With the early sunrises and late sunsets of mid-May upon us, we set our sights on the icy allure of Icy Bay, where new stories and untamed beauty await. Departing from Yakutat and heading northwest, we left familiar waters to brave uncharted territories that neither Louie nor I had ever explored by boat. Just north of Yakutat Bay, we first glimpsed the Malaspina Glacier, one of the largest piedmont glaciers in the world.

From the icy stronghold of Hubbard Glacier, we charted our course toward the secluded serenity of Russell Fjord. Upon first hearing about the glacier, one of North America’s few advancing ice giants, Louie was intrigued at the prospect of exploration. Russell Fjord also has a history of fluctuating between open and closed, dependent on Hubbard’s relentless march. The idea of such a wilderness, its fate determined by ice, beckoned.

As the last whispers of winter receded, we set sail in May from Juneau, the city of gold, with the promise of spring upon our stern. Departing from the Inside Passage — a sanctuary of sheltered waters and verdant shores — we ventured towards the untamed majesty of the outer coast, where the seas speak the language of ancient mariners and the winds carry tales of uncharted adventures.

At our highly anticipated First Friday Treasure Map Release Party on April 5th, held at the historic Baranof Hotel in Juneau, Alaska, we will unveil a small sample of the treasures discovered last summer. Starting Friday, the maps will also be available for purchase on our website. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a dreamer at heart, these maps offer a gateway to excitement and discovery unlike any other.

Departing from the serene waters of Southeast Alaska and onto the majestic vistas of Prince William Sound and beyond, we await a journey that promises a tapestry of adventure and discovery.