The roof/ceiling of the popular Mendenhall Glacier ice cave did collapsed near the entry Friday. Guiding company co-owner Becky Janes of Above and Beyond Alaska notified the Forest Service at noon Friday of the collapsed entrance. Above and Beyond Alaska is one of two commercial guiding companies holding permits to escort visitors along the west side of Mendenhall Glacier.

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary flew over the ice cave on Wednesday en route to view the condition of Suicide Basin. Heavy rainfall and typical summer melting were thought to be the possible source of the deterioration of the ice cave. Ice caves are temporary natural phenomena with limited longevity.

Neary said Thursday, “The ice cave remains unstable and unsafe. The collapse is a sign of structural weakness in the ice that may extend beyond the freshly broken ice.” Neary cautioned people to stay away from the ice cave.

The entrance to the ice cave appeared on Thursday to be thinning dramatically with new holes in the ice opening and widening. The danger involved in entering this cave increased considerably Thursday.

“Although ice caves are inherently dangerous because they occur under a melting glacier, this one seems particularly ready to collapse,” said Neary after his inspection flight Wednesday.

A commercial tour company also agreed. Above and Beyond Alaska is one of two companies with Forest Service commercial guiding permits for the west side of

Mendenhall Glacier. In a written statement, Above and Beyond Alaska co-owner Becky Janes said on Thursday, “[our] guides evaluate the condition of the cave on every one of their trips and on July 3, 2014 as a company they decided that the large cave along the glacier’s margin was unsafe to enter with clients.”

Warning issued said the collapse of the ice cave entrance could be fatal or cause serious injuries if falling ice or rock debris drop onto people or pets.

July 16, 2014 photo shows new holes opening in the ice cave entry
Photographer John Neary USFS

A significant number of emergency rescues occur each summer on the glacier and nearby rock peninsula from trips and falls. There is no maintained trail to the ice cave. After the collapse Friday closing the entry to the ice cave.

No injuries were reported.

Edited by Mary Kauffman

Source of News: 

USFS
www.fs.fed.gov

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