Mine are by North Face
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2298638/c/24297.html
They run a bit small. Very comfy and light. I did not pay that price for them- try finding them on sale at Campmor or Sierra Trading Post.