6/1/13 - Glacier Bay, AK

Glacier Bay is a scenic indentation, about 50 miles long, on the coast of southeastern Alaska. It is situated about 100 miles northwest of Juneau and contains glaciers that descend from the lofty St. Elias Range in the east and the Fairweather Range in the west.

Most of the several dozen glaciers in the area are terrestrial, but a handful are classified as tidewater (i.e., those that flow directly into the ocean).

Glacier Bay was the descriptive name given to the striking locality by Captain Lester A. Beardslee of the U.S. Navy in 1880.

The glaciers in Glacier Bay are remnants of a general ice advance—the Little Ice Age—that began about 4,000 years ago. About 1750, the Little Ice Age reached its maximum stage and a general recession of glaciers began. In 1750, Glacier Bay was a massive single glacier but due to higher average temperatures and lower average snowfall amounts over the last several centuries it has been transformed into what is now.

One of the glaciers we viewed was Margerie Glacier, 21 mi long tidewater glacier. The width of the glacier is about 1 mile and the total height at its terminus is about 350 feet 100 feet that is underwater. Margerie Glacier is named after French geologist and geographer Emmanuel de Margerie who visited the area in 1913.

One of the unique, enriching features of experiencing Glacier Bay cruise was that we able to learn directly from the park rangers. At the beginning of a Glacier Bay cruise, they board the ship in order to provide background information on the natural scenery, wildlife, and conservation efforts going on within the park.

Back on board and after a delicious dinner we decided to take in one of the shows. They asked for volunteers to perform. Well, you know Mike and how gregarious he is, volunteered. Enjoy the video of Mike on stage doing back-up with Dan Hodge.