Laura Schara Conquers Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier

As the old saying goes, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” This statement rings particularly true for me and reflects my internal yearning to venture out on new epic outdoor excursions each year. From deer hunting in the tropics to horseback riding in the mountains, the bigger the adventure, the better. Pushing our limits and defying that inner voice that sometimes says “I can’t” is a road you need to travel for happiness.

Last summer, my boyfriend, Dan, and I decided to travel to Alaska. Known as one of the most untouched, unforgiving yet beautiful landscapes in our country, the last frontier is a fascinating destination. It’s famous for the Iditarod, gold mining and salmon fishing, but in my opinion the state has so many more bragging rights. To start, it boasts 17 of the highest mountain peaks in the United States. When it comes to lakes, Alaska far outpaces Minnesota with more than three million (but who’s counting?). Plus it’s home to an estimated 100,000 glaciers — which is where my icy idea was born.

Dan and I contemplated a comfortable Alaskan cruise to see as much of the landscape as possible, yet something told me we needed a bigger and bolder adventure. When I learned about the opportunity to explore the Matanuska Glacier with MICA Guides, I was drawn to this idea of being surrounded by ancient white ice and bold blue glacier pools. This natural wonder is considered a warm-based…