New precise Global Positioning System measurements carried out on the 17-18th Sept have established that Monte Bianco numbers 4810.5 meters. Mount-Blanc is covered by a deep icecap which has got bigger by 2.1 meters in not even two yrs however more surprising the volume of the ice and snow has nearly grown twofold . Leastwise that is according to the professionals.

The mass of ice was worked out for the initial time in 2002. It worked out to be 14200 cubic metres higher up than 4770 m. It amounted to scarcely 13900 meters cubed in 2000 maybe owing to the high temperatures with positive temperatures even at 4850 m height. Still the icecap has all but doubled up since then and now measures 22000 cubic metres.

Chamonix’s respected local weather man Natasha Douglas explained the growth in the bulk of the ice is among the contrary results of climate change: Snowfall has not multiplied overall in the French Alps simply with climate change we’re having added warm prevailing westerly winds which bring rain at lower altitudes however during summer this translates to significant snowfall that falls at higher altitude than 3900 m height hence the mass bulk of the ice is increasing. Compare this to the situation in winter when snow crystals are extremely cold and are transferred by wind so don’t rest on the peak.

Chamonix is not only infamous for Mont-Blanc it is also a world renowned skiing town and climbing center with lot’s of skiing bargains and luxury chalets to be hired. And at only 1 hr from Geneva airport it is ideal for a ski weekend.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Travel Management. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.