Alaska 2024 - Day 1 Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America, with a length of 76 miles and a width of seven miles where it meets the ocean...
Friday, 9 August 2024
Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America, with a length of 76 miles and a width of seven miles where it meets the ocean, calving huge chunks of ice into Disenchantment Bay. A tidewater glacier is one that meets the ocean where its flow ends.
The glacier is one of the few holding its own in the face of increasing temperatures caused by global warming. Coastal snow storms still receive enough snow in the mountains and valleys feeding it to keep the glacier progressing, while most others have markedly shrunk.
The journey from Seward to Disenchantment Bay was smooth and steady. Seas were calm. Much of the transit took place during the night while we slept.
Clouds and mist with light rainfall persisted throughout the day on the way to the glacier. We were concerned that, when we got there, we would not be able to see the reputed magnificent glacier.
Our scheduled arrival was 2:00 p.m. but the mist and ever more dense ice chunks cast off by the glacier slowed our approach. We were getting antsy, knowing we were supposed to be getting close, but now knowing if the weather would provide visibility. We could see the increasing accumulation of ice from the glacier in Disenchantment Bay, so we knew we were getting closer, but still no visual sign of the glacier.
Then, around 4:00 p.m., out of the misty rain and cloud cover, the majestic Hubbard Glacier took form!
We could only see a tiny portion of the seven miles of glacier perched at the ocean's edge, but it was a phenomenal site. Cliffs of ice with thunderous cracks as chunks large and small broke off and fell into the ocean.
We started off our viewing from an observation deck above the Observation Lounge, but it was tough to capture images or videos due to the weather and having to maneuver around people to try to get a shot. The Captain positioned the ship such that the port side would have a view for a time, then the starboard side, so we returned to our cabin to try to capture the display from our balcony.
While we could hear the roar of ice bergs being born, we weren't able to capture any on video or camera. The ship spun slowly around twice giving everyone about equal viewing time, then slid slowly and carefully out of Disenchantment Bay toward our next destination, Juneau.