Name after peak-hooded New Mexican monks (lower right below), Penitentes are dazzling naturally-forming ice blades that stick up at sharp angles toward the sun. Rarely found except at high altitudes, they can grow up taller than human and form in vast fields. As ice melts in particular patterns, "Valleys " formed by initial mellts leave 'mountains' in their wake. Strangely, these formations ultimately slow the melting process as the peaks cast shadows on the deeper surfaces below and allow for winds to blow the peaks, cooling them.
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