FACING THE HEAT

In fact, the volume of ice on Mont Blanc8217;s slopes has almost doubled since 2005 to reach 24,100 cubic metres this year, while snow has built up due to greater frequency of winds and higher temperatures during the summer, believed to be caused by global warming.

8220;This brings sticky snow above 4,000 metres up which grips onto the mountainside,8221; The Daily Telegraph quoted meteorologist Yan Giezendanner, who is also one of the team members, as saying.

The surveyors believe that the phenomenon appears to go against the trend of sparser snow and ice on other European peaks that is a great concern to ski resorts and ski lovers across the world.

Giezendanner said that such 8220;growth8221; in mountains was specific to higher Alpine peaks. 8220;Glaciers at high altitude seem to be growing, while those situated at mid or low altitude are melting, shrinking and threatened with extinction.8221;
Press Trust of India