IJs en Sneeuw - Ice and Snow

Trettachtal (Trettach Valley) is one of Oberstdorf’s valleys, which are characterised by glacial drift from the latest ice age. The valley glaciers from the large side valleys gradually crept south, forming the scenery that is visible today. As the glaciers receded, watercourses formed the current valleys, among them the beautiful Trettachtal. The Trettach stream originates south of Oberstdorf near the Trettachspitze and is about 14 km long. Nowadays the valley - almost car free - offers a more or less level, yet beautiful walk. We often made a round trip during our winter holidays in Oberstdorf. First following the river and passing the hamlets Gruben and Dietersberg, back along the golf course, the frozen Moorweiher and the historic Moorbad swimming pool.

Oytal is a valley in the south of Oberstdorf and gets its name from the river Oybach. The valley is situated on an altitude of 1.000 meters. In the winter it ‘ends’ at the Berggasthof Oytalhaus, about 5 km’s from Oberstdorf. Besides walking and cycling (summer), one can take a carriage ride through this beautiful valley. Characteristic for the Oy valley is the avenue, lined with numerous mount maples, with a length of more than 1 km.

View from the trail from Hörnerbahn mountain station to Berghaus Schwaben into the Valley of the River Iller nearby Oberstdorf.

The Schlern (Monte Sciliar) is one of the most well known landmarks of the Dolomites and South Tyrol. It is famous due to its location as westernmost bastion of the Dolomites and the two peaks - Santner Spitze and Euringer Spitze - in front of the mountain massif. The Schlern has a height of 2.563 meters and is a long stretched plateau, which drops vertically on almost all sides. Its unique location and characteristic profile makes it a very recognizable mountain. I took this image late September from the Seiseralm, most probably after the first snowfall in the Dolomites.

Langkofel/Sassolungo (left) and Plattkofel/Sassopiatto (right) seen from the Goldknopfsee (Lake Goldknopf), nearby the Edelweißhütte. The amazing peaks of 3.181 m. and 2.969 m. are towering above the Seiseralm. The Goldknopsee is an artificial lake, which was constructed in 2003, storing water to feed snowmaking equipment and is also intended as a water reservoir for possible fires. I made this image late September from the Seiseralm, most probably after the first snowfall in the Dolomites.

Reschensee (Lake Reschen) is an artificial lake in South Tyrol. It is located in the triangle between Italy, Austria and Switzerland, a couple of km’s from the Reschen Pass on the border of Austria. Reschensee is an artificial lake, which unifies two natural lakes (Reschensee and Mittersee). Construction of the dam started in 1940 and took ten years. The lake submerged a couple of villages. The landmark of the reschensee is the steeple of the former 14th century village church of Graun (see PiP). On the right hand side of the mountain range you see the Piz Lad, a 2808 meter high peak nearby the so called “Dreiländerecke” (Corner of three countries).

Icebergs in Grey Lake, calved from the Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park, Made this picture in a freezing storm; it was so COLD there.

The Perito Moreno Glacier - named after explorer Francisco Moreno - is located in Los Glaciares National Park, about 80 km’s from El Calafate. The glacier is part of the so called Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This ice field is one of the largest reserves of fresh water on earth. The glacier has a length of 30 km’s and its terminus is 5 km’s wide. We were on a boat trip and it is overwhelming to see this ice wall of 60 metres above the water of Lago Argentino with its crevices, clefts, peaks and sometimes deep turquoise colours. Constantly you hear the noise of large pieces of ice collapsing as the glacier slowly advances. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few Patagonian glaciers that is still growing. On the left side of the picture you can see the glacier terminus 'touching' the mainland and damming a part of Lago Argentino (‘Brazo Rico’). The water level on that part of the lake will rise high above the level on the other side of the ice dam. Every year (or couple of years) the pressure of the dammed water breaks through the ice barrier causing a spectacular rupture, sending a massive outpouring of water from Brazo Rico into Lago Argentino.

The Rohrsee is a water reservoir for the Heuberg ski area. We passed this artificial lake on a hike along the Untere Höhenweg from the mountain station of the Heuberg lift to Mittelberg. From the path/road, we had beautiful views of Kleinwalsertal (see PiPs).