I left the hotel at 7.45. I would have left earlier if I hadn't had to wait for breakfast, which wasn't until 7.00. Can't help it, I just wake up early. Onwards to the mountains!
I saw a lot of places where the streams crossed the path and more of the danger zones where there may be flash floods. It seems like when the snows melt this whole valley can turn into one big river.
I followed the river ever higher, but the climbing was mostly very slow and steady, not steep at all. Then there was a nice path more or less parallel to road (except it went up and down a lot more); or at least it would have been a nice path if it hadn't been so overgrown with grass and other plants that were dripping after yesterday's rain. So I got drenched, up to my belly. Embrace the wet and walk on!

I came upon the Gelmerbahn, which is a train that goes almost 90 degrees straight up. Looks more like a rollercoaster than a train, but it does run very slowly. I took a break sitting on a rock looking at it, and had a severe wtf feeling.
By now the clouds were breaking open, there was some blue sky and even sunshine, which I had not expected today.
Lots of streams and lots of places where the streams just run over the path. It's a good thing I don't mind getting my feet wet. When it's warm, it's even quite nice to cool them. I wonder if the paths or the streams were there first; if the stream runs over the path because of least resistance, or if they built the path in the stream bed because that was easiest.
I had my lunch break on a flat rock some 100m under the highest point for a while. I wouldn't have minded being higher up when having lunch, but I saw two hikers going up the path, and seeing how steep it was I decided I couldn't do that before lunch. As I walked on it turned out they weren't hikers hut rock climbers and not on my path at all. Ah well.

Then there was the dam and the reservoir/lake. The hiking path went on on the right of it, but was blocked due to rockfall and damages. So, I had to walk over the dam, and then on the road for quite some time. That road wasn't fun, as it was pretty busy with traffic that was going quite fast. I tried to walk next to the road as much as possible, still didn't feel quite safe at times. I could see the hiking path on the other side, which would have been so much nicer.
Then came the climb up to the next lake, which had a path again (better), but was also quite steep. With beautiful views though, seeing more and more every time I looked around.
I passed the Grimsel Hospiz by and went around this lake too (followed the road for a while until I realised there was a path next to it, some 3 meters down. I managed to get down to it, without having to turn back), then up up up to the Grimselpass. I'd passed my first bit of snow close enough to touch, and then I had to cross one small snow field.
But then I got to the pass, 2165m, almost 16.00.

I took a look at the Murmeltierpark, which was small but with very visible murmeltiere. Then I went to the hotel. Where I got a bit of a scare: they didn't know about my reservation. Apparently there is another hotel of the same name up in Oberaar (another 1h40min walk upwards), and the person helping me called up to that hotel to ask if they knew about my reservation, but no.
It turns out I've been stupid, I'd booked a bed with a hotel of the same name but in a totally different place. There are entirely too many hotels called Alpenrösli.
On the plus side, this hotel did have rooms, for a similar price as the one I'd booked (that isn't a given, so many hotels are at least 150 Franks, up to 350), so at least I could have a roof and a bed - it's getting quite too cold for camping, at least with the gear I have with me. I'm trying to get a refund from the hotel I shouldn't have booked, fingers crossed.

I wasn't tired yet and wanted to be outside some more, so I took a walk around the lake (so many lakes here). Found another murmeltierpark, with even more of the animals, who were all trying to eat the same carrot. I heated some food in a random place, as everything is way too expensive here, and I can't afford dinner in a restaurant every evening. The walk around the lake took me through another stream and across another small snow field, and by the time I got back to the hotel I was tired, and also a bit cold. It's only 10°C up here, and that's daytime. So, I'm glad I can sleep inside.

Geschreven door Jewaontheroad