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The terminus.—This may be so covered with morainal material—even forest and lakes in Alaska—as not to be recognizable. During the present climatic cycle, however, most glaciers have retreated far, and are approached by rock-strewn valleys which forests have not yet had time to claim. The terminus may be an abrupt ice cliff that the climber will have to cut his way up, or may even thrust itself into a fjord, with icebergs being launched at irregular intervals. Moat and moraine.—A moat may have to be reckoned with if the glacier is approached from the side. Steps may have to be cut, but usually a bridge of debris from a side canyon will provide easier access. Moraines provide a hazard only in their instability. Melting ice leaves many of the blocks precariously perched. When disturbed, they may roll on the man who is following the disturber too closely. |
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