Karl Tisch, a 55-year-old hobby photographer known locally as 'Schneeberg Karl,' has published his second book featuring the Schneeberg mountain in Lower Austria. The new publication, titled 'The [Snow] Mountain - In the Change of Seasons,' contains 270 pages and nearly 800 photographs, all taken by Tisch himself. The book was released on October 30, 2025, marking the first volume in a series focusing on spring and summer seasons.
Tisch serves multiple roles in his community at the foot of Schneeberg mountain in the Neunkirchen district. In addition to his photography passion, he works as a weather and avalanche reporter for the state of Lower Austria and serves as operations leader for the mountain rescue service in Puchberg. His deep connection to the mountain and surrounding areas provides him with unique access to document the region's natural beauty and seasonal changes throughout the year.
The photographer's latest work comprehensively captures life and activity on Schneeberg from spring through summer. The book includes documentation of track milling operations that allow the cog railway to resume service, the seasonal opening of mountain huts, and alpine farming activities. Tisch also incorporated his observations of mountaineering during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a unique historical perspective on how the mountain community adapted during challenging times.
The publication covers various aspects of mountaineering culture and practices specific to Schneeberg, offering readers insight into the local climbing community and traditions. Additionally, the book features the Krummbachstein area in the Wiener Neustadt district, which Tisch describes as a subsidiary peak of Schneeberg. His comprehensive approach ensures that readers gain a complete understanding of the mountain ecosystem and human activity throughout the warmer months.
All nearly 800 images in the book were personally captured by Tisch, including stunning sunrise and sunset photographs that showcase the mountain's dramatic lighting conditions. His dedication to documenting every aspect of mountain life is evident in the breadth of subjects covered, from technical railway operations to the subtle beauty of alpine landscapes during seasonal transitions.
This latest publication builds upon Tisch's first book, 'The [Snow] Mountain - Impressions, Experiences, Traditions,' which focused on the historical aspects of Schneeberg dating back to the 18th century. That earlier work covered the development of mountain huts, memorial stones, and the evolution of skiing in the region, establishing Tisch as a serious documenter of local mountain culture and history.
Looking ahead, Tisch is already planning the next installment in his mountain documentation series. The upcoming volume will focus on autumn and winter seasons, completing the annual cycle of Schneeberg's natural rhythms. However, readers will need to wait approximately two years for this final volume, as Tisch continues his meticulous approach to capturing and curating the mountain's seasonal transformations.
