DOCUMENTARY 2012 | 43 and 52 mins | ARTE, ZDF, BR and SWR

The fifth and sixth episode of the Series ‚Alps from Above‘ leads us across Tyrol in Austria. Shortly after sunrise, there is only one person on the road here: musher Martin Eigentler with his 24 Huskies. In winter the European champion takes part in races all over the world. A loud roar disturbs the idyllic quietness in Wildschoenau: Conrad Gruber tunes powerful sports cars, and ups their power to more than 800 PS. The journey leads us to High Tauern National Park. The summits are covered with ice and snow, even in the summer. But due to global warming the alpine glaciers are melting. Scientists want to find out which dangers impend, when millions of litres of meltwater tear down rocks on their way to the valley. A few kilometres further off in Soelden, Michael Gritsch maintains one of the most modern cable cars in the world. In his revision he checks every reel, every rope – whilst standing on a moving cable car. At the height of 3000 meters two young people offer a place to spend the night – at the „Muellerhuette“. The hut is only accessible in summer. The route leads on to Pitz valley, where Kassian Erhart is searching for melodious stones to turn into instruments.

Written and directed by CHRISTIAN SCHIDLOWSKI
Produced by VIDICOM MEDIA