On the third day we hiked up to the end of the lake to investigate the confluence of the lake and glacier. Streams of melt water from the glaciers were flowing into the lake. There were many ice cliffs and icebergs floating in the water that had broken recently from the glaciers. On the surface of the glaciers, small pools and ponds had formed. These cause the glacier to melt even faster because they remove debris from the glacial surface, exposing the bare ice to the sun and its warmth. There is also glacial melt water flowing under the ice, which may be a contributing factor or indicator of a potential threat.
Waterfall from the edge of Imja Lake (Photo by Daniel Byers)
The Andean scientists that The Mountain Institute has brought on this expedition have decades of experience with glacial flooding and, more importantly, with successful solutions to dramatically reduce the risk of flooding. They also know how to utilize the water from these lakes to benefit local communities, for irrigation and for hydropower. They are teaching Himalayan scientists, bringing technology from the Andes to the Himalayas. So much work remains to be done, but The Mountain Institute remains committed to the people of the mountains and to finding appropriate solutions to the daunting issues of the mountains.
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