Summits and glaciersAll photos below were taken in August 2004 from Gornergrat using a telephoto lens, with the exception of photo 4. They all show summits which, depending on their shapes, are glacierised in very different ways. | |||
 The summit of the Matterhorn (4477.5m, at sunrise) is so steep that no glaciers form. Only below about 3500m.a.s.l. (at the very bottom) does the terrain become sufficiently flat to allow the formation of a mountain glacier. |  The complex summit of Breithorn (4164m) has sufficiently flat terrain in order to allow the formation of hanging glaciers. The rising sun illuminates ice cliffs on Triftjiplateau in which the firn stratification is clearly visible. |  Hanging glaciers are also found on the north flanks of the so-called "Twins", Castor (4223m, left) and Pollux (4092m). Kleiner Pollux in the foreground (3306m). |  Late summer morning: Stratus clouds over the valley of Zermatt. In the background from left to right: Obergabelhorn (4063m) and Wellenkuppe (3903m), Zinalrothorn (left of centre 4221.2m), Schalihorn (3974.5m) and Weisshorn (4506m). |
 Gabelhorngletscher on the south flank of Obergabelhorn. |  Far left Triftgletscher and, in the foreground, Rothorngletscher on Zinalrothorn. |  Accumulation area of Monte Rosagletscher with tracks of cllimbers towards Nordend (left 4609m) and Dufourspitze (4633.9m, on the right) a few minutes before sunset. |  The same view at sunset ("alpine glow"). |
| Fotos August 2004, Jürg Alean | |||