Field trip to the Brocken

Saturday morning, 8 o'clock at the Albaniplatz: With 38 participants we depart for our trip to the Harz mountains, organized by the team of Göttingen International. The bus is quite full so it is easy to get in contact with seatmates. Soon, students and PhD students of all subjects are chatting in an animated fashion. As everyone has a unique background and motivation to join this trip, there is a lot to talk about.
On our way through the small villages at the outskirts of the Harz mountains the sky is plain grey and the first raindrops fall as we pass Herzberg am Harz, the "portal to the Harz mountains". Nonetheless, the view is impressive, as we travel small, extremely curvy roads along rivers and large water dams, surrounded by scenic forests.

As we come closer to our destination Drei Annen Hohne the rain subsides and stops completely once we reach the trainstation. The historical steam engine of the Harzer Schmalspurbahn train company stands ready for departure. Smoke fills the air and it smells of adventure while we admire the technical details of the engine from the 1950s. Equipped with an old-fashioned train ticket we board the train. Most of the coaches are quite full and some of us decide to spend the train ride on the open platforms between the coaches. The steam engine starts to pull at a leisurely pace and we enjoy the slow journey through the forest, entirely surrounded by green colors with occasional dost of grey, brown and black. In 50 minutes train ride we have an elevation gain of more than 500 meters. The forest changes as well, the spruces are more spread, smaller and some have bizarre forms. As we come closer to the Brocken, more and more naked rocks are visible.

Closer to our destination there are no trees left at all: The summit of mount Brocken is above the treeline and only brush grows there. As we arrive on the top we have a great view of the area even although the sky is filled with clouds. In small groups we explore the summit of mount Brocken: Some have their picture taken at the "summit stone", some walk the circular summit trail or enter the Brocken Botanical Garden. Unfortunately, a heavy shower rains down on us so we have to flee into the buildings of the Brocken Museum.

Finally the rain subsides and we enjoy a great view through the floor-to-ceiling-windows at the Brockenwirt, where we have our lunch. After our meal the sun comes out and we start for our hike to Torfhaus with great weather and even better mood. At first, we follow the rail tracks, but soon our path winds through sparsely grown forest. Behind every corner there is a new and unique scenery of rocks, small rivers and bizarre tree forms. Again, the trees' green is the dominant color, joined by the brushes' brown and speckled with pink and white blooming flowers. Every now and then we have a break to enjoy the view, take some pictures and keep the group together. We walk in a loose formation, people swap their positions within the group and after every break there is someone new to talk to. Of course the excursion leaders take care that nobody gets lost.

After about two thirds of our route to Torfhaus the sky turns dark again and starts to rumble menacingly - we are walking directly into a storm front! The beauty of the picturesque rivers is lost to us, the storm clouds above the skeletons of dead spruces form a proper visual setting for the crescendo of rolling thunder. This the force of nature that Goethe was talking about! As we reach the Great Torfhaus Moor it starts raining again. While most of us have a raincoat or umbrella and some have bought a light plastic raincoat at the shop on the Brocken plateau, the downpour is so harsh that almost nobody remains dry. Wet and resigned we ignore the impressive scenery and trudge along the thick boards that form the way across the bog, it is only a short way to our venue. Luckily, the thunderstorm moves in a different direction and the rain subsides after a reasonable time. The air is warm and we are almost dry again as we reach the Torfhaus parking lot where our bus is waiting for us. The journey back to Göttingen is uneventful and at 6:30 pm we arrive at Albaniplatz, tired but happy.

Thanks to all participants and organisators for a wonderful day in the Harz mountains!