Into the Heart of Ice

The morning air was crisp as I stepped onto the deck of the vessel that would carry us into the heart of Prince William Sound. The fog hung low, a shroud of mystery over the water, as if the sea itself was reluctant to reveal its secrets. The temperature hovered in the 50s, a reminder of the harshness of the Arctic regions I had come to know so well. As the fog began to lift, the towering mountains emerged, their peaks piercing the sky, a testament to the raw beauty of this unforgiving landscape.

Our captain, a seasoned navigator of these icy waters, steered us towards the East Columbia Glacier. The glacier loomed in the distance, a colossal wall of ice stretching two miles wide. Its presence was both awe-inspiring and humbling, a reminder of nature’s power and the fragility of our planet. As we drew closer, the chill in the air intensified, a stark contrast to the warmth of the sun that now bathed the deck in light. I was grateful for the layers of clothing that shielded me from the biting cold.

Among the Giants

The East Columbia Glacier was a sight to behold, its icy facade towering 200 feet above the waterline, with another 600 to 800 feet hidden beneath the surface. The sheer scale of it was staggering, a frozen giant that seemed to defy time itself. As we navigated through the ice floes, the sound of cracking ice echoed around us, a symphony of nature’s raw power.

Our journey took us to the West Glacier, where we stopped a mere quarter mile from its icy face. Here, the ice floes were home to a myriad of wildlife, each creature a testament to the resilience of life in these extreme conditions. Sea otters lounged lazily on the ice, their fur glistening in the sunlight, while Stellar Sea Lions basked on the rocky shores. The sight of two Humpback Whales breaching the surface was a moment of pure magic, a reminder of the wonders that lie beneath the waves.

The Return Journey

As we made our way back to the harbor, the temperature began to rise, a gentle warmth that belied the harshness of the environment we had just traversed. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the water, a fitting end to a day of exploration and discovery.

Back on land, the temperature had climbed to an unexpected 81 degrees, a stark contrast to the icy world we had just left behind. As I walked back to my accommodation, I reflected on the day’s journey. The Columbia Glacier Cruise had been a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet, a call to action for those of us who have dedicated our lives to understanding and protecting these precious environments.

For those who seek adventure and a deeper connection with the natural world, the Columbia Glacier Cruise is an experience not to be missed. It is a journey into the heart of ice, a chance to witness the raw beauty of the Arctic and to be reminded of the importance of preserving these incredible landscapes for future generations.