Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier
Formed by a river of ice, the steep walls of Endicott Arm surrounded us on either side as we made our way up to the Dawes Glacier this morning. Deep blue crystal ice floated by, which was once a part of this incredible glacier. Embedded in some of the icebergs were rocks collected along the way from the glacial till in the lateral moraines. The medial moraines winding their way down the center of the glacier were evidence of several glacial tributaries merging together. Harbor seals watched us as we traveled by Zodiac through the ice to the face of the Dawes Glacier, hoping to see a calving of ice. We were soon rewarded as a huge chunk of ice splashed down, creating a miniature tsunami wave. An amazing glacial landscape surrounded us. Ice-sculpted valleys and spires dominated the scenery, along with waterfalls of melted ice from the present-day glaciers.
After lunch the kayaks were launched and we paddled amongst the growlers and bergie bits. Granite walls of the fjord rose majestically high above us. This was a day to celebrate ice and geology. The young explorers on board made a glacier ice cream sundae complete with chocolate moraines and ice worms! As if this wasn’t enough of icy coldness, several decided to plunge into the glacial water for an invigorating polar swim!
This was our last evening aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird. At recap we tried to summarize our week on board with a single phase. Words like “vast wilderness, amazing wildlife, and sharing the wonders of nature” came to mind. This has been a truly wonderful unforgettable week in Southeast Alaska.
