Glacier Tours and Ice Climbing
Summer ice climbing in Alaska
There are few places in the world where you can ice climb in the warm comfort of summer or walk on a glacier in little more than a sweater.
Alaska is covered by over 29,000 square miles of glacier ice! There are over 100,000 glaciers in the state.
The Matanuska Glacier is one of the most accessible and "interactive" glaciers in Alaska. You can drive right up to the terminal moraine! Experienced mountaineers or those with qualified guides can trek the blue ice, explore hidden lakes and tackle challenging vertical ice walls.
Virtually anyone able to walk comfortably can enjoy at least some trekking on the glacier. Ice climbing requires a bit more fitness but MICA Guides has developed a step-by-step approach that can get almost anyone climbing exciting vertical ice.
Enjoy a spectacular drive in the Matanuska valley, approximately 100 miles up the Glenn Highway from Anchorage. An added bonus, the massive glacier often forms it's own weather...warm sunshine when Anchorage is rainy!
Access to the Matanuska is through Glacier Park; a small entry fee is required and camping is available.
MICA Guides offers fully guided glacier hikes, adventure
treks and ice climbing instruction on the Matanuska. Fun adventure for
the entire family or a challenging day learning vertical ice climbing.
No experience needed! MICA
Glacier Tours
Exposure includes ice climbing and glacier trekking on many of their week-long adventure tours. Combine sea-kayaking and mountaineering with exploring the Matanuska for the ultimate Alaska adventure vacation. Exposure Alaska Tours
Other glaciers in South Central Alaska
Exit Glacier - Near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. Easy access via an interpretive trail but no climbing or trekking on the lower glacier is permitted. Ambitious hikers can climb the steep trail along the ice to the Harding Ice Field.
Portage Glacier - 50 miles south of Anchorage. This glacier is viewable only by boat tour but the US Forest Service operates an excellent visitor center and there are many other glaciers in this beautiful valley. Look for moose, bear and spawning salmon.
Prince William Sound - There are dozens of glaciers near Whittier, through Portage Valley, just south of Anchorage. Access is primarily by tour boat or sea-kayak. This is the place to see spectacular calving action and ice bergs. See sea- kayaking for more information.