We visited the Rhone Glacier on 29. July 2024, around a month later than in previous years.
After the snowy winter of 2023/24, there was more snow than in previous years and various mountain trails in the Rhone glacier area were closed for several weeks following the storms on 29./30 June 2024.
Largely depleted Rhone Glacier on 29 July 2024.
Section of the Rhone Glacier changing direction at approx. 2600m above sea level on 29 July 2024.
Eastern part of the proglacial glacial lake on 29 July 2024.
Western part of the proglacial glacial lake on 29 July 2024.
The glacial lake, which was formed in 2007, has now reached a considerable size. It is currently around 550 metres long (W-E direction) and up to 400 metres wide (N-S direction). Source: Measurement on orthophoto (map.admin.ch).
Rhone Glacier: Transition lake - glacier on 29 July 2024.
Legende:
1) A year ago, the collapse structure was located at this point. The level of the lake in front of the former collapse structure is slightly higher than that of the large proglacial lake.
2) Glacier ice covered with tile. The ice grotto may be built on this site in 2025.
3) There is probably still glacial ice under the sand.
4) The ice grotto is at the bottom left outside the photo.
Rhone Glacier: Remains of the collapse structure on 29.7.2024.
Rhone Glacier: Sand-covered glacier ice and remains of the collapse structure on 29.7.2024.
Rhone Glacier: Glacier ice covered with sand in the proglacial lake on 29.7.2024.
Rhone Glacier: Glacier ice covered with sand in the proglacial lake on 29.7.2024, detail.
The ice floes shown below probably broke off in the area of the glacier ice covered with sand.
Ice floe covered with sand on 29.7.2024.
Ice floe with blank, magically colored surface on 29.7.2024.
Part of an ice floe with a blank, magically colored surface on 29.7.2024.
Ice grotto on 29.7.2024.
As in 2022 and 2023, the ice grotto is 100% in the ice that is not above the lake. The covers have made it possible to operate the ice grotto again this year.
Rhone Glacier: Boulders at the edge of the glacier on July 29, 2024.
On the orographic left edge of the glacier are numerous boulders that have slid down the steep flank of the moraine.
Rhone glacier discharge on 29.7.2024.
The discharge volumes on 29.7.2024 were once again impressive.
Temperatures:
Temperatures in the Belvedere area (approx. 2280m above sea level):
- 13° at 8 a.m.
- 19° at 12 o'clock
Zero degree line: 4700m above sea level (forecast by MeteoSwiss)
The previous seven days the zero degree line was between 3900 and 4400m above sea level, on average at 4130m above sea level.