The Great Glacier (大氷河,Daihyōga?) is a large frozen waste north of Icicle Inn in Final Fantasy VII. It is a maze of wilderness trails going around several landmarks, such as trees, icy water, and caves. Crossing the glacier is required in order to reach Gaea's Cliff and later the Whirlwind Maze of the North Crater. Cloud Strife and his party pass through the glacier in the last leg of their world-wide journey chasing after Sephiroth. Depending upon which way was taken on in the snowboarding minigame, the party will land in different locations in the Glacier (see below). They collapse after wandering through the snow and are saved by Mr. Holzoff. The party can also find the AlexanderMateria in the glacier by touching a hot springs and then finding a snow woman in a cave.
The Glacier Map is a Key Item found at a house in Icicle Inn. The map helps the party navigate somewhat, but as it does not actually show their location, they can only guess at it. If Cloud walks around too long, he collapses and is transported to the cabin. Thus, to get through Great Glacier one merely needs to walk around, although it does contain many treasures if the player knows where to look. The items available according to letters on the map are A: Elixir (found in a cave, and can be exploited for infinite Elixirs), B: Mind Source, C: Potion, D: Safety Bit (in a cave, also), E: Added Cut Materia (to find the player must head down from Snow's cave, and then immediately back up, a different path will be discovered. The Materia will be found in the second section of the path between numbered areas.), F: All
Materia (in a cave in the middle of the snowfield south of Mr. Holzoff's place), and lastly, the Alexander Materia, which can be found in Snow's cave, after defeating her. The hot spring must be touched prior to this encounter.
A solution to figuring out this complex maze of confusion can be found here:
Map of Great Glacier with screenshots for easy referencing.
The easiest way to get Alexander is to first make the way to the hot springs and touch it, then explore around the glacier collecting treasures until Cloud will pass out and wake up in Mr. Holzoff's hut. From the hut the player should head south to find themselves on a large open area with no landmarks. They should head directly down from the starting place, until they come across a cave with an All Materia inside. Once they come out of the cave they should head directly to the right of where they start, and keep on going right till they arrive in a screen with a cave. Snow will be inside and fight the party, and drop the Alexander Materia.
Added by BlueHighwind
Edit
Added by TophertheRed
First the player must touch the spring.
Snow's cave.
Snow will be mad.
Party arrives at Great Glacier
Crossroads
Hot springs
Ice cave.
Ice ramp.
Old dwelling.
Added by Keltainentoukokuu
