Exploring giant ice caves near Salzburg - Austria - Part 2 of 2

Is this the hall of The Mountain King, the royal hall of the king of the dovre-trolls, I wondered which is described so lively in the Norwegian author Henrik Ibsen`s book "Peer Gynt". I imagined that I would encounter a great assembly of troll-courtiers, gnomes, and brownies. Deep in the cave I probably would see the old man of the Dovre sits on the throne, crowned, with his sceptre in his hand, and with his children and nearest relations are ranged on both sides. Henrik Ibsen was a great Norwegian dramatist, whose realistic plays dealing with psychological and social problems won him recognition as the creator of modern drama (Henrik Ibsen was born Mars 20, 1828 in Skien, Norway, died in 23 May, 1906).

It was like walking in the underworld. The walk in the cave covers an altitude difference of 134 metres. It also a good idea to have sturdy walking shoes. There was much uphill walking in the beginning, sometimes it was very slipper, but built in stairs made it easier to ascend safer. I wouldn't like to fall down to the deep. It was very exiting to pass through labyrinths of both small and large caverns. I guess that it make some people little bit shaky, especially for them who suffer from claustrophobia.

Photo. Big ice figures in the caves. Mind your steps, or you would be lost forever

I enjoyed viewing the beautiful ice curtains, waterfalls and stalactites, which where admired from different perspectives. The only thing I missed were Trolls, Gnomes, Goblins or whatever. Perhaps it's here the fearsome snowman Yeti hides? It's definitely the perfect place for scaring someone. By using a traditional davy lamp and magnesium lights (torches), I explored the enormous ice caves with great curiosity. Here I could admire beautiful creations as the Ice Palace, The Castle of the Ice Giants and the Ice Queen's veil. On the path down again, I kept tight the best I could and finally a spotted the light from the exit.

Photo. Beautiful ice crystals.

Photo. Beatiful ice crystals.

Outside the cave: my Scottish guide continued to blow his bagpipe, which was very popular. Here he stands in the front of the charming alpine restaurant near the entrance to the caves. It was good to take a rest here just enjoying the fantastic view, and at the same time listen to traditional Scotch music that created a unique atmosphere.

As the history is told, the caves were only known to hunters and poachers until late in the nineteenth century. In 1879 Anton Posselt stumbled into the caves. He was an natural scientist from Salzburg that took his way 200 metres into the darkness of the caves and officially "discovered" the Eisriesenwelt. He must be a brave man to venture to go in there as one of the first humans ever. One year later he published a detailed report of his discovery in a mountaineering magazine, but the caves was almost forgotten again. But now the caves will never be forgotten! Definitely not by me!

Stein Morten Lund, 25 November 2002

Additional information

Practical information about the Eisriesenwelt ice caves:

·        The caves are closed during winter. The alpine circumstances are much danger at this time of the year. It will be reopened at 1 May 2004.

·        Mountain road: the road from village Werfen up to the parking area over approximately 5 km is now opened for all vehicles (also all coaches without extra longness of more than 14 metres)

·        The Eisriesenwelt can be reached on the Tauern motorway (A10), on the trunk road from Salzburg or by train. They are situated near the village Werfen about 40 kilometres (approximately 30 miles) south of Salzburg city. The mountain-road (with maximum gradient of 21%) up to the parking area situated at an altitude of 1000 metres above sea level, is now opened to all vehicles up to 14 metres length.

For more information about these incredible huge caves, look at the website www.Eisriesenwelt.at

For general information, contact the Tourist Information in Salzburg.

Party life:

We had a great party at Shamrock, an Irish Pub at Rudolfskai 10 the mentioned weekend. The pub is located in the centre of the city on the Old Town's upriver from State Bridge. It has a décor of an Irish Pub, and the atmosphere was great even it can't compares with traditional Irish pubs, especially not them in Dublin. Here we drank Guinness, black as the Liffey River in Dublin. The pub also offered Austrian beer, Irish and Scotch Whiskeys. The music was both live and disco. Little bit Irish music was played as far I remember, but it was mostly modern pop music. For people who like to dance there is a narrow floor by the stage where they can jump and swing around. The pub is closing late, so just hang on as long you can!

Photo. It was real rock`n roll from the stage at the Irish Pub Shamrock.

 

The spectacular Olsen's Capricorn Caves in Australia

The spectacular Capricorn Caves are a unique system of above-ground caves in a limestone ridge situated 23 kilometres north of Rockhampton (in Queensland in the North East part of Australia, not so far from Cairns). These ancient caves have attracted visitors since their discovery by the Norwegian pioneer John Olsen in 1882. Today, they are the only privately owned show caves in Australia.

Read more about these incredible caves on our website (Travel Explorations)!