Aneto Glacier, Largest glacier in Pyrenees, Benasque, Spain.
Aneto Glacier is the largest glacier in the Pyrenees, located on the northwestern slope of Mount Aneto at 3,404 meters elevation. The ice mass covers a broad expanse and reveals a landscape of snow, exposed rock faces, and deep crevasses.
This glacier formed during the last ice age roughly 18,000 years ago and was substantially larger in previous centuries. It has experienced significant melting and retreat over recent decades, losing both area and depth.
The Bureau des Guides de Luchon maintains records of mountaineering expeditions and provides documentation about the glacier's changes through generations.
Access requires mountaineering experience and solid physical fitness, as the route crosses steep slopes and rocky terrain. A guide is strongly recommended to navigate safely through this high-altitude environment.
This is one of Europe's southernmost glaciers, and its retreat clearly demonstrates climate change impacts on high mountain regions. The visible changes from year to year make the Pyrenees a living indicator of global warming.
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