THE LÖTSCHEPASS GLACIER HIKE
PHOTOS BY DAVE GARDNER & MARK HUTTON .

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As group two head off, the dark clouds are coming down.  In the background group three are enjoying lunch and a well earned rest.

Group three caught up with group two again just as they started to cross the glacier.

We kept the groups separate for various reasons. 
Dave leads off the rest of group two.

Firstly small groups are easier and a lot safer for the group leader to manage. Secondly faster group members can annoy slower members and vice versa.  This in itself can be dangerous as well as impacting morale.

Andy Tim and Nick start crossing the ice. 
One of the first things you notice on arrival at the glacier is that the glacier isn't white and clean. Its covered in small rocks and boulders.

In the picture below the glacier looks cleaner and brighter in the distance.  This part is covered in fresh snow.

We're heading for the mountain covered in cloud to the left of the picture..... Nice.

 The Glacier here is just ice and rock.  It has no snow on it.
Dan follows the others.
Andy, Nick, Mike and Dan.
In the picture on the left, group two can be seen posing near the avalanche site.  The lower clouds are still clinging to the tops of the surrounding mountains.  It's rain from these clouds that may have caused the earlier avalanche.

 When crossing a reasonably flat glacier like this, the ice axes are used simply as walking sticks to steady yourself.  At this stage there was little danger of anyone slipping away. 

The last group to cross the ice had a long rest on a lateral moraine from where they could observe the progress of the previous two groups as they climbed the last bit to the hut.
Andy Derek and Ross watch the others.
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