Top of Europe

By Alan Kimber on 14/09/2013

The tannoy gave its multi-lingual message…”Top of Europe”…as we gently gained altitude from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch, via the most expensive train in Europe (the world?). We were all acclimatised and looking forward to a couple of nights at the Monchjoch Hutte. Working for my old company with Bruce Poll, the new owner and a group of friends who have been coming back for at least fourteen years now, was a pleasure. Excited passengers were delighted to savour a view for five minutes over both the north and south faces of the Eiger, before being deposited at 3454m and a themed retail experience with a difference. Supping Latte’s whilst viewing the mighty Jungfraufirn, descending towards Konkordia and the Rhone valley, our objectives of Monch and Jungfrau, sprang up left and right.

We stashed some extra kit beneath the S.W.Ridge of the Monch (AD-) for collection later and headed off away from the clamour of the station. This ridge is no pushover and consists of most things alpine. Loose rock, good rock, chimneys and slabs plus very exposed and icy slopes on the final summit rise. Descent would be via the normal PD South Spur. Neither route should be underestimated and the Monch is certainly more serious than the Zermatt Breithorn or Allalinhorn normal routes. The ascent of the Jungfrau by it’s normal route proved easier, but watch out for icy slopes just below the summit.