 The great majority of the rubble that covers the lower section of the glacier is transported from its northern branch.The southern branch ("branche méridionale") originates between the faces of the Ailefroide and Pic Coolidge, below the "Col de Coste Rouge" () and the "Col de la Temple" ().The steep north faces of the Ailefroide, Pic du Coup de Sabre and Pic Sans Nom tower 1,000 to 1,500 metres above the glacier.