Ice Climbing Root Glacier - Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
If you want to experience the thrill of ice climbing in Alaska, this is the trip for you. Set amidst the stunning beauty of the Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the Root Glacier offers the perfect venue for people of all ages and skill levels to participate in this exciting and rewarding sport.
Wrangell St. Elias National Park is located in the Eastern region of South-central Alaska. The Chugach, Wrangell, and St. Elias mountain ranges converge here in what is often referred to as the “Mountain Kingdom of North America.” It is the largest national park in the United States, six times the size of Yellowstone. Wrangell St Elias encompasses over 20,000 square miles of mountain wilderness – that’s over 50,000 square kilometers, or 25% larger than Switzerland.
The Wrangell St. Elias National Park region has long been known for its favorable weather. Summers in the Park are often warm and sunny by Alaskan standards, with temperatures reaching 80+ degrees Fahrenheit (26C) in July and August. Rainfall is sparse at just 11 to 14 inches per year. The combination of ease of access (only a day’s drive east of Anchorage), incredible natural beauty and great summer weather make Wrangell-St. Elias a great destination for your Alaskan itinerary.
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Under the edge of the Kennicott Glacier is a world that few get to see and experience. Glowing blue walls of ice, light seeping through cracks and holes, rushing and dripping water and loose rock and mud shifting under foot - this is not a journey for the faint of heart or shaky of foot, but one you'll not want to miss if you're up for the challenge. Blue light passing through walls of ice, views out through cave entrance, touching different textures of ice walls and ceiling and feeling separate from the whole world is what you cen get while inside the caves.
St. Elias Alpine Guides
The best and by far the most experienced guides to Wrangell St. Elias you can find at St. Elias Alpine Guides. The company has been operating in the area for more than 35 years and presents the best knowledge of the Park. They are the oldest continuously operating business in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and having been taking people into this very special part of the Alaskan wilderness since 1978 (before it was even a national park!). This means they have had the time to explore the park, refine the systems and product so they can provide you with a superior all-around experience. At St. Elias Alpine Guides, safety and customer experience is the number one goal. You’ll be in good hands from the moment your guide fits you for your harness until you’re swapping stories in St. Elias Alpine Guides office at the end of the day. Adrex.com recommends St. Elias Alpine Guides trips and services.
How to reach Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Kennecott and McCarthy sit five miles apart at the end of the McCarthy Road (Edgerton Hwy nr. 10) , about 90 miles from the turnoff from the Richardson Highway (nr. 4). First to reach the city of Chitina, which is a 5 hour drive from Anchorage, 2.5 hours from Valdez and about 6 hours from Fairbanks. Wrangell Mountain Air offers three daily flights from Chitina, at the edge of the park. To get to final destination Kennecott and McCarthy the road is closed in winter. There are also straight flights from Anchorage to the airport at McCarthy carrying the same name.
In the 1980s, Kennecott became a popular tourist destination, as people came to see the old mines and buildings. However, the town of Kennecott was never repopulated. Residents involved in the tourism industry often lived in nearby McCarthy or on private land in the surrounding area. The area was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
To get more detailed information about the destination just go to: www.steliasguides.com
Source: St. Elias Alpine Guides website Thanks for help and approval to Gaia Marrs. All images are property of St. Elias Alpine Guides. Video: Youtube Text: Alan
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