Glacier Bay National Park

Margerie Glacier We have sailed up Tarr Inlet most of the day to get to Margerie Glacier. By the time we get close, most of the clouds have burned off. Our captain, Cesare Ditel, pulls in close — this is a big ship, so, close is a relative term. We're standing on the front of Baja Deck, just a little way down the hall from our cabin.

In the picture above, it's fairly easy to see that more than one glacier is involved here. How do we see that? One glacier is composed of very dirty ice. Another glacier of relatively clean ice rides over the side of the dirty glacier. Actually, looking at the detailed park map, you can see that there are four glaciers that combine to make up what we see and identify as Margerie. Starting way back in the ice field Melburn Glacier works its way southeast. Then Melburn converges with Grand Pacific Glacier. Further to the southeast, Ferris Glacier joins in and then Margerie comes in from the southwest just as the whole thing meets Tarr Inlet.

Those who have followed along since the beginning of this photo tour, have been admonished to bring wool socks. To that, we'll add the advice to bring warm gloves if you're going to be around the glaciers. Bring them even if you think you're not—they don't take a lot of space. It's COLD near these glaciers. This is supercold ice and it penetrates most clothing. We've heard cruise line commercials telling people they can bask in the sun in their swimsuits while viewing the glaciers in Glacier Bay. This is pure fantasy of cheechako ad men!