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Criosfera Pirineos

Macizos / L) Balaitous Massif

89) Pabat

89) Pabat

The current Pabat glacier is located 150 metres below Cap Peytier-Hossard (2,995 m), separated from the Les Néous Glacier basin by the Col du Pabat (2,648 m).
Favoured by its northern orientation, the Pabat glacier developed during the Little Ice Age, reaching an area of 11 hectares and a length of 460 metres.
In the 1982-1985 inventory, it was classified as a glacier. Located at an altitude of 2,850 m, it has gradually shrunk to become a fragile horizontal strip at the foot of the rock face. The little ice that remains in its enclave is still of glacial origin, which is why its 0.1 hectares are still classified as a helero. These are the last hectares of ice in the Balaitous Massif, until the Les Néous Glacier ceases its dynamics and also becomes a helero.
As was the case in 2024, it is often covered by snow until the end of summer, making it difficult to observe. However, this factor seems to be favouring its conservation in a small environment with little solar radiation.

Este aparato glaciar pertenece al siguiente macizo:

Balaitous

L) Balaitous Massif

Aragón
6 glaciers

Galería de imágenes

In autumn 2017, the Pabat glacier (89) with its frontal moraine (8), under Cap Peytier Hossard (9). On the left, the lower limit of the Les Néous Glacier (88). In the background on the right, the former location of the extinct Frondiellas Norte (92) and Frondiellas Sur (93). (Jordi Camins).

The Pabat ice field in 2012, a year in which snow barely made an appearance, making it catastrophic for glaciers but exceptional for observing ice in the Pyrenees. (Pierre René).

In the centre of the image is the Pabat icefall and its frontal moraine from the Little Ice Age, illuminated by the sun. To the left are the moraines of the Les Néous Glacier. (Jordi Camins – 2017).

The Pabat ice cave in 2021, during one of the brief moments when the sun's rays dare to shine on the snow that covers and protects it. (Xabier Dec).

The Pabat glacier also remained covered in snow in 2024. The location of the current ice strip coincides with the shaded area in the photograph. The frontal moraine from the Little Ice Age, Cap Peytier Hossard and the summit of Balaitous are particularly noteworthy. (Jordi Camins)..

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