Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch December 13, 2004

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The Jungfraujoch is at 3'471 m above sea level. M. The lowest point in the Connection Ridge between the Mönch and the Jungfrau in the Bernese Alps, on the border between the cantons of Bern and Valais. The yoke is wide and strong überfirnt. Due to the also taking place there glacier melt it falls each year on average from a few decimetres. It is one of the most important destinations in Switzerland. Around 700,000 tourists travel every year to Europe's highest railway station.

Environment

In the vicinity of the Jungfraujoch are some four thousand of the Bernese Alps. In the northeast are the monk ( 4'107 m above sea level. M. ) and the Eiger ( 3'970 m above sea level. M. ) and in the southwest the Jungfrau ( 4'158 m above sea level. M. ). In the south of the Jungfraujoch can be seen behind the Konkordiaplatz Aletschhorn. About 600 meters east of the yoke, the Sphinx, a striking small peak rises to an altitude of 3'571 meters. She wears a viewing platform and a scientific observatory ( Sphinx Observatory ). In its interior is located at 3454 meters above sea level, the terminus of the Jungfrau Railway. This station is the highest railway station in Europe (hence the epithet Top of Europe ). Passing through a tunnel leads from here on the Valais side and to the Aletsch Glacier. The fastest elevator in Switzerland leads to the top of the sphinx. A summer usually leads walkers groomed trail from the Jungfraujoch to Mönchsjochhütte. At Jungfraujoch itself there is no accommodation for visitors. The lugs are locked at night, so that free bivouac is not possible.

Pass crossing

As a transition for foot or ski tourists from the Bernese Oberland to the Valais or, conversely, the Jungfraujoch has virtually no meaning. The road from Wallis is up over the Aletsch Glacier - apart from the crevasse danger in Jungfraufirn - easily. However, the rise of the Bernese Oberland, is an arduous tour high ( steep ice, G, 5-6, at times impossible).

Since August 1, 1912, the Jungfraujoch is developed by the Jungfrau Railway. From Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen Wengernalpbahn you reach the Kleine Scheidegg station. This station is the " valley" to the Jungfrau railway, and is 2,061 meters high. From here, the Jungfrau Railway has 9.34 km climb until it arrives at the Jungfraujoch. On their way, the train stops at three stations: Eiger Glacier ( 2'320m ), Eiger wall ( 2'864m ) and Arctic Ocean ( 3'158m ).

Buildings and facilities

Since 1912, with the opening of the Jungfrau Railway, providing for the well-being of visitors to the Jungfraujoch. Several restaurants, but also special viewing platforms and experiences have been specially designed and built for it.

Restaurants

Already at the opening ceremony dedicated to the temporary "tourist house" with the highest restaurant in Europe a. This important tourist house a short time later the " Berghaus Jungfraujoch ". The mountain house with gable roof was built into the cliff face, which is why it became known as " The house above the clouds ." The ground floor has a spacious waiting room with heated floor, railway and post office counters and a bazaar were. Especially stabbed in the eye the " Walliser Stube ", which received a special characteristic with the Arvenholztäfelung and application of natural stone. Guests from all over the world stayed in one of the 18 cozy, wood-paneled bedroom with wash basin and pitchers on the bedside table. On the observation gazebo you stood at the origin of the longest and largest connected glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch Glacier. 1972 was raging in the mountain house fire with considerable consequences: only the railway department, the Perron -conditioning in the rear in the mountainside and the research station could be protected from fire. After the disaster, the Jungfrau Railway architects invited to a competition to design a new building. The winner was Ernst E. Anderegg with the pasted on the slope " Top of Europe ", which was inaugurated in 1987.

The Sphinx Observatory

Even before construction of the Jungfrau Railway was the establishment of an observatory and a meteorological research station by the founder of the web, Adolf Guyer- Zeller, planned. 1931 were the laboratories of Meteorology, glaciology, radiation research, astronomy, physiology, and medicine be inaugurated on ( 3'571 m above sea level. M. ) with a rock home for 13 researchers. In 1937, the Sphinx Observatory was purchased. 1950 the observatory dome for astronomical observations was set up, which has since been repeatedly adapted to the modern requirements of science. The research building itself is not open to visitors. The observatory is opened up with a 111.4 -meter-long lift. The observation deck offers visitors when the weather outlook to the neighboring countries of France, Germany and Italy. In 1993, the Sphinx for the visitors was renovated. Three years were needed to complete it together with the fastest ski lift in Switzerland, the glassed-in viewing hall and running around the building terraces.

Ice Palace

Two mountain guides began to cut into the '30s in an enormous hall from the glacier ice. Crafting, with ice ax and saw, was a 1,000 -square-meter labyrinth - the Ice Palace. The work begun in 1934 was never completed. By evaporation of the thousands of visitors the cave must be artificially conditioned to minus three degrees. The ceiling and the vault of the aisles must be nachgehauen regularly. 1992 was the Ice Palace a new approach and is accessible since 2002 by the Ice gateway.

Energy concept

The intense solar radiation lends itself to energy use. So during the day incident heat for the night is saved. But also the many otherwise largely ignored heat sources - from lamps, from electrical appliances to the body heat of occupants - are involved in the regulation of the room temperature. So there is no heater in the entire mountain house. Even when the sun is not shining and the outside temperature is minus 30 degrees during the day may be no need for additional heating. Only at night is supplied via the ventilation system with electric power so much heat that a room temperature of at least 18 degrees is maintained.

Water supply

Domestic water is obtained from snow and processed. In dry periods it must be brought up with tank cars by rail from Kleine Scheidegg still. For 2012, a new project is planned, in which the water is pumped up through pipes from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch with compressed air. Thus, the Tanker transport can be reduced. The waste water can no longer be discharged into the Gletscherschrund. Therefore, a 9.4 -kilometer-long sewer line was installed into the valley. All wastewater from kitchens, shelter and toilets may be disposed in an environmentally -friendly in this way.

Climate

On the Jungfraujoch are extreme climate conditions. The mean annual temperature is -7.9 ° C with variations of -37 ° C to 12 ° C. The wind speed may be up to 260 km / h. The sun shines an average of 1700 hours a year. In every season to be reckoned with strong icing, snow and avalanches.

Special

On the Jungfraujoch and the highest post office in Europe is with its own ZIP code 3,801th

Animals on the Jungfraujoch

Until 2009 25 Arctic dogs were on the glacier in daily use. In a prepared runway ( 500 meters long ) pulled the dog sled with visitors. Next was the pack as the most photographed on the Jungfraujoch.

For birdwatchers the high mountain area is interesting, because different species of birds wintering in part. The snow finch, for example, nests and sleeping in the craggy rock faces and found in the dwellings of the researchers feed.