Hubbard Glacier- How close May 2008?

[ship2ship]

I am cruising to Alaska for the first time out of San Francisco on the Millennium late May-- Hubbard Glacier is the only glacier viewing on the cruise- can anyone tell me how close you get in May? Can you still hear it calving? Thanks for any info-

[Sprucetree]

I was on the Mercury two years ago from May 18 to 25th. The Mercury couldn't get close to the glacier due to the ice pack. It looked like a big snow slide and you couldn't make out the crevaces. There was no calving at that time.

[cruisingdelt]

I am cruising to Alaska for the first time out of San Francisco on the Millennium late May-- Hubbard Glacier is the only glacier viewing on the cruise- can anyone tell me how close you get in May? Can you still hear it calving? Thanks for any info-

 

It depends on the time of year and how cool or warn the weather has been. We visited in July and were close enough to see detail and hear/see calfing. In May it is much cooler and I imagine much more ice in the water which will keep you further away.

[fleckle]

Interesting recent article about Hubbard Glacier at

 

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF18/1890.html

 

Does anyone have additional info about it and any possible impact on Alaska cruises?

[oceanblue1]

thanks for the article - look forward to reading it as it is one of the most beautiful and overwhelming pieces of nature I've seen in my life. We were there in July and got very very close....not sure how close in May - enjoy the experience !

[ocngypz]

I was on the 7/12/07 Mercury sailing. We were the first sailing to get within the 1/2 mile limit of the glacier.

[kitty9]

We were on the June 10 sailing and couldn't get near the Glacier because of icebergs. We couldn't get closer than a mile and a half.

[c-legs]

Hi,

As a rule of thumb, '' the earlier in the season, the further away you're stopped before turning back away''. Takes a while for the ''spring run-off'' ice packs to clear & melt away and make a closer approach for cruise ships safe.

Of course, how close a ship gets is always dictated by the local pilot who boards at the entrance to the Bay; whether it's late May or early September. Weather factors, tidal activities and ice movements vary wildly throughout the year and could sometimes dictate a 3 miles maximum approach even late august if the conditions, THAT day, warrant it.

 

Cheers

:)

[excitedofharpenden]

Interesting recent article about Hubbard Glacier at

 

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF18/1890.html

fleckle, thanks for that link. It was an interesting read. Unlikely we'll get too close in June, but the article will give a bit of added information to ponder.

 

Phil