On 26.9.2023, we made the following observations, among others, from the western moraine of the Rhone glacier:
Glacier terminus, ice grotto and proglacial lake from the west moraine of Rhonegletscher on 26.9.2023.
The glacier tongue has continued to flatten and retreat.
See also repeat photos from
location 11.
Tongue of the Rhone glacier with collapse structure and covers from the western moraine on 26.9.2023.
Accumulation area of the Rhone glacier from the western moraine on 26.9.2023.
The accumulation zone of the Rhonegletscher was on 26.9.2023 either snow-free up to high altitudes or only covered by a few centimetres of fresh snow, which had fallen a few days before.
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See also repeat photos of
location 16
Rock islands in the accumulation zone of the Rhone glacier from the western moraine on 26.9.2023.
A few rock islands have formed in the middle area of the Rhone glacier. Such rock islands accelerate the melting of the surrounding glacier ice.
Ice cave and covers on Rhonegletscher from the West Moraine on 26.9.2023.
Under the covers on the right is this year's ice grotto. This ice has completely lost contact with the glacier. The remaining covers have been removed.
Under the covers on the left, the ice grotto may be created for the coming year. The ice under these covers has not yet lost contact with the glacier ice.
Collapse structure in the tongue of the Rhone glacier on 26.9.2023.
The collapse structure has continued to grow in size and is now only surrounded by a little ice, at least towards the front. Inside the collapse structure, a polished rock (= glacial polish) can be seen.
Bar of the lake from the western moraine of the Rhone glacier on 26.9.2023.
From the western moraine of the Rhone Glacier, it is easy to see that the bar contains several streamlined glacial humps arranged in a row. These are probably so-called drumlins.
It is hard to imagine the forces these rock humps had to withstand.
Weather: Very nice and mild late summer weather.
Temperature: 15° on the West Moraine at 12 o'clock.
On the shrinking Rhone Glacier, you are still moving in a magnificent mountain landscape!
The only downer is the unnatural, widely audible noise caused by the numerous motorbikes and overpowered sports cars as they travel over the Furka Pass and Grimsel Pass.