A lot of experience and patience are required on Germany's highest construction site: foreman Wolfgang Sigrüner (59) from Unterneukirchen demonstrates both and is pouring concrete for the Hinterschwepfinger company from Burghausen on Germany's highest construction site – just a few meters below the summit of the Zugspitze.
Burghausen / Zugspitze – Wolfgang Sigrüner (59) from Unterneukirchen is working on one of the most unusual construction projects in Germany: At an altitude of 2,650 meters and about 300 meters below the summit of the Zugspitze, he is pouring concrete on the extension of the Schneefernerhaus. He has been working for the Hinterschwepfinger company for 30 years – but Sigrüner has never had a job like this before. Germany's highest construction site has a few surprises in store, especially when it comes to the water that is essential for pouring concrete.
A construction site of superlatives
The Schneefernerhaus on the Zugspitze, once the highest hotel in Germany, is now an environmental research station and places the highest demands on the construction work. There is no road leading to the construction site, which means that even simple work such as pouring concrete becomes a logistical feat. “Normally the roof would be finished within two hours,” says Sigrüner. But nothing is normal on the Zugspitze. The Concrete is transported in 25 kg bags by cog railway and mixed on site with a small pump. But the water needed for this is not enough on this day. Numerous tourists are enjoying the sun and snow on the lower Zugspitzplatt and the restaurants use a lot of water. As a result, there is no longer enough water pressure at the Schneefernerhaus. “These are things that you don't have to think about on a normal construction site,” says Sigrüner.
Fighting the elements
While the tourists enjoy the sun and snow on the Zugspitzplatt, Sigrüner and his team are struggling to continue the work. Several phone calls and a little time later, a buffer tank is finally activated and there is enough water available again and the work can continue. Inside the Schneefernerhaus, an employee stands at the mixing and pumping machine and tirelessly pours sack after sack into the machine. But every time a pallet is empty, the heavy door to the tunnel of the Zugspitz rack railway has to be opened. “It’s always a forced break because the draft stirs everything up,” explains Sigrüner. This game is repeated 15 times until the ceiling is finally finished being poured.
A night at 2,650 metres
The sun sets, the tourists leave the mountain, and a deep calm spreads over the Zugspitze. For Wolfgang Sigrüner and his team, however, the working day is not yet over. They spend the night in the Schneefernerhaus, together with some scientists who are doing research up here. “It's a special experience,” admits Sigrüner. The silence, the clear air, the majestic view – all of this makes up for the day's efforts. The next morning, work continues, because the schedule is tight. The facade of the new extension must be finished before the first frost. “We don’t have much time, winter is just around the corner,” says Sigrüner. But he remains confident. With his experience and the know-how of his team, he is sure that they will master this challenge too.
Flexibility and patience are required
The work on the Schneefernerhaus is proof of the fine art of building under extreme conditions. Despite all the difficulties, the construction site is fully on schedule – a credit to people like Wolfgang Sigrüner, who push their limits every day to make the impossible possible. And when the final touches are done, they are left with the pride of having been part of a unique project on Germany's highest mountain.
