Saskatchewan Glacier Ice Cave - Best Winter Hike in the Canadian Rockies
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ย. 2024
- February 5th, 2023.
Having already been to a few small glacier caves, my expectations were pretty low. To be honest, the only reason I did this hike was because Bonnie really wanted to check it out. I thought this was just going to be a small snowy chamber with a bunch of people trying to take that perfect fake photo that doesn't really reflect what it's actually like to be there. I was so wrong. This place was absolutely incredible. It had 3 large chambers, plus some smaller side rooms to explore as well. The middle chamber partially collapsed last summer leaving a skylight and a huge pile of ice cubes. I have seen videos where it looks like there's a thin layer of snow everywhere. But we must have timed the freeze thaw cycle perfectly because we had beautiful polished blue ice throughout. Other than a large group of backcountry skiers flailing around on the wind hammered snow further up the glacier, we surprisingly had the cave pretty much all to ourselves. Who knows what this cave will look like in a year from now, or if it'll even last another season. So I'm really happy to have experienced it now.
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Simply fantastic!! Thanks.
I've seen lots of videos with ice caves exploring and this is by far the best ever. This is so rare to find such a large and impressive looking ice cave and also accessible by foot. Seems also quite strong as it is not that tall and the walls are quite dome shaped for extra strength. There are however lots of ice fragments on the floor so there is some calving activity as expected. But this looks like a movie scene from another planet. I can't even belive that I'm watching this. Thank you so much for sharing. What an incredible experience that must have been, by far one of a kind. 😊
It certainly was an incredible experience. Far more impressive than what I was expecting.
Very cool! living vicariously through you on this one!! 💕💙🥹cheers from the Pacific Northwest! ..And to your next video.
Thank you. We're actually planning to do a few canyons in the PNW later in summer or in the fall.
@@WildernessExcursions yeeee 😎!! Excited to see those if you share footage!
The calmness with which they hang around there is amazing. But at any moment someone saber-toothed can jump out from around the corner, and then... It's scary to even imagine
I think its worth pointing out that since i was there 3 weeks ago there is lots of new fallen ceiling pieces laying on the ground. the back cavern has changed a bit even in 3 weeks. i honestly think we only have maybe 2 more winters to see this cave before its too unstable to explore. great video
I hope it's still around in a couple winters from now. But I wouldn't be surprised if it completely collapses this summer or the next.
@@WildernessExcursionsIf it's close to the surface it will melt. We have one here in Whistler at Blackcomb Glacier and it's been there for many years. There are even guided tours to it. But it's deep down so has lots of ice above it. Sometimes the entrance gets blocked by avalanche debris.
Glad you were able to experience this but ... the obliviousness of the crazy dangers without proper safety gear in this video is shocking! Regardless of the probable absence of transceivers and the obvious lack of probes, shovels, helmets, ropes or proper crampons I am sure that there isn't a single AST1 or Crevasse Rescue accreditation under any of the people's name in this video. those "huge pile of ice cubes" fall year-round as that is a living moving glacier at all times.
Have you been to this ice cave this winter?
@@WildernessExcursions yes, last weekend, on Sunday to be exact. I hope your video doesn't cause less experienced 'Instagram' adventurists to find themselves over their heads and in trouble.
@@MrMonkeyslick precisely my concern about posting such a video. In the past these places were discovered by word of mouth. This is the way they should be shared not on social media where anyone can discover this. Thank you for stating that.
@@MrMonkeyslick All I will say is that our assessment of risk, or our risk tolerances are very different. With my over 30 years (averaging 20-25 days a year) of backcountry skiing experience, and over 500 summits (plenty of them required glacier travel), I am more than comfortable assessing my risk. I simply did not assess this outing as having crazy dangers. That said, it's perfectly fine that you assessed it differently for yourself. You do you.
@@cecilelafleur5033 This ice cave has been widely posted on social media long before I posted this video.
Absolutely beautiful! How much longer do you figure the cave will be accessible this year before the lake begins to melt etc? Thanks
My guess is that you wouldn't want to be in there after around mid March or so. Basically just follow the forecast. Stay away if temps will rise above freezing.
Thank you very much
Can we still go here this month of March? Or is it dangerous in Spring time? Thanks for any advice.
No one is monitoring this glacier cave for safety hazards, and nothing is preventing anyone from going at anytime. You're expected to decide for yourself if it's safe enough to go. So it's a go at your own risk type of thing. All I can tell you is that the colder the better. And the warmer it gets, the less safe it'll be.
@@WildernessExcursions thank you!
@@dungle-wh9td FYI...I know a few people who went there this last weekend and had a great time. No issues.
How long is the hike in?
It took us two hours each way. Also expect an hour or two of exploring once you're there.