Mike Thurk shot this photo during the Swiss National Day celebration on August 1st. Here, a bonfire rages above the Swiss village of Adelboden in a high alpine pasture called Engstligenalp.
Mike and his group of Via Alpina II hikers needed only to walk out the door of their mountain guest house to participate in this annual celebration. Mike said there was plenty of beer, brats, and revelry to go around. A fantastic fireworks display and a post-firework thunderstorm added a stunning finale to an already-perfect hiking day.