Furka railway

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The locomotives have left the depot. At 6:30am, they whistle and bring the volunteers to the clearing site. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Breakfast time, when volunteers plan their day Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

A last look at the weather and avalanche danger before leaving to clear the snow Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

For safety, they strap avalanche detectors onto their chests. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

The locomotive cannot go any further; the tunnel is blocked by metres and metres of snow that the volunteers will have to clear. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Hiking gaiters are strongly recommended, as the snow softens after a few hours and the feet sink. The snow is 16 metres deep in some places. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

An avalanche has completely blocked the last tunnel, which must be cleared with a mechanical shovel. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

The rack is frozen in the ice in some places. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Under the Steffenbach Bridge, the snow is so hard that the volunteers need chainsaws. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Close-up of a snow plough Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

The snow plough drivers have a lot of experience. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

It is not always easy to get the snow ploughs where they are most needed... Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Getting the Steffenbach Bridge cleared of snow takes some extra effort. Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Time to go back to Camp Realp before avalanches become a worry Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

Time to relax after a long day shifting piles of snow Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch

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