Kayaking at Lamplugh Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park

 

Beauty in the ice at Lamplugh Glacier

What an incredible day. It was low tide at the Lamplugh Glacier, and the hiking groups had gone out already. I was ready to take out an adventurous group of kayakers to explore the glacier. The weather was beautiful and the wind was calm, so I was eager to get the group going.

Because a small boat had snaked out usual anchorage, we did a live-boat drop, where we are adrift, instead of anchoring. This put us in a position to explore deeper down the coast than usual. We even made a few landings just to explore some beautiful looking rocky beaches. Wildflowers abounded and bald eagles hung out in the nearby trees and rock ledges.

Then we cruised further down the coast for the big reveal of Lamplugh Glacier. I thought we were only going to be able to kayak outside of the moraine, and gaze at the glacier from afar, but to my surprise the outflow river from the glacial lake was flowing slow enough that my entire group could paddle up it and made it into the lake.

Floating ice that had recently calved off the glacier face slowing bobbed around us. Tons of other pieces of ice were left high and dry up on the terminal moraine by the receding tide. It was like an ice sculpture garden. After paddling in the lake and taking some photos in front of the glacier, I led everyone off to the shoreline for a quick jaunt on land. We were actually able to touch part of the glacier that is grounded, which has not been a possibility in years.

Lamplugh glacier is about 8 miles long. It tumbles down from the Brady Icefield, high in the nearby mountains. But I have seen it undergo massive changes in the recent years. However, these changes have brought new adventure opportunities. And it seems the photos just keep getting better.

As we paddled back to the boat I reminded everyone to switch into their swim suits to get ready for the polar plunge. The adventure is over yet!

Check out the photos below for some of the fun!

Ice floats by as we launch our kayaks, surrounded by beautiful mountains

The icebergs left high and dry by the last high tide stand like works of art

Here is my fearless kayaking adventurers. Paddle high-five

One of my favorite coves we discovered in the beginning of our kayak

The inside skeleton of a sea urchin, or sea urchin test, on a rock

Extreme kayaking in Glacier Bay

The big reveal, kayaking in front of Lamplugh Glacier. I had to tell these two to come back quite a bit as they were getting into the danger zone.

Paddling by huge icebergs

Me, casually leaning against Lamplugh Glacier for the first time

Well, someone had to show them how the polar plunge is really done.