The picture taken from NASA worldview shows the area around Diamond in Peak (red pin) in Green River Basin of Colorado, USA. The Guardian newspaper has a piece (01 April 2026) noting that “experts warned that even as the heat begins to subside, the stunning pace of melt-off over the last month (March 2026) has left key basin in uncharted territory for the dry seasons ahead. Through there is potential for more snow in the forecast, experts said that will likely be too little, too late.”
The 2974 metre Diamond Peak also featured in Alpinist magazine issue 92 Winter 2025-26 where climbers are experimenting with a hybrid approach to ice climbing, using ice axes but with sport climbing shoes. The feature goes on to present and discuss the different opinions, but highlights how climate change is impacting the development of mountain sports as well as the climbs themselves.
Two technical review by IFMGA mountain guides < Impacts of climate change on alpinism; a review > and < Mapping climate-change-related processes affecting most frequented routes by French mountain guides > provide a good overview of the scientific background as well a commentary.
Inside the World Nature Forum in Naters Switzerland is a 3D relief map of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch glacier. This was the inspiration for the series of relief maps that will support the Ice2Ice Initiative.
Creating 3D Relief models of mountain areas
Key features of the relief map will be to: i. measure and understand mountain ecosystems, ii. map data and science as well as and stories, iii. visualise including through planetary health weather station dashboard, iv. act and assess impact, v. Document processes and results, vi. communicate through workshops and events, vii. development of policy briefs and advocacy, for example at COP31 Climate Conference in Turkey this November.
For 2026 Ice2Ice Initiative will produce three 3D relief maps starting with Chamonix Mont Blanc in the French Alps, Swiss Alps near Naters and Deister in northern Germany. Each map will have models highlighting places (i. physical, and ii. significance), people and the planet (nature).
The 3D relief maps will be showcased at an event to celebrate International Mountain Day on 11th December.
3D Relief Map and Planetary Health Weather Stations
Phase 1 development of the mobile Planetary Health Weather Station is complete, with the station packing down and transported in a haul sac. Phase 2 will focus on the base and options that will cover firm ground and snow / mountain environments.
ZWDP is planning a working demonstration model of the Deister (class VI mountain) in northern Germany and a 2nd for Chamonix Mont Blanc to begin in the autumn.
Photo is view of Mont Blanc from Lake Geneva.
Work underway on the 3D Relief model of Chamonix Mont Blanc that will allow for an overlay of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
