Tourists are rushing to see glaciers before they disappear. The trips are turning deadly

Glacier tourism has surged as people seek to witness these disappearing landscapes, drawn by adventure or the desire to see them before they vanish, CNN reports. However, climate change is making the glaciers more unpredictable and dangerous, leading to accidents and fatalities.

• Melting glaciers are more unstable, causing hazards like ice avalanches and collapsing crevasses, as seen in the deadly 2022 Marmolada Glacier incident in Italy. Experts warn that despite better technology, predicting these risks is difficult, and rapidly changing conditions make glaciers more perilous for both tourists and guides.
• Glaciers are a “last-chance” destination, driving a tourism boom even as safety concerns grow. Paradoxically, tourism itself contributes to glacier melting, with flights to remote areas like Alaska producing significant carbon emissions. This accelerated the very climate change tourists seek to witness.
• Despite the increasing risks, demand for glacier tours continues to rise, with some guides reporting annual growth of up to 30%. As glaciers retreat and ice features disappear faster, the industry is adapting. However, some guides believe that certain glacier-related activities may only last for a few more years.