Merzbacher Lake

Lake Merzbacher, nestled in the northeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan, lies where the two majestic ridges of the Tian Shan Mountains meet. Surrounded by peaks soaring over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet), this unique lake sits in the shadow of Khan Tengri, near the Inylchek Glacier. This area is a geographical marvel, bordered by Kazakhstan to the north and China to the south. Spanning 60 kilometers (37 miles) and covering 583 square kilometers (225 square miles), the glacier’s ice reaches staggering depths of up to 540 meters (1,770 feet), making it one of the world’s most renowned glaciers.

Tucked between the northern and southern arms of the Inylchek Glacier, Lake Merzbacher is a natural phenomenon. It forms each summer and typically bursts through its ice banks in August, sometimes also in winter, draining into the Inylchek River. However, only part of the lake empties. Divided by an ice bridge, the lower section regularly releases its water, while the upper part remains constantly full.

The lake was first discovered in 1903 by German geographer and mountaineer Gottfried Merzbacher, who led an expedition into the Tian Shan in an attempt to summit Khan Tengri. When the original route through Bykanol Pass was blocked by ice, the team tried a different path along the Inylchek Glacier but were again unsuccessful. Although they did not reach their destination, the expedition’s lasting legacy was the discovery of Lake Merzbacher. They proved that Khan Tengri was situated on a ridge, not at the center of the Tian Shan range as previously thought.

Merzbacher’s team found the crystal-clear lake at 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level, trapped between two glacial branches and dotted with icebergs. Remarkably, while the group was camped nearby, the lake suddenly drained, leaving icebergs stranded on the dry lake bed. A similar event occurred 28 years later to another group of explorers, who witnessed the lake’s waters vanishing before their eyes. The water gushed from crevices in the ice with deafening roars, terrifying their horses, and creating the impression that the glacier might break apart and surge downstream, destroying everything in its path. Upon returning the following year, they found the lake once again full.

Although Lake Merzbacher is one of the most famous disappearing lakes, similar natural events have been recorded in Iceland, Switzerland, and Greenland. Several trekking routes lead adventurers through this remarkable region, though permits for the border zone are required to explore this part of Kyrgyzstan.