Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier in Exit Glacier Area
Adventure Destination

Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier in Exit Glacier Area

Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier10.0/10Moderate
Photo Gallery

Category

Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier

Typical Duration

2-4 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

About This Adventure Destination

Introductory Overview

Ice climbing on Exit Glacier, located in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, offers an exhilarating combination of natural beauty and athletic challenge. This activity gives adventurers the opportunity to ascend sheer walls of glacial ice while being surrounded by some of Alaska’s most dramatic landscapes. What makes Exit Glacier particularly special is its accessibility—while other glaciers may require multi-day treks, Exit Glacier is reachable within minutes from the visitor center. Here, you’ll find a dynamic frozen environment that evolves throughout the year, providing unique climbing opportunities for both novice and experienced climbers. As part of a rapidly changing ecosystem, climbing on Exit Glacier also allows visitors to witness the impacts of climate change on Alaska's glacial systems.

Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier in Exit Glacier Area

Adventure Guide to Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier in Exit Glacier Area

1

- Guided Climbing Experiences: Local outfitters, such as Kenai Fjords Glacier Guides, offer professionally guided ice climbing trips tailored to different skill levels. They provide necessary equipment, including crampons, ice axes, and harnesses, ensuring both safety and top-tier adventure. What sets these tours apart is the emphasis on safety and an educational component, teaching climbers about glacial features such as crevasses and seracs.

  • Details:

    The Ice Wall Routes: Specific climbing routes along Exit Glacier deliver varying degrees of difficulty. Beginners may start with shorter ice walls, while advanced climbers tackle large, challenging vertical faces. These climbing areas are known for their pristine ice formations and ever-changing textures due to seasonal shifts.

  • Details:

    Photography Opportunities: Ice climbing at Exit Glacier is not only about the climb but also about the views. Towering walls of crystalline ice shimmer under the Arctic sun, providing stunning backdrops. Carrying a waterproof camera lets climbers capture the otherworldly blues inherent in the glacial formations.

2

Local Insights

  • Overview:

    Climbing conditions vary depending on temperature and season, with late summer to early fall being prime months due to stability in ice conditions. Locals recommend layering your clothing—conditions near the glacier can shift from cold icy winds to bursts of sunshine.

3

Visitor Tips

  • Details:

    When to Visit: July to September is ideal.

  • Details:

    What to Pack: Insulated climbing boots, gloves, sunglasses, and waterproof clothing.

  • Details:

    Directions: Exit Glacier is roughly a 15-minute drive from Seward, Alaska. Take the Seward Highway, then turn onto Exit Glacier Road.

Reviews

L
Linyuan Gong3 months ago

Best trail ever visited. Strenuous but the view on the top worths it. In October, there were hard, icy snow near top of the cliff, making the trail very difficult near the end.

R
Roman Zemierowski4 months ago

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

A
Armen Arutyunyan4 months ago

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

A
Allen Yua week ago

Beautiful scenery and easy hike.

A
Allen Lin4 months ago

First, you should really do entire trail, go to the end of the trail it’s really worth it. The first hike marmot hills or whatever is ok, top of the cliff is good but it’s even better and a different view at the end of the trail. The hike is long but not actually super difficult just really long like climbing a ton of stairs. I have video of the hike at many points along the trail if you want to see whether or not it’s difficult for you, but I didn’t think it was too bad.

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