In 1897, Peter Buschman arrived upon Mitkof Island to form what would become one of the most scenic and venerable fishing towns in all of Alaska. National Geographic Quest arrived in the early morning fog to see all but the crow’s nests of local fishing boats poking out of the mire. Soon after breakfast, the dense moisture cleared and our guests set loose for a day full of muskeg walks, flightseeing tours above LeConte Glacier, and visits to the harbor to learn of the various styles with which the locals harvest the local marine bounty.
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.