Exploring Glacier Bay
July 1-4
Alex and David arrived at Pleasant Island Cove on July 1 as planned, and they left that anchorage around 1:30 am on July 2 (the first day of their permit) to head into Glacier Bay. After checking in via radio and traveling for about 8 hours, they stopped to anchor and rest in the south end of Fingers Bay, on the west shore. They then resumed their travel north, getting to Blue Mouse Cove on the SE corner of Gilbert Peninsula for the night.
“So far yesterday and today weather has been overcast, with a ceiling at about 4000 feet, so we can’t see the tops of the big mountains. But the valleys are spectacular. This place is filled with steep fjords and steep granite walls and U shaped valleys. Lots of sea otters lying on their backs and sticking their heads up to peer at us. We also saw several small groups of humpback whales yesterday. Some closer than others. One was about 25 yards from us when we anchored last night.”
They started out about 4:30 am on July 3, heading to Tarr inlet and the Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers. The reason for the early start was to ride whatever flood there might be. It’s a Long way to the glacier, about 24 miles. They reported spending a long lunch at the glaciers, and the sun came out while they were there —“it is glorious!” For the night of July 3, they returned to Blue Mouse Cove where they spent the previous night.
July 4 they headed to Bartlett Cove where they need to be the next day for getting to the Gustavus airport to meet Kai and Ruby (his sitter) and to take David to his flight to Seattle. Bartlett Cove has the park visitor center as well as a hotel, where they can get showers, and taxis to the airport. Alex said they would have spent another night in the wilderness but, because of currents, it made sense to get there a day ahead. Otherwise they would have had to leave at 2 am on the 5th.
They've taken lots of photos and videos, but can’t send them until they have cell service again. Hopefully the next post here will be full of pictures!
