Recent studies of Himalayan glacier recession indicate that there is wide variability interminus retreat rate and mass balance in the different sectors of the mountain range, primarily linked tothe topography and climate of the region. Variable retreat rates of glacier termini and inadequatesupporting field data (e.g. mass balance, ice thickness, velocity, etc.) in the Himalayan glaciers make itdifficult to develop a coherent picture of climate change impacts. In this study, the results of a detailedmapping campaign and ground-based measurements of ablation rate, terminus retreat and ice loss arereported for the period 2003–10. In addition, background information from an old glacier map (Surveyof India, 1962) was compiled and terminus recession measurements were carried out from 1990 fieldphotographs of Chorabari Glacier, central Himalaya. Our ablation stake network results suggest that theinfluence of debris cover is significant for Chorabari Glacier mass balance and terminus retreat. Theterminus survey finds that the glacier is retreating, but at a lower rate than many other non-debris-covered glaciers in the region. The recession and ablation data (particularly in the upperablation area athigher altitudes) suggest that the ice volume loss of the glaciers is of greater magnitude than the slowterminus retreat and, if the process continues, the lowermost part of the glacier may reduce to a quasi-stationary position while significant ice loss continues.
