Tuesday was an all-day adventure centered around ice and forest. National Geographic Sea Lion cruised through the narrow fjord of Endicott Arm. Endicott Arm was carved out thousands of years ago by the Dawes Glacier as it crept towards the Pacific Ocean. The steep walls are lined with vibrant green forests and accented by barren granite. Waterfalls cascade into the salty fjord from all directions. The on-again-off-again rain showers only added to the volume of plummeting water.
As the ship crept closer to the face of Dawes Glacier, everyone onboard kept an eye out for wildlife and no one was disappointed. The first sighting was of a pack of wolves, moving like ghosts through the trees. Next was a black bear keeping watch of the fjord below from high up on the mountain crest. Just before the glacier came into sight, a small herd of mountain goats could be seen sunning themselves.
The afternoon was filled with expedition cruising up to the towering face of Dawes Glacier. Calving ice from the face sent waves and thunder claps to the excited onlookers. Everyone had the chance to touch glacial ice and see what creates that beautiful blue hue. The day came to a close as the ship sailed out of the fjord and back into Chatham Strait.
