Yes, it is time I posted here again. Been over a year.
Here we go, especially for you Tim.
The Horischlitten (here from an old photo taken around the 1900, found on the wall at the Jagerstübli in Grindelwald) as you can see is for transporting loads, on snow.
It is still in use today. I see it often on the Männlichen moving beer containers and bottles from the Gondola to the restaurant. This year in January the Mürren postman used it to deliver post in nearby Gimmelwald. Last year I saw one transporting hay down from Allmend to Wengen.
However, sixty odd years ago it once carried a more delicate cargo.
Working as a Community Nurse in the Lauterbrunnen Council I visit many elderly people.
One lady, excited about her first great-grandchild, proceeded to tell me of her experience giving birth to her son.
It was in the fifties, January 1st, middle of the night when her waters broke. The midwife, who then lived in the village was called to attend the birth. She unfortunately didn't like how things were progressing, and suggested that hospital would be the best place.
Back then, it seems, there were no stand-by trains during the night and certainly no helicopters either, because her husband readied the Horischlitten for the trip to Lauterbrunnen. A mattress was tied to the Schlitten and this lady was strapped to both.
Husband sitting on the front and father-in-law behind (I'm not clear as to what his job was, it is a downhill journey, maybe walked behind with a rope to help slow everything down). On route they discovered that the snow conditions were far too fast for safety. The husband had to walk back up to his work shed in search of a sturdy chain. This was attached to the front of the Horischlitten, falling underneath thereby slowing it down on the descent.
This unfortunate mother-to-be, travelled down the 700 altitude meters, on a toboggan whilst having contractions; via a winding, switchback mountain track that if misjudged becomes a steep descent ending, rather speedily, on the valley floor. No wonder the baby decided to wait another couple of days before finally arriving on 4th January.
By the way, an ambulance was thankfully waiting for them in Lauterbrunnen to take them to Interlaken.
That baby is now the proud grandfather.
Order your Horischlitten here!
