Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield

Point Of Interest

4.2 from 15 users

Description

The Columbia Icefield is a surviving remnant of the thick ice mass that once mantled most of Western Canada's mountains. Lying on a wide, elevated plateau, it is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. Nearly three-quarters of the park's highest peaks are located close to the icefield; ideally placed to catch much of the moisture that Pacific winds carry across the British Columbia interior. Most of this precipitation falls as snow; up to 7 metres a year! Since more snow falls in a year than can melt during the short summer season, it accumulates. As time passes, the snow transforms into ice and begins to flow outward through gaps in the mountains surrounding the icefield, creating great tongues of ice called glaciers. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at the rate of several centimeters per day. Spilling from the Columbia Icefield over three giant bedrock steps, the glacier flows down the valley like a frozen, slow-moving river. Because of a warming climate, the Athabasca Glacier has been receding or melting for the last 125 years. Losing half its volume and retreating more than 1.5 kms, the shrinking glacier has left a moonscape of rocky moraines in its wake. Caution - The glacier is dangerous! People have been killed falling into deep, hidden cracks called crevasses in the glacier. For your safety do not cross the barriers. No camping or overnight parking allowed.

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Features

Location

Lat: 52.212326 Lng: -117.232652

User Reviews

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103Tage

Jut go there without any bus, it was very, very cold and there are so many tourists... very good view to a glacier is from parke Ridge trail.

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Mirrie90

Really touristic, but Nice to see. You can walk by yourself till a viewpoint. If you want to go on the glacier you can take a guided hike or busstour.Or just ignore the warning signts, be carefull and walk by yourself

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Fokko

DO NOT spend money on the stupid bus! It's terrible. Enjoy the nature around. Best view from Wilcox pass hiking trail.:)

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