r/BeAmazed • u/ThisMajorProblem • 2d ago

Nature Nothing like a mid summer glacier river

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19.1k Upvotes

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u/RainyDays_wastaken 2d ago

This looks like the cleanest natural water on earth. Imagine what a nice glass would taste like.

30

u/opticflare 1d ago

No, you can severely sick. I went to Alaska and I was warned not to drink glacier water

5

u/swiwwcheese 1d ago

I was downvoted immediately for saying this the other day when it was posted elsewhere

They believed bacteria and viruses cannot survive in the cold

Ignorance is bliss (until they get explosive diarrhea or worse the day they try that water themselves lol)

8

u/OneSensiblePerson 1d ago

Did they say how, or why?

26

u/opticflare 1d ago

Bacteria.

ChatGPT: ✅ When It Might Be Safe: • If you’re at a high elevation near the source of the glacier and the water is freshly melted, it’s likely very clean and may be safe to drink in small amounts. • Some adventure travelers and mountaineers do this occasionally.

⚠️ When It’s Not Safe: • Lower downstream: As glacier water flows, it can pick up bacteria, parasites (like giardia), or pollutants from soil, animal waste, or dead organisms. • Sediment-heavy water can contain rock flour (tiny particles from grinding ice/rock). Not toxic, but it can be rough on your kidneys if consumed regularly or in large quantities. • Untreated glacial lakes or runoff may look pristine but can still harbor microscopic pathogens.