Columbia Glacier, Alaska

The Columbia Glacier is a glacier in Prince William Sound on the south coast of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is one of several glaciers in the area named for elite U.S. colleges, in this case Columbia University, and was named by the Harriman Alaska Expedition in 1899.

The Columbia Glacier is one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world, and has been retreating since the early 1980s. The glacier at the present terminus is approximately two kilometers wide, and 550 meters thick, of which approximately 70 meters stands above sea level. The glacier continues to move at speeds of up to 34 meters a day.

Things to Do & See

* Glaciers
* Sea Kayaking
* Marine life
* Wildlife viewing
* Bird watching

General information

Cruise Season - May - September
Currency - United States Dollar (USD)
Language - English
Land Area - 1000 km²
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus 9 hours
International Country Telephone Code - 1

Port Location - The largest port in Prince William Sound is located at Valdez.

Travel Links - The Kenai Peninsula can be reached by car by taking the Seward Highway roughly 40 miles south from Anchorage. Sterling Highway branches west towards Kenai, Seldovia, Ninilchik, and ultimately Homer. These are the only two major roads on the peninsula.
The road system is generally good and four-wheel drive is not needed in the summer.
ERA Aviation and Grant Air offer flights from Anchorage to Kenai or Homer.
It is also possible to take the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway to and from Homer, Seldovia, and Seward.