The Brenva and Entrèves glaciers, close to one another, show very different dimensions because of their different snow and ice accumulation zones. The Brenva, with a much larger area, reaches all the way to the summit of Mont Blanc, while Entrèves is much smaller.
Stage 07
Large and small glaciers
Brenva and Entrèves: the different history of two glaciers
Stage 07“Large and small glaciers”Brenva Glacier Trek
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Glaciers in comparison
The Brenva and Entrèves glaciers, close to one another, show very different dimensions because of their different snow and ice accumulation zones. The Brenva, with a much larger area, reaches all the way to the summit of Mont Blanc, while Entrèves is much smaller.
Smooth and jagged rocks
In this area, you can observe the contrast in forms generated by the erosive action of glaciers. The upper parts of the peaks have sharp profiles (the aiguilles), while farther down, rounded surfaces appear, polished by the direct abrasion of moving ice. Depending on the erosive dynamics that formed them, these surfaces are known as “glacial polish” or “roches moutonnées”. The dark striations and patinas are due to chemical processes favoured by the presence of water.