Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier in Exit Glacier Area

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.

Adventure Guide To Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier

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.
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.
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.

Local Insights

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.

Visitor Tips

When to Visit: July to September is ideal.
What to Pack: Insulated climbing boots, gloves, sunglasses, and waterproof clothing.
Directions: Exit Glacier is roughly a 15-minute drive from Seward, Alaska. Take the Seward Highway, then turn onto Exit Glacier Road.

Adventure Map

Reviews

Daniel Duran7 months ago

I had a great experience going up the Harding Icefield Trail as the views from above are spectacular! It starts out easy but it quickly inclines as it can get really rocky along the way! The hike up can be treacherous so definitely expect to hike on snow as you get higher on the trail! I do recommend boots at least and some trekking poles! It’s definitely the best views once you get above!

Cʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ Aᴍʏ6 months ago

The trail is divided into 3 sections including marmot meadow (~1.4 mile), top of the cliffs (~2 mile), and end of trail (~3.5 mile). Total 6-8 hrs round trip and we took 8.5 hrs. We hiked in a relatively slow pace and rested enough. Took some pictures and had snacks. End of the trail is definitely the strenuous part because of the snow and weather. Sometimes there’s fog and you can barely see anything so have to watch out every steps. If you don’t have enough time or energy, I would say top of the cliffs is good enough because you can view the exit glacier which is also astonishing and scenery. Harding Icefield is absolutely spectacular because that is not like any other glaciers. Totally speechless and worth the hike. Just be prepared and adjust yourself accordingly during the hike! I would say this hike is the best highlight of my trip to Alaska✨

Nina men4 months ago

A truly amazing hiking trail. It has 3 sections. We’ve hiked to the top, end of the trail. About 8.5 miles round trip. It is not that hard. But it does has lots of stairs, and it was very slippery, no restroom on the way except at the visitor center. Be cautious this park has some bears, we saw 2 bears far away, and also many big marmots on the way, we’ve been to about 20 US’s national parks, this one probably my fav and the most beautiful national park among them. Especially after rainy the sun came out, it became like in a fairy tale, picturesque like a painting.

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.

Max Maier5 months ago

The higher you hike the better the views get it’s a solid hike up! The last mile kind of flattens out but it’s a good climb up the whole way. Definitely recommend taking plenty of water and food as this trail can drain your energy.

Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier in Exit Glacier Area