Mendenhall Glacier

Closer view of the glacier in the winter

A glacier caveunder Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier is a glacier about 12 miles (19 km) long located inMendenhall Valley, about 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Juneau in the southeast area of the U.S. state ofAlaska. The glacier and surrounding landscape is protected as the 5,815-acre Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, a federally designated unit of theTongass National Forest.^[2]

Originally known as Sitaantaagu ("the Glacier Behind the Town") or Aak'wtaaksit ("the Glacier Behind the Little Lake") by the Tlingits, the glacier was named Auke (Auk) Glacier by naturalist John Muir for the Tlingit Auk Kwaan (or Aak'w Kwaan) band in 1888. In 1891 it was renamed in honor ofThomas Corwin Mendenhall. It extends from the Juneau Icefield, its source, toMendenhall Lake and ultimately theMendenhall River.

The Juneau Icefield Research Program has monitored the outlet glaciers of the Juneau Icefield since 1942, including Mendenhall Glacier. The glacier has also receded 1.75 miles (2.82 km) since 1958, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500. The end of the glacier currently has a negative glacier mass balance and will continue to retreat in the foreseeable future.^[3]

Given that average yearly temperatures are currently increasing, and the outlook is for this trend to continue, it is actually possible that the glacier might experience a period of stabilization or slight advance during its retreating march. This is because increasing amounts of warm, moist air will be carried up to the head of the icefield, where colder ambient temperatures will cause it to precipitate as snow. The increased amount of snow will feed the icefield, possibly enough to offset the continually increasing melting experienced at the glacier's terminus. However, this interesting phenomenon will fade away if temperatures continue to climb, since the head of the glacier will no longer have cold enough ambient temperatures to cause snow to precipitate.

The Greatest Treasure

One day Peter found a treasure map.

"Hurray! I'm going to find this treasure, and have some adventure!" He exclaimed.

Peter set off. He walk a long way and finally reached a forest. There he met Lion.

"You are strong and courageous," said Peter to Lion. 

"Will you come with me on a treasure hunt?" Lion agreed and joined Peter.

The forest was dense and dark. Peter was afraid but with Lion by his side, he made it through. 

When the two finally reached the mountain, they met Eagle.

"You have excellent vision and can alert us to dangers," said Peter to Eagle.

"Will you come with us? We are looking for a treasure!" Eagle agreed and joined Peter and Lion. 

The mountains were tall and craggy. Lion slipped, but Peter was swift enough to give him a hand and pull him up. Eagle with his sharp vision, watched every step they took. Soon they reached the valley below where they met Sheep.

"Will you join us in our search for treasure?" Peter asked the Sheep. 

"And keep us warm when its cold?" Sheep agreed and joined Peter, Lion and Eagle. 

A cold wind swept across the endless meadow. They all huddled against Sheep who kept them warm and cosy.

The four finally reached the desert where they met Camel.

"You are called the ship of the desert," said Peter to Camel.

"Will you help us get across and join the treasure hunt too?" Camel agreed.

Peter, Lion and Sheep mounted the Camel and happily set off across the vast desert with Eagle enjoying the spectacle from above. Camel began galloping and everybody cheered with excitement. Traversing the desert on Camel's back was quite thrilling!

The five finally reached the ocean where they met Turtle. 

"Can you help us cross the water?" Peter asked the Turtle.

"We are on a treasure hunt." Turtle agreed and joined Peter, Lion, Eagle, Sheep, and Camel.

The rough waves almost drowned the party, but Turtle skillfully steered them across. 

They met Owl on the otherside. Owl spoke from his ancient wisdom. 

"Congratulation, you have found the treasure."

"Where is it?" They all exclaimed in surprise.

"Together you have passed the forest, climbed the mountains, dared the valley, braved the desert, and cross the ocean.You would never have done it without one another."

They all looked at each other and realised that Owl was right! They had found friendship! Indeed, they had found the greatest treasure ever!