Glewingk Glacier

08/11/2011

Glewingk Glacier
Canon A1, 50mm/f1.8, Provia 100

The downside to Homer is that once you've seen the bald eagles hanging out at the Safeway and talked to your wacky beach neighbors and seen the Time Bandit's office and had a drink at the Salty Dawg ... there isn't much you can do on your own.

You need a boat or a plane to get anywhere.

Once I came to that conclusion, I headed out on the spit to find a water taxi. I wanted to see a glacier.



I went with an outfit that was recommended to me back in Anchorage.  They couldn't get me out until 3PM and it would be a pricey ride.  I bought the ticket anyway.  At 3 I headed to the pier and caught my ride at 3:30.  I was the only one on the boat.  The skipper dropped me off, with a warning to watch out for bears.  It was almost 5 by the time I reached the trailhead.

The hike was pleasant and easy to follow.  For three miles I walked through forest, brush and glacier moraine.  I didn't see any bears but I did see a lot of fresh scat.  Did you know that each pile of bear crap can have up to 20,000 berry seeds in it?  I learned that at Denali.  This trip has been very educational.

Eventually I arrived at the lake, opposite Glewingk Glacier.

Glewingk Glacier
Canon F1, 24mm/f2.8, Fuji Acros 100

I've never seen a glacier up close before - nevertheless one that was actively birthing iceburgs.  I sat at the edge of the lake with my camera still stowed and just listened to the distant iceburgs rumble and splash into the water.  Older iceburgs drifting near shore sent hundreds of tiny streams into the lake as they melted.  The nearest iceburg was covered in dirt, as if it had received a mudslide on its way to the lake.

I dipped my feet in the grey silty water but the chill dissuaded me from going further.

I only had an hour to shoot before I had to make my way back to the bay for my pick up.  I spent the rest of my time wandering around the shoreline and shooting film.

Glewingk Glacier
Canon A1, 24mm/f2.8, Provia 100

Homer isn't really the sort of place where you can just show up and wing it unless you have a lot of time to waste.  I wasted most of my spare time on the drive, so winging it wasn't a great plan.  That's how I came to find myself on this lakeshore wishing I had brought my tent and a sleeping bag.

Reluctantly I got back on the trail and followed the loop back around to the bay.

Glewingk Glacier
Canon A1, 50mm/f1.8, Provia 100

I made it to the pick up at 8:15.  8:30 came and went.  I sat on the stump of a long-since disintegrated pier and listened to the surf and the shrill calls of eagles overhead.  At 8:45 I pulled out my cell phone and started walking up and down the beach. 

I was keenly aware of how uncomfortable a night on this beach would be with only a lighter, mulitool and a light jacket on hand. Again I thought about my pack, uselessly stowed in my truck back in Homer

I did get a bar of signal and so was able to call the phone number on my receipt to inquire as to my abandonment.  They apologised profusely and assured me that someone would be out to pick me up - for real this time.  30 minutes later my ride arrived.  Disaster averted.

All future boat trips will include more specific planning for this scenario.