Crossing the Juneau Icefield

March 1st, 2006 ender3rd

Our expedition to cross the Juneau Icefield began after 4 days of intensive training and preparation in Juneau, Alaska. From Juneau we spent an entire day making our way through temperate rainforest, alpine and subalpine vegitation, though the tree line, tundra, and finally onto the icefield (a large interconnected series of glaciers). The trail rugged and beautiful, the cool mist from the sea passed through the dense and dark green pine forest. Ferns covered the ground and signs of animal life were everywhere. There were bald eagles, bear, and we even saw a wolverine. Once we climbed above the tree line and onto the snowfields and ice we stapped on our crampons and placed our iceaxes firm in hands, carfully manuvering around the crevasses. We arrived at our first camp the evening of the day after having crossed the first glacier. Our first camp (and subsequent six camps) were located on a rocky ridge between glaciers called a nunatak an island in the sea of ice. We spent the next six weeks traversing the Juneau Icefield, tavelling from camp to camp. In all, we travelled by foot and ski over 175 miles, ending up in Canada!  We crossed several glaciers, climbed over ridges and skiied snow covered slopes. We even rappelled into crevasses and camped atop icy peaks. Overall, it was an incredible experience, and by far “My Favorite Trip Ever.”

Click here for more awesome Photos For the Juneau Ice Field Story.

Entry Filed under: Whatever!, Hiking, Winter Rec, Environment, Backpacking, Camping, Competitions