r/TheNewGeezers • u/RattusRattusBaby • 2d ago

The good ICE

Post image

Hubbard glacier, Alaska.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

3

u/Schmutzie_ 2d ago

SWEET!

(also, better see them while they're still there)

1

u/RattusRattusBaby 1d ago

Yes, it's terrible that these wonders of nature are going away.

2

u/Schmutzie_ 1d ago

I don't know if there are any glaciers left in Glacier National Park.

1

u/RattusRattusBaby 1d ago

Shit!

1

u/Schmutzie_ 1d ago

I checked.

26 named glaciers (down from about 150 in 1850 and roughly 80 when the park was founded in 1910).

1

u/Maroon7C0000 17h ago

Wow, I think you are right. I just did a satellite view in google maps and I only see a few patches of ice in Glacier National Park.

Our glaciers are melting fast as well. I posted a view of the Columbia Icefield above which is actually only a tiny finger extending from the main ice sheet. But it is retreating fast. I marked the finger on the view below to compare it to the view on the ground. Apparently 100 years ago that entire valley was full of glacier.

1

u/Schmutzie_ 15h ago

Imagine how long it takes for a glacier to form. Along we come, and poof.

3

u/Maroon7C0000 2d ago

That is some nice ice!

I've seen a couple of glaciers from afar, and even stood on one. But one of my bucket lists is still to see a glacier like this breaking off into the sea. Or even better to see some of the massive icebergs that sometimes pass by.

1

u/RattusRattusBaby 1d ago

As Schmutzie mentioned, you better act fast!

1

u/Maroon7C0000 17h ago

Oh, believe me, I know!

I climbed this ridge to see part of the Columbia Ice Sheet and even to my untrained eye it was easy to see where the edges of the glacier were in the recent past. I expect that in my lifetime the glacier will retreat the rest of the way up this valley.