Furtwängler Glacier, Alpine glacier on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Furtwängler Glacier sits near Kilimanjaro's summit at approximately 5,800 meters elevation, though its area continues to shrink over time. The ice formation occupies the upper reaches of the mountain and is surrounded by snow-covered rock.
The glacier takes its name from Walter Furtwängler, who in 1912 completed the first ski descent from Kilimanjaro's peak with Siegfried König. This achievement marked an important moment in high-altitude mountaineering history.
This glacier stands as one of Africa's few remaining ice formations, showing how extreme altitude transforms the landscape. Visitors notice how ice persists near the equator despite the region's tropical climate.
The glacier is only accessible to experienced mountaineers who undertake the long ascent to Kilimanjaro's summit. Conditions at this elevation are extremely cold and windy, so proper warm gear and thorough preparation are essential.
Scientists discovered a large hole in the glacier's center in 2006, which expanded and split the ice formation into two separate sections. This change illustrates how rapidly the structure transforms due to warming conditions.
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