Helicoptering To A Hike

July 6 - thing clouds and 50 degrees -  Kvaneford Greenland 

We had a wonderful adventure today.  We took a helicopter ride and landed on a flat piece of land at 2000 feet.  Then we hiked up to get a great view of a nearby glacier.  It was a very nice day with  spectacular views in every direction.  The hike went up about another 200 feet.  The ground was dry moss and rock.  There were several small lakes along the hike as we gained altitude/. There were a lot of bugs and everyone wore head nets or they would eat you alive.  There was a slight wind but not enough to get rid of the bugs.  The ground was spongy in a lot of the area but overall good footing.  

When we got to the top of the ridge there was a wonderful view in all directions.  The glacier below us was fed by the huge Greenland ice shelf that is thousands of meters thick.  We could see the lines and crevasses that hinted about which parts of the glacier are moving fast and slow.  This glacier is still connected to the fjord so it was calving into the water where our ship was stationed.  We stood on the rock ridge and slowly turned around taking in the entire scenery.  

The helicopter rides to and from the hike were another highlight.  Our pilots are very good at what they do and the landings were silky smooth.  

After lunch we were at a talk focused on glaciers when we suddenly had an announcement that there were humpback whales in the waters near our ship.  We slowed the ship to let everyone get a good view as the whales glided near us.  They would rise up and blow out their breath and then breathe in.  Then they would curve their back and disappear again.  After many breaths they would make one big dive and their tail would come out of the water and they would head deep to feed on the fish and krill nearby.  They are such beautiful creature and it was a special treat to seem them.  

It was a very special day!


Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 7, 2023 at 11:44 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous (and I love the nets.)

    ReplyDelete

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