On 29.9.2023, we made the following observations on the Sidelen Glacier, among others:
Sidelen Glacier on 29.9.2023.
Unsurprisingly, the Sidelengletscher has lost a lot of ice since our last visit in 2015. The prominent rock tower in the centre of the picture is called Hannibalturm (2881m). It is very popular with alpine climbers.
See also repeat photos from the Sidelen Glacier
location 1.
Western part of the Sidelen Glacier on 29.9.2023.
The western part of the Sidelengletscher ends in a glacier tongue covered with a lot of debris and curved to the west.
Eastern part of the Sidelen Glacier on 29.9.2023.
The eastern part of the Sidelen Glacier has lost a lot of mass at the edge of the Hannibal Tower. The rock slabs are heated by direct sunlight. This accelerates the melting of the ice at the edge of the glacier.
Dead ice in front of the Sidelen Glacier on 29.9.2023.
The ice in front of the Hannibal Tower has largely lost contact with the glacier. What remains is dead ice covered with a lot of debris. A small lake has formed in front of the dead ice.
Boulders in gully and small lake in front of Sidelengletscher on 29.9.2023.
Detail of the transition area of the western part of the glacier to the dead ice.
Two people can be seen to the left of the red dots.
To the right of the two red dots, large boulders are piled up in a gully. These boulders have slid into this gully from the tongue of the western part of the glacier.
It is not yet possible to say how the lake will evolve. It is possible that a larger lake will form. But it is also possible that there is still ice under the boulders in front of the lake and that the lake will disappear as soon as this ice has melted.
Alluvial plain in front of the Sidelengletscher on 29.9.2023.
A beautiful alluvial plain has formed southwest of the Sidelen Glacier.
Kamel (2937m) in front of lenticular clouds on 29.9.2023.
In the surroundings of the Sidelen Glacier is the rock formation Kamel (2937m, centre of picture). This Kamel is also popular with alpine climbers. On 29.9.2023 the Kamel was presented to us in front of great shaped lenticular clouds.