srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

As we reached the northern end of the Upper Rhone Valley, we were treated to spectacular views of the Rhone Glacier. All of these images were taken through the tour bus windows.

The Rhône Glacier (German: Rhonegletscher, Walliser German: Rottengletscher, French: glacier du Rhône, Italian: ghiacciaio del Rodano) is a glacier in the Swiss Alps and the source of the river Rhône and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the Swiss canton of Valais. Because the glacier is located close to the Furka Pass road it is easily accessible.

The Rhône Glacier is the largest glacier in the Urner Alps. It lies on the south side of the range at the source of the Rhône. The Undri Triftlimi (3,081 m) connects it to the Trift Glacier. The glacier is located on the northernmost part of the canton of Valais, between the Grimsel Pass and the Furka Pass and is part of the Oberwald municipality. The Dammastock (3,630 m) is the highest summit above the glacier.

The Rhône Glacier is easily accessible so its evolution is observed since the 19th century. The glacier lost ~1300 m during the last 120 years leaving behind a track of naked stone.

Slowing the retreat
For several years, UV-resistant fleecy white blankets have been installed during the warm periods, covering about 5 acres of the retreating glacier to reduce its melting. It's estimated that this effort reduces the melting by up to 70%. In addition to the global implications of increasing climate warming and instability, the local economy is at risk of losing business income from glacier tourists who have flocked to the area since 1870 to walk through "a long and winding ice grotto with glistening blue walls and a leaky ceiling"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh%C3%B4ne_Glacier


For more images of the Upper Rhone Valley, please see my previous posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-710027-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-710252-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-710562-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-710784-1.html

As always, please try the downloads.
Mark

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Many streams flowing into the Rhone are fed by the glacier

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angler Loc: StHelens England

Another superb set Mark.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Nice set Mark. Hate it when your bus doesn’t stop to give passengers a chance to really appreciate view.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Really rugged country.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

These are impressive, Mark.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks so much Jim. I always appreciate your kind comments.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks Bill.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks George. I agree but on the tour, they definitely make photo stops along the way.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks for commenting Barbara. It certainly is rugged up there but we drove through some serene valleys to get there.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks very much Elliott.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Another excellent set, Mark. #1 is my show stopper pick.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Beautiful set, Mark. How do you get such great stuff through glass?

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks so much Mike. My favorite as well. The color of the ice was really dramatic from that angle.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks very much Ken. The Swiss keep their bus windows clean which is most important and I try and spot focus toward the farthest 1/3 of the scene. In the final analysis, it'd pretty much luck!