The Current Climbing Canada’s melting glaciers
Jan 14, 2026
Mike Adolph, a seasoned Technical Director for the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and Tim Ritchie, Director of Operations for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, dive into the alarming impact of climate change on Canada’s glaciers. They discuss the staggering ice loss of 30 gigatonnes in 2025 and its implications for mountain safety. The duo shares their firsthand experiences with shifting terrain, increasing hazards like avalanches, and the need for guides to adapt routes. They emphasize the urgency of recognizing glacier retreat as a critical sign of climate change.
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Massive 2025 Ice Loss Raises Hazards
- Western Canadian glaciers lost 30 gigatonnes of ice in 2025, accelerating visible change in the mountains.
- Ice retreat exposes loose rock, opens crevasses, and destabilizes formerly solid slopes, increasing hazards.
Sudden Rockfall At Beau Glacier Falls
- Ellie Jackson described a multi-story sheet of rock exploding off a falls and she ran to save herself and her dogs.
- The collapse killed two people and illustrated how sudden glacier-related rockfalls can be.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles Amplify Mountain Risk
- Rapid temperature swings destabilize mountain environments through freeze-thaw cycles.
- Repeated thawing and refreezing weakens rock and snowpack, amplifying avalanches and collapses.