Sunday 24 April 2011

Three Weeks One Easter - Chamonix Retreating Ice

I have just returned from a joyous three weeks in France.  What was planned as an Easter holiday was in fact more like a summer holiday.  Daily temperatures were up in the mid to high 20's and the smaller resorts were closed.  There was a lack of good snow on the Grandes Montet except up high.  And even then under ski it was a dusting of powder on top of an icy basement.  All thoughts of skiing the Vallee Blanche disappeared when I saw the "dry" and rocky nature of the bottom half of the glacier.

All around was bare ice where normally there is snow cover.  And evidence of crevasses opening up where previously they did not exist.  I attach some photographic evidence.


Shrinking and collapsing Glacier Du Bossons


Chamonix Aiguilles



Bossons and Gouter


Classic view of Mont Blanc and icy Aiguilles Du Midi


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