GIRLS* ON ICE ALASKA
Expedition runs from June 20 - July 1, 2025!
Explore an Alaskan glacier
Each June, a team of nine girls spends 12 days in the Eastern Alaska Range, exploring an alpine landscape. We experience everything from hiking through alpine meadows to observing a noisy icefall; from spotting caribou on the mountain slopes to traveling across snow-covered glaciers, all while taking advantage of Alaska’s long summer days!
Itinerary
Each year, the day-to-day details of the expedition change due to mountain weather and glacier conditions. The basic itinerary typically looks like this:
Day 1: Meet the team, pack for the expedition, and camp out at a local farm in Fairbanks.
Day 2: Drive to the vicinity of Gulkana Glacier, and get comfortable with packs and boots by enjoying a short day hike through alpine meadows.
Day 3: Hike up to basecamp overlooking Gulkana Glacier, and set up home for the week.
Day 4-9: Explore the glacier and surrounding environment. Develop and test science experiments, practice art, and learn glacier travel skills!
Day 10: Hike out and travel back to Fairbanks
Day 11: Stay at the University of Alaska Fairbanks while wrapping up science, art, and reflection activities. Deliver public presentations about science experiment results and the overall experience of the expedition.
Day 12: Enjoy a final morning of activities together before heading home!
The Girls* on Ice Alaska program is held on Gulkana Glacier on Ahtna Nenn’, the traditional lands of the Ahtna people. The Gulkana Glacier is known to the Ahtna as C'ulc'ena' Luu' or ‘cutting stream glacier,’ which Girls* on Ice Alaska participants will see is a perfect description of the dramatic stream flowing from the glacier just a short hike from camp.
History
Girls* on Ice Alaska was started in 2012 by Marijke Haberman, Barbara Trüssel-Reyes, and Joanna Young, three graduate students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Inspired by the flagship Girls* on Ice Cascades expedition, and with founder Erin Pettit’s guidance, they created a similar experience that is uniquely adapted to the Alaskan setting. Girls* on Ice Alaska has operated on Gulkana Glacier since 2012.
“I’ve always been so sure of my future but Girls* on Ice made me realize that my plans don’t involve a lot of risks. Now I feel like maybe risks are a good thing. Being surrounded by such dynamic women and girls and learning about the instructors and their educational and career backgrounds showed me that there are so many more options out there. Hannah specifically opened my eyes to a different realm of art, one that involves adventure and time outdoors. Girls* on Ice has made me want to explore the adventurous side of myself more and incorporate more experiences like this into my future.
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