Silbersand

The Great Aletsch glacier has deposited finely pulverized rock (rock flour) near the Silbersand during its peak around 1860. The mica contained therein, is glittering silvery in the sun and therefore gives the place its name. There is no silver.

In the Silbersand are located as well the moraines of the last glaciation peak in 1860, which limit the glacier forefield. The forefield shows still little soil production and a patchy vegetation. To date, only a bright larch forest has been formed here, mixed with pine and spruce. The oldest trees are 110-120 years old. The young vegetation in the glacier forefield contrasts clearly the Aletsch forest which had developed already over several millennia.