Location: Bernese Alps, 652.500/162.500, Length (1973): 6.50km, length (2004): 6.5km, orientation: NW, surface are (1973): 9.52km2, surface are (1998/99): 9.16km2.
Oberer Grindelwaldgletscher is a classic valley glacier west of Grindelwald. There are two icefalls, and the tongue is remarkably narrow and descends into a deep gorge. In August 2009 the glacier caused a minor flood (see images at the bottom of the page) which fortunately did not lead to any significant damage.
Schreckhorn and accumulation of Oberer Grindelwaldgletschers; wide panorama photo. July 2005.
Upper icefall as seen from Glecksteinhütte (Seidd Alpine Club); wide panorama photo. July 2005.
Lower icefall in the narrow gorge; two persons on the upper left; wide panorama photo. July 2005.
Seracs in the upper icefall with clearly visible firn stratigraphy . July 2005.
Looking down from the path to Glecksteinhütte on the crevasses in the lower icefall. July 2005.
Transverse crevasses in the lower icefall. July 2005.
Alpine ibex are a common sight at Glecksteinhütte, as are the many ice avalanches at the upper icefall visble in the background. July 2005.
A small rainbow is formed within a waterfall descending into the glacier gorge. July 2005.
Glacially abraded and polished limestone in the gorge shows wonderful folding of calcite layers. July 2005.
Remarkable narrow galcier tongue in the gorge. July 2005.
