Hubbard Glacier, Day 7

(We had very limited internet on Day 6, so the Glacier Bay post will be along shortly …) Today was cold and gloomy when we started in toward Hubbard Glacier.

We again had great seats on the back deck - 

complete with wool blankets in Cunard’s colors supplied by QE’s crew - 

and none of the crowds that were standing 3 and 4 deep on the front decks. 

Fun fact: according to today’s Naturalist, light reflecting off the glacier’s surface warms the air, dispersing the fog and clouds, creating its own microclimate. 

So by the time we reached the glacier, 

the sun was out and the ice just sparkled. 

So much blue! 

This is the largest saltwater glacier in the world at 7 miles long and 265-ish feet high. 

The only way to see it is by air or sea - there are no roads in the area. 

View from the bow.

Hubbard is also one of the very few (7-ish?) glaciers that is still advancing. All the ones we saw in Glacier Bay are receding, as is Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau (at a rate of 40 feet a year!)

Tomorrow we visit Haines, with Juneau scheduled for the next day. Crossing our fingers the great weather continues.