The mud in places was gelatinous, and the park maintenance crew had placed walkways across slippery areas. As we ascended toward the pristine blue spires of ice, the silt diminished. Although what we walked on often looked like rocky ground, it was indeed hard-packed ice covered in glacier silt.
Many places we had to cross slippery streams to continue our climb. We made sure to take care around crevasses, however. Rushing water plummeted into unknown depths below the ice, and we didn't want to end up stuck in an icy water slide.
Our exuberant climbers found a way up the icy sides using ice picks.
Park maintenance had also carried a few picnic tables deep into the glacier, setting up a resting spot near a lovely, icebound meltwater pond.
Alas, our souvenirs wouldn't survive the drive home. But that's what photos are for, isn't it?
Photos are copyright of Tam Linsey, 2013. All rights reserved.
