Hochjochferner, Alpine glacier between Sölden, Austria and Schnals, Italy.
Hochjochferner is a glacier spanning roughly 185 hectares across the Austrian-Italian border in the Ötztal Alps. The ice extends from 2,800 to 3,200 meters elevation and forms a broad white expanse that connects two countries.
The glacier formed during the last ice age and has shaped the alpine landscape on both sides of the border ever since. In 1991, a mummified human body was found near the ice, offering researchers insights into life 5,300 years ago.
Every September, shepherds guide hundreds of sheep and goats down from Austrian pastures across the glacier, continuing a tradition of moving herds through high alpine terrain. This seasonal movement links communities on both sides of the border and shapes how the landscape is used throughout the year.
A cable car system connects the valleys to higher regions and provides access to the glacier area. The best visiting season runs from June through September, when trails are passable and conditions are safest.
Natural lakes form on the glacier surface during summer melt, creating pools of water that reflect light in shades of blue. The surrounding terrain supports specialized alpine plants including mosses and lichens that thrive only at these harsh elevations.
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