Last evening we researched guided tours of the glacier. We decided on the MICA Guides company who got very good ratings. However, since their times were not filled we chose to not make a reservation.
We arrived at the MICA Guides headquarters about 9:00. We met with the receptionist who agreed that we would be capable of handling the 3 hour hike rather than the shorter 1 1/2 hour one. We were a little intimidated by the hike as assumed we would be with a group of others and we did not want to slow the group down.
However, the receptionist said there were openings for the 9:30 hike, which we agreed to take. We had to sign 2 waivers, one for MICA, and the other for the private landowner through whose property we had to travel to get to the glacier. Grant, our host in Wasilla, knows the owner quite well.
We completed the waivers, paid the fees, and loaded up our backpack. About 9:15 Reese comes out to introduce himself as our guide. He takes us to the gear shack. Upon seeing our low cut hiking shoes, he provided loaner high top hiking boots. He said that our low cuts would not cut it with the muddy, sloppy terrain we'd encounter. Once fitted with the loaner boots, we were fitted with crampons.
The crampon fit over the toe and heel of the hiking boots and are are loaded with about 9 steel spikes. The spikes are necessary to maintain traction when walking on the icy surface of the glacier. However, we would not use the crampons until we were actually at that point to walk on the ice.
We were also fitted with a helmet. It became very obvious that MICA Guides take seriously the safety of the client. Reese went over with us in detail what was and what was not acceptable when hiking on the glacier. And it was about this time that we realized that no one else was showing up to go on this hike with us. We were one on one with Reese!
After a van drive to the parking lot overlooking the glacier, we walked a short distance to near the terminus of the glacier. There we sat and put on our crampons. After a brief intro on the finer aspects of walking in crampons we climbed onto and up the glacier.
Reese was an outstanding guide. Not only did he put safety first, he was also very knowledgeable about glaciers. And he was also very personable. Even though he was taking a couple who were more than old enough to be his parents he treated us to a fantastic experience. And, he paced the hike so that we were able to keep up and not get so winded that we couldn't converse with him.
I don't know how to fully describe the experience of hiking on a glacier! All I can say is "Wow!", which isn't very academic! I took a number of pictures of the hike and like is often expressed, a picture is worth a thousand words. So please, take the time to view our photos to get an impression of what we are so enthused about.
After our 3 hour hike (the time went quickly!) we rode back to the MICA office, turned in our borrowed gear and bid Reese a heartfelt thank you. And, with that, I offer my complete endorsement of MICA Guides. They are a class act!
From there we drove farther up the Glenn Highway to get views of the Matanuska Glacier's valley and see the ice cap atop the Chugach Mts. After we got our photos, we went further to the Sheep Mountain Lodge. Reese suggested having lunch there, and boy, am I glad he did (and I know Peggy would say the same!). Peggy had a chicken quesadillas, and I their cheese burger. But it was the dessert that was oo-la-la! For the first time since we left Omaha, I got to have a homemade rhubarb and strawberry pie!! And it was awesome! Peggy opted for their carrot cake and probably would agree that it was very good.
So the day was a big hit! I could say more about the exhilaration of hiking on a glacier. To think that the ice we were standing on was 800-1000 years old, and that we could drink directly from its melting clear ice without worry. To know that many glaciers around our planet are disappearing all made this adventure strike a cord. So again, I invite you to look at our photos to get a glimpse of what we saw and maybe allow them to trigger some emotions for you.
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