VIRTUAL FIELDWORK

Col du Sanetsch

Valais, Switzerland
Col du Sanetsch virtual field trip

Overview

The Col du Sanetsch is a high mountain pass (2253 m asl) in SW Switzerland that connects Sion to Gsteig (see zoom-able map below).

The virtual field trip starts at ~1630 m asl on the slopes north of Sion, and then follows the road up and over the pass (col) until it reaches the cable car station. There is plenty to see, including some classic alpine landforms and landscapes. Those  more interested in the impact of humans in the landscape are also well catered for, with alpine settlements and tourism.

The imagery was acquired in June 2019. The original intention was to visit the Tsanfleuron Glacier (following a request from a VR Glaciers website user), but there was too much snow and so this had to be abandoned.

You can download location data for each of the stops (for viewing in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS etc), although location information is also provided within the virtual field trip itself. However, it is recommended that you take a little time to appreciate the excellent swisstopo maps of the area (see link below)!

Start of Virtual Field Trip

Col du Sanetsch Virtual Field Trip

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Google Earth file (.kml)

Download this file if you want to view the virtual field trip stops within Google Earth. KML files can also be used in other applications and web services, including SwissTopo.

Spreadsheet (.csv)

Download this file if you want to view the virtual field trip stops within GIS software, such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, QGis etc. Can also be used in Google Earth.

SwissTopo website

Access to current and historic mapping, as well as other data, from the Swiss national mapping service. TIP: You can drag KML files onto the map
Dr Des McDougall

Dr Des McDougall

I'm a Physical Geographer at the University of Worcester (England, UK). Interests include mountain glaciers, mountain geomorphology and Quaternary environmental change. I'm also interested in the use of virtual reality in teaching.

Can you help?

In order to support the ongoing development of this site, it would be really helpful if you could let me know why and how you use the resource. I’d also appreciate hearing any ideas you may have for improvements. 

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ABOUT

This website allows you to explore glaciers and glaciated landscapes using virtual field trips. High quality, 360 degree interactive panoramas (panospheres) allow you to look all around and zoom in on features of interest – a bit like Google Streetview ©.

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© VR Glaciers and Glaciated Landscapes by Derek McDougall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License.

Last updated: August 2019