Morteratsch Glacier

This morning, a light sprinkle of fresh snow covered the mountains (as you can see in the second extra), and I decided not to go up there. But the weather forecast was good, so I went to the Morteratsch glacier, where I hadn’t gone yesterday. 

The glacial valley is like a giant rock garden, with many specialists (pioneer plants) growing in the sand and between rocks. The path starts in a mature forest, and then crosses through the different stages of vegetation, until there’s no green plant to be found, nearest to the ice.

It used to be an easy hike until a few years ago, but as I found out last year, there’s now a steep climb (see the last extra for an impression of the marked path) to the end of the much diminished glacier. 

I had been out for a lovely meal and some drinks with my old friend G yesterday, and after the late night, I struggled a bit with the climb. And it wasn’t surprising, but sad, to see that the glacier had retreated some more, compared to last year. 

After a short picnic break, I went back down the steep bit. At one point I stepped aside to let some people pass, and I slipped on loose gravel and sat down hard. Thankfully, I am padded well enough, and didn’t get hurt. 

I rewarded myself with coffee and cake at a unique outdoor restaurant, where you can also get local cheese (which I did, for my dinner). Now I’ll go for a relaxing swim, and then keep my feet up for the rest of the day.