On 2.7.2022, we were able to make the following observations on Oberaargletscher, among others:
Oberaar glacier on 2 July 2022
The Oberaar glacier was already heavily depleted on 2 July 2022. This is a very poor starting position for the Oberaar glacier for the upcoming summer months.
Glacier gate of the Oberaar glacier on 2 July 2022, approx. 9:30 a.m.
The glacier gate of the Oberaar glacier was of considerable size on 2 July 2022. The alpinists who entered the cave behind the glacier gate serve as a size comparison.
Glacier gate of the Oberaar glacier on 2 July 2022, approx. 1:25 p.m.
Around 1 p.m., masses of ice came loose from the ceiling of the glacier gate, which fell into the glacier stream with a loud roar and broke into ice floes. Some of the ice floes were washed out of the glacier gate by the glacier stream. See photo below (section on meltwater).
As the two photos show, it is not a very good idea to enter the cave behind the glacier gate on a hot summer day.
The two photos also show well how the discharge has increased sharply during the day.
Dead ice and glacier gate on 2 July 2022
The dead ice on the southern side of the Oberaar glacier has continued to melt in front of the glacier gate, receding and flattening.
am 2. Juli 2022
Further on towards Oberaarsee, the dead ice is covered with lots of boulders and scree. The impressive erosion trench can be seen in the background.
Signs of decay on the glacier tongue of Oberaargletscher on 2 July 2022.
The northern half of the glacier tongue shows clear signs of decay, such as small caves leading into the side of the glacier. Further holes and small crevasses.
Meltwater on the Oberaar glacier on 2 July 2022.
A lot of meltwater flowed on the surface of the glacier on 2 July 2022. The photo shows meltwater flowing through a small crevasse into the interior of the glacier.
Ice floes in the glacial stream on 2 July 2022.
After the break-off of ice masses from the ceiling of the glacier gate described above, ice floes were transported by the glacier stream towards Lake Oberaar.
Discharge on 2 July 2022, approx. 2 p.m.
The runoff volumes were impressive to threatening.