Walking on Root Glacier, thanks to duct tape

We met St. Elias Guides after a hearty breakfast. Mosquitoes were as big as birds, and aplenty. Our guide Chris fitted us with crampons and we started our 2.5 mile hike to Root Glacier. Surrounding our hotel, a lot of moraine was pushed into piles of dirt and rocks that stretch for miles. Upon first glance, one would assume the moraine was tailings left over from the copper mining days. Once we started hiking, it was more obvious that the thin layer of moraine was covering a huge glacier surrounding us. These were not tailings, but massive boulders and dirt pushed by mother nature.

We stopped by the last real pit toilet for the entire day. With new friend Pam, Jackson and I walked through thick soapberry bushes, a favorite bear snack, to get there. We were told to talk loudly so we wouldn't startle any large animals eating their breakfast. Apparently the jingle bells we brought are not effective enough and only annoy other hikers!  Bear spray is only to be used as a last resort. Better to warn bears that you are approaching. Halfway into the walk to the toilet, Jackson changed his mind and decided to hold it.

The temperature dropped as we got closer to the ice. We sat down, strapped on the crampons, and trekked uphill. Walking like ducks, we kept our feet flat and stomped, as if we were stepping on cockroaches. Hilarious to watch.

Chris and Jackson went all out by stripping down to their undies and jumping in a glacial pool, blue as the sky. I didn't go in. Someone had to take the pictures...
Our guide pointed out various natural formations in the ice and showed us how to use the pick axe. He explained if we fell into a crevasse, he might be able to get us out. But if we fell into a moulan, we would be carried underneath the glacier by moving water, never to be seen again. I stuck close to the guide.

I had painful open blisters from wearing my hiking boots too loose. Our guide sat me down and covered them with duct tape. Worked like a charm and pain no more.

Around 3, we headed back toward the hotel and the staff was nice enough to let us use the showers before shuttling us back to the air strip. At 5, we were back on a bush plane headed into civilization. This one had 6 seats, not 4 like last time. Still tiny and freaky turbulence...
Once we touched down 45 minutes later, we had a 2.5 hour drive from east to west halfway across the interior to get to our hotel in Glacier View. I had a hard time not hitting the rumble strip as I drove, the landscape was so distracting. For every picture you see here, imagine the view as 100 times more beautiful. It just cannot be captured on film.