Oregon Hikers

Interesting article from OPB about recent surveys of Oregon's glaciers, and specifically the apparent loss of the Clark glacier on South Sister.

https://www.opb.org/article/2020/10/19/ ... shrinking/

I am keen to follow the new research group that is mentiones in this article. I've wondered whether some of the glaciers in central OR still met the technical definition, so I am glad someone is systematically looking at this.

I wonder if any similar WA-based research is going on. Even some of the seemingly safer glaciers in the north Cascades seem unwell and marginal (based on my naive observation).

I've seen a couple news stories on this. While I'm pleased it's considered newsworthy, I wish there was a little more technical discussion, and a little less climate hand-wringing. Specifically, I wish they had revealed the criteria used to declare it stagnant. Did they place markers and track movement? Did they simply look for summer crevasses? Is there any data on depth?

Slightly off topic: I'm excited at what's happening on St Helens. I hope in my lifetime we get to see Crater Glacier spilling over Loowit Falls. Wouldn't that be an amazing sight? Unlikely, I concede. If I was a gifted artist, I'd create an image of what that might look like.

I attended a zoom presentation by the main researchers for the Oregon Glacier Institute and they did a good job explaining thier methods. They considered a few factors, including ice depth and rate of movement to determine which glaciers were stagnant. As usual the press coverage is superficial, but the science was solid.

I'd recommend keeping an eye out for any upcoming virtual workshops. They had a rolling q&a which is a good opportunity to dig for more info.

Agreed on Crater Glacier, btw. It's exciting to have such a unique ice feature in our backyard, but also a bummer that a growing glacier is a novelty.

Article published today about Oregon's Glaciers--a follow on to earlier reporting.

https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/23/ ... cier-loss/

Happy Holidays!!