# Glaciers: A Testament to the Fragility of Our Planet

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/01/glaciers-testament-fragility-of-our-planet/
- Published: 2020-01-31T02:03:21-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Glaciers are one of the natural wonders of the world, formed when snow stays in 
a single place for long enough to transform into ice. Glaciers move over time, and
they’re also a visual reminder of the impact that we as humans are having on the
planet. And seeing them up close and personal has the ability to change your life–
and your mindset – for the better.

![Arctic glaciers](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/
12/iceberg-antarctica-polar-blue-53389-2-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1)

One thing to bear in mind is that you may need to travel somewhere to get a chance
of seeing glaciers, to begin with. When this happens, you’ll want to [pack appropriately](http://weekendwanderclub.com/8-packing-tips-for-a-comfortable-long-flight/)
and to settle in for the long haul. That’s because glacier hunting is a commitment,
and there’s no guarantee that you’ll even see one.

But if you ask us, it’s still worth doing, and this article will show you just how
to go about doing it. Let’s get started.

## Best ways to see Glaciers

 1. Glaciers move, albeit slowly, and they can also increase and decrease in size in
    different seasons. That’s why it’s a good idea to maximize your chances of seeing
    a glacier at its best by taking your trip during the winter, where the [weather is colder and where the glaciers feel more majestic](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/08/nasa-reports-flowing-antarctic-ice-now-mapped-10-times-more-accurately/).
    You can think of it as being like setting the stage for a performance.

2.Another great way to make sure that you see glaciers in a safe and controlled 
environment is to hire a guide who has the qualifications and the experience to 
lead you safely to the best places to see them. Just be sure to check reviews and
testimonials to make sure that the person you hire is reliable. It’s worth paying
extra for quality.

#### 3. Go on boat

Whether you [take a cruise from Vancouver](https://www.celebritycruises.com/ports/vancouver)
or you base yourself in Alaska, going by boat is a fantastic way for you to get 
up close and personal with the beautiful glaciers that the northern hemisphere has
to offer. Better still, going on a cruise means that you can guarantee that you’ll
be traveling in comfort, and the prices can be pretty reasonable so you don’t have
to worry about bankrupting yourself, either.

#### 4. Go on a helicopter ride

If you can’t hop on a cruise ship, the next best alternative is to hitch a ride 
on a helicopter. These are more suited for short-range trips so they won’t work 
for all glaciers, but it can be a great way to get a bird’s eye view and to see 
the glaciers from a unique point of view that few people ever get to see them from.
Of course, it can also be more expensive to do this.

#### 5. Go by RV

This might sound like an unlikely suggestion, but going by [RV](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/eco-driving-how-to-take-care-of-your-rv/)
means that you’ll be able to control your surroundings and sleep in the comfort 
of your van while simultaneously having a way to travel and to get around. If you’re
in the mainland United States, your best option here is to visit Glacier National
Park in Montana, which is home to 35 glaciers at the time of writing.

#### 6. Go with photographers

This might sound like a strange tip too, but there are plenty of professional photographers
who go on trips to photograph glaciers to sell the images to nature magazines and
stock photography sites. If you hitch a ride with the pros, they’ll know exactly
where to go and what to do, and they’ll also know the best place to get a good view
of the glaciers.

#### 7. See them both by day and night

Glaciers look totally different depending upon what time of day it is, and so if
you get the chance then it’s worth seeing the same glacier both in the daytime and
during the night time. You won’t believe how much of a difference it can make, and
indeed many people prefer the night trips because they add an extra level of awe
to the beauty of nature.

#### 8. Do it quickly

The [planet that we live](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/10/wwf-living-planet-report-earths-wildlife-in-crisis/)
on is under threat, and many of the glaciers that people love to visit are under
threat. Because of that, if you want to see glaciers up close and personal then 
the best thing that you can do is to move quickly so that you see them while you
still can. And if you’re particularly dedicated to preserving the environment, you
can also search for environmentally-friendly operators.

#### Conclusion

Now that you know just a few of the best ways to see glaciers, it’s over to you 
to start planning your travels so that you can take in these accessible natural 
wonders sooner rather than later. Seeing glaciers up close and personal really is
an unforgettable experience, and it can change your life for the better if you’ll
let it. Here’s hoping you make some new memories!

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)