The Chacaltaya Glacier is gone

The Chacaltaya Glacier is gone

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’The coldest place’ has melted For many decades, Bolivia’s Mount Chacaltaya and the Chacaltaya Glacier were known as the world’s highest ski resort. There was only a very short ski run and a perfectly simple ski lift, but nevertheless, ski enthusiasts from all over the world were flocking to the mountain which was named ’the coldest place’ by the native Aymara people. In the 1970ies, the ski run slowly receded as rising temperatures and less precipitation made the Chacaltaya Glacier retreat. In the 1980ies, the glacier receded at a higher speed, in the 1990ies, the pace was even faster, and since 2005, things have developed extremely rapidly. Today, there is so little ice left that it is no longer fair to call the glacier a glacier. According to scientists, the small patch which is still nestling beneath Mount Chacaltaya’s second peak will be gone by 2011. The disappearance of the Chacaltaya Glacier is a warning of the future awaiting all glaciers of the Andes and the rest of the world. Text: Rasmus Thirup Beck. Photos: Anders Birch	Experts: Bolivia will be severely affected Carlos Salinas, who heads the Bolivian government’s National Climate Change Programme, does not take an optimistic view of the future. He anticipates that Bolivia will be among the countries affected the most by global climate change. Glaciologist Edson Ramirez agrees. Play video
	The water flow – from glacier to tap The population of the Bolivian cities of La Paz and El Alto – and all other inhabitants of the Andes – depend on melt water from the mountain glaciers. In Bolivia, the water travels from the glaciers to water utilities in ancient, open canals. According to experts, 40-50 per cent of the water is usually lost on the way. Play video
	The Chacaltaya Glacier – past and present See the photos Open gallery Chacaltaya was world-famous among skiers – definitely not due to its length or its difficulty, but because it was the world’s highest ski run. Today, the mountain is still popular among tourists, but only because of the view and owing to the fact that it is one of the world’s most easily accessible points located at an altitude of over 5,000 metres above sea level. Mountaineers aiming to climb the adjacent Mount Huyana Potosi (6,088 metres) also make use of the chalet’s simple overnight accommodation in order to get used to the altitude. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. Chacaltaya was world-famous among skiers – definitely not due to its length or its difficulty, but because it was the world’s highest ski run. Today, the mountain is still popular among tourists, but only because of the view and owing to the fact that it is one of the world’s most easily accessible points located at an altitude of over 5,000 metres above sea level. Mountaineers aiming to climb the adjacent Mount Huyana Potosi (6,088 metres) also make use of the chalet’s simple overnight accommodation in order to get used to the altitude. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. Club Andino Boliviano built the Austrian-style chalet in 1939, the year after the road to Chacaltaya was completed. In 1952, four club members were killed in an avalanche, and a big cross was erected in their honour at the driveway. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. Club Andino Boliviano built the Austrian-style chalet in 1939, the year after the road to Chacaltaya was completed. In 1952, four club members were killed in an avalanche, and a big cross was erected in their honour at the driveway. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. The 1980ies were the golden years of the ski resort and Club Andino Boliviano. The ski lift was operating 3-4 months a year, people flocked to the newly built chalet (the first one burned to the ground in 1978), and the employees ran a restaurant by the German name of ’Gaststube’, among other things. Since then, the glacier has disappeared, the chalet is slowly decaying, and the rental skis are gathering dust in a locked room. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. The 1980ies were the golden years of the ski resort and Club Andino Boliviano. The ski lift was operating 3-4 months a year, people flocked to the newly built chalet (the first one burned to the ground in 1978), and the employees ran a restaurant by the German name of ’Gaststube’, among other things. Since then, the glacier has disappeared, the chalet is slowly decaying, and the rental skis are gathering dust in a locked room. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. The Chacaltaya Glacier was situated under the shelter of the right side of Mount Chacaltaya’s crest. This was also the location of the 300 metre ski run. Further down the mountain, on the hill to the right of the rusty ski lift, was the ’Pista de los tontos’ – the run for absolute beginners or ’the run of the idiots’ for those who prefer a direct translation. The old photo is from the mid-1980ies. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch. The Chacaltaya Glacier was situated under the shelter of the right side of Mount Chacaltaya’s crest. This was also the location of the 300 metre ski run. Further down the mountain, on the hill to the right of the rusty ski lift, was the ’Pista de los tontos’ – the run for absolute beginners or ’the run of the idiots’ for those who prefer a direct translation. The old photo is from the mid-1980ies. Photos: Club Andino Boliviano and Anders Birch.
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