« Ice Climbing Overview

Ice Explorer Climb & Hike

The best way to get to the coolest places.

Trip Description

Our most popular private trip, the Ice Explorer combines glacier hiking, ice climbing and rope access exploration.

Are you interested in going ice climbing, and want to hike and explore? Do some members of your group want to ice climb and others don’t? Want to experience the areas to the glacier we can only access with ropes? Want that once in a lifetime photo? The Ice Explorer is for you.

Starting and ending at the KWG office, this trip includes a history walk through Kennicott, a four mile round trip hike, and a full day of ice exploration on the incredible Root Glacier.

This trip is fully customizable. When you meet your guide they will ask you a few key questions about your interests and then take you to the places they think you will love the most.

Duration: 7-9 hrs
Difficulty: Medium – Hard Ice Explorer Climb & Hike

Highlights:

  • Climb, hike and explore, all in one trip!
  • Private and customizable
  • The thrill and beauty of leaning over a moulin.
  • Explore blue ice glacier features
  • Views of Mt. Blackburn (16,390 ft) and the Stairway Icefall (7,000 ft of ice!)
  • Historical tour of Kennicott Millsite included
  • Learn about geology, glaciology, flora and fauna while hiking to the glacier
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces.

Who:
Anyone looking for a full day customizable glacier adventure.

When:
Trips can be scheduled to start anytime between 8am and 11am.

Where:
This trip leaves from the KWG office, located across Main Street Kennicott from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

Trip Includes
  • Crampons adjustable to your boots and shoes.
  • All technical gear required for ice climbing.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small client to guide ratios.
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin our trip.
  • A full array of medical, communications, and technical gear.
  • Extra layers if you forgot anything or couldn’t fit it in your luggage!
  • Day packs if you need one.

Trip Does Not Include

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Ice Explorer Climb & Hike Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

1:1 / $599 per person
2:1 / $372 per person
3:1 / $278 per person
4:1 / $229 per person
5+ /  $229  per person

Groups of 6 or more have 2 guides.

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Photo Gallery

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Ice Explorer Climb & Hike Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

1:1 / $599 per person
2:1 / $372 per person
3:1 / $278 per person
4:1 / $229 per person
5+ /  $229  per person

Groups of 6 or more are $220/ person and have 2 guides.

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Trip Description

Our most popular private trip, the Ice Explorer combines glacier hiking, ice climbing and rope access exploration.

Are you interested in going ice climbing, and want to hike and explore? Do some members of your group want to ice climb and others don’t? Want to experience the areas to the glacier we can only access with ropes? Want that once in a lifetime photo? The Ice Explorer is for you.

Starting and ending at the KWG office, this trip includes a history walk through Kennicott, a four mile round trip hike, and a full day of ice exploration on the incredible Root Glacier.

This trip is fully customizable. When you meet your guide they will ask you a few key questions about your interests and then take you to the places they think you will love the most.

Duration: 7-9 hrs
Difficulty: Medium – Hard Ice Explorer Climb & Hike

Highlights:

  • Climb, hike and explore, all in one trip!
  • Private and customizable
  • The thrill and beauty of leaning over a moulin.
  • Explore blue ice glacier features
  • Views of Mt. Blackburn (16,390 ft) and the Stairway Icefall (7,000 ft of ice!)
  • Historical tour of Kennicott Millsite included
  • Learn about geology, glaciology, flora and fauna while hiking to the glacier
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces.

Who:
Anyone looking for a full day customizable glacier adventure.

When:
Trips can be scheduled to start anytime between 8am and 11am.

Where:
This trip leaves from the KWG office, located across Main Street Kennicott from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

Trip Includes
  • Crampons adjustable to your boots and shoes.
  • All technical gear required for ice climbing.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small client to guide ratios.
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin our trip.
  • A full array of medical, communications, and technical gear.
  • Extra layers if you forgot anything or couldn’t fit it in your luggage!
  • Day packs if you need one.

Trip Does Not Include

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Ice Explorer Hike & Climb
Photo Gallery

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Glacier Exploration Tour

We did a full day glacier exploration tour with Mike, and couldn’t have had a better time. He was such a fun guide, and also helped find ice climbing opportunities to learn and also really enjoy the experience. The full day private tour really let him cater the day to what we were interested in – and it did not disappoint. We would highly recommend Kennicott Wilderness Guides, and especially Mike, if you’re looking for an awesome adventure!

PeTera

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Ice Explorer Climb and Hike

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Full-Day Ice Climb

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