*CRUNCH CRUNCH*
I awkwardly make my way across the ice. There is a reason that I never made it as a professional ballerina. Besides the fact that I would have despised the tutu, I just can’t hack it in the grace department.
Regardless – I had made it to our first glacier. What was supposed to be conquered during our Latin American journey, I had more than made up here.
We just sat in awe. I didn’t know I could geek out so much over a giant piece of ice. I got to accomplish the things I had dreamt about.
As our guide gave us a quick run down about the glacier, I raised my hand.
“I know this is horribly random but – if I lick the glacier, will my tongue stick to it?”
You should have seen his face.
“Err… umm… I’ve never had THAT asked before but no, it shouldn’t?”
“Well, if it does, be ready – because this is going to happen.”
“Your tongue won’t stick to the glacier.”
“I’m taking your word for it but… you know… just incase…”
My first order of business: Lick a Glacier.
Anyone who has visited our bucket list knows about it.
And no, my tongue didn’t stick but it was a glorious thing to do. Not only was I licking the biggest snowcone on earth but it was delicious. I moseyed on over to the glacial water fountain to put my mouth up to it.
You know when you were little and on a hot summer day you grabbed the garden hose for the glorious, cool water? It was like that but a million times better. The purest water on earth was sweet, cool, and I felt life returning to my body. There is nothing else like it in the world. Granted, we looked like little kids with the water going everywhere (half of my jacket was soaked).
And after we made our way around the glacier for a while, I became one with the crampons. I went up hills and into carvasses I would have never considered in normal shoes. And while we are normally super cheap DIY travelers, this is one thing you shouldn’t scrimp out on. It isn’t like walking on snow. Think about walking in your freezer. Try walking on the ice that has freezer burned those peas you forgot about.
One DIY guy bit it so badly (broke his ankle) that he ended up being hiked out on a stretcher… and he had only made it a few feet out on the actual glacier. Our old roomie said he had tried once and nearly ended up falling into a massive carvasse.
So if you happen to be out there and want to go onto the ice, splurge for the crampons. Get a guide. The glacier changes every day and can be extremely dangerous to walk on if you don’t know where you are going or how to get there.
But whatever you do, make sure to give it a good lick for me.
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Disclosure: We were able to be in Anchorage due to our partnership with the Hilton Garden Inn, however all opinions are our own.
Sounds like so much fun! However, to be honest, ANYTHING cold sounds delightful to me right now!
This is like the Blarney Stone. I wonder how many people kissed the ice before you?
How awesomely beautiful! I would have been geeking out too!
Great shots!
I am VERY jealous you made it to Iceland! Stellar pix!
And of course, to Alaska too… 🙂
What gorgeous photos, I really want to spend more time up north this year.
Looks like you had incredible weather that day.
Great photos! I’ve never licked a glacier BUT I did drink glacial water when I was diving Silfra! So cool!
Hahaha, I love that your priority was to lick the glacier! Glad you didn’t get stuck.
Haha…that was funny: order of the day? Lick a glacier! lol…I can only imagine the guide’s face…
You are the coolest… 🙂 I need to get to Alaska, soon!
You are insane lady! I can’t do the cold. It kills my soul a bit.
*shudder* I don’t want to think about that. My germaphobe self will flip out.
We can geek out together. I like having someone else freak out exponentially besides me. Shaun usually just shrugs his shoulders lol.
*cough* lol
I’m still out on whether or not we want to do northern things. I think Iceland broke me.
SERIOUSLY. Everything was so clear and beautiful.
Shaun stuck his head in the water while we did Silfra… it. was. HILARIOUS.
A girl has her priorities. Seriously though – it was a dream of mine for so long!
He did double take. I guess adults are too afraid to live out their childhood fantasies?!
HA. You said COOL and ALASKA near each other.
Stunning!! Even though I think I’m allergic to cold weather, this would be a dream.
That was so natural! To give into the moment and taste the ice! Fun pics! Thanks.
HAHA! It wasn’t that cold in August. It was looking around 60 degrees or so. I know that is an LV winter but still not too horrible!
Any time! But seriously – you need to enjoy where you are and take it all in!
Wow…Its just amazing…
I love to travel in cool places. Really excited to go to have a Glacier View – Alaska’s Best Kept Secret – More Sun, Less Bugs!