BUCKET LIST!
5.0…read more
In my fairytale dreams, I've always wanted to take a helicopter up to a glacier and go dog sledding atop a snowy mountain. The reality of fulfilling this dream almost vanished as fog hovered too low throughout the day, resulting in tour after tour being canceled (with refunds issued).
Even though our scheduled departure time of 3:30 had come and gone, there was still a glimmer of hope, although nothing was guaranteed. We were transported to the airport, about 10-15 minutes away, to await the pilots' decision on whether it was safe to proceed. I felt confident that we would get to go up and that everything would be okay, and it was!
We gathered in the briefing room for a quick overview of what to expect and were issued waterproof boots to wear. This was also our last opportunity to use the restroom before heading out.
The next thing I knew, we were being harnessed into our seats, with my husband and me seated up front next to the pilot. To balance the helicopter, passengers were assigned seats according to their weight. It worked out perfectly for us!
The aerial views of Glacier National Park, Dawes Glacier, and the surrounding Juneau landscape were absolutely amazing. The helicopter ride itself was about 15 minutes, from takeoff to landing.
As we approached Herbert Glacier and looked down at our landing site at base camp, it felt like something straight out of a movie. We were on a mission to meet those pups!
The weather was cold, but we never felt a chill. As they say, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." We were definitely prepared with our down jackets, gloves, and waterproof gear.
Once at base camp, we were introduced to the mushers and their working dogs. We learned about life at base camp and how these dogs are most comfortable in temperatures at -20 degrees Fahrenheit. We then enjoyed a good 30 minutes of dog sledding, switching positions at a stop midway through the ride while our musher called out commands to the dogs.
After our sledding adventure, we chatted with the mushers, petted the very excited dogs, and took in our surroundings from the mountaintop. The sheer enormity of the peaks and the abundance of snow and ice were breathtaking!
When the helicopters arrived to take us back to the airport, we boarded just as we had earlier. Taking off once again was phenomenal!
The entire round-trip experience lasted about two hours. There was never a boring moment as we took in the breathtaking landscape from above, imagining what it must be like to spend months at a time at base camp and go dog sledding with these amazing dogs.
If you've ever dreamed of doing this, just DO IT and check it off your bucket list!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
1) Plan your cruise early in the season. If you're hoping to book this excursion, consider traveling during the months before July. We went in mid-late June. Because of the melting snow and ice, operators generally cannot offer this experience after the end of June, although the timing may vary from year to year. Just don't cut it too close to the end of the sledding season!
2) Be prepared for weather-related cancellations. With the unpredictable weather, there is a high chance that this excursion may be canceled. These decisions are made for everyone's safety, including yours and the crew's. Fog and rain can roll in quickly, making visibility too poor for safe flying. While a cancellation may be disappointing, safety comes first.
I hope you get the opportunity to experience this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! We're so glad we did!
