Exploring the Incredible Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska

 

Columbia Glacier, as Good as it Gets.

3 MIN READ421 WORDS

Reflection in the Water. View of the Columbia Glacier.

After several days of rain and cold, we scored the perfect weather for our trip up the Columbia fjord to the famous Columbia Glacier. We had blue sky and sunshine, plus mirror-like conditions on the water. The jagged mountains, the glacier itself, and the thousands of icebergs all casts reflections in the water. It was a photographers delight. After breakfast we loaded up our skiffs and worked our way to the face of the glacier, often just taking in the scenery in silence, soaking it all up. Since we had the entire fjord to ourselves, the only noise we would hear was the glacier talking to us in creaks and groans, and thunderous roars. We saw several calvings, creating loud booms when the ice chunks hit the water.

Guests heading out in the skiffs from the mother ship.

The Columbia Glacier, located in Prince William Sound, Alaska, is one of the most significant and rapidly changing glaciers in the world. This tidewater glacier, which originates in the Chugach Mountains, stretches approximately 32 miles (51 kilometers) before terminating in the sound. Since the early 1980s, the Columbia Glacier has been in a state of dramatic retreat, losing nearly half of its total volume and retreating about 12 miles (19 kilometers). This retreat is a striking example of glacial response to climate change, providing scientists with valuable data on the dynamics of glacial melting and its impacts on sea level rise.

We were awestruck by the sheer scale and beauty of the Columbia Glacier. The glacier's towering ice cliffs and the constant calving of icebergs into the fjord create a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. The Columbia Glacier's stunning scenery and significant environmental changes make it a focal point for both tourism and scientific research in the region.

A photographers delight.

This landscape makes you feel very, very small.

Chilling in front of the face, soaking it in and waiting for calving ice.

Everyone enjoying having the glacier and fjord all to ourselves. This is what expedition cruising is all about.

The skiff cruising between a large iceberg and the face of the glacier.

The glacier has receded so much that it has split into several glacier faces. This one is located off to the west side of the fjord.

There is something very mesmerizing with glacier formations.

You know its a good day when people are complaining about being too hot while on a glacier skiff tour.

Waterfall pouring out from under the glacier.