Columbia Glacier and Wildlife Cruise

 Hi everyone!

This past Monday we took a fantastic dinner and wildlife viewing for a 6 hour cruise in the Prince William Sound.  The main destination was the Columbia Glacier.  It was one of the largest glaciers in Alaska, and the last of the tidewater glaciers to go into retreat.  Today it is one of the most active glaciers.  It is both expanding and retreating but the latter is occurring at such pace that it is a losing battle for its future.  On the way there we made several stops to view wildlife whenever it presented itself.  We boarded at 2:30pm local time:

Bald Eagle

En route we encountered one of five of these vessels parked along the route of oil tankers traveling in Prince William Sound.  It is one of many resolutions that came out from the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989.

Oil Spill Response Vessel towed by tug boat

These are parked strategically in PWS and respond immediately to any oil spill to avoid delayed response as it was experienced with the Exxon Valdez. It took 4 days for first cleanup crews to arrive to that incident. With the winds, tides and waves, the over 10 million barrels of oil spread widely within the sound. Cleanup continues to this day and it is expected to continue for many more years. Many fish and wildlife were decimated or left the area and are just now beginning to return.

First iceberg encountered many miles from the glacier

The first of several locations where these mammals were seen.  The vocalization that sounds like barking and growling was quite evident

Steller Sea Lions, Harbor Seals & Sea Otters.  Many Tufted and Horned Puffins were seen but not pictured 

As the cruise continued and still very far away from the glacier, we encountered tons of icebergs.  The ones that appear "dirty" or black, is ice with lots of gravel as created by the glacier as it moves and retreats

As we approached this iceberg, it was full of Sea Otters sunning themselves.  However, as we got closer it was like rats in sinking ships.  They all jumped into the water.  At least 50 or more and many with babies riding on their chest were seen

Here is Columbia Glacier.  We are about 7 miles away when this pic was taken

Notice on these pics below, the lack of vegetation on the rocks.  As the glacier retreats it grinds the rock to almost powder like soil and it will take years for roots to take hold

The height of the terminus or wall of glacier seen above is over 200 feet in height

This is across the glacier or behind us

Although many layers are beneath these jackets, we were freezing. Temp in the Columbia Bay was 40 F and with the ship moving at 30 mph cruising speed, it was like tiny needles being imbedded into the face.

For the trip back, dinner was served and we finally got to warm up.  We arrived back to port at 8:30pm.

For those of you interested here is a link to more history and the retreat of this beautiful glacier: 35 years of Retreat at Columbia Glacier.

'till next time...