With the first light, the National Geographic Sea Lion slowly cruised through the fog. Mirror-like waters reflected the image of the floating ice, and distant forest gradually blended into the white atmosphere of the fog. A few black-legged kittiwakes flew away as they perceived the silhouette of the ship on approach, and the voice of the common loon added an atmosphere of mystery to the entire scene.
As the fog gradually lifted, the landscape revealed itself. We were surrounded by large icebergs shortly after embarking our small inflatable boats. The massive blue chunks of glacier had travelled from the face of Le Conte Glacier. Le Conte is such an active glacier that as the high-altitude ice field feeds it with compressed snow, the face floats over the water of the fjord. It releases massive shooters from the base of the glacial face. Opposed to calving, which produces smaller icebergs, calving leaves the large ice fragments almost intact, and massive.
We had an incredible morning full of opportunities to enjoy wilderness, remoteness and unusual conditions that converged to make out of this morning a very special one.
The afternoon was full of activities once we arrived to the small town of Petersburg. Flightseeing from a floatplane gave us a different perspective of the eagle’s eye view of Le Conte Glacier, and the surrounding fjords. We also had great photographic opportunities in company of our photo instructors guiding us through town. We learned about the fisheries of Southeast Alaska as we walked through the fishing dock, listening to detailed explanations on fishing techniques, regulations and traditions.
We enjoyed a Southeast Alaska classic dinner as we pulled away from the dock. Dungeness crab feast was the perfect closing for many, after such a wonderful day exploring Alaska’s coastal wilderness.
