Hubbard Glacier Photo, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park, Alaska.
hey Folks,
Well, this one is not from our last trip. This photo is of the Hubbard Glacier, from my trip in June down to SouthEast Alaska. The Hubbard is a well-known glacier, because it’s one of the most calvingest glaciers in the world. The Hubbard Glacier is over 70 miles long, reaching from it’s beginnings along the face of Mt. Logan, all the way to the Pacific Ocean, at Disenchantment Bay and the Russell Fjord. Lots of cruise ships pull in for a view, but because of the abundant icebergs in the bay, they keep their distance. Icebergs the size of a 10-story building frequently fall from the face of the Hubbard Glacier, not something one wants to be to close to.
The face of the Hubbard is over 6 miles wide – quite a sight. It advances and retreats quite a lot each year, and has recently twice reached Gilbert Point, where it cut Russell Fjord off from the bay, creating Russell Lake. Scientists studying the glacier suggest that if it cuts off the Fjord again, for any length of time, the lake will overflow to the south, and drown Situk River valley. Pretty amazing stuff.
On my next trip down to the area I really want to do some aerial photography of the glacier, to compliment the closeup images I took from the water. Unfortunately, while I was in the area, I didn’t get the weather I wanted to justify spending the cash on a several hour flight over the glacier. Well, one afternoon I did, but both the pilots in the area were away. Maybe next time.
Cheers
Carl
Looking at the face of a glacier never gets old to me… easily one of the most beautiful “faces” in the world – keep ‘em coming.
Hey Dave
Thanks man – and I agree, they glaciers are way beautiful.
Cheers
Carl
Man, that is way off the hook! I know you can’t do it, but I always wondered what it would be like to climb one. They’re so craggy, yet so beautiful!! Great pic, Carl!
I LOVE the blue hue!!! Reminds me of Northwestern Glacier in Kenai Fjords. We got so close up there and right at that moment the ice claved off the glacier. I was so glad that we were in a boat and not in a canoe. The surge from these calvings are good enough to overturn those little canoes. I like your idea of doing an aerial shot of this glacier Carl. Would love to see it when you manage to get one.
Cheers!
Sai
Hey Beth,
Thanks – Climbin’ this would be certifiably crazy!
Hey Sai,
Thank you. The blue of the glacial ice can be SO intense sometimes, it’s hard to get the color right on the computer, I think.
Cheers
Carl