Mendenhall Glacier Trek — Part 2

The color and texture of the ice varied considerably. In some areas, the ice was dirty with glacial silt, an extremely fine sludge of ground up rocks. In other areas, the ice appeared to glow with an inner blue light. This quality was especially evident in passages carved by melt water. We squeezed through a couple of these, walking in ankle deep water or stepping along the sides of the stream.

The way inThe way in Shockingly blue iceShockingly blue ice Shockingly blue iceShockingly blue ice Rediscovering daylightRediscovering daylight Another passage aheadAnother passage ahead Another passage aheadAnother passage ahead At the entranceAt the entrance Guiding us inGuiding us in

Many of the glacier's features were purely to be ogled and not explored. These included narrow crevasses of unknown but alarming depth, and shallow "caves" under possibly fragile slabs or shelves of ice. In between, we experienced the unusual sensation of walking on water as we crossed an area of submerged ice pinnacles. Cool.

A deep crevasseA deep crevasse Peering into the crevassePeering into the crevasse Lessons in walking on waterLessons in walking on water An ice shelf undermined by meltwaterAn ice shelf undermined by meltwater Looking under the ice shelfLooking under the ice shelf Looking under the ice shelfLooking under the ice shelf No place to try to ride out a stormNo place to try to ride out a storm Ice cubes under another shelfIce cubes under another shelf Ice cubes under another shelfIce cubes under another shelf

Our flight back to the Juneau airport was direct and brief. After posing for photos with the helicopter (so touristy), we were able to get out of our harnesses and snow pants and use a restroom. Thanks to NorthStar Trekking for a great adventure.

Return to Alaska Cruise 2007

Copyright © 2008 Jefferson Scher.