Our first look at Tiger Glacier.
In the far southwest reaches of Prince William Sound, there is a protected fjord known as Icy Bay. I love to visit here because we always have it all to ourselves, and the scenery is second to none. The wall of the fjord crater up to thousands of feet, waterfalls tumbled down the sheer sides, mountains goats scamper in impossible spots along the cliffs, and a massive glacier, filled with blue ice, slow motions tumbles into the sea at the end.
Last week we were blocked from access to the face of the glacier because the surface of the ocean was frozen solid for about a mile. I even got out and walked on it, just to test it. The fact that I didn't fall through, made me think that this ice was here to stay for awhile. So imagine my surprise when we showed up this morning, and got closer, and closer, and closer, until finally, we were at the face of the glacier.
The guests awed at the deep blue ice in the glacier, and then, suddenly, a huge chunk calved off the face and crashed down into the water. It send waves speeding out in all directions. Luckily we were in deep water, where the wave was just a gentle roll under the skiff. After spending time soaking in the glacier, we motored off down the fjord, on a nature and scenery cruise. On the way we found mountain goats, a trumpeter swan, and lots of fun water birds that call these calm waters there home.
Alice showing off her hot spiked cider after a wonderful skiff tour at Tiger Glacier. We take care of our guests here on the Safari Explorer.
Our bartender, Emma, keeping our guests warm with some hot beverages on the back deck when we returned from our glacier skiff tour.
A harbor seal turns lazily around to check out this new addition to the recently cleared fjord waters... us!
A cute sea otter holds its hands out of the icy cold water near Tiger Glacier.
The deep blue ice of Tiger Glacier is one of my favorite colors. The light gets so filtered out as is goes deep into this ice cave that only blue light emerges.
Ice and Rock.
We've had some rarely seen birds, migrating through Prince William Sound this week. This trumpeter swan was all by itself, which is rare. It was calling for another, that we never saw. Finally it took flight, which was a show in itself.
Finally, we spotted some shaggy looking mountain goats hanging out about 100ft above the water, on the side of a sheer cliff.
I always like when the water is so calm that you can flip the photo and still not know which way is up.
The northern face of Tiger Glacier seems to be slowly getting farther back from the water's edge.
Our skiff, getting a great look at the face of Tiger Glacier.
Dan, surrounded by beautiful Alaskan glacial scenery.
It felt amazing to get this close to the glacier, after last week being foiled by about a mile of sea ice blocking our way.
Some glacial remnants remains on this stretch of Tiger Glacier.
We got pretty close to some waterfalls. I shouldn't have left my shampoo back on the ship.
Like this...
I'm not sure I've ever seen a reverse icicle this big before. It was formed by drips in the back of this cave, and then froze, just like a stalagmite in a cave.
This was our view coming out of the stalagmite cave.
Tiger glacier, splitting around this huge rock mound, and providing some amazing reflections in the process.
Our small boat captain, Andie, showing folks the ropes in Icy Bay, on our way to Tiger Glacier.
I was so please that the back of the fjord was clear of pack ice. We could make it all the way to the glacier!
We snuck through the shallow cut behind us where all of that ice was already stuck in the shallow water.
As always, keep traveling and keep posting!
Thanks Hive for cultivating this great community of travel lovers.
