Snow and Ice in The Monte Fitz Roy Region (Patagonia)

Abstract

AbstractThe Fitz Roy district, on the margin of the Patagonian ice field (“Hielo continental”), is subject to continual and very strong west winds of high humidity. Glaciers descend to a very low level. Ablation by rain plays an important part, and contributes to some surface features, such as thin vertical sheets of ice, hummocks and dirt cones (a new theory of the origin of which is given). The summits ofaiguilles, always covered with glazed frost in the Fitz Roy area, are incrusted with very heavy deposits of rime in the Cerro Torre and especially in the Cerro Grande areas. This forms huge comices and “feathered snow” to leeward.