![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2019/exploring_the_ice_and_ice_rescue/800264/climber.480_0_1.jpg)
Aclimberlooksintoa crevasse.
Exploringthe Ice
InAlaska,Iworkedasanoutdoorguide.Ialsotrainedforsearchandrescue.Thatwasjustincasesomeonegotlostorintrouble.Oneday,thatsomeonewas me!
Thesearchandrescueteamwaspracticingwhattodoifapersonfellintoacrevasse. Acrevasseisacrackinthesurfaceofaglacier.Afterworkingallday,wetookabreak.Wewantedtoclimbsomelargeseracs.Theyaretallridgesof ice.
Atthebaseofonewasadeepcrevasse.Istoodontheedge.Someropeconnectedmetoapersonclimbingaboveme.Whenthatpersonslipped,Iwasknockedoffmy feet.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2019/exploring_the_ice_and_ice_rescue/800265/big_ice.1440_0_1.jpg)
Wewantedtoclimbseracslike these.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2019/exploring_the_ice_and_ice_rescue/800266/photo.640_0_1.jpg)
ItakephotosofwhatIseewhenI’moutstudying glaciers.
IceRescue!
Ifellintothecrevassewithallmyheavygear.Isanktothebottom.Luckily,theteamfishedmeout.Soon,Iwaswarmingupinasleepingbag.Iwas safe.
Backintown,everyonewantedtohearmystory.So,Itoldthem.Thentheysharedwithmetheirstories.Idiscoveredthaticemeantsomethingtopeople.Glaciersgavepeopleasenseof self.
Theirstorieschangedmylife.IknewthatIhadfoundacareer.Iwouldstudyglaciers.Iwouldstudywhatglaciersmeanto people.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2019/exploring_the_ice_and_ice_rescue/980354/cloudinary_2_jane_20goodall_20id_20chimps.960_0_1.jpg)