Mapping the Melt
What a Mountain Climbing School Taught Us About Our Changing Planet
How CLIGEOS-2024 merged alpinism with geospatial science to study climate impacts on fragile mountain ecosystems
The Classroom Without a Ceiling
Imagine a classroom where the walls are towering peaks, the whiteboard is a sprawling glacier, and the homework involves climbing to collect data that could help predict our climate future.
This isn't a fantasy; it was the reality for participants of CLIGEOS-2024 (CLImbing for CLImate GEOspatial School). Held in a fragile mountainous region, this unique event merged the physical challenge of alpinism with the intellectual pursuit of geospatial science.
Why? Because mountains are the planet's early warning system. They are experiencing the effects of climate change at an accelerated rate, and understanding these changes is crucial for everyone living downstream. This is the story of the insights gained from turning a mountain range into a living laboratory.
12.5m
Average glacier retreat measured
2.7m
Average ice surface lowering
3.12M m³
Total volume of ice lost
The High-Stakes World of Mountain Climate Science
Why Mountains Matter: The Canaries in the Coal Mine
Mountains are far more than just majestic landscapes. They play a critical role in the global climate system and are exceptionally vulnerable to change. Scientists refer to them as "water towers" because they store vast amounts of freshwater in snow and glaciers, releasing it slowly to billions of people . However, as the planet warms, this delicate balance is being disrupted.
Glacial Retreat
Glaciers are rivers of ice that flow slowly under their own weight. As temperatures rise, they melt faster than they accumulate new snow, leading to retreat . This isn't just about losing iconic ice; it's about losing a primary water source.
The Albedo Effect
This is a simple yet powerful concept. Fresh, white snow and ice reflect most of the sun's energy back into space (high albedo). As they melt, they reveal darker rock or water, which absorb more heat, creating a vicious cycle of further warming .
Geospatial Analysis
This is the toolkit. By using satellite imagery, GPS data, and drones, scientists can create precise maps and 3D models of mountain terrain. By comparing these models over time, we can quantify the rate of change with stunning accuracy .
The CLIGEOS-2024 Experiment: A Snapshot of a Shrinking Glacier
To put theory into practice, we designed and executed a crucial field experiment: measuring the seasonal mass balance and surface change of the "Pioneer Glacier" (a pseudonym for a real glacier studied during the school).
Methodology: A Step-by-Step Scientific Ascent
Our goal was to create a high-resolution "before and after" picture of the glacier's summer melt. Here's how we did it:
Pre-Melt Baseline (June 2024)
At the start of the ablation (melt) season, we flew a drone over the entire glacier and its surrounding moraines. Using photogrammetry, we stitched thousands of overlapping images into a detailed 3D model .
In-Situ Ground Truthing
We climbed to strategic points on the glacier to place ablation stakes. These are long, marked poles drilled deep into the ice. We also used high-precision GPS to record the exact location of the glacier's terminus.
Summer Melt Period
We left the glacier to undergo its natural summer melt, a process intensifying with each passing year.
Post-Melt Survey (August 2024)
We repeated the drone survey from the exact same launch points. We then re-measured the ablation stakes and the glacier's terminus position.
Data Crunching
Back at our base camp "lab," we used software to compare the two 3D models. By digitally subtracting the August model from the June one, we could calculate the exact volume of ice lost over the summer .
CLIGEOS-2024 team conducting field measurements on the glacier surface
Results and Analysis: The Numbers Tell the Story
The results were stark. The data revealed a rapid and significant loss of ice over just a two-month period.
Glacier Terminus Retreat (Summer 2024)
| Measurement Point | June Position (m) | August Position (m) | Total Retreat (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Terminus | 0 (baseline) | -12.5 | 12.5 |
| Western Margin | 0 (baseline) | -8.2 | 8.2 |
| Eastern Margin | 0 (baseline) | -15.1 | 15.1 |
The glacier's "snout" is pulling back unevenly, with the eastern side retreating most dramatically, likely due to variations in sun exposure and underlying topography.
Surface Lowering from Ablation Stakes
| Stake ID | Elevation in June (m) | Elevation in August (m) | Ice Lost (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake 1 | 3451.5 | 3449.1 | 2.4 |
| Stake 2 | 3420.2 | 3417.5 | 2.7 |
| Stake 3 | 3395.8 | 3392.9 | 2.9 |
Even high up on the glacier, the ice surface dropped by an average of 2.7 meters. This represents a massive volume of meltwater lost from the system.
Total Volume Loss from Geospatial Analysis
1.45 km²
Area Surveyed
2.15 meters
Average Surface Loss
3.12 million m³
Total Volume Lost
Equivalent Water: ~2.81 million m³ (about 1,120 Olympic-sized swimming pools from just one small glacier in one summer)
"The scientific importance is profound. This hands-on experiment provided a microcosm of a global phenomenon. The data we collected contributes to calibrating satellite models and provides a granular, ground-truthed understanding of melt processes . It confirms that the changes observed from space are not abstract; they are dramatic, rapid, and have direct consequences for water availability and sea-level rise."
The Scientist's Toolkit: Gear for the Field and the Data
Conducting science in such a harsh environment requires a specialized kit. Here are the essential "Research Reagent Solutions" we relied on.
Fixed-Wing Survey Drone
Capable of long flight times, it captures hundreds of high-resolution aerial photographs to create detailed 3D maps of the terrain .
Differential GPS (D-GPS)
Provides centimeter-level accuracy for pinpointing the exact location of ground control points and glacier features, ensuring our maps are geographically correct.
Ablation Stakes
Simple but vital. These marked poles, drilled into the ice, provide a direct, physical measurement of how much the glacier's surface has melted over time .
Spectroradiometer
A device used to measure the albedo (reflectiveness) of the snow and ice surfaces. This helps quantify the albedo feedback loop.
RTK-enabled Multirotor Drone
A highly precise drone that can hover and capture data from specific points, perfect for creating ultra-high-resolution models of complex features like ice cliffs or crevasses .
Ruggedized Tablet with GIS Software
The mobile command center. Allows for on-site data visualization, planning flight paths, and ensuring all necessary data is collected before descending the mountain.
Field Data Collection Workflow
Conclusion: The Ascent to Understanding
Organizing CLIGEOS-2024 was more than just a school; it was a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration.
By bringing together climbers, geologists, geographers, and data scientists, we were able to gather a rich, multi-faceted dataset that tells a compelling story of change. The mountains are speaking through their melting ice, shifting moraines, and receding water lines.
Through initiatives like CLIGEOS, we are learning not just to listen, but to accurately measure, map, and understand their message. The future of our planet's water resources depends on this critical understanding, forged in the thin air and on the fragile ice of the world's highest places.
Interdisciplinary Approach
Combining mountaineering skills with scientific expertise to access and study remote glacial environments.
Advanced Technology
Using cutting-edge geospatial tools to collect precise data on glacial changes and melt processes.
Global Implications
Understanding mountain climate change is crucial for water security and climate adaptation worldwide.