I am glad that I have neither a fear of heights (acrophobia) nor of closed-in spaces (claustrophobia) or I might not have enjoyed my ride last week on the Laben Bergbahn, a small cable car in Oberammergau, Germany. The little gondola cars (I think that is what they are called) took us up a steep slope that rose from 900m to 1684 meters (2952 feet to 5525 ft). A plaque in the car says it holds 11 people, but they would have to be really little people for that to be true.
Halfway up the mountain, there was a stop, leaving the car swinging a little in the breeze. The sign in the second image below was of only minor comfort as we waited and waited to start moving again—it seemed like we were hanging there for a really long time.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Ha – I’m not sure that sign would be much comfort at all. I don’t mind those things as long as they’re moving.
Better you than me!
Acrophobia and claustrophobia would not be an issue, but the stopping and swinging makes me nauseous just thinking about it! I also do not think that I would like to share the space with 11 people, that could be problematic. Great photos, it looks as though you had a wonderful trip. Thank-you!
Ha! I have both a fear of heights (fairly severe) and a fear of small, enclosed spaces (not quite as severe) so gondola rights have always been a serious challenge for me. I don’t want my kids to miss out on experiences so I steel myself and push through it for their sakes but I cannot claim to enjoy those journeys.
Wow. The things that parents do for the sake of their kids. 🙂
I draw the line at clowns. They’ve never been to a circus for that reason.