A crevasse is any deep crack in a glacier formed as the ice flows over uneven ground; a bergschrund is the specific crevasse at the very head of a glacier, where the moving ice pulls away from the static ice or rock above. Every bergschrund is a crevasse, but in a particular place.
| Aspect | Crevasse | Bergschrund |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A crack in the glacier | The crevasse at the glacier's head |
| Forms where | Throughout, over uneven ground | Where moving ice meets static ice/rock |
| Location | Anywhere on the glacier | Top of the glacier |
| Significance | General glacier hazard | Often a route crux |
| Crossing | Avoid or bridge | May be the technical crux |
It's a crevasse if…
- It's a crack anywhere on the glacier
- It formed as the ice flowed over terrain
- It's mid-glacier
It's a bergschrund if…
- It's the topmost crevasse on the glacier
- It separates moving ice from static ice or rock
- It guards the base of the face above
Verdict
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a crevasse and a bergschrund?
A crevasse is any deep crack in a glacier, forming wherever the ice flows over uneven ground; a bergschrund is specifically the crevasse at the very top of the glacier, where the moving ice separates from the static ice or rock above. The bergschrund is one particular crevasse.
Why does a bergschrund matter so much?
Because it sits at the head of the glacier right where many alpine routes leave the ice and start up the face, the bergschrund is frequently the technical crux — a deep gap you must cross, sometimes via a snow bridge or a steep wall, to get onto the climb.
How do you deal with both?
The same fundamentals apply: travel roped as a team, probe and respect snow bridges, and carry crevasse-rescue skills. Crossing a bergschrund may additionally require belaying, ice tools, and committing moves over or around the gap.
Related: Crevasse · Bergschrund · Glacier travel · Crevasse rescue