A trip of a lifetime ! In search of tidewater glaciers.I have been interested in glaciology since I studied geography and geomorphology as a student.
On a visit to Vancouver to see the sights and meet with cousins and friends, it seemed the perfect time to add on a 3 hour flight north to Alaska. On August 27th 2024, Emily and I flew first to Vancouver and then onto Anchorage, Alaska on 30th August.
In Anchorage we joined the Alaska Railroad train to Whittier, Prince William Sound on a scenic route along the coast and into the mountains.
At Whittier we embarked on a smallish boat with 80 other people and sped along College Sound until we came in sight of hanging glaciers and then the tidewater glacier of Harvard Glacier.
Amazing sight, had everyone in silence as we gazed in awe at the sight of this spectacular glacier, blue ,white and grey, serene and full of power.
Harvard Glacier is 20 miles long, 200 ft tall at the waters edge and over 30,000 years old.
As we gazed in silence we heard the sounds of the ice groaning or like a gun shot as the ice then fell into the sea.This glacier is still advancing and gaining in its size unlike so many.
More to follow….
Rev’d Sue Martin
