Yosemite is Beautiful

The Jungfrau is Beautiful

Yosemite is a National Park owned by the all of the citizens of the USA.

The Jungfrau* area is mostly privately owned land apparently with relatively good zoning.

The Jungfrau is a high alpine region sculpted by ancient glaciers.

Yosemite is a high alpine region sculpted by ancient glaciers.

Most of Yosemite is accessible only to those hardy enough to be able to pack their supplies with them.

The Jungfrau is perforated with small railways and ski lifts.  Every few hours walk along most trails there are inns, restaurants and bars.  It is accessible to many more people.

In the USA we act as if the only way to preserve natural environments is through common (government) ownership and control.

In Switzerland they don’t trust their government and its officials enough to even consider that an option.

Yosemite has beautiful waterfalls.

The Jungfrau region has beautiful waterfalls.

Want to think more about this alternative way of preserving nature?

Read The Rambunctious Garden by Emma Marris or Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes

* The Jungfrau is the area of the Swiss Alps accessible through Interlaken.  The three main peaks are the Jungfrau, The Monch and the Eiger.  The three main towns are Lauterbrunnen, which is about where Yosemite Valley is, Wengen which is about where Toulome Meadows is and Murren where we stayed which is about where Glacier Point is.  I suggest that a small town at Glacier Point would be a positive thing.

See more pictures from our hiking in Switzerland.