The first full day within the boundaries of the temperate rainforest set the scene for our upcoming trip as the weather consisted mostly of rain. After embarking in Ketchikan, Alaska, our first stop was Prince Rupert, Canada to fill out customs forms and visit the town. The rain did not dampen anyone’s spirits, as over half the boat hiked the Rushbrook trail. Alders and red cedars lined the trail on either side. Some of the cedar trees were culturally modified, as bark strippings were observed. Those not on the hike visited the North Pacific Cannery, or the Museum of Northern British Columbia, and don’t forget time spent wandering around town! Returning from the day’s activities, guests had a chance to stop at Cowpuccino’s, a local coffee shop where they could order a complimentary hot beverage. As the day came to an end and the rain subsided, a rainbow broke out to cap off a wonderful day spent exploring Prince Rupert.
9/22/2024
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National Geographic Venture
Green Inlet
Our last day in the Great Bear Rainforest proved to be one full of excitement, education, and awe. After dropping anchor in the idyllic glacial fjord of Green Inlet, we set out to explore the rocky shoreline and forested granitic fjord walls. The dense fog gradually turned into a wispy mist, which exposed different peaks and valleys of the forest as it moved through. We took turns kayaking through a delightful cove that was loaded with ochre sea stars, rockweed, and blue mussels so thick and dense that the rock they were attached to was hardly visible between them. A river otter scurried along the shore and bald eagles soared above us. From the Zodiacs we visited nearly a dozen thunderous waterfalls that were running hard and fast from the heavy overnight rains. We observed harbor seals observing us back; they were quietly periscoping their furry heads up and out of the water as we approached the rapids where they were hunting salmon making their final journeys upriver to spawn. Upon our return to National Geographic Venture , expedition diver Nick Brown shared his extensive underwater video footage from the area. His presentation was interrupted, of course, by whale sightings, which we rushed onto the bow to appreciate.
