Spencer Glacier Hiking and Climbing, Alaska

I spent the last few days climbing out at Spencer Glacier in Alaska. You have to take the train to get to it so I was hoping it would be a good trip. I was very happily suprised!

So I thought I would share this trip with all of you!

So here is why we went out. TO put up new climbing routes on this wall.


I knew it was close to a glacier but not how close, I was happy to find that the glacier was just behind us. I went for a little exploration as soon as we arrived.




This photo is 100 yards from the campsite.


We could hear the glacier breaking apart all day so I wanted to get up for a better look. Walking on the glacier moraines provided that sight.


Chugach Adventure Guides runs rafting trips on the lake and down the Placer River so they had stopped for lunch and a break of exploring the glacier. I thought their boats were good scenery as well.


And the fireweed was everywhere! It was a neat contrast to have fireweed blooming all the way to the toe of the glacier.



And of course the ground which didn't have tall flowers was covered in a low lying moss. My camera was doing weird things with the depth of field here but overall I liked the picture.


And finally Spencer Glacier in all its glory. The glacier was close...real close. I walked up to the left side and into a neat little area where the river ran under going right up the the wall.


Under the glacier is a flowing river of water. Thats a second reason to be afraid of falling in a crevasse. If you make it all the way to the water consider yourself instantly doomed.


The beautiful blue ice of the glacier was enough to lure me right up to it. There is always the possibilty of it coming apart but It didn't look that was going to be happening right away.


On the walk back I took a look at rocks and the smoothing which the glacier had done to them.


So I finally wandered back to "Thought maybe you were lost!" and we took of climbing. Britta and Ian had found a boulder in enough water to climb high as in a "deep water solo". It was more of a mid water solo bit it worked!


The view of the glacier from about a mile.


In answer to any questions yes the water was cold. I was the only one to go in on this specific trip though. In the background are the icebergs.


Me climbing moments before I went in. Yay!


Ians turn! He made it to the top.


The climbing wall has the most amazing view. You can see our campsite, the climbing wall, and the huge glacier all in the same view. Can you believe that the campsite, 3 miles from the train, is actually wheelchair accessable? Seriously.


Ian smiling from the top.


Here is Ian putting up the first bolted route.


Britta walking the 50ft from the wall to the tent. Horray for short approaches!


And then we got lucky with sun and blue skies so we managed a beautiful sunset.




Then its time to say goodbye. I caught up with my friend Allison and ended up getting a free ride on the boats out which was pretty awesome.

Seya next time!