Alsek Glacier, glacier in the United States
Alsek Glacier is a large sheet of ice in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska's Panhandle. It stretches about 15 miles from its source in the high mountains and flows into Alsek Lake, where meltwater feeds the Alsek River below.
The glacier was named in 1901 by U.S. Navy officer Moser of the USS Albatross. During the 20th century, it retreated about 3.5 kilometers, causing its front to split into two sections and doubling the size of the adjacent lake.
The name Alsek comes from the Tlingit language and may mean "place where people rest". The glacier and surrounding landscape have been part of the world of the Tlingit and other Native peoples for generations.
The glacier is remote and best viewed from the water by boat or from the air by small flight. Visitors should bring warm clothing and supplies, travel with experienced guides who know the terrain, and plan visits for summer when days are longest and weather is most stable.
The glacier splits into two sections over rocky ground, a rare formation caused by its retreat during the 20th century. Visitors can also hear loud cracking sounds when ice calves, creating dramatic events that showcase the glacier's active and changing nature.
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