Alaska is true wilderness...
See Southeast Alaska! One-fifth the size of the continental
United States, Alaska has the highest coastal mountain range in the
world. Over one-half of the world’s glaciers cover these mountains and
Alaska is one of only three places in the world where tidewater glaciers
exist. Wildlife abounds with whales, bears, moose, and eagles. Heavily
forested, with over three million lakes, Alaska is a vast, beautiful and
truly wild place. Southeast Alaska (the “Panhandle”) is the jewel in
Alaska’s coastal crown. Sail Southeast Alaska and enjoy Its warm climate
and abundant wildlife.
Most of Southeast Alaska is part of the Tongass National Forest –
the largest National Forest in America – and managed by the US Forest
Service. A National Forest, by definition, is managed for mixed-use –
recreation, forestry, wildlife and ecological values. Historically,
Forest Service management of the “Tongass” has been surrounded by
controversy. Large scale forestry and clear-cut logging (visible from
miles away) conflict with the wilderness values that bring visitors from
around the world. Bluewater Adventures in an equal opportunity provider
and holds a permit for the US Forest Service to clients in the Tongass
National Forest
Glaciers / Icebergs:
A glacier is a vast accumulation of snow and ice slowly flowing
downhill from a mountain ice field. Continuously moving, it scrapes the
earth, picking up rocks and sediment and slowly forms deep, U-shaped
valleys.
Glaciers that advance far enough eventually reach the sea, and are
called tidewater glaciers. They break off, or calve, directly into salt
water. All glaciers are in a constant state of change caused by
increases or decreases in precipitation and temperature.
When the
accumulation of snow is greater than the amount lost to melting or
calving, the glacier advances. If accumulation is less, the glacier
retreats – leaving behind land as raw as the beginning of time. Most of
the glaciers we will see stem from the massive Stikine Ice Field,
sitting high in the Coast Mountains, east of Petersburg and Wrangell.
Brown/Black Bears: Alaska
is one of the few refuges left in North America for the brown (grizzly)
bear. On Admiralty Island, it is calculated there is one brown bear for
every square mile – almost as many bears as there are eagles. Some of
the larger islands in Southeast Alaska have only brown bears – black
bears and wolves having been relegated to the mainland by a peculiarity
of glaciation.
Every spring bears leave hibernation and feed on the new vegetation
growing around waterways. By midsummer, when the salmon start to spawn
up the many creeks, the bears congregate for the easy fishing and
ripening berries. The US Forest Service has set up several bear
observatories for research and viewing. At Anan Creek, we can view both
black and brown bears. To see bears fishing for salmon in a rushing
river is truly one of the classic Alaska sights. The salmon leap
upstream against the current to meet their destiny. The bears stand deep
in the water equally intent on theirs. Wild bears require our respect,
as many have had little if any contact with humans.
Care is required
to be safe around all wild animals. In addition to the impact that
trophy hunting has on these magnificent creatures, expanding human
development magnifies this impact as their range continues to shrink.
The question of whether humans and the magnificent brown bear can
co-exist is still to be determined.
Humpback Whales:
One of the principal focuses of this trip will be the observation of
marine mammals, and specifically humpback whales. The humpbacks winter
in the warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii, to mate and calve, feeding
rarely.
Every summer they migrate north to feed on herring and tiny krill,
that blossom with the sunlight. Up to 100 humpback whales gather to feed
in these rich northern waters. Once one of the most abundant whale
species worldwide, humpback whale populations suffered tremendously
under whaling and are now on the endangered list.
The sight of 45 tons of whale launching itself right out of the
water – a behaviour called breaching – is truly an amazing spectacle.
The splash can be seen from miles away.
Scientists have learned that humpbacks use various coordinated
feeding techniques. One such technique is commonly referred to as
“bubble net feeding”. A whale circles under the water letting out a
stream of rising bubbles. The bubbles act as a solid wall or net to
concentrate krill or small fish in the center. Then entire group of
whales explodes up through the center of the ‘net’ (and concentration of
food) with their 13’ mouths open, and surface with a roar. We have
observed groups of up to 12 animals bubble-net feeding together.
Totems: The
islands of Southeast Alaska are home to three linguistic groups of
native people. The Tlingit are the largest group, historically
inhabiting most of what is today the “pan-handle”.
The Tshimshian lived along the rivers, such as the Skeena - the
arteries of trade into the interior mountains. The Haida originated on
Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), but moved north to inhabit
the southern “pan-handle” in recent times.
Each group holds in common similar traditions - the carving of
totem poles, the great longhouses, and the potlatch ceremony. Some of
the old villages are still inhabited. The Tlingit communities of Angoon
and Kake, and the Haida village of Kasaan are often along our route.
Other sites have been abandoned for the forest to reclaim. In the larger
communities we can see some of the finest totem poles, moved from the
old villages for safekeeping. As a magnificent art form, they still
captivate the observer. There also are fascinating petroglyph (rock
carving) and pictograph (rock painting) sites throughout the area.
Notes:
- Applicable Canadian taxes will be added in addition to trips in British Columbia (12%)
- Some
departures may be reserved for groups. If you are interested in
chartering a date for your group, special pricing is available
- Bring
a sleeping bag as there are no facilities for laundry onboard except
for North America clients because of weight restrictions
- Rain gear needs to be completely waterproof
- Rubber boots should be comfortable. Rubber boots are essential
- Suitcases
cannot accommodate aboard the boat and ask that your clothing and
equipment be brought aboard in soft sided, compressible bags, for
example duffel bags or some other soft case that can be easily stowed
- Plan to dress in layers to accommodate changes in weather
- Please be aware that there may be weight restrictions for float planes, if your trip includes this option
- If
you are concerned about seasickness your doctor can recommend
medications designed to prevent motion sickness. - We do not travel in
rough waters, and anchor each night in a secluded bay
- If you are
traveling on a Southeast Alaska departure, a passport is needed! Trips
aboard the Island Odyssey or the Snow Goose require participants bring
identification for clearing customs and immigration. A birth certificate
and passport are the best type of identification. USA regulations now
require all travelers to the USA have passports
