A chunk of the 5,200kg of ice, believed stolen from the JorgeMontt glacier, which was discovered by police in a refrigerated truck. Photo:Fiscalia Regional de Aysen/EPA
Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 1 February 2012 18.25 EST
Climate change sceptics have acquired a new explanation for whyglaciers are retreating: it'snot global warming, it's theft.
The Chilean General Prosecutor's Office displays bags of iceallegedly stolen from the Jorge Montt Glacier, more than 1,200 miles south ofSantiago, Chile.
Police in Chile have arrested a man on suspicion of stealing five tonnes of ice from the JorgeMontt glacier in thePatagonia region to sell as designerice cubes in bars and restaurants.
Local media reported that last Friday police intercepted arefrigerated truck with an estimated£3,900 worth of illicit iceallegedly bound for whiskies,rums and cocktails in thecapital Santiago.
Jorge Montt glacier site seen from space
Authoritieshave accused the driver of theft and are considering adding violation of national monuments to the charge sheet.
Scientistssay Jorge Montt, part of the Bernardo O'Higgins nationalpark, is retreating by half a mile a year, making it one of the world's fastest shrinking glaciers.
Elevated view of Jorge Montt mooring, Bernardo O'Higgins StatePark, Chile
Environmentalists have cited it as evidence that man-made climate change is warming the planet. Sceptics have cited other explanations for retreating glaciers, but theft– until now – was not one of them. It may be the only case in which both sides agree human activity was to blame.
Beautiful photograph of Jorge Montt glacier
NOTE: When Jane was in4th grade, she created a rather sophisticated (for her age) audio-visualresearch project about Chile, which first made me aware of the Jorge Montt glacier. Coincidentally, around the same time we also saw a terrific show on the Discovery Channel about Chile and thecountry became high on the list of places we would like to visit. Santiago looked incredibly beautiful and sophisticated and Chile's collision ofsea, sky, ocean, deserts, mountains, and vineyards, not to mention the world's largestswimming pool (link), was astonishing to behold. Friends and relativeswho have spent time there have all returned with great reports and marvelousstories.
This story, of course, is both a weird and pedestrianat the same time. It's essentially petty theft of a lot of ice for small commercial gain.
I'm not sure whether, if offered a glacier ice drink, I would trust theestablishment making the claim to be telling the truth, but perhaps I'd be intrigued enough towant my Pisco Sour made that way.
Anyway, I think I would be remiss in notoffering here a recipe for Chile'ssignature cocktail. This one emanates from Ryan McGrale of No. 9 Park in Boston, asuperb restaurant worth logging significanttravel time to visit. I have occasionally thought that I would be happy living at its bar.
Pisco Sour
1 egg white
2 1/2 ounces Pisco Capel (see note)
1/2 ounce simple syrup
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
Angostura Bitters (see note, below)
In cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine egg white, Pisco,simple syrup, and lemon juice.
Cover, shake vigorously for 15 seconds, and strain intosix-ounce cocktail glass. Top with a few drops of bitters.
Bartenders Note:
In this recipe, anyChilean Pisco will do, but be aware that Chilean and Peruvian Piscos are not interchangeable. Chilean Pisco is sweeter and has a slightlylower proof. So if you use the Peruvian stuff, adjust the amount of lemon juiceand simple syrup accordingly. Both kinds are available at many good liquorstores.
Chilean Amargo bittersare virtually impossible to buy in the U.S., but easy-to-find Angostura Bitters make an acceptablesubstitute. Yet since, as Ryan McGrale says, they are "sharper andspicier, go alittle lighter on the bitters if you're using Angostura."
MusicCue: Ice Fishing At Night -- John Paul Jones(wr. Jones-Blegvad), from The Thunder Thief
The world’s largest swimming pool, Algarrobo, Chile
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