August 17, 2019

Friday Update, not really Funny 08-17/19

Well, I warned you about not receiving a Friday post on time. This is the first internet we've had in two weeks.

Glacier Bay was everything we knew it would be. The weather high held, and we had two weeks of blue, sunny skies, warm days, and cool nights. We ticked off the "must sees" everyday, glaciers, bears, seals, otters, and whales. We didn't always get photos, as it was nice just to live in the moment without a lens in front of the view.

Some highlights:

Inside the Huna Tribal Hall, incredible workmanship.

A Coast Guard Cutter which was inside the park, this would be handy later.

This is when the CG came in handy.

On our first night in the park, we were joined in our bay by another cruiser. See the rock that the arrow is pointing to? They unfortunately, laid their boat over on it, and we hosted them onboard until high tide at 2:00a, to see if they could float back off. No one got much sleep, and the miracle happened, they floated off without any discernible damage. It was a good, stout, well made boat, and everyone was glad for it. We did a "Pan Pan" at 10:30pm, and when the Coast Guard learned we had things in hand, they decided not to stop, and requested an update in the morning. (Pan Pan is the international standard urgency signal that someone aboard a boat uses to declare that they have a situation that is urgent, but for the time being does not pose an immediate danger to anyone's life or to the vessel itself. A sort of Heads Up everyone.)

Reid Glacier

Denali Rose at anchor behind Reid Glacier, those are "hanging glaciers" in the mountaintops.


Lamplugh Glacier

A Nat Geo cruise vessel enjoying the scenery

John Hopkins Glacier

And the one glacier everyone on any kind of ship comes to see:

Margerie Glacier

Check out the leaning face of Margerie Glacier.

We hung out in front of Margerie Glacier for about two hours, thinking perhaps we would see the face calving. That large leaning piece looked like it might fall. We didn't hear much creaking or groaning, glacier sounds, so we thought it might still be securely attached. Just as we were about fifteen minutes away, we heard CRASH, and turned around to see the splash of ice entering the water. Oh well, we tried to be at the right place, at the right time.

Check out all of the boats/ships that cruise Glacier Bay on a daily basis, we're used to solitude, or just a couple of other boats, this is kinda crowded for us. This is a snapshot of boats that use AIS, (Automatic Identification System, personal boats don't have to have this technology, some have send/receive - we do, some only receive, and some don't have it at all.)





The Park Service allows 2- large cruise ships, 4- day cruisers, usually 80-125 passengers, and 25- personal boats a day.

We explored all arms of Glacier Bay, and then left to find good shelter for the predicted upcoming storm. We're partway to Juneau tucked into Swanson Harbor tied up to a state-built float. Snug, warm, and have invited the other boat tied up here, over for "sundowners" later. Rum anyone?

and you thought I would forget the cartoon didn't you.......



As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.



8 comments:

  1. Did the people who go hung up not have a depth finder?

    Hope this finds you well!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they had depth, and a new chart plotter. One moment of inattention can bring disaster. We try to always stay vigilant.

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  2. Those folks were lucky to float off. Phew! Lovely pictures. I especially like the one of the tribal hall.

    Cheers - Ellen

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    Replies
    1. Yes, very lucky to not have any damage. The tribal hall was spectacular outside and inside, I should post more photos.

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  3. Looking forward to getting south to see it for ourselves though I think the crowds may be a shock for us. Thanks so much for the recommendations for Prince William Sound and the loaned material. We have just come back from Nellie Juan and Yale Glacier and to hope to head back out again once we sort some admin at the dock in Whittier. Yale was especially great as we could see Yale Glacier calving from the anchorage and dingied up closer each day. Much thanks, Max

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    Replies
    1. The glaciers in PWS are spectacular, and no permits required.

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    2. We're glad the glaciers are performing for you guys. Hopefully PWS is living up to your expectations... Wow- you even visited the booming metropolis of Whitier! Glacier Bay pales in comparison to PWS... [State Fair vs. Disneyland...]

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  4. I had a chance to see Glacier Bay back in the 60's, it was magnificent especially the calving. I don't remember seeing any other craft then. I think we had the place to ourselves.

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