The plane touched down on a snow-covered runway, and Kyri pressed his face to the window. Everywhere he looked, the world was sparkling white with snow and ice. “This is amazing!” he whispered.
Reef, sitting next to him, grinned. “Wait until you see the glacier. That’s where the real adventure starts.”
They were in Iceland, visiting one of the largest glaciers in the world. Auntie Mel had planned the trip, but a last-minute project kept her from coming along. Instead, Reef had stepped in as Kyri’s adventure buddy.
“Glaciers are like frozen rivers,” Reef explained as they grabbed their gear. “They move super slowly, but over time, they shape the Earth—carving valleys and creating lakes.”
Kyri’s eyes widened. “Did you know some glaciers are thousands of years old? They’re like time machines!”
Reef chuckled. “You and your facts, Kyri. Let’s see what secrets this glacier has.”
The Glacier Hike
The next morning, they joined a guide at the edge of the glacier. Towering walls of ice glinted in the sunlight, and deep crevasses cut through the surface like frozen scars.
“This is Langjökull Glacier,” their guide said. “Beneath it, there are ice caves formed by melting water. But be careful—glaciers are constantly moving. Stick close and watch your step.”
Reef handed Kyri a pair of crampons—metal spikes that strapped to their boots for better grip.
“These are cool!” Kyri said, stomping experimentally.
“They’re a lifesaver on ice,” Reef said, tightening his own straps.
Into the Ice Cave
They followed the guide to the entrance of the ice cave—a shimmering tunnel of blue and white. The walls sparkled like diamonds, and water dripped from the ceiling, pooling into tiny streams on the floor.
“It’s so beautiful,” Kyri whispered, running his hand along the icy wall.
“Glaciers trap air bubbles as they form,” Reef explained. “That’s why the ice looks blue—it’s super dense and absorbs all the other colours of light.”
Kyri scribbled the fact into his notebook. “This is better than any science book!”
The deeper they went, the darker and colder it became. The guide’s headlamp cast eerie shadows on the walls, and Kyri felt a shiver of excitement.
The Discovery
As they reached a wider chamber, the guide stopped and pointed to something embedded in the ice—a large, jagged rock.
“Glaciers pick up rocks and debris as they move,” the guide explained. “Over thousands of years, they can carry them for miles.”
Kyri leaned closer. “It’s like the glacier has a memory!”
Reef nodded. “That’s why glaciers are so important. They show us how the Earth has changed over time.”
Suddenly, Kyri noticed something near the rock. “Look! Fossils!”
Sure enough, tiny imprints of plants and shells were preserved in the ice.
“Those could be thousands—or even millions—of years old,” the guide said. “A glimpse into a world long gone.”
Kyri’s heart raced. “This is the coolest thing ever!”
The Danger Below
As they moved deeper into the cave, the air grew colder, and the sound of dripping water grew louder.
“Is that normal?” Reef asked, pointing to a crack in the ceiling.
The guide frowned. “The ice is always shifting. We should head back soon—it’s safer near the entrance.”
But as they turned to leave, the ground suddenly trembled, and a loud crack echoed through the cave.
“Uh-oh,” Reef muttered.
Before anyone could react, a chunk of ice fell from the ceiling, blocking the tunnel behind them.
“We’re trapped!” Kyri said, his voice shaking.
Finding a Way Out
The guide shone their light around the chamber. “Stay calm. There’s usually more than one way out of these caves.”
Reef knelt by the blockage. “We can’t dig through this—it’s too thick.”
Kyri tugged on Reef’s sleeve. “What about the water? It’s flowing somewhere!”
The guide nodded. “Smart thinking, Kyri. Meltwater often creates tunnels that lead back to the surface.”
They followed the stream, crouching through narrow passages and stepping carefully over icy ridges.
“Did you know,” Kyri said, trying to distract himself from the tight space, “that glaciers hold about 70% of the world’s fresh water?”
Reef laughed nervously. “Let’s hope this one holds a way out too.”
The Ice Bridge
After what felt like hours, they reached a deep crevasse. A narrow bridge of ice stretched across the gap, with water rushing far below.
“We’ll have to cross it,” the guide said. “One at a time. Be careful—the ice might not hold.”
Reef volunteered to go first. He tested each step, his crampons digging into the ice.
“Come on, Kyri,” he called from the other side.
Kyri’s heart pounded as he stepped onto the bridge. The ice creaked under his weight, and he froze.
“You’ve got this,” Reef said, his voice steady. “Just like walking on a balance beam.”
Kyri thought of Daisy and her dance routines. “One step at a time,” he whispered to himself, moving slowly.
Halfway across, the ice cracked, and Kyri yelped.
“Don’t stop!” the guide called.
Kyri took a deep breath and made it to the other side, collapsing into Reef’s arms. “That was scary!”
“You did great,” Reef said, ruffling Kyri’s hair.
The Exit
Finally, the tunnel widened, and they saw sunlight streaming through a crack in the ice.
“There’s our way out!” the guide said.
They climbed carefully, using their crampons and ropes to ascend the slippery slope. Kyri’s hands were freezing, but the thought of fresh air kept him going.
With one final push, they emerged onto the glacier’s surface, the sun blinding after the darkness of the cave.
“We made it!” Kyri cheered.
Home Again
Back at camp, Kyri warmed his hands by the fire, his notebook full of sketches and facts.
“Did you know,” Kyri said, “that glaciers move so slowly, they’re called ‘rivers of ice’? But they’re strong enough to carve mountains!”
Reef grinned. “You’re basically an ice explorer now, Kyri.”
Kyri smiled. “Maybe one day, I’ll explore glaciers on every continent.”
As the fire crackled, Kyri thought of the fossils, the shimmering ice, and the narrow escape. The glacier had tested them, but it had also shared its secrets—and Kyri couldn’t wait for the next adventure.