Rhine Glacier, Alpine glacier in Uri Canton, Switzerland
Rhine Glacier is an alpine glacier in Uri Canton that flows through terrain carved into dramatic slopes and jagged ridges. The ice mass feeds the headwaters of the Rhine River and occupies a prominent position in the mountain landscape above 2,500 meters.
This glacier formed during the last ice age and its movement carved the valleys and slopes that define the central Swiss landscape today. The retreating ice shaped waterways and terrain features that remain visible throughout the region.
The glacier holds significance in Swiss mountain traditions, with local communities maintaining records of its changes through generations of alpine farming families.
Access requires hiking from mountain stations through alpine terrain and demands proper mountaineering equipment and glacier experience. Weather conditions shift rapidly at this elevation, making preparation and awareness of local conditions important for any visit.
Measurement markers placed at the glacier track its position over many decades, revealing a pattern of steady ice loss that can be observed directly during visits. This site serves as a natural laboratory for understanding how climate shifts affect alpine ice.
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