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Alaska Cruise - Part 8a - Return to Juneau

Up, Up and Away!

Flying High over the Glacier

Here we are back in Juneau on our southbound part of the cruise.  Again we visit the Mendenhall Glacier, but this time we have planned to see the glacier from above and to land on the icefield.

 

No, we didn't really meet this brown bear on the trail.  He was actually inside the helicopter departure area at the airport.  What a massive great thing he was, he towered over all the tourists.  I just thought he might like to be placed in a more natural type of surroundings.

 
Chopper landing with load of passengers
 
Preparing to touch down
 
Ready for next take-off
 
We are UP, UP and AWAY! - oooh! it's a bit scarey at first when the whirlybird flies backwards and banks. We can see the airport below.
 
Up we go, over the river!
 
What a splendid view of the glacier.....
 
High in the sky and coming up to the mountain tops
 
There's the glacier below us.
 
Over the top we go!
 
Landing on the Glacier - what a pretty waterfall on the left.
 
Here is one of the guides waiting to receive us.
 
Careful where you put your feet, there are lots of holes, crevasses and melted ice on the surface of the glacier.

When we landed we were assembled at the flag pole which marked the guide camp.  You will see photos of this on my next tabblo which will be the final one for this trip.

Since I cannot walk well for any distance, I waited at the flagpole while the guide took the others off on a walk over the ice and gave them information about the formation of the glacier and how it moves.  I spent my time taking shots of the terrain all around me, until the helicopters returned to pick us up about 40 minutes after we landed.

 
Some melted ice forming a very slippery area on the frozen surface.
 
Waiting for the helicopter for the return trip.
COMMENTS
ConnieL said at 9:36 p.m. on Aug 1, 2008:
Such magnificent scenery! Those views from the helicopter are awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Debdog said at 11:48 p.m. on Aug 1, 2008:
WOW WOW OWOWWOW!!!!!!!!!!
Hollyridger said at 1:27 a.m. on Aug 2, 2008:
Wow indeed - terrific shots, Joan. Makes me wish I had taken the helicopter ride when I visited Alaska.
Chilla said at 1:50 a.m. on Aug 2, 2008:
Spectacular............landscape and your photographs!
21-gramm said at 3:42 p.m. on Aug 2, 2008:
terrific part 8a, Joan! Great air photo! WOW!
JoanW said at 7:40 p.m. on Aug 2, 2008:
Thanks everyone for the comments. ConnieL: I was a bit disappointed when I found myself in the back seat of the helicopter, but I still managed to get a few shots from the side window. You don't have a choice of seats, as it is all planned out by weight distribution. Noreen: Yes, I am really glad that we booked that excursion. It was very expensive, but I thought "What the heck, I may never be able to make another trip here" so decided to do it. It really was worth it.
Pkeener said at 9:10 p.m. on Aug 2, 2008:
Joan this was quite the exciting opportunity! I admire your courage, taking that chopper ride. How thriling it must have been, and what a steady hand you had on the photos! Thank you for the story with text. For some reason, I just love that lost shot. the red parkas are so perfect in the composition! Quite surprising to see the waterfall amongst the ice and snow.
Welshchick said at 7:43 p.m. on Aug 3, 2008:
Wow is right! Spectacular scenes from this glacier~ Alaska is soooo beautiful and one of the photos reminds me of the San Juan Islands where I come from~
Siagian said at 1:18 a.m. on Aug 5, 2008:
this is so awesome! im so jealous of you Joan! =)
Candlepower said at 6:25 p.m. on Aug 5, 2008:
Wow what a great experence!
Tigerdba74 said at 9:40 p.m. on Aug 6, 2008:
These are some Superb Pictures Joan....Love them!
Marranei said at 3:10 p.m. on Aug 8, 2008:
Really beautiful! I like the really blue water on all this ice... and I've always dreamt of going on a chopper tour... tks for sharing this with us! It must have been very impressive!
Mittens said at 8:47 p.m. on Oct 5, 2008:
Wow...thanks for the ride! Fantastic shots.
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