Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield

We pulled into the parking lot and saw the hike to the Glacier in full view and it didn't appear to be too bad, but looks can be very deceiving. The climb up is steep at times plus, your body is adjusting to the high elevation. Breathing was not only difficult from the climb, but the altitude was definitely kicking in.

This is the most visited Glacier in North America and it is quickly evident why. The color of the ice had a blue green hue underneath the white sharp shards of ice that helped with our traction. The Glacier recedes at a rate of about 5 meters a year. They had signs along the way showing you where the Glacier had reached previously in a variety of years. Crazy to see how much it has melted over the years.

At our highest point we filled a couple water bottles with the pure Glacier water pouring down the crevices of running water down the Glacier. What an experience to taste water in its purest form. It was very refreshing and you could slightly taste the mineral content.Read more