The 1931 Polytechnic Tour to Grindelwald, Switzerland 6

I love to hike and backpack, and when I go off into the mountains or across the desert, I prefer not to see other people. And while I've run into some interesting ruins, I also would rather not see man made structures. When I look at old photos, I like to see people, things, and buildings, so I'm happy to get past the scenery of the last two posts. The pictures of the trains are of the Jungfraubahn, a narrow gauge, cog railway with only five stations, Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletschen, Eigernordwand, Eismeer, and Jungfraujoch, the highest railroad station in Europe. Construction started in 1912, and was finished in 1924. In 1931 a research station and observatory opened at Jungfraujoch. Perhaps that's why the Polytechnic faculty decided to vacation in Switzerland. Look at the second separate image. It's Eve, of course, but who is the man? My guess is that her companion, Jim, handed the camera to a fellow tourist and asked for a snap.

The 1931 Polytechnic Tour to Grindelwald, Switzerland 5

The thing about putting up an album is that sometimes there is kind of lull before more interesting images pop up. More glaciers and mountains and nothing from Ja (Jim) and Eve.

The 1931 Polytechnic Tour to Grindelwald, Switzerland 4

Guides and glaciers today, and more of the same tomorrow. The pictures of the glaciers may seem boring, but as they recede, old photos and paintings become the only visual record of something that once would have seemed as permanent as anything imaginable. Mountain guides, once locals learned that foreigners saw mountains as something to explore rather than ignore, organized themselves in guilds, with the residents of local villages agreeing that only members of that towns group would be allowed to lead tourists into the mountains. Today, many countries require that licensed, local guides be hired to lead trips into the mountains. The White Hell of Pitz Palu, co-directed by Arnold Fanck, and G. W. Pabst, and starring Leni Riefenstahl, featured mountain guides in a daring rescue of a party of stranded mountain climbers. Navigate back to my post of 3/26/11, Tony Manns at the Wintergarten for information on G. W. Pabst. (And if anyone cares about my taste in movies, go to my blog, www.greatmovieslist.blogspot.com ) I wonder if Eve or Ja (Jim) took the pictures of Fritz the mountain guide.

The 1931 Polytechnic Tour to Grindelwald, Switzerland 3

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Grindelwald is the traditional starting point for climbs of the Eiger, one of the great climbs in the Alps. The Nordwand, the north face of the Eiger wasn't climbed until 1938, and was one of the last great technical ascents in Europe to be done. Another postcard from the duo of Eve and Ja (aka Jim). On the back of the Blue Grotto card, addressed to "A. Hammers, Esq., Holkham House, Dersingham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, Angleterre" The message, "Grindelwald. Dear Sir, I've arrived here (yesterday) rather a long journey, but well worth it. The scenery is grand, the mountains are still snow clad. This afternoon a party from the Hotel went on a glacier climb over the glacier on the other side & we went in the blue ice grotto (overleaf). Am having a very good time thanks to your aid. Ja" Note that the picture of Eve has a different type of corner mount. Was it put in the album after the other pictures, and was it shot somewhere other than Switzerland.

The 1931 Polytechnic Tour to Grindelwald, Switzerland 2

A polytechnic is a school that taught applied sciences, and technical arts, things that would have been beyond the traditional English apprenticeship programs. Three of the images in this collection are postcards that had been sent to England from Switzerland. The one of the glacier that's on the same page as the mountain guide's picture, addressed to "Mr & Mrs Rowe, Norwich Road, Acle hr Norwich, Angleterre." The message, "Grindelwald. Monday. We are carefully avoiding all crevices you will be pleased to hear! Yesterday a party of us were roped together & crossed this glacier. Having a wonderful holiday & wasting no time. Have collected lots of plants for your rockery. Eve." Eve is the woman with the glasses in the second photograph. The next to the last image, addressed to "The Folks, Bank Chambers, Dersingham King's Lynn. Norfolk Angelterre" The message, "Grindelwald. Oi! What yer! Am just in after a climb over the glacier on the other side of P.C. all roped together you know with a guide. Take my advice & book up your holidays here. The mountains are wonderful-are still snow clad. Wasn't sick crossing the channel. I know you'll all be sorry-Tell you all about it after 5!!! Ja" And the last image, addressed to "Miss Rowe, 114 Brondesbury Road, Kilburn, London N.W.6, Angelterre" The message, "Jim is writing you re our return. Being here is great fun & very interesting. Jim using his French where possible. We expect to do Jungfrau tomorrow, weather permitting. Doing our best to get some decent snaps to make you envious. Eve." Jim, I'm guessing is Ja, and I would say that he and Eve have some sort of relationship.