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Something I've been thinking on, how safe is it to walk on a glacier that is completely covered by rocks/boulders?

BrunoM wrote:Something I've been thinking on, how safe is it to walk on a glacier that is completely covered by rocks/boulders?

The only thing that ever happened to me when doing it was the following on my hands and knees.


and had I been a less... over-energetic person, it wouldn't have happened anyway

WouterB wrote:

BrunoM wrote:Something I've been thinking on, how safe is it to walk on a glacier that is completely covered by rocks/boulders?

The only thing that ever happened to me when doing it was the following on my hands and knees.


and had I been a less... over-energetic person, it wouldn't have happened anyway

Do you shave your legs or something?

Aren't my legs obviously, just making a point... .

WouterB wrote:Aren't my legs obviously, just making a point... .

how would we know that those are not your legs??? You posted a picture of some feminine shaved legs, not me. It lead me to the conclusion that they might be your legs...

Apart from it being female legs, you couldn't know. That's why I'm telling you now

This thread is hilarious.

If you get blisters on your knees from doing it, try another position.


(sorry, that's not my normal personality speaking.)

rdesota wrote:This thread is hilarious.

I can't stop laughing!

LMAO!!

BrunoM wrote:Something I've been thinking on, how safe is it to walk on a glacier that is completely covered by rocks/boulders?

Could be safer than no boulders (unless there's constant rockfall). If there are any snow bridges that hold the heavy boulders, they will most likely hold you as well.

What glacier were you thinking about? I don't think there are too many that are completely covered by rocks. There's usually only the tricky moraine to deal with before you reach the glacier. Those can be a little hard on ankles and knees, so you have to negotiate it carefully.

Some glaciers that I know in the Ecrins, most of the times it's the lower part/runout that's covered in rocks.

BrunoM wrote:Some glaciers that I know in the Ecrins, most of the times it's the lower part/runout that's covered in rocks.

In that case, I don't think it should be a huge issue apart from the fact that the rocks and boulders might be unstable. Since the glacier is probably pretty thin at its runout, falling in a deep crevasse sounds unlikely. Moats however, where the glacier is moving alongside a rock wall can be very deep.

Anyway, I'm definitely not the expert but I'm actually reading a book on glacier travel right now

BrunoM wrote:Some glaciers that I know in the Ecrins, most of the times it's the lower part/runout that's covered in rocks.

If you're talking about the moraine, bring a helmet as you cross. A partner of mine literally flew from an unstable boulder that was tipped. There is a really good chance he might have died without a helmet, as he smacked his head full force on another rock upon landing. Moraines at glaciers' bases are frequently a bunch of loose, unstable, unbalanced rocks just waiting to find equilibrium (read: shift, as soon as you release it).

Diggler wrote: A partner of mine literally flew from an unstable boulder that was tipped.

The ability to fly is a plus in such terrain.