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| Brown Bear on Admiralty Island |
I'm back in Alaska after almost a year to be expedition leader for UnCruise's newest itinerary:
Bears, Bergs, and Bushwhacking. This itinerary is only run by our smallest boat, the 22 passenger Safari Quest. With wilderness management protections in place here in the Tongass National Forest, the Safari Quest is able to take passengers into highly protected areas where only two groups of 12 hikers can step foot onto ground each day. The amazing Admiralty Island, or what the local Tlingit people call the island "Kootznoowoo" or Fortress of the Bear, because it has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world.
The trip ends up doing a round trip back to Petersburg, which means that most of the time out on the water we are in prime humpback whale feeding grounds. Frederick Sound has been a hot spot for humpback whales spending the summer months here in Southeast Alaska. Calm waters of the Inside Passage mixed with snow capped mountains in the background provide stunning locals for whale encounters.
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| Bubble net feeding up close |
I have my hopes up that over the next four weeks we will find humpback whales bubble net feeding. Take a look at
this encounter from last year! Once the herring start forming big schools the intelligent humpbacks use this feeding method to trap the elusive small fish. Having the ability to fit everyone into our two skiffs makes the possibility of witnessing this behavior from a small boat almost a definite.
The wildlife of Alaska is always an amazing part of the trip. But it is often the glaciers that leave a lasting impression of the guests and the crew alike. Waking up to see giant pieces of ice floating by, made up of impossibly blue color is only the beginning of the wonder of these glaciers. Seeing a 200ft tall wall of ice, that sometimes breaks off apartment building size chunks is an experience no one can ever forget. The landscapes here are stunning, from rivers of ice, to sunsets near 10pm, to a lone bald eagle perched atop a floating berg.
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| Ice Garden in Le Conte Bay |
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| Glacier Calving at Dawes Glacier |
I am wrapping my mind around the fact that this is my job. There is certainly something very satisfying about working in a place like this and being able to share this experience with guests week in and week out. Season after season I can see this with fresh eyes through all the first time guests. Although after being away for almost a year I feel like my eye are fresh as well. The excitement certainly is.
I'm back in Alaska after almost a year to be expedition leader for UnCruise's newest itinerary: Bears, Bergs, and Bushwhacking. This itinerary is only run by our smallest boat, the 22 passenger Safari Quest. With wilderness management protections in place here in the Tongass National Forest, the Safari Quest is able to take passengers into highly protected areas where only two groups of 12 hikers can step foot onto ground each day. The amazing Admiralty Island, or what the local Tlingit people call the island "Kootznoowoo" or Fortress of the Bear, because it has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. 
The trip ends up doing a round trip back to Petersburg, which means that most of the time out on the water we are in prime humpback whale feeding grounds. Frederick Sound has been a hot spot for humpback whales spending the summer months here in Southeast Alaska. Calm waters of the Inside Passage mixed with snow capped mountains in the background provide stunning locals for whale encounters.
The wildlife of Alaska is always an amazing part of the trip. But it is often the glaciers that leave a lasting impression of the guests and the crew alike. Waking up to see giant pieces of ice floating by, made up of impossibly blue color is only the beginning of the wonder of these glaciers. Seeing a 200ft tall wall of ice, that sometimes breaks off apartment building size chunks is an experience no one can ever forget. The landscapes here are stunning, from rivers of ice, to sunsets near 10pm, to a lone bald eagle perched atop a floating berg. 
Great post. I really love alaska bear viewing trips. Thanks for sharing your experience with us..
ReplyDeletePictures are really good and thanks for sharing information about alaska bear tours. We also offer alaska glacier hiking tours for you.
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