Glaciers

Some ten percent of the land on Earth is covered by year-round ice, but most of that is in remoteAntarctica,anext-to-impossible destinationfor most people. Most of the rest is inGreenland,which while not impossible is certainly off the beaten path. That leaves only a few other places, either at high latitudes, high elevations, or both, where you can see remnants of the massive ice sheets that covered much of the earth just a few thousand years ago. Asclimate changeadvances, glaciers around the world are in retreat, and many of them could disappear in the lifetime of anyone reading this.

Where to see glaciers

This is not a list of all the glaciers in the world, for a longer list seeWikipedia.This is instead a list of the best places to access glaciers for the average (non-mountaineering) tourist. They are organized by continent and natural region (e.g. mountain range) rather than by tourism region, since many mountain ranges cross multiple political and cultural borders.

Asia

Himalayas

• Gilgit-Baltistan,the northernmost part ofPakistanis home to eighteen of the fifty highest peaks in the world, as well as the highest paved road in the world, theKarakoram Highway,which crosses into China atKhunjerab National Park.
• Khangchendzonga National ParkinSikkimhas many glaciers, but the paved road ends inGangtok,so renting a jeep or trekking are the only options.
• Mount Kailash,inNgari, Tibetis a sacred mountain and home to the massive glacier that is the source of many of Asia's greatest rivers, namely the Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej and Karnali. It is however, not easy to get to.
• Northern Nepalhas many glaciers, but the roads on the way toEverest Base Campdon't go any further thanJiriand planes can't get you higher thanLukla,so quite a bit of trekking is needed to reach them.

Europe

• Alps
• Norwayhas many glaciers in easy reach, if not from cities, at least from villages by the roads;Jostedalsbreenis the largest glacier on the European mainland.
• Icelandhas many glaciers, including the largest glacier in Europe overall:Vatnajökull,which also is quite easily reached. It covers about9,100km²(3,500sqmi).Second largest glacier isLangjökull,with956km²(369sqmi),which can be reached from east and west side. The east side from Gullfoss waterfall is reached via the gravel road Kjölur F35 (most rental car companies only allow 4WD on this road) and then Skálpanesvegur F338. The west side from Husafell via gravel road 550.

Oceania

• Franz JosefandFox Glacier,Southern Alps,two large, accessible glaciers in New Zealand.
• Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park,Southern Alpshome to the two highest peaks in New Zealand.
• Carstensz GlacierinLorentz National Park,Papua,Indonesiais one of the last few glaciers found near the equator. Unfortunately, due to climate change, it is expected to melt by 2029.

North America

Rocky and Columbia Mountains

• Columbia Icefield,Banff and Jasper National Parks,Alberta Rockies,about 325 km² (125 sq mi) in area, this the largest region of ice and snow in the Rocky Mountains. There is access by private car right to the foot of the glaciers (and an interpretive centre), via theIcefields Parkway.
• Glacier National Park (Montana),Northwestern Montana.In 2015, only 26 named glaciers remained (compared to 35 in 1966), but still the most glaciers in one region of the 48 continental states of the U.S.A. It is possible to see glaciers from theGoing-to-the-Sun Roadwithout any climbing.
• Glacier National Park (British Columbia),Columbia-Rockies,is located directly on theTrans-Canada Highway,and glaciers can be seen from the road at Rogers Pass.

Coast and Cascade Mountains

• Glacier Bay National Park,Southeastern Alaska,is not accessibly by car, but still thousands of people see it every year bycruise shipsor ferry (theAlaska Marine Highway).
• Strathcona Provincial Park,Central Vancouver Island,does have a few glaciers, but they are a hike from the road's end.

South America

Andes

• Los Glaciares National Park,the second largest park in Argentina, one third of which is ice covered, is accessible by road via the town ofEl Calafate.
• Queulat National Parkis home to a "hanging glacier", viewable via a 3-kilometre hike.

Stay safe

See also:Cold weather,Snow safety,Mountaineering

The glaciers are not stable, but flow down the mountain. This will cause cracks ( "crevasses" ), which may be obscured by snow bridges. The walls and roofs of ice caves can collapse and cracks can get closed. At the edge of glaciers huge blocks break loose, fall down and perhaps jump or roll farther from the edge. If they fall into water, they can cause huge waves (think tsunami).

There are regularities, so the glacier's behaviour can be predicted to some degree, especially with local knowledge.

Never go near the front of a glacier, but instead approach from higher ground on the sides. Unless you are an expert, just watch it at a secure distance or go on a tour with local guides.