Theatre on how alpine glaciers are formed.
My obsession is no wonder, though, when I
learn that Australia is the only continent on
the planet without glaciers.
Tom imparts his knowledge to guests in
a kind and patient manner. We are all
curious about how old this natural wonder
is and its relationship to other glaciers in
Alaska. The Hubbard Glacier, a relatively
recently formed glacier, is notable for being
one of the few with a significant
advancement rate over the past 100 years,
sometimes 32 metres annually, which
contrasts starkly with glaciers receding due
to climate change. Her brilliant turquoise
colour captivates me, and I soon learn that
the different hues are the chapters in her
400 -year-old story.
Binoculars in hand, with complimentary
use available in every Stateroom, I race to
the Aquavit Terrace to immerse myself
even deeper in this mysterious wonder. The
ship gently sways in the water, rotating
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
"Cruising is the only
way for nature lovers to
see the raw beauty and
power of the Hubbard
Glacier."
slowly to give all guests a prime vantage
point from wherever they are on board. I
can just hear Tom through the QuietVox as
he advises that Alaska has more than
100,000 glaciers, with only 1% being
named. Proof of how vast and untamed
this wilderness is.
As I stand there gazing, waiting to
witness a routine calving of an iceberg the
size of a ten-storey building, I find myself
lost in the natural beauty of the remote
wilderness surrounding me. It's a place you
could easily get lost in for hours. There's no
calving today. 'Thank goodness,' I whisper
under my breath. We are leaving this
pristine heaven on earth as we found it.
As I turn to head inside, I gather my
thoughts, and I retrace my steps back to
Ketchikan, to the Potlatch Totem Park,
where we first learnt of the indigenous
Tlingit people. My curiosity was sparked by
the cultural significance and meaning that
the Hubbard Glacier held for these people,
GETTING THERE: The 11-day Alaska
& the Inside Passage sails from
Vancouver to Seward, Alaska or in
reverse.
Sitka
Pacic
Ocean
Seward
Vancouver
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Hubbard Glacier
Valdez
Icy Strait Point
USA
ALASKA
CANADA
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Yakutat Bay
Inside Passage
N
–
Cruise
•
• Overnight in Port
VIEW
VOYAGE
and how on earth they managed to survive
out here.
Cruising is the only way for nature lovers
to see the raw beauty and power of the
Hubbard Glacier. At 115 kilometres long
and 10 kilometres wide, it cannot be
reached any other way. The ship can get as
close as 300 metres, but not today. The
growlers in the water, aptly named, seem
aggressive, surrounding us on all sides and
posing too much of a risk for us to go any
closer. Safety comes first. I stop and pause
to reflect for a moment on what I have
been privileged to witness and learn these
last few days.
Exhausted from taking it all in—the
scenery, the knowledge, the fresh air, and
my curiosity—it's time to head to the spa. I
love nothing more than to restore my
well-being with the bathing rituals of the
Nordics. It is, after all, a scenic sailing day,
and tomorrow I'll be water rafting class III
rapids through the Keystone Canyon in the
stunning Alaskan wilderness outside the
port of Valdez.
The Hubbard Glacier and Yakutat's
coastline are stunning natural sights and
must-see destinations for anyone travelling
to Alaska.
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