Re: [Paddlewise] Ideas for a Long Trip

John Fox wrote:

"Recently I had the idea that after the bike trip it would be fun
to do a long (4-6 month?) sea kayak trip.  Alaska to Seattle is a
destination that really appeals to me."

I spent a long time paddling lakes around the PNW because alot of newsink is 
devoted to kayaking casualties here. The PNW is as sublime as "they" say, so 
I then graduated to quieter waters in the south area of Puget Sound before I 
took on the San Juan Islands, Juan de Fuca, etc. Kayaking here may not be the 
best place in the world, purely, but it is one of the best places in the 
world. But it ain't easy.

For your inquiry I would advise a purchase of two books. They are Deep 
Trouble, by Broze, Gronseth and Cunningham; and Homelands, by Byron Ricks. 
The first because they too, spend alot of ink dealing with accidents in the 
San Juan Islands (kinda similar water throughout the PNW) and the second, 
because it is a complete description of the "inside" passage from Glacier Bay 
to Olympia, WA. I believe that one of the primary (paddling) points Byron 
Ricks was writing about was that the "inside" passage really was not so 
"inside". Theres an awful lot of "outside" to it. Yes, you can take a ferry 
from Port Hardy to Bella Bella, bypassing 45 miles of open ocean around Cape 
Caution, but you have to get through Okisillo/Dent/Yaculta rapids first. The 
"inside" with its currents and rapids are as, if not moreso, dangerous than 
the outside.

If you log onto paddlewise's primary website you can read some interesting 
material on BC and Alaska paddling. Try the one's by Doug Loyd. I don't 
personally know the man but he does have a good sense of communication about 
his love of kayaking and particualarly kayaking in tough water around the 
PNW. It's not all that way around here but if you are ill prepared it could 
lead to misfortune. Quickly.

Even though ferries aren't cheap, they certainly are good transportation to 
prime areas of paddling. You might consider taking a ferry to a great spot, 
cruise around, then take another ferry to another spot. Every good paddling 
location in the PNW has its own thrills and chills, so you may wish to plan 
those areas you wish to visit well.

I don't want to scare you with stories of whirlpools, malevolent leviathans, 
galleons perched over the abyss, man eating bears and escaped cons. There are 
an awful lot of new kayakers that had life changing experiences because they 
took a kayak through some of the worlds most beautiful waters and brought 
home a head full of tales and passion for this place. Nor can I answer the 
technical questions of "how much experience" or "what kind of shape you need 
to be in", "how long", etc. That's for you to decide.

Dos Centavos-Rob G


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