April/May: Lang Glacier

The Lang Glacier, situated at an altitude of 2,077 to 3,890 m asl and spanning 6.5 km*, is a valley glacier located in the Lötschental valley, in the southern Bernese Alps in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.

Positioned on the western side of the Lötschenlücke, it descends into the Lötschental valley. Since the mid-19th century, the glacier has retreated by approximately one kilometer.

The forefield of the Lang Glacier is easily accessible and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lötschenlücke is a high mountain pass, situated at an altitude of approximately 3,170 m asl. It lies between the Mittaghorn (around 3,892 m asl) to the northwest and the Sattelhorn (approximately 3,745 m asl) to the south.

This pass is a popular route for mountaineers, offering a connection from the Lötschental valley to Konkordiaplatz, located on the Great Aletsch Glacier.

The retreat of glaciers has profound consequences for both water supply and climate stability. As they melt, the climate in affected regions becomes increasingly unstable. In mountainous ecosystems like the Alps, glaciers provide unique habitats for specialized species of flora and fauna, whose loss poses a serious threat to biodiversity.

The landscape in the Alps is changing rapidly. The rise in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters due to climate change can significantly increase costs for communities worldwide, impacting economies and livelihoods. In Switzerland, there are already discussions about abandoning certain areas.

As rising global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions are driving the retreat of glaciers globally, urgent action is needed on both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

*Source: www.valais.ch