Expeditionary
Alaskan Expedition: Whittier to the OPen Coast
Dates: June 2013, Dates to be announced Fall 2012
Days: 10 Days, 9 Nights
Price: $2199
Trip Level:4 to 5
Base Trip Includes: NDK & Valley Sea Kayaks, 1 Night Lodging in Whittier, and Meals (as described below)
Group Size: 5-8
Trip Description
2013's advancing paddler expedition takes us to Alaska for a sea kayaking expedition through some of North America's most prinstine wilderness. Remote paddling, amazing scenery, spectacular wildlife viewing, tidal overfalls and races, and open ocean paddling highlight this awesome sea kayak adventure.The Spirit of This Adventure
Experience sea in all it's moods...plan, harmonize, and play in the tidal current...make the key decisions as you lead...enjoy surf and tidal rapids...find satisfaction in planning, preparing and experiencing a sea kayak expedition...learn about yourself and the environment around you as you improve technical skills and seamanship...get away from the business of life and get into the rythyms of the sea, sun and sky!The Sea Kayaking Adventure
This expedition is designed for the advancing sea kayaker to experience the full range of paddling environments which Price William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska provide. Launching out of Whittier and heading to the open coast presents decision making challenges, "go or no go" choices based on tides, wind and waves. Numerous camping sites, glaciers and mountains to be seen, and an opportunity for play at a set of saltwater rapids, all present enticing opportunities as we make our way through notable areas including Passage Canal, Blackstone Bay, Port Nellie Juan, and Point Nowell into Dangerous Passage. As we paddle south through Dangerous Passage and Whale Bay, our group will have several choices as many passages (Banbridge, Prince of Wales, Erlington and LaTouche) lead to open water. Significant tide that moves in and out of Prince William Sound, combined with the effects of wind and swell, create interesting conditions as the group moves through these passages to potenial destinations including Port Bainbridge and the southwest tip of Montague Island. We'll allow several days for exploration of this coastline, play and skill development as the group explores the exposed windward side of the southwest corner of Prince William Sound. The forecast, sea conditions and tide will play major roles in our decision when to head back into the sound to meet our water taxi inside the barrier islands which form Knight Island Passage.Who This Adventure Is For
If you're interested in the experiences described above, this may be the trip for you. Paddlers should have significant time spent in their boats and should have prior exposure to open water conditions (seas 3-5' and winds to 20 knots) and paddling in currents (tidal or whitewater). You do not need to be an "expert" to enjoy this experience as this trip is designed to be another step in your progression as a sea paddler. Depending on weather and destination for the day, we expect to paddle between 12-25 nautical miles each day (aided by tidal currents), with some extra days planned for play paddling, on-land exploration and rest. Paddlers should expect to do some pre-expedition navigation exercises and trip planning. This adventure can also be utilized by interested and qualified candidates for BCU 4* Sea and ACA L4 Open Water Training, and ACA L4 and L5 Instructor Development & Certification. For a description of our L4 and L5 trips, please click on the "Difficulty Ratings" link above. We would recommend our GKC L4 Open Water Training or our Rough Water 2 Class as preparation for this expedition.The Guides/Coaches
This trip will be guided by Ryan Rushton, owner of Geneva Kayak and an ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Instructor Trainer, BCU 5 Star Paddler and leader of several Alaskan sea kayak adventures. If our group reaches 5 or more paddlers, another high level ACA or BCU coach will be added. The role of the guide(s) on this trip is multi-faceted. The foremost goal of the guide(s) is to facilitate an enviroment where learning and growth are fostered. This trip is less about the guide(s) and more about each paddler's enjoyment and development on their path of progression as sea kayaker. The "goal" as coaches and guides is to facilitate leadership experiences, skill development during sessions including play paddling and navigation talks, and take advantage of other various coaching opportunities along the way. Our hope is to make this expedition "your experience" and less about being "guided". All that being said, we cook some darn good meals, provide a depth of knowledge about this enviroment and the sport, and allow you to expand your "ceiling" as a sea kayaker in a variety of advanced conditions, while providing a fun and safe enviroment to do so.What's Included
A expedition of this level requires the proper boat and gear. Sea Kayaking UK (NDK) and Valley Sea Kayaks are the proper tools for an expedition paddling in tidal and open water enviromments. Your choice of Explorers, Pilgrims and Aquanauts are included in the price of this expedition. Also included is transportation to Whittier from Anchorage and back, one night's lodging at the "Inn at Whittier", the water taxi service on the return trip to Whittier, all meals while on the expedition (does not include meals eaten out at restaurants at the beginning or end of trip), all cooking equipment and group equipment, and guide service. Snapdragon sprayskirts, Werner fiberglass and carbon paddles, paddle floats, bilge pumps, and tents can be rented for a nominal fee for those who do want to pack this gear. The cost of the trip does not include flights into Anchorage or guide gratuity.Itinerary
(subject to change due to weather & permit conditions)Day 1 – Saturday, June 18th
Welcome to Alaska! Guides will meet trip participants at the Anchorage airport. After the group has gathered in Anchorage, we’ll make the short drive through the Chugach Mountains to the coastal town of Whittier, Alaska. While in Whittier, we will get acquainted with our kayaks and prepare for the expedition. Lodging will be at the "Inn at Whittier" for night 1.No meals are included on Day 1
Day 2-9 – Sunday, June 19th to Sunday, June 26th
Following breakfast, we'll depart Whittier and paddle east with the ebbing tide. We'll head for the Gulf of Alaska over several days and then spend our days exploring the coastline.All meals are included on Days 2-9