Day:249, Words:249

For those that had been to the area in previous years, a frightening sight greeted them. Three years ago, the surface of a large rock was poking out of the top of the ice. Today, the same rock was free of ice and situated 150 metres from the edge of the glacier. That the ice had melted so much was a concept that was both fascinating and worrying. At this rate, the glacier will be all but gone within 50 years.

The first tour on the glacier is a serene experience. The vast area of ice is scattered with large, deep cracks, that look as though they could swallow up a visitor at any given time. There was a lot of safety equipment to consider, before entering the glacial zone. Strapped on spikes, harnesses, various hooks, a helmet and a pick were required. The kids were brave, although quite tentative to begin with, before finding their ice legs. Within no time, they were climbing out of crevices and attaching themselves to screwing devices that were secured wthin the ice.

There was the occassional fall, yet little blood. While one half were on the glacier, the rest ploughed on to the picturesque stone bridge that sat 20 metres above a raging river. To reach the bridge however, one had to first conquer 10 metres of freezing water. With shoes and socks in hand and pants rolled up as far as possible, the gasping students waded through the painfully chilly river.

 

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