“Switzerland’s Rhône Glacier has always been a place where tourists gather.
The parking lot in front of the Belvedere Hotel—which has been closed for
years—near the entrance to the glacier caves was quite busy on this morning. We were out with our splitboards, but most people who visit here just get out of the car for a quick snap and then they’re back on the road, speeding across the Alps. To slow down the melting of the ice, the ice grotto was covered with polyester sheets years ago.” Photos: Phil Bucher