A TEAM of researchers is making final preparations for a trip to Mount Everest in Nepal next month to explore why the ice on one of the mountain’s most iconic glaciers is so close to the melting point.

The expedition will take them into the Western Cwm, where they believe that intense radiation from the sun is melting the snow even when air temperatures are below freezing.

As the meltwater refreezes it can warm the snow by several degrees, creating glacier ice that is much closer to the melting point than has previously been realised.

If they are right, this is a process that may also be happening on other glaciers across the Himalaya, whose meltwater sustains many millions of people below.

The researchers from Aberystwyth University and the University of Leeds will be operating at over six kilometres above sea level and half a kilometre above Everest Base Camp, where they will drill into the glacier and use the boreholes to record ice temperatures.

They will have to negotiate the Khumbu Icefall – regarded as one of the most demanding sections of the South Col route to Everest’s summit – while their equipment is transported by helicopter.

Once settled on the glacier, the team will be camping on ice with nighttime temperatures dipping below -10 °C.

The Everest researchers hope their work will give them a new understanding of processes and changes that are relevant for all glaciers in similar settings world-wide and indicate the extent to which other glaciers within the Himalayas may also contain unexpectedly warm ice.

Professor Bryn Hubbard from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences said:

“It may surprise many that snow could be melting at sub-freezing air temperatures high up within Everest’s Western Cwm, but the possibility needs to be investigated and measured. These temperature measurements will improve computer models that are used to predict future changes in glacier extent and water supply – particularly important in this heavily-populated and water-stressed region.

“For this project, we will build on Aberystwyth University’s expertise in borehole drilling and sensor development to record ice temperatures deeper into the ice and at higher elevations than ever before attempted. Since, at these elevations, we can no longer rely on power from combustion motors, we plan to use energy from solar, battery and propane to drill boreholes some tens of metres into the ice.

“We also plan to use satellites to send real-time data back from the Western Cwm directly to our computers in the UK, reducing the number of future trips required to download data and service the equipment.”

Professor Duncan Quincey from the School of Geography at the University of Leeds, who is leading the team, said:

“This trip will be the most physically and logistically demanding expedition I’ve ever been part of, and the unknowns are plentiful – we’re worried about whether our equipment will work at such high elevations, and if it does work whether we will be able to collect and export our data effectively.

“Although we have worked at and around base camp on half a dozen occasions previously, this is the first time we have continued up-glacier and above the icefall. This means we’re exploring new ground, and only a handful of scientists have walked this path before us. If we manage to capture any data, then they will be genuinely the first of their kind.”

The new project follows previous findings by the researchers which showed that the temperature of the ice in the lower parts of Khumbu Glacier is warmer than would be expected given the local air temperature.

Glaciers in the highest mountains of the planet are an extremely important source of water, with millions of people – including many in Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan – depending on Himalayan runoff.

Changes in the rate of glacier thawing would threaten this water supply, which is routinely used for irrigation, sanitation and hydropower purposes, particularly in the mountain foothills.

The United Nations General Assembly has already proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to raise awareness about the vital role glaciers, snow and ice play in the climate system and water cycle, as well as the far-reaching impacts of rapid glacial melt.

And today UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) prepares to mark the very first World Day for Glaciers, which is to be marked annually on 21 March.

The project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and is a collaboration between academics from the University of Leeds, Aberystwyth University, the University of Bergen (Norway) and Uppsala University (Sweden).

STUDENTS from the Creative Music Technology programme at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) have teamed up with the Pembrokeshire Music Service to record two promising rock and pop bands.

The recording sessions took place at Haverfordwest High VC School, offering young musicians from the Pembrokeshire Music Service a unique opportunity to professionally capture their original compositions.

This initiative, launched in 2024 by Max Griffiths while still a student at UWTSD, highlights the lasting impact of student-led projects in fostering innovation and industry engagement. By the time the event took place, Max had graduated, underscoring the programme’s success in nurturing creative talent.

Dr David Bird, Lecturer in Creative Music Technology at UWTSD, said: “It was inspiring to witness music being supported in innovative ways beyond the classroom. There is an incredible pool of talent emerging from Pembrokeshire, and we are privileged to have recorded these musicians at the start of their musical journeys. Our students also gained invaluable experience, making this an exciting opportunity for everyone involved.”

Miranda Morgan, Pembrokeshire Music Service Coordinator, praised the collaboration: “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with UWTSD’s music technology staff and students. The entire day was an enriching experience for our rock and pop ensemble pupils, who not only enjoyed recording their original works but also gained insight into music technology and the recording process. We look forward to future collaborations.”

Philippa Roberts, Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, highlighted the experience’s impact on young musicians: “Pembrokeshire Music Service is delighted to have partnered with UWTSD. The experience was invaluable, and our students greatly benefited from the expertise of skilled tutors and musicians. A special thank you to the Pembrokeshire music tutors for their dedication and encouragement in nurturing our aspiring rock musicians.”

Plans are already in motion to expand the partnership with future workshops focused on Music Technology. These workshops aim to equip young musicians with the technical skills needed to navigate the evolving music industry.

For further information, contact: d.bird@uwtsd.ac.uk.

CARDIFF University chiefs have been urged to “reflect and think again” about colossal cuts, with the local Senedd Member saying: “When you’re in a hole, stop digging”.

Jenny Rathbone warned Cardiff University has been engulfed in an existential crisis that could threaten the future of the biggest and best-resourced university in Wales.

In January, the university announced plans to cut 400 jobs and courses – including nursing, languages and music – as well as merge departments such as maths and computing.

Ms Rathbone, who represents Cardiff Central, said the university is home to Wales’ only planning school and the country clearly needs a pipeline of planners.

And, raising a 4,000-name open letter signed by mathematicians across the world, she pointed out that the university provides specialist teachers who are difficult to recruit.

Ms Rathbone asked: “Where then will the brilliant mathematicians of the future come from unless they have inspirational teachers?”

She added: “If we don’t have a modern foreign languages department … what impact will it have on … inward investment and selling Welsh goods and services to other countries?”

Leading a short debate on ensuring Wales has a thriving university sector, Ms Rathbone told the Senedd: “I accept that no change is not an option. Cardiff University is currently subsidising its day-to-day operations from its reserves to the tune of £31m a year.”

The former Islington councillor argued all universities are struggling with the UK Government “killing off the golden goose of higher fees for foreign students”.

Ms Rathbone said the university’s debt now stands at £321m, according to latest accounts.

She warned: “Clearly, this is not doing Cardiff’s reputation any good. And individual schools of excellence are horrified that they may be bundled into new colleges.”

She told Senedd Members: “I’ve spoken to a wide range of Cardiff academics and I’ve yet to find any support for the university’s academic future proposals.”

She added: “I hope the vice-chancellor and her executive board will reflect and think again, because, when you’re in a hole, stop digging.”

Calling for a “team Wales” approach as in Scotland, she argued more collaboration between universities on common principles is crucial to ensuring Wales has a thriving sector.

“Cardiff clearly has to make some changes,” she said. “They can’t spend money that they haven’t got. But clearly, these proposals have got to be agreed in social partnership with their main stakeholders, principally their staff.”

Calling for genuine consultation, Labour’s Julie Morgan, whose son-in-law works at Cardiff University, was dismayed by the extent of cuts across Wales.

“Young people are our lifeblood and this is cutting off opportunities for them,” she warned, saying she has been inundated with letters from distressed staff living in Cardiff North.

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell, a former lecturer, called for a cross-party review to address a “broken” financial model, with universities grappling with a deficit of £70m.

The shadow education secretary said universities face a further £20m hit from national insurance increases as well as a loss of up to £80m due to changes to student visas.

Responding to the debate on March 12, Vikki Howells, who was appointed higher and further education minister in September, pointed to Medr’s five-year plan published on Wednesday.

Medr, which was established in August, is responsible for funding and regulating post-16 education and research – including colleges and sixth forms unlike its predecessor Hefcw.

Ms Howells, a former teacher at Caerphilly’s St Cenydd Comprehensive, said the Welsh Government increased tuition fees for two years running and has provided an extra £28m for Medr this year.

She told Senedd Members: “Medr is absolutely adamant in its belief that no university in Wales is at risk of going under and we also are not looking at any mergers at all, either.”

Ms Howells, who studied at Cardiff University, stressed that a 90-day consultation on the proposals remains open, with a final decision expected to be considered in June.

She urged universities, colleges and schools to get behind Medr’s collective vision for a more joined-up, inclusive and collaborative tertiary education sector.