[新聞] 瑞士冰川中隱藏著藍色冰洞

據英國《每日電訊報》報道，英國探險攝影師 Robbie Shone 和一個7人探險小組，對瑞士采爾馬特附近的戈爾納冰川的一個冰洞進行為期6天的探險，並在其中拍攝了如下這組壯觀的冰洞美景。

羅比說：“真是太壯觀了，我第一次看到這麼美麗的冰洞，到處都是明亮清澈的藍色。”

“相比一般的洞穴，冰洞更加令人印像深刻。它對我們來說，是一種完全不同的挑戰，我們為之著迷，並迫不及待的想一探究竟。”

羅比和其他的七名隊友一起下潛至冰穴之中的一個豎井，這是他們第一次在冰洞之中進行繪圖，拍攝和勘探。“走在光滑的冰壁中，鞋子上必須有鞋釘才行。我們是利用登山繩滑著進入冰洞的，這裡距冰穴入口有20米之深。”

“我們是第一批來這個冰穴繪制地圖的人，不過，因為這裡的冰川每年都會移動15米，也就說它們每年都在不停地變化，所以，可以說，我們也是看到它目前這個狀態僅有的人。”

我们露营了六天，因为大雪，我们花了两天才挖出一条通往冰穴的路。我们的营地距离冰洞大约有一个小时的路程，每天我们早上5点钟起床做准备，然后在冰洞中一呆就是8个小时。这里的昼夜温差极大，有时，夜晚的温度会骤降到零下18摄氏度。

“這次的冰洞之旅已經取得了圓滿成功，通過這次旅行，科研人員對冰川的融化速率有了更深的了解。”

Plummeting to new depths: Spectacular ice caves photographed for the first time deep beneath a Swiss glacier

These spectacular ice caves deep below a Swiss glacier have been mapped, photographed and surveyed for the first time.

A team of eight descended into the moulins – vertical shafts – below the Gorner Glacier near Zermatt in October.

Their work inside the remarkable icy caverns will help researchers get a better understanding of glaciers and their rate of melting.

Descending the depths: A team of eight climbed down the moulins - vertical shafts - in the Gorner Glacier near Zermatt in Switzerland

Photographer Robbie Shone, 32, was part of the team. He said: ‘It was extremely spectacular. This was the first time I'd been in an ice cave and they were absolutely beautiful. They were a really bright blue.

‘Ice caves are more impressive “normal” caves. They offer a completely different challenge. I'm now fascinated by them and would like to visit more.

‘We were the first group to map thesemoulins and because the glaciers move around 15 metres (50ft) a year - they change every year. Because of this we will be the only people to see them in that state.

The team had to abseil into the moulins because the entrances were often vertical shafts that were up to 65ft deep. Mr Shone said: ‘We were camping for six days and because of the heavy snow we spent two days digging a path down to the glacier.

‘Our camp was about an hour away fromthe glacier and we got up at 5am to get ready and then spent around eight hours on the glacier. The temperature varied - at night time it dropped down as low as -18 degrees. The trip was a complete success and will help researchers get a better understanding of glaciers' rate of melting.’

The Gorner Glacier is 8.7miles long and is the second largest glacial system in the Alps.

Inside the ice cave: The team's work will help researchers get a better understanding of glaciers and their rate of melting

Vertical limit: The team had to abseil often vertical shafts that are up to 65ft deep

Adventure into the deep: The team spent two days digging a path down to the glacier to reach the moulins on the expedition in October in what photographer Robbie Shone said was 'extremely spectacular'

The bright blue: The glaciers move about 50ft a year as they melt

Challenging temperatures: The team had to grapple with varying temperatures which could drop to -18 degrees at night time

A sight to behold: Mr Shone said he is now fascinated with the ice caves and wants to visit them again

Long route: The group camped about an hour away from the glacier and had to get up at 5am to get ready to spend around eight hours on the glacier each day