Weißseeferner Glacier: The Kaunertal
We didn't exactly wake up and know that this day would see us on the very top of the Weißseeferner Glacier...but we were really glad it did.
26 km, 29 hairpin bends, 1,500 m change in elevation: these figures just give a glimpse of what we experienced on Tirol's highway to the 'eternal ice'. But along the way, countless hiking trails, sapphire skies, glacial lakes, streams, waterfalls, and the majestic Alpine Ibex (or steinbock). In a world of in-your-face climate change, this is a special place indeed.
After a jaw-droppingly beautiful drive (similar to the rustic Sani Pass in South Africa - which we did in 2017 - but paved and much, much colder) we were able to explore inside a glacier crevasse that was over a 100 years old. When you walk through the glacier crevasse and have the opportunity to see and feel the glacier ice right up close, you realize how rare and special places like this are. (Just to note, this wasn't a tourist 'thing'. There's no staff, no line-up, no cost, it's just there for anyone to explore...which made it even more special). It was also a super hot day, so being inside the ice felt aaamazing!
We then took the Karlesjochbahn Chair Lift to an elevation of 3,108m.
From the summit you cross into Italy, and oh my! What a view!!!
We felt we were standing on top of the world!!
And the best part? No crowds. Seriously! There were none.
Perhaps now that we're fully into summer this may have changed, but if you visit Tirol in June, it's yours to enjoy!
Even the 4x4 agrees.... 😉
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