Coalman Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coalman Glacier |
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Bergschrund on Coalman Glacier
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 Coalman Glacier
Location in Oregon
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Clackamas / Hood River counties, Oregon, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 45°22′19″N 121°41′54″W / 45.37194°N 121.69833°W |
| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
The Coalman Glacier is a large sheet of ice found high up on Mount Hood in Oregon, U.S.. It's also sometimes called the Coleman Glacier. This glacier is the highest one on Mount Hood, sitting inside the volcano's crater. It stretches from about 11,200 feet down to 10,500 feet above sea level. The glacier was named after Elija Coalman, a famous mountain guide who climbed Mount Hood an amazing 586 times!
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Exploring Coalman Glacier
The Coalman Glacier is a very popular spot for climbers on Mount Hood. It's the second most visited glacier on the mountain. This is because it's part of the main climbing path called the South Climbing route. Many climbers start their journey from Timberline Lodge to reach the glacier.
The entire Coalman Glacier is located inside the Mount Hood Wilderness. This means it's a protected natural area.
Cool Features of the Glacier
The Coalman Glacier has some interesting features that climbers often talk about.
The Hogsback
One of the most famous parts of the Coalman Glacier is the Hogsback. This is a ridge made of snow that runs from Crater Rock towards the very top of Mount Hood. It's a key landmark for climbers.
The Bergschrund
Another well-known feature is the Bergschrund. This is a large crack, or crevasse, that forms when the moving glacier pulls away from the ice that isn't moving. It can be very wide and deep. In 2007, it became so big that most climbers had to find a different way around it.
How the Glacier Changes
The Coalman Glacier is a leftover from the huge glaciers that covered the Earth during the last ice age. It's known for changing its shape quite a bit over time. Sometimes, its surface is smooth and gentle. Other times, the same area can have a steep ice cliff as tall as 40 feet (12 meters)!
The glacier generally flows towards the southwest. It is surrounded by different parts of the mountain. The summit is to its north and east. On the northwest, there are rocky walls called Castle Crags or Hawkins Cliffs. To the west, you'll find an area known as Hot Rocks. And on the southeast, it's bordered by the back side of Steel Cliff.
