Adventure to Whale Island

We set out today across the frozen bay of St. Michael to Whale Island. I’ve looked from afar at Whale Island and so hoped to journey over there. I asked Alex to guide us and he agreed to. He took me and 2 other teachers. As we walked across, probably half-way, the ice began to make a loud pop. To me it sounded a lot like a gun being shot. We all knew it was the ice. It was something I expected to hear. Everyone stopped and we discussed our options. We decided we would continue and Alex and one other of the group, who was very frightened about the adventure from the beginning, lead the way. We spread out and continued a bit farther and heard another couple of cracks and sounds. One adventurer said she felt it that time as well. She decided she would not go any further. Another of the group decided to go back with her. Alex and I continued on the journey. We went another 50 yards, getting 3/4 of the way to Whale Island, and again more booms. Alex stopped and looked out toward the horizon, he noticed the ice having shades of darker colors, almost a grey hue. Areas where water was getting near the surface. He said if we had snowshoes, to disperse our weight, he would be much more comfortable continuing. So we abandoned the idea and changed the adventure to a photo opportunity! I’ll remember my hike across the ice forever; I hope to always have adventures!