St. Elias Range

The St Elias Range forms a barrier between Glacier Bay and the outer coast of

SE Alaska. Itself split by the enormous Brady Icefield/Glacier, it is a spectacular

sight when flying from Anchorage to Juneau, the state capital, especially for

those lucky enough to be sitting on the left hand side of the plane with a window

seat. The one-hour flight, usually just off the coast, by-passes mountains,

forests and glaciers in turn, none of them transfigured by roads, railways,

habitation: pure wilderness. Juneau is on the doorstep of some of the most

beautiful landscapes on the planet, and whenever people ask me what's it like

(ie. Alaska), I always say 'leave it till last, as it will spoil you for anywhere else'.

It's not really a place for culture-vultures, for a city break with museums,

galleries etc. If you haven't a head for the vast outdoors or a sense of

adventure, go elsewhere, but if you have, Alaska contains all you will ever need.

The St Elias Range forms a barrier between Glacier Bay and the outer coast of SE

Alaska. Itself split by the enormous Brady Icefield/Glacier, it is a spectacular sight when

flying from Anchorage to Juneau, the state capital, especially for those lucky enough to

be sitting on the left hand side of the plane with a window seat. The one-hour flight,

usually just off the coast, by-passes mountains, forests and glaciers in turn, none of

them transfigured by roads, railways, habitation: pure wilderness. Juneau is on the

doorstep of some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet, and whenever people

ask me what's it like (ie. Alaska), I always say 'leave it till last, as it will spoil you for

anywhere else'. It's not really a place for culture-vultures, for a city break with

museums, galleries etc. If you haven't a head for the vast outdoors or a sense of

adventure, go elsewhere, but if you have, Alaska contains all you will ever need.

St Elias range