July 21- Aug 1, 2024

Explore Alaska’s coastal glaciers

Girls in Icy Fjords is an exciting sea kayaking expedition near Seward, Alaska. Accompanied by a sea kayaking guide, professional scientists, and artists, the team explores Northwestern Fjord and the surrounding marine environment while making important connections between glaciers and oceans. The different shades of blue, white, and grey, the sounds of cracking ice, and the merging alpine and maritime smells provide a perfect environment to improve scientific observational skills, get a close look at a quickly changing environment, reflect through art, and build friends for a lifetime.
 

Itinerary

Every year, the day-to-day details of the expedition change due to weather and sea conditions in Resurrection Bay. Here is a little snippet of the basic itinerary:

• Day 1: Meet the team in Anchorage, drive to Seward, and camp in a forested area near Seward

• Day 2: Learn about sea kayaking gear and basic sea kayaking skills, and hike along the coast

• Day 3: Take a sea taxi to Northwestern Fjord, set up camp, briefly explore waters by kayak

• Day 4-9: Explore the lake, icebergs, glacier, and marine environment, while learning how to sea kayak, testing out fun science experiments and looking at nature through the lens of an artist

• Day 10: Pack up, take sea taxi back to Seward and sleep at the Alaska SeaLife Center

• Day 11: Stay at the Alaska SeaLife Center while wrapping up science, art, and reflection activities

• Day 12: Enjoy final morning of activities together before heading home!

History

Dr. Claudine Hauri, a chemical oceanographer at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, dreamed of starting an expedition that followed the mission of Girls on Ice, but was uniquely adapted to a marine ecosystem. As an active member of the Inspiring Girls leadership team, and an instructor over several years, she wanted to introduce girls to her science. With the help of Erin Pettit, the founder of Girls on Ice, and a grant from the National Science Foundation, Girls in Icy Fjords was born. The first expedition occurred in 2017.