Stupid, Daft, Exhilarating, Wonderful, Craziest thing I have ever attempted - Ever.
When you read about places like this you think (with a deep sigh)
"Wouldn't THAT be Something!"
So, armed with the memory of a rather good Blog Post about How NOT to do this - We got back on the train and headed for the town of Werfen.
Our Destination was Not Another Castle or Cathedral. . .
We had an appointment with
A Mountain!
The Misty Morning making the trip just so much more Mysterious.
Everything was going fine - I had been warned to go early and that on rainy days there are often many people on the Mountain.
What we were NOT expecting was the Shuttle driver telling us -
"There is a Bit of a Queue"
He was not kidding.
It took us an HOUR to get from where he dropped us in the Car Park to the Front Door to go in and Buy our tickets.
Once on the Other Side of the Entrance we were on our way.
Looks easy enough -
The Path was wide and well maintained.
But we were Climbing
and 20 minutes later we finally reached ....
The Cable Car!
We could have chosen to Hike another 90 minutes up the mountain,
but I knew I was not fit enough to attempt that -
Knowing what awaited us at the Top.
So we opted for the 3 minute Shortcut and rode the Cable Car.
After a Brief Lunch at the Dr. Oedl-Haus of Toasted Sandwich and the Oddest Coffee I have had to date, we set off again for the next leg of the trip -
"If nothing at all - Go for the View"
"It is Spectacular"
"On a Clear day you can see the Alps"
YUP - Would have been nice to have gone on a Clear Day but even so the View . . .
Was pretty awesome!
Our Destination was now in Sight.
20 Minutes away
Up a Winding road
A Hole in the Mountain
Once we arrived at the Mouth of the Cave we found where all those People from the Car Park were...
and we joined them - once again -
for an HOUR wait
While admiring the scenery. . . . .
Finally they called us
"English this Side" - "Deutsche this Side"
We were handed an Oil Lamp
One between Four
"For Authenticity - So you can have the feel of an Explorer!"
If your Lamp goes out, do not throw it away - I will come and relight it for you.
Oh and Please - No Photographs inside the Cave
With that they opened the Door and we were met by an Icy Blast which only lasted until they closed the door behind us.
Once inside we were led 1,000 meters into the Biggest Ice Cave in the World.
EisRiesenWelt is over 40 km in length.
700 Steps, rising in total of 134 Vertical Meters
Underground and in Zero Degrees.
(800 Steps to get back out again.)
The Trek up to the Cave tested my limits.
Inside - I have been in Caves before but never with this little Light -
If our Lantern-bearer got ahead or lagged behind we were in the Dark.
Plodding up the Stairs, some almost vertical - Keeping up with our Guide.
Until we stopped and he lit a Magnesium Flair Illuminating the Beauty we all came to See.
Ice Sculptures!
Was it worth the pain?
Did I overcome my Fear of being Underground and in the Dark?
Would I do it again?
As I looked back across the expanse of Ice, to the Last Group climbing where we had been -
The answer was YES!
Finally out into the bright light of Day
We could see some of that View we had been told about as we carefully descended the Mountain.
Making it back in time for the last Shuttle Run back to the Station to catch the last train for the day.
And with Many Thanks to our Driver - made it as the train pulled in to the station!
What an Awesome Day!
* * * * *
And for those who also have a Fitbit
I got a Badge!
The Ice Cave is Currently Closed for the Winter.
Or as their Website says "The Giant is Sleeping"
It will reopen in April 2018
What an amazing excursion! I wonder why no photos? Glad you could sneak a couple to give us an idea of it.
ReplyDeleteHi Vireya,
ReplyDeleteThey actually state on their website that the No Photo rule is so that the group can keep moving. Taking photographs in caves is difficult without a tripod and a lot of time to do properly. Our guide didn't seem to mind us sneaking some shots in while were waiting for straggles to catch up.