Arc’teryx equips permafrost research team

Text by Arc'teryx

Rock slides and blockings of prominent alpine routes have become a prominent issue in the Alps. Due to global warming, the permafrost is unfreezing by degrees, giving way to a fast erosion of high peaks like the Swiss Matterhorn.

An interdisciplinary team from ETH Zuerich, EPF Lausanne and the Universities of Basel and Zuerich are researching the processes involved and have installed battery-powered sensors in the affected areas to gather information. Canadian brand Arc’teryx equips the entire team with high tech alpine wear.

The “Permasense” project started in 2006. Years before, a massive rock slide at the famous Hoernligrat in Switzerland had drastically shown that erosion is happening much faster than expected. Researchers believe this to be due to the change of the rock/icecompound. The frost virtually glueing together the rock at the peaks is no longer permanent – it is melting. Man-made global warming is the reason for this speedy process. An interdisciplinary team headed by Dr. Jan Beutel (mountain guide and IT specialist) from the ETH Zuerich has installed numerous sensors at the Matterhorn and Jungfraujoch. The battery-powered machines deliver reliable data from the deeper rock layers: freezing processes, rock movement and temperature development. The information will help to gain more knowledge on the speed of the processes. “A research project like this has to go on for years until the first statistically founded results are generated,” explains Dr. Jan Beutel. Interpreting the first data, the scientists will be able to present first conclusions in the months to come.

Well protected from rock fall, avalanches and storms, the probe heads are fixed into the rock wall with the help of a strong electric drill. The installation of the sensor fields above 3.500 m is pretty challenging and requires a high level of mountaineering skills. Even approaching the peaks on the helicopter long line is necessary. Most of the team members, therefore, are skilled climbers and alpinists. Also the equipment is challenged to the max – this is where Canadian specialist Arc’teryx comes in. The whole Permasenseteam is wearing Arc’teryx when they are out there, taking care of their sensors on the peaks. “Arc’teryx is coming from a climbing/mountaineering background and most of the Arc’teryx team are climbers and alpinists, this is why the Permasense Project is a matter of heart to us. Researching the global warming process is one part of this project – and the future of our loved sports,” says Reto Tischhauser, European Brand Manager of Arc’teryx (and a Swiss). “We hope for safe returns from the research team’s alpine tours and many reliable data that help understand the process.”

More information on Arc’teryx at www.arcteryx.com