On Friday, we set out for a scenic drive to explore the many natural wonders of Valdez. We departed the pier in Valdez for a one-hour picturesque drive to the Worthington Glacier, passing the Keystone Canyon Waterfalls and the Thompson Pass.
Upon arrival at Worthington Glacier State Park, we signed waiver and waiver, and were then outfitted with glacier boots (with metal teeth for climbing the ice), helmets, and ice poles to make the trek up the VERY STEEP glacier. The hike up was about two hours, and many of us wanted to keep going but we had time constraints getting back to the ship before it sailed. We were ultimately able to traverse about one quarter of the massive glacier, but we did get to the top ice field. Our descent was a bit trickier due to deep crevasses (step in one and you go down 100 feet, never to be seen again), and the icy steep incline. We had four guides for 18 people and they were great at securing ropes in the ice when necessary to get to the next level safely.
Following our adventure at Worthington Glacier, we enjoyed the sail out of Valdez with incredibly stunning scenery of the snow-capped mountains meeting the sea.
Tomorrow we cruise through the Hubbard Glacier en route to Skagway, Alaska.
Upon arrival at Worthington Glacier State Park, we signed waiver and waiver, and were then outfitted with glacier boots (with metal teeth for climbing the ice), helmets, and ice poles to make the trek up the VERY STEEP glacier. The hike up was about two hours, and many of us wanted to keep going but we had time constraints getting back to the ship before it sailed. We were ultimately able to traverse about one quarter of the massive glacier, but we did get to the top ice field. Our descent was a bit trickier due to deep crevasses (step in one and you go down 100 feet, never to be seen again), and the icy steep incline. We had four guides for 18 people and they were great at securing ropes in the ice when necessary to get to the next level safely.Following our adventure at Worthington Glacier, we enjoyed the sail out of Valdez with incredibly stunning scenery of the snow-capped mountains meeting the sea.
Tomorrow we cruise through the Hubbard Glacier en route to Skagway, Alaska.
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