RE: [Paddlewise] Backpacker Mag

Hi Mel,

  55 F sounds about right for the summertime water temps in Prince
William Sound.  The thing to bear in mind is that the waters near any
calving glaciers will be MUCH colder than this - lots of chunks of ice
floating around and melting.  A good web page on kayaking in Prince
William sound can be found at
http://www.alaska.net/~awss/AWS_KHome2.html - just looking at the
picture of the Columbia Glacier and the waters nearby will give you an
idea of just how cold those waters are.  I live and paddle further south
than PWS, but I rarely, make that never, paddle the waters of SE Alaska
in anything less than a farmer john wetsuit - and I usually wear a
drysuit.

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mel Grindol [mailto:grindol_at_my-dejanews.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 1998 5:48 AM
> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backpacker Mag
> 
> 
> On Tue, 22 Dec 1998 08:53:38   Tomckayak wrote:
> >There is an another Report in Deep Trouble page 106 "Double 
> fatality in Prince
> >William sound."
> 
> That's what I thought but couldn't remember exactly.  I need 
> to dig out my copy of Deep Trouble and reread that report.  I 
> could swear that he said the water temp was right around 35 
> F.  Someone else has said 55 F (can't remember who, sorry).  
> Does anyone else know?
> 
> If that is the story that I'm thinking of then it really did 
> start out close to the same as the Backpacker trip but with a 
> much worse ending.
> 
> The "Expedition Planner" makes no mention of using a guide.  
> They do mention kayak shuttle services to drop you off in the 
> Sound.  They don't mention using dry suits or wet suits.  The 
> "Special Hazards" section says "Carry extra food, rescue 
> flares, and bear spray, and allow at least one extra day in 
> case you're stranded by bad weather.  Consider taking a 
> marine radio."  Then they warn about glaciers and icebergs.
> 
> >By the way I have the dubious distinction of being a victim  
> in "Deep Trouble"
> >(see page 121 "Two person rescue at La Push"). I think the 
> reason George had
> >harsh words for my paddling buddy in that report was that 
> after we reached
> >shore Stan went off paddling with George's girl friend of 
> the moment:)
> 
> Ouch.  :(
> 
> Mel
> ---
> There are three types of people, those who can count and 
> those who can't.
> 
> 
> 
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