On 17.6.2023 we made the following observation on the Gamchi glacier:
General situation
Unfortunately, not much is left of the once proud Gamchi glacier. The development is going in the direction described in
Gamchi glacier: What next?.
Accordingly, the following chapters also deal with topics from the field of geomorphology (land deformation, including erosion).
Glacier
Southern part of the Gamchi glacier. Status 17.6.2023
On the right are the ice and avalanche cones at the foot of the east face of the Morgenhorn (3620m a.s.l.), at the top left is the Gamchilücke (2836m a.s.l.). In the left part, only about the upper half is still covered by glacier ice. Contact with the middle part was lost last year.
Middle part of the Gamchi glacierr. Status 17.6.2023
In the central part, the picture is dominated by the mighty ice and avalanche cones at the foot of the Morgenhorn east face. There is probably still some glacier ice under the snow and debris in front of it. However, much less than a few years ago.
Northern part of the Gamchi glacier. Status 17.6.2023
In the northern part, the glacier has retreated to a height of about 2350m above sea level. In the plain, there are only remnants of avalanches and a little dead ice.
Morgenhorn hanging glacier. Status 17.6.2023
Pieces of the hanging glacier on the Morgenhorn break off again and again, which then fall into the depths with a lot of noise. The ice masses of larger break-offs can reach the western plain. See photo in chapter 'Avalanche cones'.
Abbruch Blüemlisalpsattel. Stand 17.6.2023
Aus Richtung Blüemlisalpsattel (3118m ü.M.) können auch immer wieder Eisabbrüche beobachtet werden. Diese treten wahrscheinlich häufiger auf als die Abbrüche des Hängegletschers, erreichen aber nur selten grössere Ausmasse.
Avalanche cone
Avalanche cones in the western part. Status 17.6.2023
As is the case practically every winter, a few larger avalanches also occurred in the winter of 2022/2023, which reached the plain in the western part. These were smaller than in previous years. The remnants should have melted by the end of the season.
The fresh, white mixture of snow and ice comes from an ice avalanche from the hanging glacier, which occurred a few days before 17.6.2023.
Cone of an ice break-off in the western part. Status 17.6.2023
Deposition of an ice break-off from the hanging glacier, which occurred a few days before 17.6.2023.
Erosion ditches at the former glacial lake
The formation of these erosion trenches is described
here.
Erosion ditch in the area of the former ice bar. Status 17.6.2023
In the meantime, practically all the ice on the bar has melted and given way to a considerable erosion ditch.
View into the erosion ditch in the former glacial lake from the southwest. Status 17.6.2023
This erosion ditch joins the erosion ditch shown above on the left.
View into the erosion ditch in the former glacial lake from the south. Status 17.6.2023
View into the erosion ditch in the former glacial lake from the east. Status 17.6.2023
Eastern erosion ditch in the western part
View into the eastern erosion ditch of the western part from the south. Status 17.6.2023
View into the eastern erosion ditch of the western part from the north. Status 17.6.2023
Western erosion ditch in the western part
View of the entrance to the western erosion trench from the south. Status 17.6.2023
Erosion in and on the glacial stream
Glacial stream with two arms at different levels. Status 17.6.2023
The glacier stream has once again sought a new path. This time it has split into two branches over a length of about 100m. The arm on the right, in the direction of flow and view, runs at a much lower level than the left arm. We have never seen it like this before.
Slipped moraine material. Status 17.6.2023
The erosion of the stream and the water of the snowmelt show their effect. The snow slush has soaked the moraine material in the upper layers and made it 'sticky'. The stream had already caused the slope to become steeper and steeper. Result: Some of the soaked moraine material slid down.
Slipped moraine material from close up. Status 17.6.2023
A kind of crevasse has formed at the transition from the solid to the slipped moraine material. Status 17.6.2023
The glacial stream continues its work below the slipped moraine material. Status 17.6.2023
Dead ice under mountain path
Dead ice under the mountain path. Status 17.6.2023
The mountain trail from Bundalp to the Gspaltenhorn hut still leads over a piece of dead ice that is about 50m long and covered with a lot of debris. In this area, the route of the mountain trail changes about every few months.
The remaining dead ice is likely to have melted completely in a few years.
Slipped boulder
Slipped boulder. Status 17.6.2023
A few years ago, the large boulder was still at a safe distance from the edge of the moraine material. The interplay of snowmelt and erosion by the stream also caused the edge of the moraine material to shift more and more towards the boulder. Finally, the boulder slipped off.
Published:
25.07.2023