6/25/11
Fords Terror--East Arm, Endicott Arm, AK
Miles Travelled: 46.5
Ever on the lookout for shallow anchorages, when looking at the guidebook, Tor fixated on the east arm of Fords Terror as a possible place to stay tonight. I wasn’t so sure. Fords terror is essentially uncharted, and it has a tidal rapids at the entrance that needs to be transited at slack water…the problem is that slack water isn’t predicted in any of the current books, so you have to just estimate based on some assumptions and try it, and then on top of all of that, you have to deal with the psychological implications of the name! Boy am I glad he talked me into coming here. We both think this may be the most beautiful place we’ve ever been. I keep looking around me in confusion because it feels like we are in an alpine wilderness…but we are at sea level. My brain is having a hard time with the contradiction, but I’m so happy to be here. We are anchored in about 20 feet of water and the surroundings are simply majestic. Behind us is a 3000’-4000’ waterfall, and ahead of us is a small grassy flat area with another glacial valley behind. I’ve already told Tor that I want to stay here again tomorrow night, this place has made our trip. It’s really a bummer knowing none of my photos will do this place justice. I helped Tor navigate the entrance to Fords Terror, but then the boys needed me down below, so Tor motored up to the east arm and I finally got to see it when we were anchored. I think that added to my mental confusion about it looking like we are in an alpine wilderness setting that happens to be at sea level. I accused Tor of going through some locks to gain significant elevation without telling me. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of it over the next couple of days.
On our way up Endicott arm to Fords Terror we dodged ice burgs and burgy bits from the DAWES glacier. Pretty cool huh, Dawes family?
In other news, I caught Lars standing on his own twice today. One time it was on the bed, so he’s got to be pretty strong since a bed isn’t very good footing! Oy!
Boy oh boy do they like playing with the silverware!
One of the first ice bergs we saw...certainly not the last!
Hanging out in the companionway
Spectacular waterfall in bay outside Fords Terror
Grounded ice berg outside Fords Terror
3000-4000' waterfall in the anchorage, Fords Terror
"Beach" in our anchorage, Fords Terror
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