Early this morning as we pulled into the dock at Bartlett Cove as fog covered the dramatic landscape in the distance. Some guests chose to get out and stretch their legs with a hike, and this offered a new look into the forests of Southeast Alaska. After our pre-breakfast activities we started cruising through the park, and the fog lifted to unveil the Fairweather Mountains. This dramatic coastal mountain range goes from sea level to 15,000 feet in just twelve miles. Our afternoon was spent looking for wildlife and watching tidewater glaciers calve into the bay.
9/3/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Ushk Bay and Peril Strait
National Geographic Quest arose amidst light clouds within the protected waters of Ushk Bay. This area is known for a salmon stream and yields plenty of opportunity for kayaking and exploring the vast meadows of its inner waterways. On this day’s occasion, guests were able to hike and paddle their way along the coast of Ushk Bay and witness firsthand the life cycle of Pacific salmon making their way upstream. As we transited through Peril Strait, we were lucky to see humpback whales. These immense mammals were “lunge feeding” very near our ship. Being able to witness this event was unique for guests and staff. Lunge feeding is process through which individual whales push their gaping mouths through the surface and collect any fish or planktonic invertebrates in the process. Witnessing this behavior was truly a remarkable experience for all. We will cherish this moment for a lifetime.
