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Detailed Description PDF »Equipment List PDF »
This glacier trek allows you to experience Alaska by spending a day or more exploring the spectacular blue ice of the Matanuska Glacier. Your guides will teach you basic mountaineering skills. Wearing climbing harnesses, using crampons and mountaineering boots, you will travel on all day forays to unique ice formations and scenic vistas. Having lunch within close proximity to some of the world's most spectacular glacial formations while surrounded by gorgeous mountains will make your adventure to Alaska an unforgettable experience.
The Matanuska Glacier, an active glacier which advances one foot per day, is extremely popular with scientists of all backgrounds to study. It takes approximately 250 years for the ice to form up glacier and advance to the terminus. Thanks to the cold air from the glacier forcing the warm valley air upward, the Matanuska Glacier is usually clear and sunny. A frequently asked question concerns the cause of the blue ice. The density of glacier ice allows the entire spectrum of light to be absorbed with the exception of the blue light which is reflected, and can, therefore, be seen by your eye.
AMS guides are world-class mountaineers and outdoor educators who teach the basic mountaineering techniques for safe travel on this glacier. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to learn about glaciology, go ice climbing, and see specific glacial formations such as moulins, glacier lakes, and ice arches.
All specialty equipment is provided. Actual difficulty can be customized to participant's desires.
Glacier treks begin at the toe of the Matanuska Glacier, located within Glacier Park Resort. Expect to be on snow and ice for the duration of your trek.
Glacier treks visit remote glaciated wilderness areas where there are no physical amenities. We live in the outdoors and camp in tents. There is no running water; depending on our campsite we carry bottled water, or retrieve water running on the glacier. We use camp stoves and outhouses or dig holes for human waste. There are options for nearby lodging for those who wish. Safety is paramount; therefore, we equip ourselves with mountaineering clothing and survival equipment such as tents, kitchens, supplies, emergency radios and cell phones. The Matanuska is accessible by road, but it is still a very long distance from the nearest medical facility.
We meet at 8:00 a.m. at the AMS office at the end of 3rd street. It is important to be on time as we do not want to miss a moment on the glacier. There will be muffins, juice and coffee at AMS, but please eat a more substantial breakfast and take care of personal business beforehand. After introductions, our instructors make sure you are properly outfitted by checking any personal equipment and clothing beforehand and issuing you any items you may need from AMS. Treks are scheduled to leave AMS at around 9:30 a.m. for the drive to the Matanuska Glacier. We can also arrange to meet you at the glacier if you prefer.
As we explore the glacier, participants take delight in the awesome surroundings and learn more about all aspects of the area. Photographers and outdoor enthusiasts are rewarded with stunning views and incredible landscapes. Those with little or no mountaineering experience benefit from the instruction on glacier travel techniques, crampon use, and ice axe use. Natural history enthusiasts enjoy discussions on the glaciology and history of Alaska. There is something for everyone who enjoys being in the mountains and appreciates true wilderness and untamed beauty.
All treks begin with an orientation to the hazards of a glaciated environment and techniques for safe glacier travel. These include dressing appropriately, wearing a harness, roping up, belaying, and self-arresting. Opportunities exist during longer treks to learn more about rescue and self-rescue techniques. Trekking routes are chosen for their minimal crevasse hazard danger. It is not entirely possible, however, to eliminate the chance of a crevasse fall on a snow-covered glacier.
ONE DAY TREK
The One Day Trek includes reviewing glacier travel techniques, roping up, and traveling to a scenic overlook. Talks are given on the glaciated mountain environment from the climber and naturalist's perspectives. A glacier tour and/or optional ice climb completes the day. We travel back to the parking area for a 5:30 departure. Distance traveled per day varies, but expect to go around 1-3 miles.
TWO DAY TREK
Spending the night in the middle of a glaciated region is a superb experience given the proper equipment and guidance. After driving to the glacier, you help guides set up camp with expedition tents and a pyramid tent for the kitchen and group area. Once completed, you learn about the special equipment. You travel onto the ice by walking over the glacial moraine to interesting ice formations and a scenic overlook. Talks on glaciology and crampon use techniques are given. Once back in camp, an enjoyable evening is spent at our campsite next to the glacier-fed river. With plenty of good food, don't plan on losing any weight! The evening's alpenglow brings out the surrounding mountains' true colors. The following morning after a hearty breakfast, you head out again for an extended tour which may include a small peak ascent or ice climbing depending on the goals of the group. Other options include lowering into a moulin for rescue training. Distance: 1-5 miles.
THREE DAY TREK
One advantage of the three day trek is starting the second day knowing you do not need to get back in the van for another day of driving. You can relax and appreciate a full day on the glacier. You will also have the better part of the third day to further get to know and explore the glacier. This three day option gives you the opportunity to go on a longer climb or glacier tour and truly absorb the experience of living in a mountain range. With the 24 hours of light, you won't have to worry about getting caught out after dark.