📍Bernal Glacier, Chilean Patagonia

Yesterday we set out to explore Bernal Glacier which is only accessible by boat through the Fiordo de las Montãnas aka Montana Fjords in the Southern Chilean Fjords. 🧊 We hiked a beautiful path through pools of icy turquoise lagoons, low vegetation, boulders, sand, and gravel to finally make it to see the blue hues of the glacier up close.

Left 📸 with Alex Searle my mentor while on expedition in front of the Bernal Glacier

We were able to walk right up to this glacier and actually touch it.  This area gave a great view of the rocks and gravel left behind as a glacier moves and carves out a valley in the mountains. I also learned that this is the glacier where the Patagonia Ice Dragon lives. This stonefly has special adaptations in its blood that keep it from freezing. Scientists have actually boiled this insect and it survived. Read more about it here. 

Looking at varying photos of the Bernal glacier over the years you can sadly see its ever-diminishing size. Climate change is causing it to rapidly melt away at some of the fastest rates on the planet (about 60 meters in less than one year). I feel lucky to have the privilege to witness the beauty of this glacier while it still exists. Here’s to hoping my students and future generations are so lucky 💛