In reply to UKC/UKH Articles:
I find this a bit depressing - it seems to me that the Mer de Glace at the beginning of the 20th century was about the same as it was when I first saw it in 1973. I didn't see it at all between 1978 and 1996 - I was mightily puzzled by the "new" route from Montenvers down to the ice. The rate of retreat has only got worse.
Of course I was also mightily puzzled by the price of wine and the fact that a 50 FF note that I had wouldn't buy anything. The bank staff laughed at me!
I suppose change is inevitable....