Five of us went on the beginning ice climbing trip and hike. There were a total of nine of us in the group with three guides, making it a 3:1 ratio. Before booking, I was wavering between the helicopter vs 6 mile roundtrip hike. The hike was recommended due to the scenery that time of the year (June). During our trip, I learned that if I had chosen the helicopter, it would have been a different glacier since Exit glacier is located in the National Park and helicopters are not allowed to land there. The morning starts off with outfitting you with a helmet, shoes, ice cleats, and harness: all the gear you're carrying yourself (best guess at least 10lbs). They do have spare gear ( if you're missing anything including water bottles. The six mile sometimes off trail uphill/downhill/sideways sometimes ice trekking was pretty grueling. Wear lots of thin layers (a big no to bulk!) that you can take on and off easily! We were forewarned to strip down to one layer at the start. I did not heed the recommendation and was sweating bullets before our first official stop with thermals and hiking pants on top. Once we got to the glacier, the views were jaw dropping gorgeous! The guides set up the anchors and belay points off the glacier and it was so intimidating, you literally could not see anything past the drop off. Then before we knew it, down we go...and then the hard part: UP. A few of us were disappointed (Not me! Once was enough!) we only got to ice climb one round (thought it would be two). I'm going to assume this was due to time constraints and take the blame for my lagging during the hike that put us behind. I personally wished that we were able to take more photos or have photos taken of us while we were doing the actual ice climbing since this is a bucket list that I will most likely not repeat! We were in the best hands with Gina, Aubrey and Aiden. Encouraging, friendly, and most importantly, always looking out for our safety. I think we all felt quite accomplished we did this excursion, and glad we did it. If there's a next time, I'd do the helicopter option :). read more

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We used Exit Glacier Guides for a shuttle to/from Exit Glacier, as well as renting bear spray and trekking poles. The shuttle was affordable and punctual, and driver was friendly. They were even flexible when our plans changed and they moved our trip to a different day without issue. Equipment rental was a breeze. Highly recommend for a reliable trip to Exit Glacier. read more

Rose was an outstanding guide on our Exit glacier nature hike! The hike itself was absolutely beautiful and we learned so much about the glacier and why it's receding, and we also learned all about nature along the way! Who knew moose scat was so small!! Fascinating!! Great time!!Thank you!! read more

Super friendly and knowledgeable guides. We did the glacier hike. The guides provided all the equipment and transportation to/from Kenai National Park and of course the guides tour up the Harding Ice field Trail to the glacier. The guides Nikko and Rachel informed us about the science of glaciers and their movements during breaks. Strenuous but very management. read more

Exit Glacier Guides - Exit glacier - Climbing Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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Highlight of our Alaska trip was an all day boat/kayak adventure with @exitglacierguides through the Kenai Fjords National Park. We saw humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles, and my favorite PUFFINS! (I have no pictures of the puffins, because I was too mesmerized by them. Imagine little penguins that are no relation to penguins except that they look similar. They are black and white with bright orange beaks and feet. Unlike penguins, they can fly but their bones are not hollow like most birds, so they have to flap their wings continually). Our adventure was led by all women. #girlpower Jess, our boat captain and boat owner, is a local who was born and raised in Seward. She keeps meticulous logs of the wildlife and glaciers, and knows more about the sea and sea life than any college professor I've met. She was excited to tell us about a month long boat trip she was taking with a group of scientists up through the arctic circle. Julia, our tour guide, took us around the Holgate Glacier, one of the only known glaciers to be growing. It's difficult to tell from the pictures, (because we stayed a half mile away from it) but the glacier is 2000 feet tall. We ate a sack lunch on the beach overlooking the glacier. It was an incredible day! #honeymoon #adventure #nationalparks #alaska #kayaks #glaciers #unforgettable #makingmemories @ Kenai Fjords National Park read more

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Scarlett and Kyle take on Exit Glacier Guides: "The letter is F!" "We had this today on the glacier" "CONCTACT. 1 2 3" *in unison* "FUN!!!!". This is a real conversation had on Exit Glacier/Harding icefield "Fun" is also the word we'd use to describe the day we had with Phil! Phil was our tour guide and took us all the way to the tippity toppity. Special shout-out to Maya who had her first nature pee!!!! After a lovely 7 hours and 9.34 miles walked Team Crunchy was more bonded than ever before. 11/10 on the glacier experience scale. Scarlett wants to give a special shout-out to Phil who let her use his walking stick which "saved her life" Don't pull a Diane and stay on the trail Have an icey cool dusk - Kyle and Scarlett read more

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Great work by Rachel and Tatum. 10/10. Our kayak trip was cancelled due to bad weather and the boss/owner? Got us on a helicopter tour instead! Super awesome read more

We paid $248/person to go ice climbing in Exit Glacier. On the way hiking up the trail, they were nice. But after we changed to their boots and just walked a few steps towards the glacier, they suddenly told me that we couldn't go, because they didn't think I had the courage to go down if I got up the glacier. This really hurt me. It ruined my whole day. I wouldn't be so disappointed if they could do at least one of the followings: 1. Allow us to practice walking on the ice with their boots. They didn't give me any time to get familiar with hiking on ice with their boots. After I carefully walked a few steps and felt ready to hike up the glacier, they suddenly told me that they didn't think I had the courage to go and asked me to go back to the regular trail. If they didn't allow us to practice, they should label on the website that this requires people to be familiar with hiking on ice and hiking on the edge of the cliffs. 2. If they doubt our ability to go up the glacier, they should tell us earlier and give us an opportunity to prove ourselves. If you experienced getting laid off at work, this is exactly how I felt at that moment. I followed all their instructions, and got ready for it, but they suddenly told me that I could not do it anymore. 3. Their comments that I didn't have the courage to go down was rather vague. They could test out my courage by letting me go up and down a short distance. If I didn't have the courage, I would not pay $248 for it. 4. After they decided not to let us go to glacier, if they could let us walk on the ice, I would not be so upset. But they did not even let us sit on the ice to watch others climbing. Instead, they asked us to go back down the trail and wait at the parking site for the other group who climbed to return. It's really boring. read more

We took the helicopter and Godwin Glacier hike. The inquiry and online excursion booking process was clear and easy & our questions were answered promptly. One of the staff called and asked if we would like to push back our time a little bit so we wouldn't get caught with a big group that was going somewhere else. We felt this was a great forward planning and well thought-out. When we arrived, the check-in process was easy and quick. We read and signed our waiver online, met with Rachel, our tour guide, and were fitted with equipment. For the trip, all the necessary equipment were provided (cramp-ons, helmet, hiking poles, gloves backpack, water, snacks). Be sure to bring appropriate clothing and if you have a particular helmet or gloves you like, they will let you use that as long as they are approved. The helicopter ride to Godwin glacier was fast and easy. After a quick safety briefing, we jumped in the 4-seater and headed to the glacier. As we landed, we noticed there was nobody else that was going to be on the glacier. It was a great feeling knowing that you owned this glacier for the day (or at least a couple of hours). Rachel did a great job giving us a safety orientation and she brought the necessary equipment to rescue one of us in the event we fell into a crevice or got stuck. It was an amazing time, the views were unbelievable, and walking on the glacier is not something we do everyday. If you had the time, and money, to do this, we highly recommend this excursion as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. read more

Exit Glacier Guides - Godwin Glacier hike - Climbing Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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We took their shuttle to the exit glacier park entrance. Overall great experience and great people working there. I would recommend booking ahead of time as it may fill up. Further, I would email and call to book your return. It doesn't ask for this upon booking but it may get filled up if you don't. They recommend 2 hours at the hike, but I think you really need 2.5 hours so I would book your shuttle back after 3 hours. It's the cheapest shuttle I was able to find and great experience. read more

This was an incredible experience, with amazing guides. Not only were they knowledgeable on the ice (making us feel comfortable and safe), they also knew the history of the glacier and even information about the local plants that they shared during the hike to the glacier. Andi and Sabrina were INCREDIBLE, and completely made the experience. I would definitely return. read more

Exit Glacier Guides - In the crevass - Climbing Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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Had an incredible experience ice climbing with these guys. Our guides were super professional - patient and enthusiastic. I felt comfortable and confident and I was able to do things I never thought I could do. I highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience. read more

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Awesome trips. Great company with amazing guides. We had great time. Definitely recommended!!

Amazing experience and wonderful guides. Except the fact that climbing ice is so hard, the view and experience is extraordinary!

I took my 17 year old son up with me along with Trevor, our guide, onto the Exit Glacier to do some ice climbing earlier this week. It was by far and away the most fun that my son had while in Alaska. It was intimidating, to say the least, to be lowered into a 150 crack in the ice, but it was an awesome experience like no other. Worth every penny, and Trevor was great. read more

Exit Glacier Guides - Calvin drops into the Exit Glacier - Climbing Near Me - Seward, Alaska

I did Ice Hiking Tour last Saturday. Pros: The guide (Matt) was very friendly. The walk on the glacier was an interesting experience for me. I had seen glaciers before but I never walked on them. After the walk on ice, I left the group to get done the entire Harding Icefield Trail by myself. It was a highlight of my trip to Seward. Matt gave me some info about the trail and he also arranged transportation for me from the national park back to Seward. Cons: The pace when we were hiking could be quicker, but there were slower members in the group. So they had to be accommodated. In addition, let's say that the tour was not inexpensive. read more

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This was such a great experience, led by some real fun professiaionls, dedicated to giving customers a fun, yet very safe experience. I will have great memories from this experience for a very long time. read more

I went on the Ice Climbing tour last week with Bryan and Ryan. If there's one activity you do in Alaska, let it be this tour. Seeing a glacier is breathtaking, stepping onto a glacier is awe-inspiring, but experiencing the glacier from inside a crevasse - there are no words. The guides do an amazing job of taking care of your gear - they outfit you when you arrive in the morning with boots, crampons, helmets, bags, a bladder with water, and even snacks and lunch. They are informative and passionate about the glaciers and climbing. Their energy is contagious and I assure you you will be laughing the whole mile or so up the mountain to the glacier. Once on the glacier, the guides demonstrated proper technique for walking on the glacier, but still allowed us some freedom. They set up climbs for us along two separate crevasses and we each had the opportunity to take 2 climbs per crevasse. For the best photo opportunity, go down at the same time as your partner and bring your cameras to take pictures of each other when down there! Make sure to wear layers - it's much colder standing on the glacier than it is at the base of the mountains. And take advantage of your guides- ask them questions - they are so well-informed and eager to share their knowledge! Don't skip this tour- I live in Anchorage and it's the most magical experience I've had in Alaska to date! read more

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I loved this so much! Thank you, Exit Glacier Guides, for a wonderful experience. During a trip to Alaska last year, I spread out my excursions over the 2-week period I had planned for vacation. Up to this point, I was doing low-key things: sea kayaking, boat tours, hiking, etc. An All-Day Glacier Climbing excursion was when s**t got real, vacation-style. The gang got geared up, educated about technique, & driven over to Exit Glacier, which is north of Seward. The hike up to the glacier from where we parked was a workout to me, but if you're in good shape, you may not huff & puff like I did on some of the steeper terrain. Once the guides located a good area on which to climb, we went at it: first, an area on which to practice, then a more legitimate area on which to really climb. The wind was really whipping up there! Thank goodness they had us layered up to the hilt with clothing - I have never been so grateful to look so much like a sausage link in my life. I was a little disappointed we didn't find another place to climb for the money we spent, but I understand that glacier terrain is constantly changing & it's hard to know where you'll find something safe & suitable in the given time frame. Whatever the case, it's hard not to feel like a bad-ass when you've just finished climbing a big, beautiful chunk of ice. On our way back, I even spotted a young moose galloping like a horse in the wooded area next to our van! Pretty sweet. I can't express how awesome this was. I got on so well with a couple of my fellow climbers that we met up for a whitewater rafting trip a few days later in another part of the state. Good times. read more

Cheap way to go to Exit glacier! It cost $10 round trip per person to get picked up and dropped off. A lot cheaper than taking a taxi which was going to cost us $50 round trip for my husband and I. Nice facility & staff, they do other tours too! read more

Exit Glacier Guides - Tours - Climbing Near Me - Seward, Alaska

We did the 8 hour hike to the Exit Glacier with them, and it was an experience of a lifetime!!! They provide a backpack with water etc, safety equipment, trekking poles and crampons. Sabrina and Brian were amazing guides, and really livened up the experience for us. Sabrina really went out of her way, carrying my daughter's backpack when she hurt her leg!!! They are really familiar with the glacier and can show you some of the really cool formations on it. If you are in Seward, I strongly recommend doing this hike with this company!!! Thanks Sabrina and Brian!!!!! read more

A friend and I went ice climbing on exit glacier with bryan and sabrina. We could not have had a better experience- the hike was difficult but doable. The climbing was easy enough and breathtaking. Lunch, snacks, and gear were provided and great. I feel as though the experience was such a bargain and can't wait to return! read more

We took the all day 8 hour hike through the mountains and alongside the Harding Icefield! It was phenomenal! It was definitely exhausting and not for the faint of heart or those who don't exercise at all! You will be wore out! A definite thing to check off your bucket list! read more

We did the helicopter ice climbing trip and it was amazing. We were able to hike on the glacier and ice climb once up there. We were the only people on the glacier which made the experience all the better. Our guide Gaby was knowledgeable and very fun. Highly recommend. read more

Exit Glacier Guides - Climbing Near Me - Seward, Alaska

We were told that we could move our reservation, to any date before the 23rd. Then when we called to do so, we were told we could not and they kept the money. I did due diligence and tried to work it out via phone but they declined and were very unprofessional. read more

What an experience. After many days of fishing I was ready to try something different so I opted for a glacier tour with Exit Glacier Guides. I always wanted to see a glacier, but getting out there and actually walking on the ice was beyond anything that I every imagined. Our guides (Jenny and Kenzie) were fantastic. Very knowledgeable, professional, and approachable. As we made the 2 hour hike to the base of the glacier, our team made good time. We finally got to the base of the glacier and geared up with crampons, helmets, and climbing harnesses. The crampons were a bit weird getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it was easy going. It was amazing how well they work to keep you from slipping. Up the glacier we went. The guides pointed out crevasses (big cracks) and moulins (deep blue holes). We were allowed to approach these features and the guides told us were to stand so we were safe. They even spotted us (held on to our backpacks) so we could lean over (ever so slightly) to get a better look and take pictures. We spent about 2 hours on the glacier and then descended back down the trail. When we left, everyone was stoked about the adventure and we talked and laughed all the way down the trail. The guides made it a point to hike along side us and talk to use individually as we hiked down and talk. The experience will be one of the most memorable of my life. For people thinking about trying this, the only hard part was hiking up the trail to get to the base of the glacier. If you can do a moderate 2-hour hike, you will not have a problem. We saw people of all ages that made the hike. I couldn't understand why anyone would hike the trail and not want to get out there on the ice. The guides supply all the gear including trekking poles backpacks equipped with personal hydration packs. Dress in layers. You can make the hike up in shorts and a tee-shirt in good weather. When you get to the glacier you will need a long pants, a fleece, and a lightweight rain jacket. Oh and don't forget light gloves. read more

We took the shuttle to Exit Glacier - make sure you call and reserve, rather than just walking in. Driver was very friendly and gave us some info on the park and glacier as we rode. Easy and accommodating. read more

My sister and I signed up for the ice climbing trip and it was amazing! We felt very safe with our guide Trevor, who was kind, funny, and knowledgeable. He was even kind enough to take some awesome photos as we were climbing the ice. Once in a lifetime experience, it was beautiful, challenging, and so much fun. Definitely worth it! read more

We toured several glaciers this summer, both in Alaska and in Canada. Our experience with Exit Glacier Guides was very different than the other guide services we used. Our guides treated the group like children, giving us lots of rules, and talking down to us much of the time. I understand and respect the need for safety, but I think they forgot that we are adults. The rules seemed reasonable, but the way in which they told us the rules and then enforced them was what made it frustrating.The two guides seemed to not really enjoy their jobs. Maybe it was an off day for them, who knows, but we walked away feeling more like we were a burden than anything else. Not a great feeling. Even as we tried to make small talk with them, they didn't seem interested in talking. Having spent seven years as a guide myself, I can understand that some days you don't feel like making small talk, but I also know thats part of the job and sometimes you just need to do it. The attitudes of the guides really dampened the wonderful experience of hiking on a glacier. read more

Everyone at Exit Glacier Guides was very friendly and very professional. Customer service was excellent. We took the Heli Hiking tour to Godwin Glacier. Our guide Jenny was great and the experience was fantastic. I should probably clarify it was our first helicopter ride and our first hike on a glacier. But I doubt previous experience would have made me not be impressed by this one. Due to the inaccessibility of the glacier we had the place for ourselves for almost 3 hours. No other humans on site until the helicopter comes back to pick you up. Mountain goats way up on the ridge were the only company we had (at least the only one we saw ;-) ). BTW, Jenny spotted them. Scenery was Seward-Alaska-type fantastic and hiking on a glacier was very cool. I would have hiked for another 3 hours. EG provided safety equipment, crampons, backpacks, hiking poles, hydration bladders and snacks. Just bring your camera, wear weather appropriate clothes and good hiking boots and you won't need anything else. read more

The guys from Exit Glacier Guides are literally the REASON that we came to Alaska! We met them 2 years ago at a travel expo and they sold us on coming up here! It may have taken us 2 years, but here we are! Today we did the Harding Ice Field hike and it was great! From check in to the van ride over to our start point, everyone with the company was great. Friendly, welcoming and interested. We had all of our gear with us, but they were prepared to outfit people with whatever they needed. And we overheard other guys walking in experienced folks through everything in a really patient manner. Once on the trail, Janine (our guide) was incredible. She was happy to adjust the pace to whatever worke'd best for our group (which she said rarely gets larger than 2-4 people), gave us some background on the Glacier and even stopped along the way to point out interesting plants and berries (yum) Being experienced hikers, we probably could have done this challenging hike ourselves but we agreed having Janine with us really added to the experience. Exit Glacier Guides is a first class operation. Would definitely recommend them for one of their many excursions if you are coming to Seward. read more

This was a great experience for us. We had Rachel and Scott as our guides and they were awesome fun to spend a wonderful day with. Loved the fact that the guides used the same equipment that we did! Great gear, great experience and great memories. read more