Ecological setting - Avalanche Obscures Trail to Frozen Grotto
A huge rockslide has obstructed the entrance to Germany's largest accessible ice cave in Marktschellenberg. Large amounts of rocks were dislodged from the Untersberg on Sunday, following multiple heavy thunderstorms and intense rainfall, according to Helfried Unterberger, the head of the Schellenberg Caving Association. Fortunately, nobody was harmed. The entrance is complimentary, however, part of the route is obstructed by debris. Various news outlets shared updates on the landslide.
"We now have a tremendous amount of work to tackle," stated Unterberger. Volunteer assistance is essential. "Machines can't reach the location." The volunteers intend to clear the passageway once more by Friday.
For years, the caving association members have been looking after maintaining the natural wonder on the Untersberg and offering guided tours within the ice cave, which can be up to 20 meters in thickness. The explored length of the cave in the mountain is over 3.6 kilometers, and during guided tours, tourists walk around 500 meters inside.
The ice cave in Marktschellenberg was recently reopened for the public. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the small town, situated right on the border with Austria. Guided tours have been running for some time now. A staggering number of visitors head to the ice cave show each year to see its 60,000 cubic meters of ice.
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The cleanup operation at the ice cave in Marktschellenberg, affected by the rockslide, is relying heavily on volunteer assistance due to inaccessibility by machines. Despite the obstruction, the ice cave, a popular tourist attraction in Bavaria, continues to draw visitors offering guided tours. The iced grotto, which is surrounded by the scenic beauty of Berchtesgaden, was adversely impacted by the recent storm, causing concern for the local environmental conservation efforts. Germany, known for its vibrant tourism sector, is now focusing on restoring the ice cave to its pristine condition for the approaching winter season.
