Exploring Misty Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska by Expedition Cruise Ship

 

Cruising in the glacier carved fjords of Alaska's Prince William Sound.

It can be such a magical experience pulling up to a glacier by boat in the early morning. We do this weekly here in Prince William Sound on our expedition cruise ship, the Safari Explorer. This morning the Columbia Glacier was reflected in the calm waters of the fjord, and low misty clouds clung to the tops of the ice.

Seeing a mist-covered glacier from the deck of an expedition cruise ship is a truly magical experience, one that captures the awe-inspiring beauty and raw power of nature. As the ship glides through the still, icy waters, a dense, ethereal mist begins to envelop the surroundings, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The glacier, partially shrouded in mist, emerges like a giant, ghostly apparition, its towering ice cliffs glowing with a soft, otherworldly light. The silence is profound, broken only by the occasional creak and groan of the ice, reminding you of the glacier’s immense and ancient presence.

As we stood on the deck, bundled against the chill, the mist created a sense of intimacy and solitude, as if you and we were the only ones to witness this secluded wonder. Every breath feels like a connection to the glacier’s pristine environment. The play of light and shadow through the mist highlights the glacier’s intricate patterns and deep crevasses, revealing the sheer complexity and beauty of its frozen facade. It’s a moment of quiet reflection, where the grandeur of the natural world seems to pause just for us.

The mystical quality of the mist amplifies the glacier’s grandeur and the sense of adventure. My thoughts wandered to the explorers and indigenous peoples who navigated these waters centuries ago, experiencing the same breathtaking sight. The slow, steady approach of the ship allowed ample time to absorb the scene, imprinting the experience deeply into memory. As the mist shifts and occasionally parts, glimpses of the glacier’s full scale become visible, leaving us all in awe of the natural forces that shaped this landscape over millennia. This encounter with a mist-covered glacier is not just a visual spectacle; it’s a profound connection with the raw, untouched beauty of the world, a moment where nature’s majesty feels both humbling and uplifting.

Its an expedition cruise, so lets load up the small boats, zip around the icebergs, and get closer to the face of the glacier.

The west side of Columbia has receded and separated into three distinct glaciers.

Glaciers melt from underneath as well as up top, giving it basal slippage, or lubrication for sliding down slope.

For a bit our skiff was in the glacial melt river at the grounded face of the glacier.

The deep grey-blue into light blue coloration of this chunk of ice caught everyone's eye. It reminded me of the colors of a local bird called a stellar jay.

Panorama of the mist covered glacier.