Mendenhall Glacier Trek and Climb

Join an Alaskan wilderness adventure as you are introduced to glacier trekking and ice climbing on Mendenhall Glacier!

Hike through rainforest, over rocky terrain and along the lake's edge of Mendenhall Glacier on a 2.5 mile trail, reaching an elevation of approx. 300 - 500 feet. On reaching the glacier you will be outfitted in high quality trekking gear for your ice climbing adventure.

Professional expert guides will provide training to ensure a safe and fun adventure on Mendenhall Glacier, including how to use an ice axe and the basic techniques for climbing an ice wall. There is time to practice on a beginner's slope before tackling the main attraction. Enjoy close-up views of ice caves, streams, crevasses and other unique glacial formations on a once in a lifetime adventure!

The Mendenhall Glacier Trek and Climb caters to all abilities, however, you must be capable of hiking for up to 5 hours, covering about 6 miles in total. Due to the various fitness levels and weather on this trip, please allow 7 hours roundtrip.

The first mile of the trail is well maintained and goes through forests with a few switchbacks. The second half of the trail is off the beaten path and requires hiking on bedrock with some rock scrambling on steep sections. It's important to have sturdy shoes/boots that provide good ankle support while hiking on the rocky terrain. For a relatively fit group, it takes about 2 hours to hike to the glacier. The elevation gain is about 300 ft.

Circumstances such as poor weather, inadequate footwear or a slow pace to the glacier may limit or prevent the opportunity to try ice climbing.

Schedule Details Departs: Seasonal
1 May to 30 September, 2008
Daily Departure Point: Tour departs from Juneau hotels or the Mt. Roberts Tramway (5 minutes from the cruise ship terminal) Departure Time:

• 9:00am
• 1:00pm

Return details: Tour returns to original point of departure Hotel Pickup:

Tour departs from most centrally located Juneau hotels (pick up from Bed and Breakfasts not available). Please include the details of your hotel at the time of booking. You MUST call the tour operator at least 24 hours prior to tour commencement to reconfirm all tour and departure details. If the tour operator does not pickup from your hotel, they will advise you of the meeting point when you call. The contact details will be listed on your voucher.

Additional Information