Today, we arrived early in the morning in Juneau and docked a little outside the main town.
Today was the highlight of my cruise on board the NCL Spirit, and I am glad I paid the money to experience it. It was not cheap, but it is something I will never forget.
Mendenhall Glacier flight and exploration.
When I left the ship, I, along with other people, were picked up and driven to a small local airport. We gathered in a hangar and were given a safety briefing about the flight and our walk on the glacier.ย
After the briefing, we were equipped with waterproof trousers and jackets. I put these on over my clothes, which already included thermal long johns and a T-shirt. We were then given big hiking boots to wear. I wish I had known we would be provided with these before I paid for a pair to bring with me. I put these on along with a bag to hang around my waist, which contained water and a chocolate bar. We were then split into two groups of five and led to the helipads to board the helicopters.
The four other people in my helicopter were shown into the back of the aircraft before I was helped into the front seat. This was easier said than done. There was very little room to get in, and although I managed to get up and put my body into the seat, I couldn't get my foot through the door. The huge boots I had on kept jamming between the seat and the door, and I had to have help twisting my knee and feet to get my feet into the helicopter. Once I was in, I had plenty of room, but the door didn't open fully, and it was a tight squeeze to get in.
As soon as I was seated, I began videoing the flight. We were quickly airborne, and the journey to the Mendenhall Glacier was breathtakingly beautiful. I felt like I was in a movie. It just didn't seem real. The snowy mountains and the virgin, untouched landscape below us were breathtaking. The pilot spoke to me and told me to look out at the dots below us as we banked to the left. He informed me that the dots were other people, and that was where we were landing.
Video of my helicopter ride to the Mendenhall Glacier.
After landing, we were all helped out of the helicopter. It was easier getting out than it was getting in. We walked a short distance before stopping on the Mendenhall Glacier. We were given another safety briefing and some information about the glacier. We were then fitted with huge crampons that covered our already large boots. Next, we were given a pointed walking stick to help us walk over the glacier and pack ice. We were met by a group of guides who would walk us around the glacier for our short visit.
I was already breathless. The altitude and thinner air were a bit too much for me. One of the guides saw me lagging quite quickly as we walked to our first stop. He told me to take my time and not to worry about catching up because he would stay with me all the time. He was brilliant and provided me with a wealth of information that I'm sure the others in the group were not being told by their guide. I was amazed at how blue the ice was. There was a layer of frozen snow on top of it, but the ice was a beautiful blue. I was told that it is the refraction of light travelling through the ice that makes it appear blue.
We stopped at a rock formation and were told more information about the glacier movements and how the rocks travelled to get where they were. After a short break for photos, we headed towards a stream flowing through the snow-packed ice. My guide knelt on the ice and put his head in the stream. He told us all that it was invigorating, and as much as I wanted to try it, I knew I would never be able to get down on my knees wearing all the safety clothing I had on, and if I did, I wouldn't be able to get back up.ย I had already drunk my water, and my guide took my empty can from me and filled it up in the stream. He told us that it is the cleanest water anywhere in the world. I believed him and took a gulp. It tasted fantastic, and I quickly drank the can full of water and handed it back to him to refill it for me.
I was now having trouble breathing and walking, which was very difficult in the boots with huge spiked crampons. I can only imagine what it must be like for a spaceman to walk on the moon; it would not be easy with all the gear they have to wear. I had decided that I couldn't walk any further and was going to tell the guide who had attached himself to me, but the other guide started to speak first. He told us that we were all going to head back down the glacier to the place where the helicopter landed, and we would be picked up again. As much as I loved being on the glacier, I was glad we were going back down; this was a trip that was too much for me, and I knew it.ย
Photos: Mendenhall Glacier.
These photos were all taken when I flew to the Mendenhall Glacier by helicopter and took a short look around the glacier. Click on any image to see a larger version and a description.
When weย returned to the helicopter landing spot, we handed back the sticks we had and the crampons were removed from us. I was so exhilarated, breathless, and on such an adrenaline high that I couldn't remember how I got back in the helicopter. I videoed the entire trip back to Juneau. It was not as long as the outward journey, but the views were still outstanding, and we could see the cruise ship below us as we banked, headed back to the airport, and landed safely. I was helped out of the helicopter and led back to the hangar, where we all changed into our clothes again. It felt terrific to get off the heavy gear I had been wearing, and since it wasn't cold, I also took off my thermal clothing.
I found a shirt I wanted in the gift shop and was waiting to pay for it. The lady and man in front of me at the till, an English couple from the cruise ship, were having trouble with their credit card being accepted. I offered to pay for their shopping and get the money back from them on board the ship or in the next port, where they could get cash. I did this, and we all climbed back aboard our minibus and headed back into Juneau.
Return to the NCL Spirit.
The couple I had bought shopping for got off the minibus in Juneau to find a bank to withdraw some cash, and I was taken back to the ship. My legs were now in a lot of pain, and once I got back on board, I returned to my cabin and put on some lightweight clothes and a pair of slippers before heading down to a bar for a beer and something to eat.
After I had had a couple of beers and some food, I went back to my cabin to sleep before I went to see a show in the evening. I took a painkiller and lay down on my bed. That was the last thing I remember before waking up early the following day as we approached Skagway. I had missed dinner and the show.