This has to be one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken. Not only for the extraordinary experience and the historical value but for simply what it took to get this shot.
First of all, this particular ice cave is the last of its kind on the Mendenhall Glacier and will likely be gone in a year or so. Due to the rapid rate of the glacier melting, new caves won't develop for decades so this surreal turquoise-toned world will be long gone. Second of all, in order to capture this image, here's a breakdown of what it took to make it happen: - An arduous 11.67 mile hike on moon-like terrain with wet, slippery, and loose rocks...with a 30lb pack of gear
- A VERY rare sunny and beautiful day on the glacier. Seriously....they only get a sunny day 2 or 3 times per season!
- Convincing our guide to let me back in the cave after rushing through the first time. I had to sacrifice my much needed lunch break while the rest of the group rested, but hey...#worthit
- One wipeout on the rocks on the way there (without breaking my camera...phew!) and a major head bump on the ice ceiling enough to knock me over (thank goodness for helmets!)
- Quickly setting up my tripod in the stream and holding my hat over my camera as the melting ice poured over it...and me
- And finally, an incredibly supportive and patient assistant...errr...sherpa...errr...loving husband...who helped me tremendously the whole way
When it was all done, I got the shot, we had a fabulous adventure, and rewarded ourselves with 5 lbs of king crab! 🦀