Snežišča v Kamniških Alpah

Abstract

Ali important snowfields in the Kamnik Alps were systematically
examined by the Institute of Geography of the Slovene Academy of
Arts and Sciences in the years 1949, 1950 and 1955. It has been found,
that they are situated mostly in places favoured by orographic features,
in shadowy sites protected from insolation, and at the same time there,
where during the winter and the spring avalanches occur almost as a rule. The fact, that snowfields are found nearly at ali altitudes,
vvhere less inclined slopes or natural shelfs occur under the very
steep north walls, providing a firm ground for avalanches to settle and
acumulate, shows clearly what a decisive role is played by local topography. Because these favourable conditions are to be found mostly on the northern side of the main ridge, 22—26 snowfields have been
observed there in different years. Only 2—6 are on the southern side.
A comparison of the present state of snowfields with that during
Frischaufs explorations in the years 1874—1876 shows that the existing
snowfields are but a modest remainder of much more extensive snowfields and minor icefields of the second half of the 19th
century. Whereas Frischauf could observe quite big patches of ice on the
northern side of Kočna, on Zgornje Ravne and in the area towards
the stili existing small glacier under Skuta, to-day only isolated snowfields stili exist. Quite negligeable quantities of ice have ibeen found only in Zrelo and in a small snowfield under Kranjska Rinka. In places
lying quite near the existing snowfields, where Frischauf notes the
ice patches, small but typical morains have been found. Having this
in mind, one may presume that this part of the Kamnik Alps had a
more extensive glaciation even during the historical time.