X

Get FREE Email Updates

Sign Up

Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Guides
  • Journals
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Links
  • Interviews
  • About

above the clouds

International Travel and Lifestyle Blog


Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage with Holland America: Helicopter Ride + Dog Mushing on Norris Glacier, Juneau

March 1, 2023 by Dave4 Comments

Arguably this experience is one of the most memorable on shore excursions offered by Holland America on a visit to Alaska’s Inside Passage. I always gravitate towards unique experiences and this one is truly special, featuring stunning visuals of the mountainous interior from a helicopter including the Juneau Icefield, a landing directly on a glacier and dog mushing, all in the same afternoon.

Northstar Helicopters (founded 1998) is located on Douglas Island, a short van ride from the ferry terminal in Juneau. After checking in at the terminal, we soon boarded a helicopter piloted by Christina, a blond woman originally from Denmark but had previously flown copters in New York and Hawaii. During the summer she makes up to 10 round trips to the glacier daily.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful and one quickly gets an idea of just how remote and difficult to access the terrain would be overland; we flew low over glaciers, close to steep rock walls plunging hundreds of feet below, above glacier fed lakes with ice sheets just beginning to melt, ice falls and next to steep snow-covered mountain tops with the cornices glistening in the bright sunshine. And we also flew close to the famous Mendenhall Towers, a series of imposing granite spires in part featured in the film, The Alpinist and is where climbers Ryan Johnson and Marc-Andre Leclerc tragically died after pioneering a new route. Total flying time round trip was at least 30 minutes.

As we approached Norris Glacier, Christina asked us if we could spot the dog musher camp. We could not until we made the final approach as the camp was white, completely blending in with the vastness of the glacier. Everything at this seasonal camp is brought in by helicopters including the bathrooms and temporary housing. This camp houses approximately 175 sled dogs who were all barking as loudly as they possible could upon our arrival.

It was clear the mushers develop a very strong and personal connection to all their dogs; prior to our mushing trip we were introduced by our musher, Elke to each one of her Alaskan huskies. Based on their excitement and affection for us, one would think they had not seen other humans for weeks! But most likely they were just anxious to begin running across the glacier. Another highlight of our interaction with the dogs was meeting and holding little pups who had been born only two months prior. Other mushers we met race in Alaska’s famous Iditarod every winter but spend their summers here returning to Juneau every approximately 7 days for much needed visits as there are no showers at the camp.

Mushing was clearly a highlight for these animals. Prior to departing they continued to bark in anticipation and strain at the ropes. But as soon as our musher gave them the ok to leave and released the brake, they went silent; and the silence was a welcome relief leaving only the soothing sounds of the ice under the sleds accompanying us on our journey over the glacier. Only four or five passengers are allowed on each musher ‘train’ and stops are made so each of the guests can trade seats.

For more information about this on-shore excursion offered through Holland America, click here.




Related posts:

Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage with Holland America Cruising Holland America Line, ms Eurodam A Visit to Hump Island Oyster Company: a Shore Excursion with Holland America, Ketchikan Alaska Matanuska Glacier, Alaska – September 2008 Upcoming Cruise, Holland America Line Caribbean & Sweepstakes Offer

Filed Under: North America · Tagged: Alaska, America, Animal Rescue, Art, Cruising, Denmark, Film, Glacier, Hawaii, Helicopter, Journey, New York City, Wildlife

Comments

  1. Pick Reservations says

    March 2, 2023 at 7:08 pm

    Hello

    Thanks for sharing great information with us

  2. Dave says

    March 20, 2023 at 8:28 am

    Yea! I’m missing Alaska 😎

  3. Chin Liang Teh says

    March 21, 2023 at 2:47 pm

    It’s wonderful that you got to experience such an amazing adventure that many people only dream of!

  4. Dave says

    March 22, 2023 at 1:18 am

    Teh. Hope you can visit Alaska soon 🙂 it is a state full of adventures, waiting to happen!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want an avatar to show with your comments? Get a free Gravatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow @DaveDTC

Get FREE Email Updates  I

Categories

Member, Professional Organizations

International Travel Writers Alliance
Travel Massive

Recent Comments

  • Dave on Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage with Holland America: Helicopter Ride + Dog Mushing on Norris Glacier, Juneau
  • Chin Liang Teh on Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage with Holland America: Helicopter Ride + Dog Mushing on Norris Glacier, Juneau
  • Dave on Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage with Holland America: Helicopter Ride + Dog Mushing on Norris Glacier, Juneau
  • Suzy Tan on “Hiko in Tonga” – A Vanishing Culture of Women Jugglers in Tonga – Interview with Paprika Leaverton, Filmmaker, Professional Juggler and Entertainment Performer
  • Susan on 4 Pros and Cons of TSA Precheck

Latest Posts

  • Jackson Doktok, Chairman of Palau Visitors Authori…
  • Artezzan Restaurant and Bar, ChesterFunctional and sophisticated base from which to en…
  • Rediscovering Lithuania’s Springtime Nature:…
  • Taiwan-Based STARLUX Airlines Launches First Trans…
  • National Harbor Celebrates Cherry Blossom Season w…

Explore

  • Above the Clouds
  • Guides
  • Highlight of the Month
  • Interviews
  • Journals
  • Press Releases
  • Videos

Prepare

  • Book Reviews
  • Pack List
  • Quiz: Geography
  • Quiz: Travel
  • Tour Booking
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Products

Share

  • Contribute
  • Forums
  • Links
  • Photos

About

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Contributors
  • Email Dave
  • Media Coverage
  • Media Kit
Hi I'm Dave. After a life changing trip in 1996, I began this site as a creative outlet to educate, inspire and share travel experiences. Read more...
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Return to top of page
Copyright © 1996–2023 Dave's Travel Corner · All Rights Reserved · Log in

7ads6x98y