Fedchenko Glacier, Glacier in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.
Fedchenko Glacier spreads across about 77 kilometers through the Pamir Mountains, making it the longest glacier system outside the polar regions. The ice covers steep mountain slopes at high elevations and links several snow-capped peaks together.
Explorers first documented the glacier's full extent during an expedition in the 1920s, mapping its route through the mountains. This journey contributed to early scientific understanding of Central Asia's remote high-altitude regions.
The name honors a Russian explorer who traveled through Central Asia during the 1800s to study its remote landscapes. People throughout the world recognize this name when discussing major glacier systems.
Visitors reach the glacier through established routes where temperatures stay well below freezing and elevations exceed 4000 meters (13,000 feet). Proper gear for extreme cold and high altitude is essential for anyone planning to explore this environment.
The glacier holds a vast amount of water frozen in place, serving as a major source for river systems across the region. Without this frozen reservoir, many valleys and lowlands downstream would receive far less water.
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