Climate change makes climbing in high mountains more dangerous

Moving from glaciers to rocks in many high-altitude rides becomes a real challenge for mountain climbers. This was also confirmed by Tobias Heep of the German Alpine Club. Another danger as a result of climate change is the melting of ice in the high mountains. It holds the rock together like some kind of glue. It starts at an altitude of about 2,800 meters on the rocky north faces and about 3,400 meters on the south side. However, the name “permanent frost” is no longer correct. As temperatures rise, the permafrost thaws, too.

Falling rocks and falling rocks are becoming more frequent

Rock faces are becoming unstable as a result of rising temperatures, says Tobias Heep, who is responsible for Alpine spatial planning at the German Alpine Association (DAV). The rock becomes soft and brittle. DAV notes an increase in precipitation of rocks, and the sides of entire mountains are also becoming unstable, but classical rock precipitation from rock faces is also increasing. Tobias Hebb also had this experience as a mountaineer. Conditions change dramatically, especially in the high mountains.

Some rides are very dangerous

Tours especially in the high mountains towards Mont Blanc or the classic northern faces, collected by permafrost, are becoming more and more difficult. Tobias Hebb (DAV) says, because the lead times for such tours are getting shorter and shorter. You need lower temperatures, some classic climbing is no longer made because it’s too dangerous.

Open fissures and thin snow bridges

In addition to falling rocks and crevices, mountaineers also have to deal with difficult climbs to the huts. Franz Berchtold, the mountain guide of Ahlstadt, heard no good news from his colleagues in the Western Alps. Conditions there currently are the same as those normally found in August. The cracks are open and the snow bridges are very thin. Some fear that some of the huts may have to close as early as mid-July because some transfers will no longer be possible. There isn’t enough snow there either.

Climate change is visible in the mountains

Climate researchers have also announced the consequences of global warming. The temperature rises in the mountains is greater than in other regions. When the ice giants melt, mountaineers notice it on high rides. But the effects of climate change on our ecosystem are much more serious.