Alaska 2023

TRACY ARM, SAWYER GLACIER
DAY 6 : WEDNESDAY SEPT 20, 2023


This day we headed up Tracy Arm to eventually reach Sawyer Glacier. The day was a perfect example of why a small ship like ours was so much better than one of the larger cruise ships.

First, our captain had a little surprise for us. How close could our ship get to a waterfall? Probably not a question a sane person would ever ask. But our captain demonstrated just that. Watch to the end of the first video clip below to get your answer to this age-old question (you can turn on the sound if you would like from the control bar at its bottom where you can also mute it). Thinking back - it is an excellent way to clean the deck.

As we cruised up the arm, we did pass one larger ship. I think it was the only one we encountered except in the harbors the entire week. Despite the intruder ship, the scenery was stunning with massive cliffs a wide variety of waterfalls, and eventually the start of icebergs appearing around us.

Due to the abundance of large icebergs, our ship stopped upon seeing the Sawyer Glacier in the distance and many of us boarded several skiffs to cruise through the berg crowded water to approach this massive glacier.

The icebergs were amazing - many, many shapes and sizes. Some of them were larger than a car. And often were deep blue in color (indicating how compressed and cold the ice was).

In some of the skiffs, the guide treated the guests by hoisting a small iceberg onboard to inspect. Very heavy and cold. And very cool.

We also saw one of the cases where you have to be careful with icebergs. One of the skiffs got stuck on the underwater part of a berg (most of the iceberg is under the surface). A bit (OK, a lot of) pushing and encouragement from the passengers got it loose.

When we got back to our ship, for those interested in mechanical devices, we could watch the crew hoist the skiffs back up to the ship.

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SHORT VIDEO CLIPS

How close can you get to the waterfall? Watch to the very end to find out 😀 - w/ sound

Riding in a skiff amongst icebergs broken off from Sawyer Glacier - no sound

One of many, many waterfalls and cascades entering the sea - w/ sound

The skiff pilot is trying to free their skiff which is stuck on an iceberg - no sound

PHOTO SHOWCASE
  • click on any panoramic image for a larger view
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2309150019P - The close encounter waterfall - one of many along Tracy Arm
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2309150023P - Dramatic rock carved by glaciers
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2309150063P - Can you count how many waterfalls are in this one panorama?
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2309150079-85N - Sawyer Glacier
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2309150091P - Beautiful cold blue ice flows that had broken off Sawyer Glacier

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James Hunkins

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