Post History
I'm planning a backpacking trip to Juneau with some friends next summer and was interested in taking the North Ridge route to Bullard Mountain (see: https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/9303...
#3: Post edited
by
Charlie Brumbaugh
·
2020-11-20T19:45:04Z (almost 4 years ago)
<p>I'm planning a backpacking trip to Juneau with some friends next summer and was interested in taking the North Ridge route to Bullard Mountain (see: <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/930372" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/930372</a>). The route involves crossing the Mendenhall Glacier though, which I don't have any experience with. Based on the time of year (and the only way I'd consider crossing), the glacier would be dry.</p><p>I've been interested in learning mountaineering skills, so I've read enough on the subject to know that you shouldn't just go out without any experience or preparation. But, most of what I find is about the dangers of wet glaciers. When I read Glacier Mountaineering by Andy Tyson, he mentions that travel below the firn line is normally done unroped because you can see the dangers and can't do much to arrest a fall.</p><p>So is it smart to travel cautiously across a dry glacier, with the proper equipment, but without much practical experience? (Assuming one thoroughly studies features and danger signs beforehand) Or is this just as dangerous as crossing a wet glacier?</p><p>Or, is the Mendenhall glacier in particular a bad idea for someone like me to even think about approaching? Thanks!</p>
- <p>I'm planning a backpacking trip to Juneau with some friends next summer and was interested in taking the North Ridge route to Bullard Mountain (see: <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/930372" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/930372</a>). The route involves crossing the Mendenhall Glacier though, which I don't have any experience with. Based on the time of year (and the only way I'd consider crossing), the glacier would be dry.</p>
- <p>I've been interested in learning mountaineering skills, so I've read enough on the subject to know that you shouldn't just go out without any experience or preparation. But, most of what I find is about the dangers of wet glaciers. When I read Glacier Mountaineering by Andy Tyson, he mentions that travel below the firn line is normally done unroped because you can see the dangers and can't do much to arrest a fall.</p>
- <p>So is it smart to travel cautiously across a dry glacier, with the proper equipment, but without much practical experience? (Assuming one thoroughly studies features and danger signs beforehand) Or is this just as dangerous as crossing a wet glacier?</p>
- <p>Or, is the Mendenhall glacier in particular a bad idea for someone like me to even think about approaching?</p>
#2: Attribution notice added
by
System
·
2020-04-17T18:48:46Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/q/21686 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#1: Initial revision
by
WxPilot
·
2020-04-17T18:48:46Z (over 4 years ago)
<p>I'm planning a backpacking trip to Juneau with some friends next summer and was interested in taking the North Ridge route to Bullard Mountain (see: <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/930372" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.summitpost.org/bullard-mountain/930372</a>). The route involves crossing the Mendenhall Glacier though, which I don't have any experience with. Based on the time of year (and the only way I'd consider crossing), the glacier would be dry.</p> <p>I've been interested in learning mountaineering skills, so I've read enough on the subject to know that you shouldn't just go out without any experience or preparation. But, most of what I find is about the dangers of wet glaciers. When I read Glacier Mountaineering by Andy Tyson, he mentions that travel below the firn line is normally done unroped because you can see the dangers and can't do much to arrest a fall.</p> <p>So is it smart to travel cautiously across a dry glacier, with the proper equipment, but without much practical experience? (Assuming one thoroughly studies features and danger signs beforehand) Or is this just as dangerous as crossing a wet glacier?</p> <p>Or, is the Mendenhall glacier in particular a bad idea for someone like me to even think about approaching? Thanks!</p>