Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Root Glacier









What are you boys doing way down there? 
Throwing rock in the moulin by chance?



This is an excellent sample of glacier mice.

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Below from the Science Nordic article:

Egg-shaped moss balls occur on some glaciers throughout the world, mostly documented in Iceland, North and South America and the Himalaya.

They form when moss begins to establish around a clast (sediments) lying on the glacier surface. The moss continues to grow and insulates the glacier surface, resulting in the moss becoming elevated on a pedestal as the surrounding ice melts. Eventually, the moss falls from this pedestal and may be transported on by wind.

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We spent the entire day out on Root Glacier exporting with our guides from St. Elias Alpine Guides and four other tourists.  It was a perfect day with some sunshine, a few drops of rain, and a warm breeze blowing over the glacier.  We could not have asked for a better day to adventure on a glacier!


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