Today was the final full day of the expedition. Guests woke up to see the breath-taking scenery of Walker Cove, a large bay near the town of Ketchikan. After a hearty breakfast, guests were able to take some kayaks and paddleboards to explore the fascinating area. Following this individual exploration, some brave guests took a “polar plunge” to fully experience the icy cold water of Southeast Alaska. Guests described the day as wonderful, having the perfect mix of activity and relaxation.
Text by Hannah Tuinman, age 18, National Geographic Global Explorer
Sarah’s fondest memories of nature are experiences she’s shared with friends—especially when those experiences involve spotting wildlife from the bow of a ship! She’s captivated by the wonders of the natural world, and it was the lure of expansive wilderness and exotic destinations that inspired her to study wildlife biology at both the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Hawai’i Honolulu. Sarah was first partial to mammalian studies, and it wasn’t until her first season as a field naturalist in Southeast Alaska that she began to truly appreciate watching birds and what they could teach us about patience, integrity, and hope.
The tone of morning fell hushed and graceful upon those on deck as we cruised into Misty Fjords National Monument & Wilderness. Following breakfast, we donned our rain gear and stepped aboard Zodiacs for a scenic exploration.
In the afternoon the mist descended further, but provided peeks of waterfalls and tall, glacially sculpted mountains. Many of us opted to explore via kayak, and others, via Zodiac. Our evening concluded with Captain’s Dinner and a bittersweet farewell of shared photos and films.
The Inside Passage is rich, not just in picturesque islands and seascapes, but in life itself. Positively teeming with marine mammals, fish and upwelling nutrients from the Gulf of Alaska, this stretch of coastline is a veritable cornucopia.
Another epic day in Southeast Alaska with an incredible sunrise on the Coast Range reflecting in the glassy waters of Frederick Sound. Our morning visit to Thomas Bay was greeted with blue sky and warm air, perfect for our hiking and kayaking operations.
Our first stop on our coastal rainforest hike was Cascade Creek, a thunderous waterfall that casts a misty spray into the morning light, creating perfect photo opportunities. Every shade of green was displayed on the forest floor and in the tree canopy.
Our afternoon in Le Conte Bay was just as glorious, with blue skies and slightly wispy clouds. We cruised among the massive icebergs from Le Conte Glacier that were grounded on the terminal moraine, exposing the underside of these beautiful ice creations. Every shade of blue was displayed in the depths of this ancient ice reflected from the blue skies.
During an operational stop in Petersburg, we were treated to a panoramic view of the Coast Range with the 9,079 foot granite spire of Devils Thumb as a backdrop to the fleet of salmon fishing boats. We are heading south tonight to continue our great luck of finding whales and great weather. Stay tuned.
