Alpenglühen

Abstract

AFTER the shadows of the lower mountains have swept up past the tops of the higher snow peaks, i.e. after the sun has set upon these last, and as the general light of the sky fades, the contrast between the illumination of the snow and of the sky usually increases. The westerly-facing snow peaks stand out against the darkened sky, and gradually change in tint. Very often the most noticeable change is to a clear greenish-white. But sometimes there is a period during which they have a faint rose or crimson glow. This is the true Alpenglühen; often confused by tourists with the ordinary rose-coloured illumination preceding the setting of the sun.