Arête – A sharp, knife-like ridge, formed by process of erosion and freeze-thaw weathering

(Pronounced ah-ret)

To remember the meaning of the term Arête, use the following mnemonic:

The climber had a retinue (arête) of guides who advised that the edge was too sharp and knife-like to climb.

An arête is usually formed when two glaciers erode parallel, U-shaped valleys, or when two corries (cirques) erode next to each other. The edge of the arête is sharpened by freeze-thaw weathering and the slopes either side are made steep by the erosion of unstable rock.