Harding Icefield, Ice field in Kenai Peninsula, US.
Harding Icefield is a vast expanse of ice in the Kenai Mountains covering hundreds of square miles of southern Alaska, with numerous glaciers flowing outward. The landscape appears as endless white slopes and ice fields interrupted by dark rock peaks that jut through the frozen surface.
Early exploration of this ice field began in the 1920s when settlers and adventurers first documented the massive frozen landscape. A significant crossing in 1940 marked one of the first recorded journeys across the entire expanse.
The indigenous Alutiiq and Dena'ina peoples traveled through and understood this ice landscape for centuries before outsiders arrived. Visitors walking here today can sense the long connection between these cultures and the harsh environment they navigated.
Access is gained through a hiking trail that starts at a well-known glacier and ascends higher to reach viewpoints of the surrounding ice field. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes and bring appropriate gear for high-altitude mountain conditions.
An automated measuring station sits high on a rocky peak that rises through the ice, collecting hourly data on temperature and environmental conditions. This equipment helps scientists track how the climate is shifting in this remote Alaskan wilderness.
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