glacier walk

[seapointe406]

Are ice grippers  needed for glacier walk? Was not planning on bringing any shoes except tennis shoes.

[Aplmac]

13 minutes ago, seapointe406 said:

Are ice grippers needed for glacier walk?

.

You know what they say...

better to have them and not need them - than vice versa!

If you already have them, I'd carry them, in case!

[Shorex]

Personally I wouldn't walk on ice without some form of traction cleats. For a glacier walk in Iceland the tour leader provided them (or we would have had our own).  Small investment to minimize the risk of serious injury.

[zqvol]

If they are needed they will be provided by the tour.

[seapointe406]

I called and they are not provided. I was curious if anyone had done this and what they used.  I was thinking of getting the ice grippers you put over your shoes, but wandered if they're worth it. Or maybe it's no big deal.

[cb at sea]

A glacier is ICE....use your own judgement.

 

[Bizmark'sMom]

I would much rather have them and not need them, than need them and not have them.  The kind that slip over your shoes for getting from the door to your car in the winter don't take much space or weight.

[Reina del Mar]

We did the Princess helicopter flight to Mendenhall Glacier a few years ago. Wore trainers and were provided with a sort of overboot with grips/ ridged sole. 

No problems walking on glacier. 

 

Wore a fleece jacket and a waterproof over the top. Wished we had taken gloves and a hat. This was an August cruise.

 

Things may have changed or maybe different with a different company at a different glacier.

[SbbquilterUT]

Our tour operator provided warm suits and boots for our glacier walk.  The boots were not spikes but provided excellent footing.  Check again with what they provide.

[Texas Tillie]

I certainly had boots with grips provided by the tour operator when I did the helicopter flight/glacier walk out of Skagway.