Mondmilchloch, Solutional cave in Pilatus massif, Switzerland
Mondmilchloch is a solutional cave in the Pilatus massif that penetrates the mountain over roughly 100 meters with multiple connected chambers throughout. The interior features varying floor levels linked by water passages that flow through the cave system.
The cave was first recorded in 1555 by Conrad Gesner, who documented the white mineral deposits and gave them the name moon milk. This early description helped establish it as a site of scientific interest centuries later.
The cave takes its name from white calcite deposits that resemble milk, a feature that caught the attention of physicians and scholars in centuries past. The mineral formations became a subject of fascination for those seeking natural remedies.
Access starts from Alp Birchboden following orange trail markers through open meadows and forest until reaching the entrance at 1710 meters elevation. Wear sturdy hiking boots and check weather conditions before heading out, as mountain paths can shift depending on the season.
The cave holds a specific type of microcrystalline calcite that became the geological reference site for moon milk formations in scientific classification. This mineralogical importance established it as the standard example in geology textbooks around the world.
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