It was the right decision for us as the weather was very misty and we didn't fancy navigating in the mist. However it didn't look too promising for seeing the glacier either. This feeling that we might have chosen the wrong day was enhanced as we left the cablecar and it started to snow!
As if there wasn't enough snow already. Just to remind you, it was the 20th of June!
Not much sign of the glacier, so all we could do was take a seat, have lunch and wait.
And as we waited, something began to happen. The clouds parted briefly and a little bit of blue sky and sunshine appeared.
The glacier came into view.
A truly amazing sight, with amazing statistics to go with it.
At it's source on the Concordia platz the ice is 900 meters thick. It is 22.6 kilometers long and it covers an area of 86 square kilometers.
This plaque is attached to the rocks overlooking the glacier. I love the sentiment behind it.
And as befits such a special place, special flowers.
Primula hirsiutum
Gentians
Pasque flower. It doesn't appear to be enjoying the cool damp weather.
Back down to Betmeralp and a look around the lake to see if we could spot any different wild flowers. Here are some of what we found.
Alpenrose
Fragrant orchid
Trumpet gentian
Mountain pansies and geum.
Elderflower orchid
Betmeralp
Back through the streets of Betmeralp to the cablecar station, which will take us down to the train in the Rhone valley. Oh the wonders of the intergrated, Swiss transport system. They make it look so easy!
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