Ice Caves

WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK

Exploring the deep blue caverns under a glacier gives you a true taste of adventure


Crawling in an ice cave under the Root Glacier

Exploring deep inside an ice cave on the Root Glacier

Ice caves are undoubtedly one of the most phenomenal creations of nature that I have ever seen. Not only is the ice so brilliantly and beautifully blue that is seems otherworldly, but walking under a giant glacier awakens a sense of adventure that has largely been lost in our comfortable, technology-driven modern lives. As you enter through the cave’s entrance you will immediately gain an awareness of the power of the massive glacier overhead. Your survival instincts will tell you that you shouldn’t be there but your primal human exploratory urges will override any feelings of nervous hesitation. Ice caves are truly a artistic masterpiece shaped by nature. Photos alone are stunning and awe-inspiring but nothing compares to actually standing inside of one of nature’s best creations.

Ice caves are, for lack of a better word, AWESOME!!!

NOTE: Do not attempt to enter a glacier cave unless you are an expert in glacier travel. Ice caves must be thoroughly assessed for their safety before entering and can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. If you want to explore an ice cave (and I highly recommend that you do!) then hire a guide through St. Elias Alpine Guides.

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Textures

There are 3 things that will stand out immediately as you investigate the ice deep within a glacier cave.

1. The ice is really blue.

2. The ice is really dense and hard.

3. There are a lot of textures within the ice. Since the ice is so clean and translucent up to a couple of feet you will see all of the bubbles, rocks, layers of silt and anything else that got trapped within the ice as it carved its way down the valley.