Tracy Arm Cove to Sawyer Glacier

Today’s mission: visit both North and South Sawyer Glaciers—or at least get as close as the ice will let us. It’s been nearly two decades since our last run up Tracy Arm, and we were eager to see what’s changed.

Based on the lack of icebergs in the cove and a few fast-moving AIS targets yesterday, we suspected the arm might be pretty clear. Sure enough, we enjoyed a smooth ride all the way to Sawyer Island before the ice started making an appearance.

Just beyond the island, we spotted the MV Odyssey—the full-time residence cruise ship—parked in the pack ice. We hailed them on the radio to let them know we’d be holding off a safe distance to launch the drone. They appreciated the heads-up, and as we recovered the drone, they spun around and began their slow turn out.

M/V Odyssey stops for a view of south sawyer galcier

With South Sawyer still looking clogged, we made a detour up to North Sawyer. No ice, but also no close approach—the glacier has receded quite a bit. Still, the scenery was striking, and we enjoyed another drone flight in the solitude of the north arm.

hard to appreciate the scale of these large glaciers that dissapear into the distance

“close up” of the north sawyer glacier showing the rivers of ice that feed it face

must have photo of Oceanflyer in from of the north sawyer glacier

We returned to South Sawyer and managed to work farther in this time. The ice had thinned a bit, but it still wasn’t glacier-face-close. As we began nudging bergs with the bow, accompanied by the unnerving grind of ice on hull, we took that as our cue to retreat.

Under surprisingly sunny skies, we made a calm run back to Tracy Arm Cove and dropped anchor in the exact same spot as the night before. A Canadian-flagged sailboat, Endless Song, passed us on the way out—otherwise, it was quiet.

By evening, the cove was bustling. The Slowboat flotilla rolled in, bringing the total to 11–12 boats, yet there was still plenty of room for all. A big day, a beautiful place, and a night shared with good company on the hook.

evening low tide and sunset in tracy arm cove