Endicott Arm & Tracy Arm
The first light of morning found us sailing up Endicott Arm. More and more icebergs surrounded us as we approached the Dawes Glacier, building up our anticipation. Under a morning drizzle, we watched harbor seals, in the process of molting or having recently molted, floating on icebergs in front of this tidewater glacier. Streaks of dirt and rocks, or medial moraines, which run through the tidewater glacier, reminded us that the Dawes is fed by multiple tributary glaciers up higher in the mountains. As we retreated back down the fjord, we enjoyed seeing some classic examples of glacial features. The rounded terrain and sheer granitic walls of the fjord are magnificently polished with divots or whale backs which mark the rock surface, and with the long gouges or glacial striations reflect the passage of a massive glacier. Truly, a geologist’s dream!
Midday, we sailed in Zodiacs up Ford’s Terror, a place few expeditions venture. At the entrance, low hanging clouds and rain added to our sense of foreboding and mystery as we entered this side fjord. A Dall’s porpoise streaked by us. Waterfalls lined the fjord’s walls and a couple of bald eagles graced the trees on the shore. Deep in the fjord, we encountered some back country rangers kayaking and camping; making us glad we had the warm, dry refuge of the Sea Bird to come home to.
Our afternoon was spent sailing up Tracy Arm Fjord, a narrow fjord with steep majestic granitic walls that are cut by impressive; steep sided, U-shaped, hanging valleys. The narrow nature of this fjord offered us an up close, intimate experience as we explored its length and spectacular waterfalls, first Hole in the Wall and then Ice Falls. At one point a perfect rainbow emerged along the shore in the mist. We rushed out to photograph it as it seemed like a very fitting symbol to mark the ending of our incredible week here in Southeast Alaska!
The first light of morning found us sailing up Endicott Arm. More and more icebergs surrounded us as we approached the Dawes Glacier, building up our anticipation. Under a morning drizzle, we watched harbor seals, in the process of molting or having recently molted, floating on icebergs in front of this tidewater glacier. Streaks of dirt and rocks, or medial moraines, which run through the tidewater glacier, reminded us that the Dawes is fed by multiple tributary glaciers up higher in the mountains. As we retreated back down the fjord, we enjoyed seeing some classic examples of glacial features. The rounded terrain and sheer granitic walls of the fjord are magnificently polished with divots or whale backs which mark the rock surface, and with the long gouges or glacial striations reflect the passage of a massive glacier. Truly, a geologist’s dream!
Midday, we sailed in Zodiacs up Ford’s Terror, a place few expeditions venture. At the entrance, low hanging clouds and rain added to our sense of foreboding and mystery as we entered this side fjord. A Dall’s porpoise streaked by us. Waterfalls lined the fjord’s walls and a couple of bald eagles graced the trees on the shore. Deep in the fjord, we encountered some back country rangers kayaking and camping; making us glad we had the warm, dry refuge of the Sea Bird to come home to.
Our afternoon was spent sailing up Tracy Arm Fjord, a narrow fjord with steep majestic granitic walls that are cut by impressive; steep sided, U-shaped, hanging valleys. The narrow nature of this fjord offered us an up close, intimate experience as we explored its length and spectacular waterfalls, first Hole in the Wall and then Ice Falls. At one point a perfect rainbow emerged along the shore in the mist. We rushed out to photograph it as it seemed like a very fitting symbol to mark the ending of our incredible week here in Southeast Alaska!
