In both 2008 and 2011 expeditions a CM6B Kipp&Zonen radiometer was installed at South Col. This sensor is a first class pyranometer as defined by the World Meteorological Organization. It is suitable for the measurement of solar irradiance on a plane surface (W/m2). It incorporates a 64-thermocouple sensor, which is rotationally symmetrical, housed under K5 domes. A white screen prevents the body of the pyranometer from heating up. The pyranometer is supplied with a spirit level and screws for accurate levelling. CM6B technical data - Spectral range 305 to 2800 nm (50%points) - Sensitivity 9 to 15 ?V/Wm-2 - Impedance 70 to 100 Ohm - Response time 1/e 5 s, 99 % 55 s - Non-linearity <1.5 % (<1000 W/m 2 ) - Tilt error <1.5 % at 1000 W/m 2 - Operating temperature -40 to +90 °C - Temperature dependence of sensitivity _2 % (-10 to +40 °C) - Maximum irradiance 2000 W/m2 - Directional error < _20 W/m2 at 1000 W/m2 - Weight 0.85 kg - Cable length 10 m

In 2008 at South Col the CombiSD DNA022 sensor (LSI-Lastem, Italy) was installed. During the 2011 expedition, this sensor was replaced with a prototype (LSI-Lastem) to support with another sensor manufactured by VAISALA: WA15D7B. The WA15 is based on accurate sensors installed on a large crossarm. It is designed for demanding wind measurement applications. Three lightweight, conical cups mounted on the cup wheel, provide excellent linearity over the entire operating range, up to 75 m/s. A wind-rotated chopper disc attached to the shaft of the cup wheel cuts an infrared light beam 14 times per revolution. This generates a pulse output from the phototransistor. The output pulse rate is directly proportional to wind speed (e.g. 246 Hz = 24.6 m/s). However, for the highest accuracy, the characteristic transfer function should be used to compensate for starting inertia.

The second italian permanent station was installed on August 14, 2007, on Dosdè Glacier. This station located at 2850 m asl permits to collect data on above glacial thermal conditions and incoming and outcoming energetic fluxes. This automatic weather station represent the highest Lombardy permanent station on glacier and its data can be comparable to those collected by AWS Forni in order to verify the effects of climate change on glacial size and micro-meteorological parameters. Geographical coordinates: - Latitude: 46° 23’ 33.944” N - Longitude: 10° 13’ 3.359” E

In 2008 expedition, at South Col was installed the DMA572 termohygrometer, that was replaced during the 2011 expedition with two DMA672 termohygrometers and one DMA033 thermometer. All these sensors are manufactered by LSI-Lastem (Italy). DMA 672 thermohygrometer is an instrument for measuring temperature and relative humidity and suitable for a continuous measurement in severe environments; in presence of deep thermal and hygrometric ranges with high sun radiant heat. An importatnt feature of this set of sensor is that the thermohygrometric sensitive element is easily replaceable, in order to have a simple and rapid ordinary maintenance and avoiding calibration. The Thermohygrometer has supported a considerable improvement, owing to a deep technical and styling development process: a fan ensures a continuos air change around the sensor in order to eliminate temperature fault caused by radiant heat. Technical characteristics for temperature: Range: -30 to 70°C Sensitive element: Pt100 Class B 1/3 DIN Sensitive element replacement: sensor replacement Accuracy (Repeatability+ Hysteresis): ±0,1°C (0°C) Resolution: n.a. Response time (Sens. Element): 10 s Thermal drift: n.a. Long term stability: <1°C year Operating temperature: -50°÷100°C Technical characteristics for relative humidity: Range: 0 to100% Sensitive element: Capacitive Sensitive element replacement: sensor replacement Accuracy (Repeatability+ Hysteresis): 1,5% (5 to 95%, 23°C) Resolution: 0,12% Response time (Sens. element): 10 s Thermal drift: Max ± 1,5% Long term stability: <1 RH% year DMA033 Thermometer is well-suited for environmental outdoor measurements, with natural or forced ventilation antiradiant shield. Technical characteristics: Range : -40 to70°C Sensitive element: Pt100 1/3 DIN-B Accuracy: ±0,1C (0°C) Repeatability: 1/5 accuracy Electric output: Pt100 ? 1/3 DIN Operating temperature: -40°to 95°C Protection (vertical pos.): IP66

The Forni Automatic Weather Station has been installed on Forni Glacier on September 26, 2005 at 2669 m asl. This station represents the first Italian permanent above glacial AWS, that supply a big number of information about micro-meteorological conditions on surface of an Italian Alpine glacier. In particular, this station is located in the Glacial Ablation area and permits to measure both the winter accumulation and the thermal conditions and in-coming/out-coming energetic fluxes that rules the losses of glacial masses during the summer period. Geographical coordinates: - Latitude: 46° 23’ 56.0” N - Longitude: 10° 35’ 25.2” E

The third Italian permanent automatic weather station has been installed on December 17, 2007 on Gigante Glacier ( Mt. Bianco’s group). Data collected by this station permit to improve knowledge both on local micro-meteorological parameters and on periglacial and glacial conditions. Moreover, this station located at 3430 m asl permits to collect data on above glacial thermal conditions and incoming and outcoming energetic fluxes. Data collected by this station can be compared to the AWSs installed on Forni and Dosdè glaciers. Geographical coordinates: - Latitude: 45° 50' 50" - Longitude: 06° 55' 58"

25 Halocarbons[pptv] relevant for climate issues will be analysed in grab samples collected weekly. The following compounds are currently observed and analysed : - Halons H-1301, H-1211 - CFCs: CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, CFC-115 - HCFCs: HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, HCFC-142b, HCFC-124 - CH3Cl, CH3Br, CH3I, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CH3CCl3,CCl4, TCE, PCE - HFCs:HFC-134a, HFC-152a, HFC-125

Both in 2008 and in 2011 expedition a PTB330 barometer was installed at South Col. This sensor is manufactured by Vaisala company. The operating principle on the basis of its work is that when the pressure changes, the silicon diaphragm bends and changes theheight of the vacuum gap in the sensor. This changes the capacitance of the sensor, which is measured and converted into a pressure reading. Technical characteristics: Range: 50 to 1100 hPa Accuracy at +20 °C (serial output): ±0.30 hPa Total accuracy at -40 to +60 °C (serial output): ±0.45 Accuracy for 50 to 1100 hPa (analog output): ±0.40 hPa at +20 °C; ±0.75 hPa between -40/+60 Temperature dependence : ±0.3 hPa Long-term stability: ±0.2 hPa/year

At the end of March 2006 a Cimel CE-318 sunphotometer was installed at the Nepal Climate Observatory - Pyramid (NCO-P) within the framework of the Aerosol Robotic Network, AERONET (http://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov, EvK2-CNR site). It provides a characterization of aerosol optical and microphysical properties of the air column above the station.

Optical Particle Counter - Dust Monitor 190 GRIMM determining size distribution for particles with diameters ranging between 25 nm and 32 µm.