Jungfraujoch, famously dubbed the "Top of Europe". Morning tea/breakfast at the cafe bar inside the station, a walk around the Sphinx observatory, viewing platform and ground floor entrance to the Aletsch Glacier and Refugio Monschjoch. I also made a brief tour of the Ice Palace and emerged later outside and onto a plateau where the Jungfraujoch.

Background

Since I did not really have a proper breakfast, grabbing some tea seemed the most appropriate and least expensive option to help me adjust to the high altitude surroundings. At the cafe bar, there are clear views of Jungfrau, although most of us would not know it until going to the observation deck.

The Sphinx observatory and viewing platform is where the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger, the Aletsch Glacier, Mannlichen and even Interlaken can be seen. But at such an altitude, I was surprised by the warmth and the brightness at the viewing platform. I let the views of the mountain ranges sink in for probably another hour before moving on.

Below the Sphinx observatory is the exit and starting point to Refugio Monchjoch, but for those less adventurous, it also provides views across the Aletsch Glacier and Monch as well as a chance to wander in the snow.

On the opposite side of Jungfraujoch is the Ice Palace. Named for its hallways of ice, magnificent ice sculptures are kept cool and away from the outside light and since the floor and walls are made of ice, walking tends to get difficult.

Above the ice palace is a plateau that functions as another viewing platform. I found this to be the best viewing area so far, with unobstructed views of the Jungfraujoch complex, Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger and the Aletsch Glacier, especially on a clear day like today. I just hope I would have more clear days like this in Switzerland...

Technical

Canon EOS 300V with 28-90mm USM lense. Kodak Portra NC ISO 400 film. Canon A20 Powershot Digital Camera. For Ice Palace, I used a ball and socket head placed on the backpack. For outside photos, no need for polariser as the skies were quite blue.

Links

Jungfraubahn Railways