Tuiksu Glacier, Mountain glacier in Zailiyskiy Alatau Range, Kazakhstan.
Tuiksu Glacier is an ice formation in the Zailiyskiy Alatau Range that extends across several kilometers with a classic cirque shape and a narrow tongue. The ice reaches considerable depth in places and forms a dramatic landscape of frozen layers and crevasses.
The glacier was first documented in 1902 by scientist S.E. Dmitriev, who measured the snow line at that elevation. This early study marked the beginning of scientific observation of this ice formation.
The name Tuiksu comes from the Kazakh language and means 'the one that does not leave', reflecting how this ice formation stays fixed through time. Visitors can understand this meaning when they see the massive, unchanging presence of the glacier today.
Visitors reach the glacier by hiking trails that start from mountain huts in the area and can take several hours. You should bring sturdy shoes, warm clothing, and plenty of water, especially if you want to venture higher.
On the surface of the glacier, visitors can see crevasses and blue ice that forms as snow gets pressed over many years. These frozen natural features are especially striking in the morning light.
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