• Outdoors Outdoors

Guides sound alarm as iconic glaciers collapse at popular tourism site: 'We can't even go there'

The results are rockfalls, landslides, and dangerous floods.

Glaciers melt in Western Canada is happening faster than ever before, leading to increased safety risks for outdoor adventure guides.

Photo Credit: iStock

Outdoor adventure guides in Western Canada are facing increased safety risks due to rapidly melting glaciers. 

What's happening?

As The Narwhal reported, glaciers in Western Canada are retreating faster than ever before. 

Outdoor guides in British Columbia are up against unstable ice that is triggering flooding and forcing people to evacuate from popular alpine parks. Mountain conditions are unstable and unpredictable, necessitating more mountain rescues and the cancellation of excursions. 

Glacier melt in the region is part of long-term ice retreat patterns driven by rising global temperatures. Researchers have observed these warming trends now even at higher elevations that were once considered relatively stable. 

"Now it's to the point where we can't even go there," Mike Adolph, a certified mountain guide, commented on a local glacier that was once easily accessible but now shows bare rock. 

Why are changing glaciers and mountains concerning?

People from around the world travel to Western Canada for outdoor recreation experiences that are increasingly unsafe and inaccessible. 

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As glacier melt intensifies, these iconic landscapes become unstable and fail without warning. The results are rockfalls, landslides, and dangerous floods. 

Meanwhile, localized glacier melt is jeopardizing natural ecosystems and water security, stressing irrigation systems and threatening freshwater availability. Sea levels continue to rise, exacerbating coastal erosion and increasing risks to low-lying communities. 

Melting glaciers are among the most visible indicators of a changing climate and signal that the planet is warming faster than ever. 

What's being done about global glacier loss? 

Although the scale of glacier loss can seem overwhelming, urgent action remains both possible and necessary. 

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One of the core components of preserving glaciers is reducing pollution on our planet. Limiting pollution in our atmosphere can help curb rising temperatures and allow communities more time to prepare for climate risks. 

Governments and policymakers can support enhanced glacier monitoring and forecasting to help identify potential hazards and advise outdoor guides on safe excursion strategies. Meanwhile, communities that depend on glacial water supplies can benefit from enhanced emergency preparedness planning and adaptive infrastructure. 

Overall, greater public awareness of this critical climate issue can generate political pressure and policy commitments that advance pollution reduction and encourage a more sustainable future. 

Collectively, individual actions — such as using solar energy instead of burning fuels like coal, gas, and oil — can significantly help keep the planet cool and habitable. 

TCD's Solar Explorer is a helpful resource for adding solar panels to your home. The technology can significantly reduce energy bills while making your home more resilient to extreme weather. 

The Solar Explorer can connect you with trusted partners, such as EnergySage, to find vetted local installers and help you save thousands of dollars on a new solar setup. 

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.

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