The July 1st Glacier, lying in the Qilianshan Mountain
Range, 130km southwest of Jiayuguan (the nearest of
its kind in the world from a city), got its name because
it was discovered on this date by a Sino-Soviet geological
exploration team not long before the relationship between
China and Soviet Russia deteriorated.
The glacier, extending from 4,300m to 5,150m above
sea level, covers a total area of 5 square kilometers.
The average thickness of the glacier is 78m with a maximum
obliquity of less than 45 degrees, making it relatively
easy for ordinary travelers to ascend. There is a well
worn 5km trail that runs along the side of the glacier,
that is the best way to see this area, and get back
in time for tea. There is also an epitaph here, of unknown
origin, that the Chinese are quick to gather around
for holiday snaps.
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