The most beautiful places in the world are not always in sight and Alaska is proof of thatsince, despite being one of the coldest places on the planet, among its lands it has one of the most precious natural jewels on the planet, the Mendenhall Glacier, a place where you can see one of the most surreal scenarios ever imagined by man.
Located in the Mendenhall Valley, south of the city of Juneau and with an extension of 19 kilometers, this ice giant and its adjoining landscape are protected as part of the “Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area”. yesbeing visited by thousands of people who dedicate themselves to admiring, from a distance, the spectacular view of the glacier and the icebergs that float in the lake; although few are those who marvel at its most impressive side, the ice caves that have formed inside it, as a result of the melting of glacial ice.
Upon entering the caves, the visual spectacle that we will find will transport us to a dream placewith ice walls of a marked turquoise color, in which, thanks to the passage of light through the ice layer, we are allowed to appreciate the impressive forms that have been created naturally after the passage of many years.
Accessing these caves means putting our adventurous spirit to the test, since a kayak trip through the icy waters of Lake Mendenhall awaits us, and, in addition, a hike and a climb on the glacial ice. To this is added the adrenaline that generates the risk that the walls could collapse at any time; a danger that we will minimize with the company of a professional guide with knowledge of the routes and the places where there is weakening of the ice cap; so the safety and enjoyment of the experience are guaranteed.
The melting generated by climate change has accelerated not only the retreat of this glacier (estimated between 30 and 45 meters per year), which increases the risk of its disappearance in the future; but it has also been exposing the remains of a prehistoric forest that had been trapped in those thick ice sheets, which is estimated to be between 1,400 and 2,350 years old.
If you are a lover of adventure, nature and frozen emotions, this will definitely be the next place you want to visit. We only recommend that you take the tour in summer, especially since the low temperatures inside can be easily tolerated. We assure you that it will be worth it, since you will live one of the best experiences of your life; making the adventure even more valuable is the fact that these caves are constantly changing, making each visit a different episode.
But if you are one of the people who prefers to stay at home, you have no excuses to enjoy this glacier, since, thanks to Katy Giorgio’s “youtube” channel, you can get to know the interior of this frozen wonder.