Ford’s Terror
Ford’s Terror, named by a U.S. Navy survey party in 1889, is a spectacular fjord that is rarely visited. We were at the right place at the right time, as National Geographic Sea Bird was there at slack tide, the only time that the constricted entry can be safely navigated. Eagles, gulls, terns, guillemots, murrelets, ducks and one tufted puffin were busy foraging in the water, while a mountain goat was halfway up the seemingly vertical rock wall looming above.
Our morning was dedicated to exploring the area by kayak and by Zodiac. Paddlers found quiet, solitude and an opportunity to relate one-on-one with the towering granitic cliffs, stunning waterfalls, icebergs, harbor seals and seabirds. Zodiacs delved deeply into the surprisingly spacious waterway that opened up after passing through the narrow, winding channel into Ford’s Terror. Many of us took advantage of both options.
Later in the day, we maneuvered through the icy waters of Endicott Arm, settling near the face of the Dawes Glacier, providing us with a stunning vista. Once again, Zodiacs were deployed, giving us an up close and personal view of the massive wall of ice. Countless waterfalls cascading down the granite, an endless maze of icebergs and, of course, the glacier face, made for an almost mystical outing.
Late in the afternoon, two Wilderness Rangers, John Horn and Kevin Hood, paddled their kayaks, seemingly from nowhere, up to our ship. We welcomed them aboard and enjoyed learning about their work and their lifestyle, which is radically different from anything with which we are familiar. Kevin and John shared stories and answered questions. They stayed on board as our dinner guests, disembarking near their camp at the mouth of Endicott arm as we continued on towards a new set of adventures and explorations.
Ford’s Terror, named by a U.S. Navy survey party in 1889, is a spectacular fjord that is rarely visited. We were at the right place at the right time, as National Geographic Sea Bird was there at slack tide, the only time that the constricted entry can be safely navigated. Eagles, gulls, terns, guillemots, murrelets, ducks and one tufted puffin were busy foraging in the water, while a mountain goat was halfway up the seemingly vertical rock wall looming above.
Our morning was dedicated to exploring the area by kayak and by Zodiac. Paddlers found quiet, solitude and an opportunity to relate one-on-one with the towering granitic cliffs, stunning waterfalls, icebergs, harbor seals and seabirds. Zodiacs delved deeply into the surprisingly spacious waterway that opened up after passing through the narrow, winding channel into Ford’s Terror. Many of us took advantage of both options.
Later in the day, we maneuvered through the icy waters of Endicott Arm, settling near the face of the Dawes Glacier, providing us with a stunning vista. Once again, Zodiacs were deployed, giving us an up close and personal view of the massive wall of ice. Countless waterfalls cascading down the granite, an endless maze of icebergs and, of course, the glacier face, made for an almost mystical outing.
Late in the afternoon, two Wilderness Rangers, John Horn and Kevin Hood, paddled their kayaks, seemingly from nowhere, up to our ship. We welcomed them aboard and enjoyed learning about their work and their lifestyle, which is radically different from anything with which we are familiar. Kevin and John shared stories and answered questions. They stayed on board as our dinner guests, disembarking near their camp at the mouth of Endicott arm as we continued on towards a new set of adventures and explorations.
