Giétro Glacier, Valley glacier in Valais, Switzerland
Giétro Glacier is a valley glacier nestled between the peaks of Mont Blanc de Cheilon and La Ruinette, spreading across several kilometers of high terrain. It feeds into Lake Mauvoisin and supplies water to the Dranse de Bagnes river system that flows through the valleys below.
The glacier formed over thousands of years as snow accumulated and ice moved through the valleys. In 1818, a sudden release of water from the glacier caused significant damage downstream, marking a turning point in how people understood the power of glacial systems.
The name Giétro comes from the local Valais dialect and refers to mountain shelters in this region. Locals still use this term when talking about the various huts and refuges scattered across the landscape.
Reaching the glacier requires mountain hiking and proper gear, as the terrain is steep and conditions can change quickly. Summer months offer the safest and clearest views of the ice, though visitors should be prepared for sudden weather shifts.
The lower section of the glacier features remarkably steep slopes that create a dramatic pattern of crevasses and frozen fractures across its surface. This jagged landscape reveals the intense motion beneath, showing how quickly the ice shifts and flows downhill.
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