The Editor,

The Journal of Glaciology

Sir, Snow Conditions in the Lebanon

On 11 September 1949 considerable snow patches were visible on the northern slopes of the Lebanon mountains, some 18 miles (29 km.) south-east of Tripoli, the lowest snow being at 7700 ft. (2347 m.). Above this level there were patches on all the north faces. A crescent-shaped patch, some 280 yd. long and 50 yd. wide (256 × 45 m.) was found between the twin peaks of Qomet es Saouda (10,115 ft., 3083 m.). The northern edge of this patch terminated in a steep face estimated to be about 35 ft. (10.7 m.) deep. This snow bed was continuous, with a strip of snow at its eastern end which extended a further 500 yd. (460 m.) down the northern side of a gulley.

All the snow beds observed were well weathered by a series of crescent-shaped pits up to 8 ft. long, 3 ft. wide and 5 ft. deep (2.5 × 1.5 × 0.9 m.). These lay close together in regular order, each running approximately north and south. They did not appear to be wind-formed.

During the 1948–49 snow season the first snow fell in November and the last in May. Ski runs were possible down to about 6230 ft. (1900 m.).

V. I. Russell

P.O. Box 150, Tripoli, The Lebanon 20 October 1949