Iron Jean-Paul: Roadie: Dawes Glacier, Alaska

Into the Endicott Arm. (7/1/2019)

It's been two weeks since our return from an Alaskan cruise and I am beginning to miss it. On days such as today, where it is forecast to be 90°+ and humid, pictures of our Alaskan trip bring a sense of calm cool. Ironically during our time North, their temperatures were at historic high. When our ship was near the base of the Dawes Glacier (pictured below) we heard what sounded to be an extremely loud thundercrack. It was the ice falling away from the face of the glacier. Given the rate of climate change, and its obvious impact on the world around us, that may very well be the sound the world makes as it dies. Sorry to be a bummer; fortunate we had an opportunity to see it before it diminishes too much more.

Dawes Glacier terminates in the waters of Endicott Arm and together these two sights are classic glacier visits for those travelling to Juneau.

Anne and I up at 6 a.m. to view scenery as the ship heads down

Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier. (7/1/2019)

When turning, many vantage points from all directions came
into view. (7/1/2019)

Seals on ice could be seen on floating ice as we approached the glacier. (7/1/2019)

The deeper the blue hue, the older the ice; that is a very old
piece of ice to the lower left hand corner! (7/1/2019)

Former parts of the Dawes Glacier, now set adrift. (7/1/2019)

The water, full of varying degrees of minerals and other things due to

glacier melt, seems to change color. (7/1/2019)

Mountains and valleys without end. (7/1/2019)

Dawes Glacier stands over 200 feet tall, with another 250 feet of glacier hidden below water. Tourist ship captains who commonly travel this area are trained to maneuver the ship to make two complete turns on a dime, slowly spinning what he called “doughnuts” so that no matter where you were on the ship, at some point during the spin all guests will be facing the glacier. Our captain was no different, and did an excellent job delivering on his promise.