Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-06-27
GLACIER BAY IN WINTER.
Novel and Interesting E1cursion In
Far Northern Latitude.

a Novel and Interesting E,cursion In . |
Far Northern Latitude.
Doing the tourist act in tho mid !
winter season of Alaska is novel.
On the evening Of Jan. : the voyage
was begun, and tho noxt morning
daylight disclosed the steamer an
chored off Sidmoro island in Glacier
bay. tho air biting, the atmosphere
clear and the sun pcoping over the
hills to tho eastward. After n hearty
breakfast the anchor was weighed
Stcaming against an icy cold wind
from the glistcning pinnacles of the
glaciers, tho vessels bridge and
decks were soon frosty. Willough-
by'S Marble Drake and SturgosS is
lands held their positions against
the wind rs tho steamer Slipped by.
To the left Pacific inlet presented
its range of mountains, snow capped
and rugged, and Mt their base Pacific
glacier nestled, n heap of tumbled
ice. At the head of the bay Muir
glacier reared its plateau of ice,
clinging to tho sides Of tho Fair
weather range as if determined not
to slide into the Cncroaching bay.
The SCCno WAS wild, and nature
process of diSintcgration seemed
frozen into II QOnsc rigidity, and the
works of her art appeared arrested
by tho frozen chill of tons upon tons
of ice.
Captain Carroll headed for tho
wall of ico passing Professor John
Muir's cabin on tho right until
calm WAS entered beneath tho bee.
Ting CragS of frozen architecture.
Coming up to tho wall of ice, tho
steamer swcrved and steamed up to
within stone : throw of tho glacier
along its entire frontage. At times
tho vessel was within 20 feet of its
wall, and the ripplcs from the steam
er gurglcd into tho Cavcrns with q
warming note. AS ono crag began
cracking the steamer was headed
farther outand then returned to her
former course. 1t is not often that
one has the opportunity to ride un-
der wall of leo for u mile and wit
ness the ice hold together until the
passage Is safely made. Captain Car
roll admitted whom ut a safe distance
that it WAS tho first time he had
ever approached tho glacier so close
ly. The walls wcro flutcd with pin
nacles of ice rising in places from
$50 to 200 feet from tho water, and
the frosted surface contrasted su-
perbly with the sea groom and heav-
emily blue tintS of the fractured ice.
AS far rs the eye could discover this
frozen river extended back into the
wild reccsscS of the saw toothed
Fairweathcr range
Opposite the cabin the anchor was
dropped, and the party of nine went
ashore. Near tho glacier large blocks
of ice had collected on the beach,
and their transparency was lit up by
the suns rays, and their lurid crys-
tails were Ornamcntcd by the colors
of the rainbow. Small pieces, like
scintillating diamonds, glowed from
the sandy beach, and frozon pools of
water lay cnScOnccd in the miniature
cavcrns of the iCcbergs. While on
shore a huge slide of ice dropped
into the bay, and from its crested
foam large waves dashed upon the
shore with the roar of ocean pillows.
All had to beat n hasty retreat above
high tide mark.
In stcaming down the bay en- route
for Sitka Muir glacier reached into
tho mountains to tho ridge of tho
White mountains bordering Lynn
canal as far as tho eye could reach,
and then turning this field of ice
Joined Pacific glacier 80 miles away
and thence up the steep sides of tho
Fairwcathcr range fully 60 miles
from the bay. This field of ice, in q
succession of glaciers, extends from
Glacier bay to Copper river, about
400 miles up the coast, and the man
with II flying machine could sec suf-
fcient ice on this route to keep him
cool for the rest of his summon days
The base of Muir glacier is estimated
to be two miles long, but the plateau
broadens out with altitude until its
area becomes immonse.
Tho wind blew the snow from the
peaks of CrillOn, Fairwcather and La
Perouse, which gave one the impress
sion that these mountains were emit
ting steam and smoke, but fire and
lava have no chance there, as they
would be frozen to n solid in this re-
gion of perpetual snow and ice.
The following Wednesday morn
ing the party was once moro in
Juneau, having made the first win
ter excursion to Glacier bay. Alas,
ka News.
Descriptive.
II do detcSt these girls who think