In the words of the US National Parks Service, Glacier Bay is “a globally significant marine and terrestrial wilderness sanctuary” located in SE Alaska, to the west of Juneau. In fact, Juneau which is the capital of Alaska, is surprisingly only reachable by aircraft or by sea, which gives some idea of the remoteness of the area.
Traces of human presence in Glacier Bay have been dated as early as 10,000 years ago but are few and far between. It is thought that the main reason for this is the extensive glaciation and any existing relics or artefacts may have been swept away by glacier action. Before the United States purchased the Alaskan territory, in 1867, from Russia, it is reckoned that Russian fur traders were in the area in the mid 18th century and native Tlingit tribes were the only inhabitants.
In 1925 Glacier Bay was designated a US National Monument, in 1978 the monument was extended and in 1980 the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was formed, with an overall area of 5,037 sq miles. The Canada-US border approaches to within 15miles of the ocean at Mount Fairweather and the limit of Glacier bay is bordered by the Grand Pacific Glacier at the end of Tarr Inlet. Any photographs of this spectacular place cannot do justice to the scale and majesty; as well as to provide a graphic example of what is happening to global glaciation.
Any photographs of this spectacular place cannot do justice to the scale and majesty; as well as to provide a graphic example of what is happening to global glaciation.
To view the “Glacier Bay” Image Set in the Shop click below:
