Back to news
24 Jan 2018 | Cryosphere

Cryosphere Initiative field activities for the autumn 2017

A total of four research expeditions were carried out on research sites in Bhutan and Nepal as part of the data collection and research expedition by the Cryosphere Initiative under its cryosphere monitoring programme (CMP). Research sites include Thana Glacier in Bhutan, and Yala Glacier in Langtang Valley, Rikha Samba Glacier in the Hidden Valley, Mustang, Nepal. The field activities started in late August and ended in November 2017, just before the winter months kicked in.

2 mins Read

70% Complete
Measuring mass balance on Thana Glacier September 2017. Photo by Sharad Joshi/ICIMOD.

Thana glacier, Bhutan

In Bhutan, Sharad Joshi, Associate Glaciologist and two glaciologists from the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany, joined the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) of Bhutan for their annual cryosphere research expedition to Thana Glacier.

The team conducted annual glacier mass balance measurements on Thana Glacier using an approach that was different from ones used before. Thana is the reference glacier for long-term glacier monitoring in Bhutan.

Joshi provided technical support and trained NCHM team members in executing long-term mass balance monitoring and cryosphere research.

Rikha Sambha Glacier, Nepal

Rikha Samba Glacier in the Hidden Valley, Mustang is also one of the research sites for ICIMOD’s cryosphere programme. For the annual 2017 data collection, research associates Tika Gurung and Gunjan Silwal were joined by the personnel from Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), an implementing partner.

During the 15-day expedition in October 2017, the group successfully carried out measurements and maintenance of the monitoring stake network, downloaded data from the hydrological station and Automatic Weather Station, and carried out discharge measurements in the Rikha Samba outlet.

Langtang valley, Nepal

A team of researchers from ICIMOD, Utrecht University (UU), the Netherlands, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), Norway, and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal, were in Langtang Valley for Hydrometeorology and Snow Accumulation and Melt Process (SnowAMP) fieldwork from 15 October to 2 November 2017.

While in Langtang, the group downloaded data and carried out routine maintenance work of meteorological and hydrological stations. There are ten automatic weather stations (AWS) and two hydrological stations (HS) in the valley. They also collected river discharge measurements in the Langtang Khola at two gauging sites using salt tracer methods, and conducted unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights above Lirung and Langtang Glaciers to determine bi-annual surface lowering and debris-surface temperatures. Stereo-imagery and ground control points were collected from Ganja La Pass to accurately determine snow line altitudes in a structure-for-motion effort. Soil moisture sensors were installed close to the Langtang Khola to provide additional field data for hydrological modelling of the catchment.

Yala Glacier, Nepal

The expedition to Yala Glacier in November 2017 was a part of ICIMOD’s training on glacier monitoring for students, academics, and practitioners from Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan. Before the field expedition, participants attended five days intensive training on theoretical aspects of glacier monitoring and basic mountaineering. For the expedition to Yala, training participants were accompanied by two resource persons from the DHM.

On Yala Glacier, participants were trained on monitoring glacier mass balance with stake and snow pit measurements, surveying glacier terminus and surface, and taking velocity measurements and repeat photographs of Yala Glacier. They also learned about deploying temperature loggers for permafrost studies.

2
3
1. 2. The field team in front of the AWS on Yala Glacier. (L-R): Inka Koch, ICIMOD, Rudra Pariyar (DHM), Passang Sherpa (mountain guide from Thamserku Trekking), Tuomo Saloranta (NVE) and Jacob Steiner (UU), Usmar Hellmer (UU), Walter Immerzeel (UU) (Photo by Tashi Sherpa, Expedition member). 3. During mountaineering and safety, practical training on Yala Glacier Pasang Kaji Sherpa certified guide explaining the purpose and use of mountaineering gear before the glacier traverse. Photo by Nirakar Thapa, DHM

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

Related content

Continue exploring this topic

Regional workshop discusses application of future climate projections in South Asia

The regional workshop, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Met Office, the UK’s national ...

17 Nov 2015 News
Recovery and Resilience in Nepal

Journalist training workshop investigates earthquake recovery, climate change John Crump, senior science writer with GRID-Arendal, recollects his experiences from ...

10 Feb 2015 News
Myanmar to lead the way with ecotourism in protected areas

On 19–21 May 2015, the Government of Myanmar launched its ambitious Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy for Protected Areas, developed ...

Preserving Traditions and Strengthening Livelihoods through Transboundary Yak Conservation

Nepal, India, and Bhutan – which share the transboundary Kangchenjunga landscape in the eastern Himalaya – have been connected through ...

11 Jul 2016 News
Landslide Dam Assessment in Chin State, Myanmar

A team of scientists recently visited the landslide dam in Chin State, Myanmar to assess the risk associated with the ...

13 Jul 2015 Atmosphere Initiative
ICIMOD supports helicopter relief and rescue missions

Within hours after the earthquake struck Nepal on 25 April 2015, help from overseas started arriving at Kathmandu airport. Soon ...

30 Mar 2018 REDD+
Myanmar works towards linking REDD+ with SDGs and NDCs

Although Myanmar has the highest forest cover in Southeast Asia, the country is facing rapid deforestation and has lost around ...

25 Jun 2018 SERVIR-HKH
Capacity building on Earth observation leads to Afghanistan’s first glacier inventory

In Afghanistan, glaciers serve as the headwaters of the Amu Darya River Basin and contribute to the Indus River Basin. ...