Hot, but somewhat misty and cloudy

More mist and haze than expected in the Bavarian and Austrian mountains and valleys this July. Often very hot though. But a photographer sure values a crisp and clean air. The mornings and evenings at the camp site in Sölden was unexpectedly cold, though, due to the shallow valley and height. On the last morning in Sölden, Austria, when packing the tent, a big helicopter was suddenly seen transporting heavy gear on the nearby mountain sides for the new mountain gondola to the top of Gaislachkogl peak, opening in December. Amazing to see how quickly this big helicopter could operate and transport big and heavy lifts in a long wire on the steep and inaccesible mountain sides. The towers for the mountain gondola were transported and kept in position by the helicopter for the land crew to secure. This was a matter of minutes. The tasks had surely been prepared carefully beforehand. I got a few shots with my Canon 70-200mm. But should, of course, have stayed another day and entered the mountain that morning to get shots from under the chopper. You can never do enough research on the areas you want to visit and take photos of. Had I known, I would have been there.

Later research revealed that it was a Swiss company specializing in these special and heavy lifts - and the helicopter was a Russian built Kamov heavy-transport helicopter with a double-rotor system (yes, you are not necessarily intoxicated - there are six rotor blades on the chopper).

More about the new Gaislachkogl Mountain Gondola