Current measurements in the Alps of Austria and Switzerland indicate that the glaciers are melting even more than in the record summer of 2003 – and this also increases the risk of rockfalls and ice falls.
Since the beginning of July, due to the small proportion of snow-covered areas, the glaciers already look the same as in extreme years at the end of the melt in mid to late September.
Normally, at altitudes above 3,000 meters, we still find about two meters of snow at this time of summer. This is far different this year. Stone chips are therefore pre-programmed.
This means that you have to be extremely careful during hikes.
Hopefully it’s not too late to save our glaciers!