As adventurers and outdoor athletes we often are inspired by wild and rugged places, especially mountain ranges covered in glaciers and ice fields. The power and beauty of these natural wonders has inspired countless adventures and continues to push us to our limits.

But global climate change is having profound impacts on mountain environments and poses risks to both recreation and resources. In order to understand how a changing climate will affect alpine ecosystems and water resources in the future, it is critical to document their current status. Our collaboration with the Alpine of the Americas Project provides a consistent system for recording the condition of glaciers and alpine ecosystems in North and South America. Through a unique combination of repeat photography and crowd-sourced citizen science, we aim to engage alpine enthusiasts in documenting changes in the Sierra Nevada and Andes mountain ranges, provide high resolution data to climate scientists, and build public awareness through compelling images and media. 

Recently the guys at Alpine of the Americas were featured on the CBS Evening News about their project and the difference they’re making. Watch it in its entirety below or on CBS:

For more information and to learn how you can get involved visit the Repeat Glacier Photography project page. Don’t forget to keep up with ASC by subscribing to ASC’s blog, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (@AdventurScience).