This remarkable accretion of ice was photographed in June 1962 by Monsieur Henri Schnell of Spiez. It was found a short distance to the north of the Öschinen See above Kandersteg, close to the point marked Bergli on the Landeskarte der Schweiz, 1:50,000 (Jungfrau), No. 264. It measured approximately 7 to 8 m. in height, and had a basal diameter of 5 m.
Clearly this phenomenon can only occur rarely. It is suggested that the conditions in this case were due to mild temperatures since the beginning of the year followed by heavy snowfalls in March. Thereafter there were cold north winds and low temperatures, which reduced to a trickle the flow from above of the melt-water streams below the thick layer of snow. This trickle fell drop by drop and congealed into the curious stalagmitic shape shown in the photograph. The Öschinen See lies in a frost hollow and this would probably have accentuated the freezing effect of the north wind.
The peak in the top right-hand corner is the Rothorn (3,297 m.), a member of the Blümlisalp massif.
Acknowledgement is made to Monsieur Schnell, and to the Editor of Die Alpen for permission to reproduce the photograph.
G. Seligman
