Spencer Glacier Ice Climbing- By Alaska Railroad!

The Spencer Glacier is located just South of Portage Valley and the Turnagain Arm in the Kenai Mountains and the Chugach National Forest. It is entirely off the road system, so we ride a train from Anchorage, Girdwood or Portage with breathtaking views of glaciers and towering alpine peaks.

Guests meet their guide at our Alyeska Yurt in Girdwood at 10:15am or 12 Noon. Or if boarding in ANC at 8:45am, your Glacier Guide will find you on the train after the Girdwood stop. On the train, guests will fill out waivers and get geared up. The Glacier Discovery stops in Portage, goes thru the tunnel to Whittier and then BACK to Portage. We arrive at the Spencer Whistle stop at 1:45pm.

From the Spencer Whistle Stop, our small group of 4 or less hop on a van for a short ride to the lake edge trailhead. Our hike to the Ice includes outstanding views of the glacier and Icebergs floating in the Spencer terminal lake. The total distance from the edge of the lake to the glacier is 1.5 Miles of flat Forest Service maintained trails. There is another 1/2 mile of rugged moraine walking to get to the ice. The 1 hour approach includes many photo & rest stops to learn about interesting local wildlife, history and glaciology. At the Glaciers' edge we gear up with helmets and crampons. After more safety lessons and crampon practice, groups travel out onto the glacier ice and to the Ice walls. Climbers will have about 3 hours to take turns top-roping amazing blue Ice walls and exploring other features (blue ice, crevasses, ice caves, moulins, etc) with your skilled and experienced guide.

For the return trip, we catch the Coastal Classic Train at 8:15pm, which takes us straight back to Girdwood or Anchorage.

Climbers visiting Spencer Glacier with us come away with great photographs, better respect and knowledge about glaciers, mountain weather and the history of Alaska climbing.... and an awesome Alaskan wilderness experience!

$399 Per person, Includes Rail & Lunch