MCCARTHY HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Into Blue Ice: A Two-Day Backpacking Spell on Root Glacier
A compact, guided two-day backpack-in that places you on Root Glacier’s ice for up-close exploration—this guide distills what to expect, what to pack, and how the private St. Elias Alpine Guides outing is structured.
Into Blue Ice: A Two-Day Backpacking Spell on Root Glacier.
Backpack into the big, raw sweep of Root Glacier with St. Elias Alpine Guides on a focused two-day expedition that trades crowds for a close, intimate encounter with glacial ice and high-Alaska wilderness.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Root Glacier up close
The trip centers on an extended, close-range experience of Root Glacier’s icefields—an intimate, small-group exploration of glacial terrain away from busier corridors.
A short backpack-in and camp on the ice
Over the course of two days you backpack into the glacier and spend time exploring its features, making the route itself the focus of the adventure rather than a long-distance trek.
Optional ice climbing on Glacier ice
For those who want to amplify the climb, there is a paid ice-climbing add-on that lets participants spend one of the two full days ice climbing on the Root Glacier.
What the day feels like
What the two days feel like
This is a concentrated, two-day guided backpacking experience: you pack in, establish a presence on or beside the glacier, and spend time exploring the ice and immediate surroundings under the guidance of St. Elias Alpine Guides.
THE LANDSCAPE
Root Glacier up close
The trip centers on an extended, close-range experience of Root Glacier’s icefields—an intimate, small-group exploration of glacial terrain away from busier corridors.
THE ROUTE
A short backpack-in and camp on the ice
Over the course of two days you backpack into the glacier and spend time exploring its features, making the route itself the focus of the adventure rather than a long-distance trek.
THE ADD-ON
Optional ice climbing on Glacier ice
For those who want to amplify the climb, there is a paid ice-climbing add-on that lets participants spend one of the two full days ice climbing on the Root Glacier.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience is a two-day guided backpack-in on Root Glacier. See operator materials for recommended seasons and exact scheduling.
St. Elias Alpine Guides provides an equipment list for this trip; consult that list for clothing, sleeping, and technical gear requirements.
Ice climbing is available as an add-on ($75 per person) that uses one of the trip’s two full days for guided climbing instruction and time on the ice.
Private rates are published per person for 1 through 8 participants; consult the operator for current availability and confirmation details.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Root Glacier Overnight Adventure?
The trip duration is two days.
Who runs this trip?
The adventure is operated by St. Elias Alpine Guides.
What are the rates?
Private 2025 rates are listed by party size: 1 participant $1,375; 2 participants $825 per person; 3–8 participants $580 per person.
Can I do ice climbing as part of the trip?
Yes—there is an ice-climbing add-on for $75 per person that uses one of the two full days for guided ice climbing on the Root Glacier.
Is this offered as a group-format trip?
No—the trip is offered only as private bookings and is not offered in a group format.
Where can I find the equipment list and more trip details?
St. Elias Alpine Guides publishes an equipment list and full trip details on their Root Glacier Overnight Adventure trip page and has a separate FAQ page for additional information.