EXCURSIONS
EXCURSIONS
On Wednesday September 11th, spectacular full and half-day field trips will take play highlighting a broad range of aspects related to groundwater in an Alpine setting.
All excursions depart from the Davos Congress Center. Most of the full day excursions (F) start at 8:30 and end at 17/18:00. Half-day excursion (H) usually take 3-4h and may include lunch.
F1) Brienz/Brinzauls Rock Fall and
Large-Scale Landslide
Figi, Daniel; BTG, Switzerland
Schneider, Stefan; CSD Engineers, Switzerland
Full day; maximum 2×50 participants
The mountain village Brienz/Brinzauls is endangered by unstable rock mass from above and the entire village moves down on a large landslide complex, which has already damaged its infrastructure. This full-day field trip presents the extensive geological and hydrogeological investigations to understand the mass movement processes and the role of groundwater. The elaborate early water warning system and monitoring concepts are discussed as well. The field trip include visits to the drainage tunnel under construction to stop the massive landslide and to the rockfall sites near the village in smaller groups.
Prerequisites
Safety helmet (provided), sturdy footwear (hiking boots or trekking shoes, no sneakers or sandals), backpack, clothing suitable for the weather conditions (takes place in all weather conditions), no claustrophobia
F2) The reshaping of the Alpine Rhine
and its impact on transboundary groundwater
Mähr, Markus; IRR
Schatzmann, Markus; IRR
Papritz, Kaspar; Dr. Bernasconi AG, Beratende Geologen und Hydrogeologen AG
Gmünder, Christian; Simultec AG
Full day; maximum 2×50 participants
The Alpine Rhine on the boarder of Switzerland and Austria will undergo major transformation in the next decades to improve flood protection, improve ecosystems functions and enhance the recreational value. The connected alluvial aquifer plays an important role for groundwater supply in the region. After an introduction to the history of Alpine Rhine and the project given by members of the International Rhine Regulation (IRR), we will discuss the expected effect of the project on groundwater based on results from unique field experiments and modeling studies, combined with the visit of a pumping station. For lunch, we will take a cable car to a restaurant with a spectacular view over the Rhine Valley, Lake Constance and the surrounding mountains.
Prerequisites
Passport or ID card as we cross the border to Austria.
Sturdy footwear (hiking boots or trekking shoes, no sneakers or sandals), backpack, clothing suitable for the weather conditions (takes place in all weather conditions)
F3) Huge rockfall, glaciers, tunnels: a long history of impacts on groundwater in the Flims region
Jeannin, Pierre-Yves; ISSKA
Full day; maximum 50 participants
Limestone located below a thrust fault was exposed and karstified after the Würm glaciation. 9450 years ago a large rockfall dammed the springs and raised the groundwater by several hundreds of meters. Springs then fed the groundwater body which developed within the rockfall mass, creating lakes in depressions. About 20 ago, a tunnel was build though the limestone below the rockfall, crossing karst conduits with a significant discharge rate (~1 m3/s). It was used for hydropower production, but it drained the karst aquifer, thus drying out several springs, as well as one lake. Following extensive data acquisition and modelling work, a plan was developed to artificially feed the lake against tunnel drainage and drought related to climate change!
You will see various aspects of the rockfall, karst springs, a beautiful lake, the infiltration plant, the hydropower plant using groundwater, and a very nice landscape.
Prerequisites
Hiking boots required and reasonably good physical condition (~6 km walk in total).
F4) Carbogaseous springs in the Lower Engadine: Historic origin, past and present use of highly mineralized water
Bissig, Pius; Dr. Bernasconi AG, Beratende Geologen und Hydrogeologen, Switzerland
Balderer, Werner; retired professor ETHZ, Switzerland
Full day; maximum 30 participants
This is a full day excursion in the Scuol-Tarasp region with several stops to visit natural springs, captured springs and colored travertines: The mineral waters of this region show a great variety of hydrochemical characteristics and are mainly of the carbonic type with the highest mineralization of about 17’000 mg/l TDS. So-called mofettes – dry CO2 exhalations from the ground – are manifestations of geogenic gas production at depth.
You will also get to know old therapeutic practices by visiting a historic drinking hall.
The excursion ends with a visit to the Tarasp Castle, built around 1040, which houses a collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art.
Prerequisites
Sturdy shoes, warm cloths and rain jacket.
F5) A Swiss Classic: Ride the Mountain Railway and hike to a Glacier
Lindegger, Roman; UNINE
Full day; maximum 30 participants
Take the iconic red RhB mountain railway along the World Heritage Albula Line with its countless tunnels and bridges to Morteratsch (1:40 hour journey). Strengthened by a hearty local meal, hike to the Morteratsch Glacier and back. The hike takes about 1 hour each way on an easy, slowly ascending trail (about 150m altitude). There is no easier way to reach a glacier by foot. Explanations on the geology, hydrogeology and dynamics of the glacier along the way. Return to Davos by RhB mountain railway through the picturesque Engadine Valley.
Prerequisites
Hiking boots and good physical condition (~3 km walk in total, 150m altitude). Warm cloths and rain jacket.
F6) Carstic Plateau Mt. Sulzfluh (2817 masl)
Goldscheider, Nico; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Full (long) day (early departure 7am); maximum 20 participants
This full-day field trip leads to the summit and karst plateau of Mt. Sulzfluh, one of the highest and most spectacular karst landscapes in the Alps, and one of the best places to see nappe tectonics: A large tectonic nappe, consisting of dark, crystalline rocks, is thrusted on top of white, pure and highly karstified Upper Jurassic limestone. This special tectonic environment leads to unique hydrogeological phenomena, such as long-distance karst groundwater flowpaths underneath the crystalline nappe. The high plateau has a variety of karren and other karst landforms, strongly influenced by the action of snow and glaciers, as well as several large cave systems.
Mandatory Prerequisites: Good physical condition indispensible for this high Alpine excursion
Sturdy footwear (hiking boots required), good physical condition (1’000 m altitude gain), a head for heights, sure-footedness, backpack, weatherproof clothing. Only takes place in good weather
F7) Golden Sun – Old Calanda Gold Mine and Winery
Tschumper, Rolf; Hydrogeologist, Canton of Berne, Switzerland
Full day; maximum 12 participants
On a short but challenging hike, we climb up to the hidden former gold mine in Calanda near Felsberg. With a local guide and geologist, we will explore the tunnel where the gold was found and mined. On the way back to the village, we will visit the spring for the municipal water supply and the Felsberg vineyards. At the final aperitif with the mayor of Felsberg, we will be able to taste the wine, which is also called “Goldene Sonne”, and learn interesting details directly from the winegrower.
Mandatory Prerequisites: Good physical condition and mountain experience required
This is not a conventional field trip, but a alpine mountain hike (difficulty T3-T4), over steep and rocky, sometimes slippery terrain into a wet and very narrow mining system. Therefore, very good physical condition, mountain experience, sure-footedness and good equipment (sturdy mountain boots, weatherproof clothing, good torch, rucksack) are mandatory requirements.
H1) Explore the Dischma side-valley with lunch at an Alpine Hamlet
This event can be booked by congress participants and accompanying persons. Ideal if you want to do something together on Wednesday in Davos.
Half-Day: maximum 90 participants
Depending on your level of fitness and ambition, three options are available with a joint lunch at an Alpine Hamlet:
- a) Take the Davos local bus to the Alpine Hamlet and back, and just join for lunch. If you feel like, hike back individually to Davos along well-marked trails that cannot be missed.
- b) Hike to the Alpine Hamlet along easy but ascending (400m altitude) trails on the valley bottom with a guide and take the bus back (or hike back individually if you prefer).
- c) Take the Davos local bus and hike on a more rugged, but safe path at the end of the valley (about 1h). Explanations on the geology and hydro(geo)logy of the valley. If you feel like, hike back individually to Davos along well-marked trails that cannot be missed.
For all options, you have lunch together at an Alpine Hamlet with a choice between Fondue and the local speciality Capuns.
H2) Silver Mountain Mine Davos and Brewery
Half day; maximum 15 participants
Guided half-day tour to the former mining facility at Silver Mountain Mine near Davos Monstein with a visit to the ancient tunnel facilities and a tour of the ore processing plant. We will hike on a mountain path (ca. 2.5 h, 270 m altitude gain) which runs partly along steep slopes. Finally, we will visit the adjacent mining museum. Our tour ends with a small beer tasting at the brewery of Monstein close by in the same village.
Prerequisites
Safety helmet (provided), sturdy footwear (hiking boots, no sneakers), good fitness for the hike, a head for heights, sure-footedness, backpack, clothing suitable for the weather conditions, warm jacket (tunnel temperature ca. 5°C), no claustrophobia
H3) Geothermal energy in Davos
Half day; maximum 25 participants
Bolay, Stephan.; Geotest, Davos, Switzerland
Geothermal energy is playing an increasingly important role in Davos’ energy supply. A 452m deep borehole was drilled right next to the Congress Center and supplies energy to the Congress Center and other facilities such as the hockey stadium. In this excursion you will learn about the geological and hydrogeological investigations that have been carried out as part of the project. You will also learn about the geology of the Davos region in general. The excursion includes a visit to the technical installations.
