Terrain of Siachen glacier

It is mountainous, precipitous, rugged and ofcourse glacial with an altitude ranging from 5000 to 6500 m and peaks tower to upwards of 7500 m. The glacial flow is from north to south and the area is snow-bound throughout the year.

Glacial areas are devoid of vegetation. The air is rarified. Temperatures are sub zero through out the year, particularly, so in winter. Free movement both on the ground and in the air is hampered by high velocity winds, low clouds and ice - fogs, moraines, snow drifts and avalanches, crevasses etc. Due to the effects of weather, altitude and terrain conditions, the load carrying capacity of men, animals, helicopters and snow vehicles is severely reduced. Air operations, on an average, are possible for only 180 days a year. Troops and equipment deployed in these areas face hitherto inexperienced hazards of climate and terrain and undergo the vagaries of inhospitable and mind-numbing weather.

Glacial regions are characterised by dominating ice capped features, steep and narrow ridges inhibiting movement across except through a pass or saddle, along the valley of the glacier. Approaches to the ridge line normally follow routes along re-entrants, involving rock climbing and use of techniques of ice craft. Movement, except along beaten tracks, is difficult and time consuming due to crevasses, ice pinnacles, soft snow and avalanche prone areas.