Glacier du Trient - Switzerland
N 46° 01.469 E 007° 01.182
32T E 346729 N 5098674
A glacier in the Valais province of Switzerland near the border with Italy.
Waymark Code: WMEGV
Location: Valais, Switzerland
Date Posted: 06/09/2006
Views: 68
This is one of many glaciers in the Swiss Alps. The morphology of this glacier has been recorded since 1800.
Between 1865 and 1893, before modern refrigeration solutions were invented, the lower edge of the glacier was "quarried" and the ice exported to the large cities of Lyon, Paris, and Marseille.
During this time the workers reduced the length of the glacier by a meter every day. However, by night, the glacier advanced by as much and regained its original length as it was in a growth period.
There is a snack bar in the vicinity at N46° 01.981' E7° 00.502'. Although the above coordinates locate a spot as close to the glacier as can be safely reached by foot, the best view of it is actually to be had from the snack bar. As you approach the glacier the retaining ridge of rock in front progressively blocks the view of the glacier. In 1850 the glacier had grown down the valley as far as the snack bar, but today has retreated about a kilometer up the valley.
In June, 2006, the lower edge of the glacier was at about N46° 01.272' E7° 01.460'
As of June, 2006, attempting to get within arms reach of the glacier is not advised unless you are a suitably equipped and experienced technical climber.
A popular way to reach this point is by parking at La Forclaz (N46° 03.470' E7° 00.100') and walking along the level hiking path which runs along an old irrigation canal. The hike from there to the snack bar takes about 50 minutes.
Mountain / landmass name: Plateau du Trient (Swiss Alps)
Glacier type: ice
Parking / trail head / boat launch:
Col de Forclaz
Final access method: Hiking trail
Safe viewing location: N 46° 01.469 W 007° 01.182
Photograph submitted: yes
Park name (if any): Not listed
Travel time (approximate): Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
To log an existing waymark, you must post a photograph of you and the glacier [TAKEN FROM A SAFE LOCATION], and describe briefly how you arrived there.