We are delighted to invite you to visit the Ferpècle and Mont Miné glaciers in the Val d'Hérens on Saturday August 17th. Focusing on the theme of global warming and the geology, this visit will enable you to see first-hand how the landscape and glaciers are changing. It will be accompanied by Amédée Zryd (PH'85), physicist and glaciologist, President of the Alpine House Foundation and a geologist. The focus this year will be on the region's geology!
Start of the event: 10:15, free return in the afternoon
Location: 1983 Ferpècle, in the Val d’Hérens
This event is open to the whole family (including children) and is free of charge.
This is a unique opportunity to see the current state of our glaciers in the presence of a specialist.
RTS also reported on August 7, 2023 on the 19h30 newjournal, showing that the low-lying Arolla glacier at the bottom of the Val d'Hérens (VS) has retreated almost 500 metres since the 1980s, and is also posing real challenges to electricity production from dams.
Program:
- Meet at Ferpècle, Val d'Hérens at 10.00 (post bus arrives at 10.01, Ferpècle station). For those coming by car, Salay on the Ferpècle road.
- Approx. 1h30 - 2h00 walk to the Ferpècle glacier with presentations/explanations on glaciers, their dynamics and climate.
- Packed lunch - discussion/presentation on glacier retreat.
- Free or group return. NB, the only bus leaving Ferpècle in the afternoon is at 5:26 pm, but there are ways of reaching Les Haudères on foot (approx. 1h) or by car-sharing.
Transport:
- By train: Lausanne dep 07h21, Sion arr 08h24, then bus B381, Sion dep 08h45, Haudères arr 09h32, then bus B383, Haudères dép 10h36, Ferpècle arr. 10h01
- In the event of bad weather, the event will be cancelled. You will be notified by SMS on Friday evening at 8 pm t the latest whether the event will be held or cancelled.
- Cars : parking around 46°03'31.8"N 7°32'57.8"E
For the Committee of the Chapter VD-VS:
Jürg Furrer, President
Photo credits: Daniel Reust ©
Team EPFL Alumni
