Successful first CLEWS field trip to the Alps
In summer 2022 was the first field excursion of the new Master’s program CLimate, Earth, Water and Sustainability was conducted in the unique environment of the upper Ötztal in southwest Austria. 26 Students from nine different countries were taking part in this eight-day intense excursion early September. The goal of the field trip was to sensibilize the students to the ongoing impacts of climate change - directly in the field. Experiencing the impacts of climate change in the real world makes a difference. By this, the students see the pressing changes in what they learn to understand and analyze during the CLEWS master program.
A traditional beautiful hut with room for the students in the small village of Zwieselstein was taken as a base camp to perform day trips and tours to explore the surroundings. Every excursion day there was a new overarching theme defining the structure of the procedure and topics. Starting with the geological genesis of the alpine mountains, moving on to the specific abiotic and biotic formations present in the Alps, and ending with the anthropogenic usage and impacts in the alpine region. Every student was an expert in one specific topic sharing this knowledge with fellow students by holding a presentation. This gave everybody broad insights into the past and present climate changes processes and impacts in the alpine region.
The most remarkable part of the excursion was the three-day tour to the alpine hut “Vernagthütte” close to the Vernagtgletscher located at over 2.700m in height. A challenging and exhausting hike starting from the small village Vent to the hut brought the whole group to its limits. But the task was mastered and the beautiful views in the upper mountains could be enjoyed with some taking a bath in the glacier water pool. An astonishing sunset and starry sky enhanced the enjoyable moments of an overall exhausting and demanding day.
The next day then was taken to explore the glacial areas of the famous Vernagtgletscher. With the geological expert, Prof. Bernhard Dieckmann from AWI special insights and knowledge have been shared. Reaching the glacier the group explores the glacial processes first-hand. Many of the participants have never seen a glacier before, hence it was a unique experience for most of the group members. After one more night in the hut, the whole group hiked down to the village in Vent to get all the things together and travel home to Potsdam.
The whole excursion was an important and educational trip to the Alps in which the students could gain broad and hands-on knowledge about the actual impacts of climate change.
written by: Johannes Wilk (CLEWS student)