| Alaska, 1979 | |
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"This morning we have been near shore off the Fairweather Range, and it's one of the most beautiful places anywhere. Several uplifted terraces step back from the coast, each covered with dark-green forest. Behind them rises a 5,000 ft front range, and they have patches of snow still on them. They are nearly bare rock on top and lighter-green tundra on the slopes. The Fairweather Range is the highest [coastal range on Earth], and Fairweather itself is taller than Mt. Whitney."
"The Gulf of Alaska coast is unique; it shares the glacial features of Norway and its forest, but is far more rugged. Bruce [Molnia, chief scientist] says a few sightseeing boats go through these waters, but of course you can't count on the weather. We're lucky to be here now, and I feel privileged."
Eastern Gulf of Alaska map and chart of ship's track off Bering Glacier (BG), Yakutat Bay (YB) and Glacier Bay (GB). The Fairweather Range extends from "GB" roughly halfway to "YB". U.S. Geological Survey images.
View southeast to the Fairweather Range from off Dry Bay, with Mount Crillon on the right (see its solo portrait here). I was later to spend several days ashore in this wilderness region doing a short research project.
