Ice Climbing on the Root Glacier

A true highlight of the trip was our hike and climb on the Root Glacier within Wrangell-St Elis National Park.

A group of 10 including the Rice family and the Gramatikas/Wolf Family set out at 8:00 am to get gear and hike 2 miles up from Kennecott (luckily only about 300 feet of elevation gain) up to the Root Glacier where we put on our ice boots and crampons (kind of like old fashion ice skates that little kids had strapped to the outside of their winter boots, except instead of double blades, these had inch long teeth to stick into the ice so you did not slip) and began another mile long hike on the ice.

Once we got to the head wall, ropes were set up, harnesses were put on and we were shown what to expect.

While we waited for the climbs to be set up, Keegan took a little jaunt up an ice stairway and had to be helped down by the guides.

Keegan started us out by being the first ones up one of the climbs.

Conor also opened the harder of the two climbs.

Patrick enjoyed his climb up the ice, however while on the ice we encountered at thunder and lightning storm and it rained hard.

Sara it was cold and the wall was not as challenging as she could have done.

Michelle thought the climb was exhilarating and nerve wracking all at the same time.

The guides called an end to the activity to avoid hyperthermia for those waiting to climb. Bill was the only one not to climb yet, so he talked them into letting him quickly go up and he ran up the climb in record time.

Keegan was planning on jumping into a glacial pool, but he was so wet from the rain that he did not feel it would be worth it.

Special thanks to our guides from St Elias Guides, Jacob and Nealy. Both were experts in the outdoors and very interesting people to spend the day with.