Ice Climbing

• A full day on the Matanuska Glacier.  This includes a demanding 5  mile round-trip hike to the best climbing terrain, and 3-4 hours of ice climbing in which you can expect 3-4 climbs per person depending on group ability and pace. Your time climbing vs. moraine hiking depends on group ability and pace. The best way to maximize climbing time is to book a custom trip. 
•  Some down time during which your guide will be building anchors and other group members will be climbing. 
• An introduction to climbing gear and proper climbing techniques (climbing boots, crampons, helmets and ice tools provided by MICA Guides)
• Progression of climbing throughout the day, from beginner bouldering to more challenging and physically demanding walls. 
• The majority of climbing terrain requires lowering into glacial features such as a moulins (deep shafts in the ice) or glacial canyons. Guests on this trip should not be afraid of height exposure.

We’ve learned that climbing and any technical exploring using rope systems in “the backcountry” offers a superior experience for our guests.

Access to the backcountry requires  a demanding 2 mile hike over uneven glacial moraine to the best climbing terrain the Matanuska has to offer.

Depending on your group’s ability and pace, this hike takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half and involves walking over loose rocks, muddy ice, and steep slopes.

While strenuous, this hike allows our groups to escape the larger crowds on the lower glacier and access some of the most dramatic terrain the Matanuska has to offer.

Of course safety is our top priority so if your Guide determines that you or your group may not make it to the backcountry and return in a reasonable time the trip will be adjusted and will not include climbing, rapelling or any use of ropes.

We’ll do our best to provide an enjoyable glacier experience but no refunds or price adjustments will be made.

Not up for the hike?  You can still enjoy the unmatched beauty of the remote areas of the glacier on one of our Helicopter Adventures.  

For Ice Climbing we require you to have:

• A small backpack with room for gear. If you don’t have one, we have some available for you to use!
• Long Pants
• Sunglasses
• Long sleeve shirt, preferably not cotton
• Long synthetic or wool socks

-Plastic mountaineering boots are provided from mens sizes 4-14. Please advise us in advance if you need a size at the large or small end of this range.  Please bring your own hiking boots that cover your ankles if you have them, as they are needed for the approach to the climbing area.

Our recommendations on clothing and gear:

• Quick dry clothing (not cotton). Usually a good pair of hiking pants works great. Ski pants and jackets are not necessary
• Tall socks
• Rain gear, even if it isn’t raining
• Liner gloves
• Extra warm layers
• Lunch, snacks, and water or a packed lunch ORDER HERE
• Sunscreen
• Camera

What NOT to bring:

• Bear Spray
• Fire Arms
• Alcohol

“Great Glacier Climb
Highly recommend MICA for guide services for ice climbing. Great guides. All did an excellent job of dealing with all skill levels of the group.”