Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

AMAZING ALASKA

Which State is the Eastern-most, Western-most AND Northern-most State of the entire U.S. ?

- 663,268 square miles on the mainland of Alaska
- 15,000 square miles of fjords and inlets
- 34,000 miles of indented tidal coastline
- Mount McKinley 20,310’ and the highest peak in North America
- 1/3 of Alaska lies in the arctic circle
- 4/5 is permanently frozen
- Tundra - half of the State’s surface are treeless plains
- 130 active volcanos in Alaska
- Earths most active earthquake belts

Today we went to Hubbard Glacier (named for Gardier Hubbard, the founder of National Geographic Magazine) Hubbard is known for its advancing ice margin of up to 7’ per day and 3 story icebergs that cave turning deep blue.

We traveled all day to get close to this glacier. Ships make an “appointment” to come into the glacier bay surrounded by ice to watch some calving (the 20+’ pieces of ice that break off and tumble into the bay with a loud crashing sound). The Hubbard glacier is 76 miles back from Mt Walsh and the face of is 7 miles wide extending 350’ above water level. At 4:30pm the deck was crowded with everyone ready as we approached for our 5-6pm time slot. And then … our Cruise Director Dottie Kulasa and Captain Maroje Brajcic got on the loudspeaker to inform us of the fog (very) quickly rolling in and the added danger of trying to get through the broken ice that extended for miles.

What to do? Sit tight, take some photos, enjoy the sunshine and comradery, drink, watch as the Captain turns the ship around to keep us safe (remember the Titanic) and chat about where everyone was going for dinner! If you have never been to Hubbard Glacier (we have) and you want to see its majesty, see our last photo.

P.S. In case you didn't figure out the trivia question above, its ALASKA!Leggi altro