Gran Glaciar Norte, Ice cap on Pico de Orizaba mountain, Mexico.
Gran Glaciar Norte covers the highest reaches of Pico de Orizaba with an area of around 9 square kilometers, consisting of multiple separate ice formations. The glaciers span between 4,700 and 5,610 meters (15,400 and 18,400 feet) in elevation and feed various mountain streams.
The glacier has shrunk continuously since the early 1900s, documented through scientific measurements and historic photographs. This change reflects a long-term pattern of ice retreat in Mexico's highest mountains.
The glacier feeds river systems that local communities depend on, and mountain springs feature in local stories and water festivals. People in the region connect their daily routines and celebrations to water flowing down from this height.
The site sits at high altitude and requires good physical fitness and gear adapted for cold and thin air. Access is typically arranged through guided expeditions that match the technical demands of mountain climbing.
The glacier holds nine distinct ice formations, including the well-known Lengua del Chichimeco, and represents Mexico's largest concentration of permanent ice. This variety of glacier types on a single peak is uncommon for the region.
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