What is an arete? An arete, or mountain ridge, is a sharp-edged crest. It is often found between valleys that are close to mountain summits.

Arete, mountain ridge

Aretes in the Dolomite Mountains of the Italian Alps.

An arete forms when erosion of two mountain valleys wears away their common ridge, making it thinner and thinner. Finally, the crest becomes no more than a narrow edge.

Aretes can also be found on the sides of mountains where ice-filled hollows wear back into the peak.

Video: Aretes in the Alps. Watch climbers walk along one.

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