EXIT GLACIER (trekking hasta el campo de hielo) - KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK - SEWARD - ALASKA
near The Lagoon, Alaska (United States)
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Trail photos
March held on Saturday, July 25, 2015
NOTICE: It is understood that anyone who wants to do this same route assumes the responsibility that an activity entails that is not exempt from possible risks or incidents, in an environment in which common sense and circumstances can make the difference between having a good day or the opposite.
We have spent a couple of days in the beautiful town of Seward, and we find our batteries charged, since today's trekking can already be considered a full-fledged mountain route, apart from the fact that after doing it, it seemed like the most beautiful and interesting places in this part of Alaska. From Seward we have backtracked along the same entrance road for a few miles, until the turn off to the Exit Glacier is visible on the left. A few more miles, now on a local road, before reaching the Exit Glacier parking lot and visitor center. Despite having arrived early, you can already see that this area is one of those that arouses the most interest in all of us who like the mountains. In addition, it should be added that on Saturdays, from July to August, there are outings accompanied by the rangers. At nine o'clock, and after the talk that is so popular in this area, and that the two rangers who accompany us release the group of more than thirty people, we begin a walk that promises. At nine o'clock we left with Mikel in front and Caroline behind, acting as a broom, and on a morning that although it has dawned foggy, it looks like it will improve, as it did. The ranger informs us that this trek usually takes between six and eight hours, overcoming a difference in altitude of more than three thousand feet in the four long miles, which are covered only on the way out. Before completing the first kilometer from the exit at the visitor center, we reach the first fork, which if we continue straight ahead leads to the viewpoint of the glacier front, and which only a group of three people followed, since most (including an elderly person) wants to see the glacier in its true dimension; so they take, like us, the path that on the right very soon begins to narrow and incline, with a considerable slope. Shortly after passing this fork, we find the first information post with the now typical log book, which we have seen on so many other occasions, and which Mikel recommends using, especially if you plan to do the route alone. After counting and enumerating us at this point, he takes the lead and Caroline definitely falls behind. As the slope narrows and inclines, the group also stretches and disintegrates, to such an extent that after passing the first zetas and arriving at the first viewpoint, we only find a third of the total, among which we can see a fairly older (he American and she with Inuit features), but clearly with a spirit and enthusiasm of the youngest, which will allow them to reach the end of the outward journey, just when we finished eating at that same point and restarted the return. The path to reach this first viewpoint has passed all the time through dense vegetation, which, together with the humid heat that has been taking place, has increased sweating and the need to hydrate from time to time. Once we have passed the aforementioned first viewpoint, the vegetation begins to clear up, which allows us to see more clearly the route that we will have to follow until we cross one of the ice fields (in clear retreat) of the Exit glacier. Each time the route looks more like the typical high mountain route, and since the path is quite well laid out, Mikel stayed in one of the sections for a while now, letting the blurred initial group continue on their way, to where each one would like and see oneself with strength. We have not left the ranger nor will it be a kilometer, when to the surprise of those who accompany us, we see a black bear, which some two hundred meters in front of us, is going up one of the valleys, towards the road and a small group of three girls youngsters and a boy who are just ahead of us. One of the girls, apparently the bravest, follows the guidelines that must be carried out in the event of an encounter like this. He stands in front of the group and begins to cross his raised arms over his shoulders, blowing a whistle and making more and more noise, to which the rest of the group joins him. Although at first the bear makes a pretense of addressing the group, he quickly gives up his intention and continues on his way up the mountain, never showing any sign of hostility, if perhaps more of curiosity at first. We are a little over a kilometer and a half to reach the last balcony and viewpoint on the Exit Glacier, and each time we have been left more alone. We still have to cross a few large snowfields, which are part of one of the glacier's ice fields, before reaching the impressive viewpoint that, now without any type of obstacle, and with a lot of luck for the day and the visibility we have, we allows you to enjoy for a good time and taking advantage of the food of a place and some views that are well worth reaching, regardless of the effort required by a route, which is within the reach of almost everyone, and that we finally, with the return journey included, we have done it in five and a half hours, with all the stops that a march like this deserved.
Waypoints
Intersection
3,618 ft
w. variante de bajada al borde del glaciar
25-JUL-15 22:11:07
Intersection
538 ft
e. cruce al trekking corto y mirador del frente glaciar de abajo
26-JUL-15 1:32:27
Waypoint
3,201 ft
z. final del trekking al borde del glaciar
25-JUL-15 23:00:29
Information point
507 ft
f. segundo panel informativo y libro de registro para senderistas
25-JUL-15 19:08:12
Car park
483 ft
a. aparcamiento glaciar Exit
25-JUL-15 18:29:07
Information point
487 ft
b. restrooms
25-JUL-15 18:38:07
Comments (3)
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Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
El tramo más duro es hasta el segundo punto, en la parte alta del glaciar. Merece la pena llegar hasta el Icefield, el tramo es mucho más suave y las vistas son impresionantes.
Así es Pilar, hay un tramo más duro en la segunda parte, pero merece la pena disfrutarlo, como veo que tú lo has hecho.
Un saludo
Muy bien indicado. Muchas gracias