Cliff Walk — Alpine Exposure

Setting

Grindelwald First

Breiðamerkursandur, Iceland

Spring afternoon

46.660556° N, 8.053611° E

Observation

The metal walkway extends outward from the mountainside where it is securely fastened to the steep rock face around 7,100’ above sea level. Beneath it, the valley drops sharply toward Grindelwald below.

As you walk along, the pathway curves along the mountain with panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungrau peaks. Snow can still be seen covering the peaks in the spring.

The vast openness offers no respite from the wind.

Moment

Approaching the entrance to the walkway, the scale is not immediately obvious. After only a few steps, people pause to ponder whether or not they should continue.

Some retreat.

Others move forward with conviction.

The steel grating shifts slightly beneath each step as the walkway curves along the cliff face.

The surrounding mountains dominate the scenery emphasizing the utter insignificance of human presence in this alpine environment. There is a stark contrast between the snow covered alpine peaks and the lush green valley floor. The featured peaks are far away yet they feel like they are within an arm’s reach.

Looking down at any point of the walk highlighted the steep vertical drop below. The unobstructed wind only added to the already unsteady footing. The sound of the wind was enveloping making it impossible to hear the cowbells that are usually heard across the valley.

The cliff walk ended on a platform that hung around 147’ over the edge of the mountain.The steel railings were the only protection available while standing on the edge of the platform with wind ripping by from seemingly every direction.

There was an intense vulnerability carried along the walk all the way to the platform that made it feel as though you were standing at the edge of the world.

Reflection

The mountain does not feel smaller from the walkway. If anything, the exposure sharpens its scale.