~ Top 10 Frozen Landscapes ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Frozen Landscapes



1. Antarctica   



It seems obvious that the best frozen landscape in the world can be found in Antarctica, Earths southernmost continent. On average, this is the driest, coldest and windiest continent on the planet, so its not what most people look for in terms of vacation weather. But for a truly rugged adventure, tourists can see nature in its purest form in these magical, untouched landscapes. The surreal views can be seen from a number of different types of vessels. There are dive boats if you are into scuba diving in freezing waters. Expedition ships are for the scientific types who want to learn about history and geology; icebreaker ships are for explorers who are into discovering remote territories; family-friendly motor yachts can help you tour Antarctica in style; sailing vessels are available for those with a keen interest in sailing; small ships will take you on a relaxing trip around Antarctica; and Russian ships promise the most rugged expedition of all. To get on board, you must first travel to South America, Australia or New Zealand from November to March, but once you arrive in this frozen desert, you will never forget what you see.

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2. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina   



Driving south past Piedra Buena in the Santa Cruz province in Argentina, turn west onto provincial route #9, cross the steppe and enter El Calafate. This is the village from which you can take a boat tour of the Perito Moreno Glacier, located in the Los Glaciares National Park. This particular glacier is one of 48 fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Andes system that is shared with Chile. The ice field that is home to Perito Moreno is the worlds third largest reserve of fresh water. One of the most remarkable things about this glacier is that it is actually growing! Only three Patagonian glaciers are increasing in size, but glaciologists have not come to an agreement on the reason for the growth. This glacier can be viewed on a walking circuit, which will take you to spots where you can see both faces, as well as the glaciers surface. You can even enjoy a meal at the restaurant nearby, or try trekking on the glacier itself for a more strenuous walk.

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3. Nigardsbreen Glacier, Norway   



This spectacular frozen landscape is one of the most family friendly because of its accessibility and internationally certified guides. Buy tickets for the hikes at the Breheimsenteret museum, located 11 kilometres south of the village of Jostedal. Nigardsbreen is actually a glacier arm of the larger Jostedalsbreen glacier. A small boat will take you across Lake Nigardsbrevatnet and deposit you just in front of the glacier to begin your hike. Buses are also available. Take a trip through the museum, which is located at the gateway to the Jostedal Glacier National Park, before setting out on your hike in order to learn the history of the glacier and surrounding area. Then decide what type of hike will best suit your familys needs. You can bring children as young as six years old on the Family Walk. And with older children in tow, you can try true glacier trekking with more professional equipment. What 12-year-old wouldnt be excited to use and ice axe, crampons and harnesses on from different perspectives. You may even observe a chunk of ice falling from the glacier front into the water before you!

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4. Jungfrau-Aletsch, Switzerland   



This region in the south central Swiss Alps is found between the cities of Brig and Interlaken and constitutes the largest glaciated area in western Eurasia. Nine of the impressive peaks are higher than 4,000 metres! It is stunning place where one can see classic examples of glacial phenomena, like U-shaped valleys, cirques, horn peaks, moraines (rock slides), and valley glaciers. This frozen alpine landscape is practically unrivalled for its vistas, which are largely undisturbed because of the long history of protection measures that have been taken. Jungfrau-Aletsch became the first UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in the Alps in 2001. It is the home to the largest and longest glacier in the Alps - the Aletsch Glacier - which measures 23 kilometres in length and has a maximum thickness of 900 metres. Alpine flora and fauna and the occasional mountain hut are all that you will in encounter as you hike through the frozen valleys and landscapes. More experienced hikers and climbers will enjoy treading off the beaten path. And since 2008, visitors can make a thrilling crossing over the Massa River by a suspension bridge that links the left and right parts of the glacier.

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5. Athabasca Glacier, Canada   



For an adrenalin-filled winter vacation, try the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. This 80-minute trip will take you onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in a Brewster Ice Explorer, a specially designed super-rugged vehicle. Youll see fantastic views racing past the windows while learning all about glaciers and ice fields, and youll even have the opportunity to stand on the ice that was formed from falling snow 400 years ago. The 6-kilometre-long Athabasca glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. The waters melting from this important ice mass feed streams and rivers that end up in the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Take a scenic walk along the Forefield Trail, which follows the retreating path of the Athabasca Glacier as it has been receding for the past 125 years. You can even spend the night in the ice field in the comfort and warmth of the Glacier View Inn and dine in one of the two restaurants in the Icefield Centre.

[MysteRy]

6. Margerie Glacier, Alaska, USA   



Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay, Alaska, is part of the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The 34-kilometre-long glacier begins at the Alaska-Canada border, descending from Mount Root into the Tarr Inlet. Its home, Glacier Bay, has been a National Monument since 1925. Margerie Glacier is considered stable even though all around it the tidewater and terrestrial glaciers are considered to be thinning and receding. Margerie Glacier is popular with tourists because of its active calving, which means that walls of ice can sometimes be seen breaking off and dropping into the sea. This awesome sight is accompanied by tremendous cracking and roaring sounds of the glacier breaking apart. Visitors may also witness arctic terns and gulls nesting in the rocks of the glacier, and whales and bears have been spotted in the area. There is no road access, so this park must be explored by water, usually cruise ship or tour boats. Some intrepid glacier explorers choose sea kayaks as their means of transportation, using the parks water shuttle system to travel between destinations.

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7. Pasterze Glacier, Austria   



Pasterze Glacier is the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps and Austria, measuring 8.4 kilometres. This glacier is receding rapidly - about 10 metres each year - and has lost half of its volume since it was first measured in 1851. This frozen landscape can be reached by way of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, open in summer, and then a funicular railway from the visitors centre, which is sure to be a delight on any family vacation. Pasterze Glacier lies within the Hohe Tauern mountain range in the state of Carinthia. Directly above the glacier is Austrias highest mountain, the Grossglockner, clocking in at almost 4,000 metres. The rate at which the glacier is receding has been accelerating in recent decades, but for now visitors can still marvel at this high alpine frozen landscape.

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8. Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland   



The picturesque harbour town of Ilulissat is located in western Greenland, about 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. Its name is Greenlandic for "the icebergs”, which is fitting, as it has become Greenlands most popular tourist destination because of its proximity to the Ilulissat Icefjord. The ice fjord was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and covers 40 km from the Greenland ice sheet to Disko Bay.  This frozen landscape is home to the Jakobshavn Isbræ glacier - Sermeq Kujalleq - the most active glacier in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Every year, about 20 million tons of icebergs are calved off and pass out of the fjord. Some of the newly formed icebergs are so large that it takes years for them to make their way out of the fjord, into the open sea and on to the Atlantic Ocean.

[MysteRy]

9. Baltoro Glacier, Pakistan   



Pakistan may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of frozen landscapes. But the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram mountain range is the fifth-largest nonpolar glacier in the world. It is 57 km long and constitutes a portion of the popular trekking route to approach K2, the worlds second-highest peak. This frozen landscape is made up of some seriously rugged terrain and takes about 10 days to trek across. But the views of the highest peaks in the world, including K2, Broad Peak, Trango Towers and others, are unmatched. Trekking this frozen landscape can be done in the summer, from June through September, when the routes are more passable.

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10. Exit Glacier, Alaska, USA   



This valley glacier is derived from the Harding Icefield in Alaskas Kenai Mountains. It was the exit for the first recorded crossing of the Harding Icefield in 1968, which is how it got its name. This tourist-friendly frozen landscape is popular for its easy accessibility: its a drive-up glacier. Visitors can turn off the Seward Highway to the only road accessible part of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Then abundant hiking trails lead up to the glacier and the Harding Icefield. This frozen landscape offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. When the road is closed after the first snowfalls in mid-November, tourists can reach the glacier by dogsled, snow machine, or cross country skis, among other winter-weather modes of transportation.