We scheduled the 1pm tour and met our guides, Elise and Jacques, down by the harbor in Juneau. They were both incredibly knowledgable and fun. I would have enjoyed spending even more time with them! They were also very attentive to our safety throughout the trek. We are a couple in our early 30s in good shape and found this trek to be a bit challenging (but in a great way!). It was at least 5 hours of active hiking, and there were a lot of temperature changes, so layers were a must.
Upon arriving at the Mendenhall Glacier site, they provided nice backpacks, helmets, harnesses, crampons, water bottle, rain jacket, and a large snack bag (carrots/hummus, several granola bars, almonds, applesauce, jerky, etc.). We put our extra layers into these packs while they went over safety tips/equipment fitting. No need to bring extra food for the hike, but I would bring extra water. We had unusually warm weather, but I went through about 2.5 liters (had a water bladder that I transferred from my personal pack to their provided pack).
The first part of the hike was pretty relaxed and well maintained (West Glacier Trail), and the guides spent time describing local flora and weather. Since the glacier has receded a lot over time, we had to switch to an unmaintained (and unmarked) trail to reach it. They explained how quickly the hike and glacier changes, even over the course of a week. There were also some parts of the trail over slippery rock and some areas that required scrambling on all fours, so despite being a regular hiker, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this part of the hike without a guide.
After a few breaks for snacks and to add layers, we arrived at the glacier. We put on our helmets, harnesses, and crampons (the guides were very careful to ensure the fit of our equipment). We trekked on the glacier for about 1-1.5 hours, took some great pictures, and learned a ton about the interesting geology. Then we hiked off the glacier, back to the West Glacier Trail, and then to our van, arriving back into Juneau at 9p.
The tour timing was perfect, and the guides did a great job making it interesting for everyone. We had a fit group of 10 people (kids and adults), and we were tired but not exhausted afterward. The guides were very attuned to when we needed a break and carried extra food and water if needed.
The glacier is a must-see, and I'd recommend Above and Beyond without hesitation!