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Hubbard Glacier -- Sept 6, 2023

Hubbard Glacier – Wow.  This is the highlight of the trip, and it does not disappoint.

This, like Antarctica, is one of those excursions where you don’t get off the ship.  Instead, the captain pilots us to within about a mile of the glacier (which, incidentally, sticks out of the water about 440 feet and goes into the water another 200 – 300 feet) and we cruise around looking for wildlife (primarily seals and sea lions, the whales having decided that dinner as a frozen smoothie is not especially satisfying) and looking at the glacier.

If you are very, VERY lucky, the weather is just a little overcast but not raining.  If the sun is out, the glacier looks white but if there are clouds it looks blue, something to do with the way the light refracts through the ice of the glacier.  Long and the short of it, though, is that you get more visual color if it’s cloudy.

We had perfect weather.  Cloudy but not raining, and the clouds were high and not fog.  To say that it is a stunning sight is the understatement of the year, regardless of the color.  It is simply not possible to be in the presence of this natural wonder without being in complete awe.

We didn’t see any wildlife, but we did see several large pieces of glaciers sluicing off the front into the ocean.  This is called “calving” and is a natural event, not attributable to climate change or anything.  Apparently it is a part of the rejuvenation process for glaciers.  EB (our official photographer and videographer) got a big one on video and you can hear the excitement in the crowd as it sloughs off into the ocean.

Once those pieces fall into the water, if they are more than about 15 ft. on each side, they are known as ICEBERGS.  Probably not enough to sink a ship if you hit one, but who wants to scratch up the paint?  There weren’t many of these as we were in the harbor, and the little ones – well, they needed to go into drinks or something.  They were of no consequence.

Overall, another memorable and incredible day.  We have been fortunate that we’ve had spectacular weather throughout the cruise.  Many of the crew and others who regularly make this trek have said that they’ve never seen it this clearly before.

P.S.  Writing this a bit delayed, as previously explained.  Just read that the cruise that happened the week after us did not even get to go to Hubbard glacier due to storms and high seas.  That’d be like going to a destination wedding and missing the ceremony!!


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