Today didn’t quite go as planned. Overcast skies, a bit of rain, a changed itinerary, and rough seas all contributed to a less-than-ideal day. I found solace in a cozy corner of the grand lounge, curling up with a good book.
Originally, our itinerary had us cruising to Icy Bay before proceeding to Tsaa Fjord. However, as we approached Icy Bay and neared the fjord, the captain announced “No Joy” due to heavier than expected ice fields. Although our ship is built to navigate ice fields, the speed at which we can travel depends on the density of the icebergs. According to the captain’s assessment, we would have had to move at a snail’s pace, taking approximately five hours to enter and exit the fjord. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that much time, so we cruised slowly around Icy Bay before heading back out to the Gulf of Alaska, making our way toward Sitka.
A Little About Icy Bay
According to Wikipedia:
Icy Bay (Tlingit: Lig̲aasi Áa) is a body of water in the borough of Yakutat, Alaska, formed in the last 100 years by the rapid retreat of the Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall Glaciers. It is part of the Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness. At the beginning of the 20th century, the bay entrance was permanently blocked by a giant tidewater glacier face that calved icebergs directly into the Gulf of Alaska. A century-long glacial retreat has opened a multi-armed bay more than 30 miles (48 km) long. Icy Bay is a popular destination for sea kayakers and is reachable by bush plane from Yakutat, Alaska.
And it’s cold on the bay. I noticed a considerable temperature drop when we made our way into the bay. It’s like our ship was the garnish in a “on the rocks” cocktail. And the ice made the same noise as the little bergs bumped into each other and the ship.
Thank goodness that instead of a swag bag every passenger was issued their own “expedition” parka. They were needed today.
Rough seas all night until our mid-morning arrival in Sitka.
