This was yet another epic day in Southeast Alaska! Early risers were treated to a chilly sunrise over the mountains of Endicott Arm in the Tracy Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness. Beautiful light hit low lines of mist over the water, creating delightful photo ops for photo enthusiasts on board. Under sunny skies, but well wrapped in layers of jackets, we left the ship on expedition landing craft, towing lines of kayaks behind each boat. Guests loaded into kayaks near some exquisite turquoise icebergs and paddled into a wonderland of ice and blue water. Backlit bergs glowed with blazing blue depths, and guests circled large ice chunks in awe. Waterfalls cascaded down the mountainsides, eagles flew overhead and the ice steamed as the sun hit it. This was truly a spectacular experience. It felt like we had paddled into a postcard.
During lunch we cruised up Endicott Arm, a 30-mile-long fjord with dramatic steep sides, waterfalls, and high alpine glaciers. Guests scanned the high ridges for elusive mountain goats as a large group of seals watched us with lazy eyes from their perch on nearby bergy bits. Afternoon operations loaded us back onto expedition landing craft for a ride to Dawes Glacier. Along the way we pulled up close to the steep walls of the fjord to explore glacier striations and young colonizing plants, including a few late dwarf fireweed.
The glacier teased us with small bits falling with resounding booms while katabatic winds came rushing off the glacier in icy blasts. Harbor porpoise played around the boats with puffs and huffs as they surfaced beside us. Seal heads popped up periodically, large curious eyes and whiskers following us as we glided through the water. There were a couple enormous calvings, complete with huge splashes and echoing roars. A deep blue shooter rose from the depths in front of the glacier, launching far into the air before settling down with a splash. Captain’s dinner followed evening recap and our last night together was delicious and heart-warming for all.
