For my first adventure of this year’s Alaska trip, I took advantage of some downtime during an 80-degree heatwave in Juneau to return to Mendenhall Glacier.  Just like last time, it was a fantastic and challenging day hike.  But what a difference a year makes when it comes to the sights at the glacier itself.

The spectacular ice cave I explored last summer had melted away completely.

The melting ice freed an entire ridge from a frosty tomb for the first time in centuries.  These two pictures don’t come from the exact same spot, but I identified a few reference points on the crest of the newly exposed ridge.

These mountain glaciers are dynamic environments and it’s amazing to see this change in person.  This vantage will be completely different again next summer for anyone who gets to hike in.