On 20.07.2024 we were able to make the following observations on the Kanderfirn and in the Gasteretal (Bernese Alps):
Kanderfirn at a glance. Situation on 20.7.2024.
The glacier tongue has again become flatter and a little shorter.
View over the Kanderfirn towards Mutthorn. Situation on 20.7.2024.
The small valley on the south side of the glacier is becoming more pronounced from year to year. The remnants of snow in the valley indicate the snowy winter of 2023/24.
View of the Kanderfirn glacier tongue and the proglacial lakes. Situation on 20.8.2024.
On
3.7.2023 the ice still reached as far as the yellow dots.
Northern proglacial lake. Situation on 20.7.2024.
The northern proglacial lake is partly bordered to the east by a rock bar. To the right of the yellow dots, water flows from the glacier over the rock bar into the lake. Above the orange dots, water can be seen under the ice. At this point, the lake will expand further to the east.
On 20. July 2024, a lot of meltwater flowed down again. This was certainly also because there was more snow at higher altitudes than in previous years.
Kanderfirn: Branch of the glacier stream, which flows down west of Pt. 2642. Photo from 20.7.2024.
Kanderfirn: Erosion glacier stream. Photo from 20.7.2024.
The large amount of meltwater in recent years coupled with a few heavy precipitation events has led to severe erosion. This includes the mountain stream that flows down to the west of Pt. 2642.
Gasteretal: Erosion trench in front of escarpment. Photo from 20.7.2024.
This erosion trench has changed considerably since our last visit on 3. July 2023. The left-hand, approx. 4 m high wall of boulders, rubble and sand did not exist at that time.
The permafrost is probably disappearing in the area of the yellow dot. For several years, some very large boulders have been falling from there and thundering down into the valley. A few years ago, such boulders (presumably as part of a debris flow) broke through the southern lateral moraine (= orange dot), which resulted in the relocation of the mountain path.
Breached lateral moraine. Photo from 20.7.2024.
The yellow dots indicate the course of the crest of the lateral moraine. The missing section of the lateral moraine has considerable dimensions and is clearly visible on the orthophotos from SwissTopo (map.admin.ch), for example, along with two smaller breakthroughs. See
here.
Permafrost disappears and leads to rockfalls. Photo from 20.7.2024.
The boulders break out of the light gray area of the mountain and tumble down into the valley. The rock is layered downwards. The disappearing permafrost causes the rocks to lose stability and fall.
Course of the erosion trench from the side. Photo from 20.7.2024.
Legend:
At the red point is the zone with unstable rocks.
At the orange point, the moraine has been breached.
At the green point, boulders, debris and sand are deposited in the bed of the Kander, forcing the Kander to swerve to the left (direction of view). The photo below shows the consequences.
Erosion as a result of sedimentation in the Kander. Photo from 20.7.2024.
As a result of the deposition of boulders, debris and sand in the riverbed, the Kander has had to find a new path. This has led to erosion on the northern side of the valley.
Gasteretal: Dead spruce trees. Photo from 20.7.2024.
Until 28.7.2022, the spruces in the foreground stood in an alpine meadow. On 28.7.2022, the alpine pasture was completely covered with debris and sand during a heavy rainfall event. The bark of the spruce trees was probably so badly damaged that they have now died. See also observations from
11.8.2022.
Gasteretal: Kander unterhalb der Hängebrücke. Foto vom 20.7.2024.
Temperature: 15° at 11:15 am at 2400m above sea level in the area of the glacier.
Source: Thermometer set up in the shade.
Zero degree limit: 4000m above sea level
The previous seven days the zero degree limit was between 3300 and 4400m above sea level, on average at 3970m above sea level.