Alpine Forum | How our Alps are changing due to climate change

Thematic Block 1: "What has changed in the mountains?"

The first thematic block focussed on what is changing in the mountains and what this means for us in the mountains. We attended two of the five lectures. The first "Climatic changes in the Alps - effects on the mountains?" by Alexander Radlherr, meteorologist at GeoSphere. Here we learn more about climatic changes. He analyses the changes in precipitation and temperature with the aim of identifying trends and making forecasts. The key message from his presentation comes as no surprise to me and presumably to anyone else who has ever dealt with the topic. Climate change has far-reaching effects on the Alpine region, especially on temperature and precipitation. Forecasts show a significant rise in average temperatures of 2° to 5°C by 2100, depending on the respective greenhouse gas emissions scenario. This warming is more pronounced in the Alps than the global average, as mountain regions are affected by so-called "elevation amplification". More intense warming is expected in summer in particular, which could lead to more frequent and more extreme heatwaves. Although the rise in temperature is lower during winter, the snow line will continue to rise in the coming years.

The precipitation patterns in the Alps are also changing. In general, more precipitation is expected in winter, which can also lead to more snow at high altitudes, but this snow can also quickly turn to rain due to the warming. Due to the rise in the snow line, winter conditions are therefore not expected to improve. So while a slight increase in precipitation is forecasted during winter - mainly in the form of rain instead of snow - light and medium precipitation will decrease during summer. On the other hand, heavy and extremely heavy precipitation, storms and thunderstorms will occur more frequently. At the same time, the decreasing summer precipitation increases the risk of droughts and dry periods, especially at lower altitudes.

The second lecture we watched was by mountain guide Gerhard Mössmer on the subject of "Mountains in transition - well-known routes are gone, popular climbs are becoming more difficult. And what now?". He talks about changing routes and the resulting risks for mountain sports enthusiasts. He poses the question of whether mountaineering is becoming increasingly dangerous and answers this with a "Nes". Yes, well-known routes are becoming more dangerous due to the elimination of passages, crossings and thawing permafrost (and the resulting risk of falling rocks) and, no, routes can also become safer if they no longer lead over glaciers and thus eliminate the risk of falling into a crevasse.

But how do we deal with the changes?
He answers the question with three factors that we need to consider: Terrain, conditions, people.

Glacier retreat and the dissolution of the permafrost are the biggest noticeable changes to the terrain alongside the change in vegetation. Glacier streams, for example, carry more water and are no longer passable even during mornings. Crossings that used to be easily negotiated over glaciers now often require abseiling. Passages are increasingly affected by rockfalls, and maps are quickly becoming outdated due to the rapid changes. At the same time, the infrastructure, especially the mountain trails, can barely keep pace with the changing conditions.

But how do you deal with it? The answer is: adaptation. More careful planning is essential, with possibly new, more safely accessible summits as a goal and well thought-out time management. You have to be aware that tours may now have to be undertaken at a different time of day or year and that you have to take different conditions into account. The more intense sunlight in particular, which is clearly noticeable today, should not be underestimated. At the same time, the changed conditions require flexibility and adaptability from people themselves. New routes place different and often higher demands on expertise, the group size must be adjusted accordingly and the dynamics within the group also play a bigger role.

These developments make a high level of knowledge and thorough preparation indispensable.

Thematic Block 2: "Mountain professionals: consequences in everyday working life and training?"

This thematic block follows on directly from the previous one and deals with the effects of the changes in the mountains on mountain sports as such. In the second lecture above, adaptations by mountain sports enthusiasts are already addressed, but not yet fully explained. In this thematic block, particular attention is paid to mountain guides and mountain rescue services, i.e. mountain professionals.

We listened to the presentation "Alpine accidents on guided tours. A (data) analysis between gross negligence and fateful residual risk" by Walter Würtl for you. So as not to bore you with more figures and statistics, here is just a very brief teaser of the content of this presentation:

It is generally recognised that mountain professionals expose themselves to increased risk simply by the fact that they spend so much of their time on the mountain. Of course, training and knowledge offer a certain degree of protection, but a residual risk cannot be ruled out. The presentation shows impressive statistics in relation to mountain safety and hazard analyses on guided tours. If you want to find out more and are really interested in the statistics, here you will find what you are looking for.

analyse:berg (analysis:mountain)

The trade magazine analyse:berg is published twice a year with a winter and a summer edition. The Winter 23/24 issue marks the 22nd edition of the magazine. I tend to get cold more often than less in winter, especially on the mountain, which is why the article "Climbing light, fast, and cold" from the Winter 21/22 issue immediately caught my attention.

Lukas Furtenbach (Managing Director of Furtenbach Adventures) addresses the current trend in high-altitude mountaineering and clearly criticises the supposed alpine style and "by fair means" projects. Prevention and strategy are not only relevant when climbing 8000 metre peaks, but also on ski tours with a southerly foehn weather situation and frontal congestion on the main ridge, for example. In the rapidly developing - 55° C, safety reserves (prevention) and a timely abort (strategy) are the best ways to prevent the worst from happening. "There really seems to be no other sport where people are so vehemently opposed to science and technical innovations and even go so far as to discuss them as worthy of rejection (Lukas Furtenbach, Climbing light, fast, and cold)." In the Winter 21/22 issue of analyse:berg, you can find out exactly why he finds this style worthy of rejection and why he believes that nobody should have to die of hypothermia or frostbite anymore, not even on Mount Everest.

His perspective is thought-provoking, raises questions and also clearly shows the difficulties involved in responsible mountaineering. The current issue of analyse:berg Winter 2023/24 contains exciting accident statistics as well as other interesting articles.

The trade magazine is available at a practical subscription price

• Within Austria: €40

• EU, GB, CH: €46

Single issues can be ordered for 24€ plus shipping online here.

A subscription offers the opportunity to keep up to date with the latest alpine accident statistics and important topics relating to alpine safety - and to support the work of the ÖKAS at the same time.