Regarding a trip to Glacier Bay, and in response to Rev. Bob's question about "East or West arm", Tom concluded with... Any suggestions would be welcome. (I have always enjoyed > your trip reports.) Please post any suggestions "front" channel rather than back channel. Glacier Bay is also a dream trip of mine that I know will be at minimum 3 years away, if not more. I'm hording as much info as I can get my hands on, and therefore would love to see your suggestions. Rick *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Regarding a trip to Glacier Bay, and in response to Rev. Bob's question about "East or West arm", Tom concluded with... Any suggestions would be welcome. (I have always enjoyed your trip reports.) Please post any suggestions "front" channel rather than back channel. I have only been in Glacier Bay twice, a week of paddling each time. Both were East Arm. On the last trip we got a tour of the West Arm by the pickup boat. I'll be happy to share details. East arm paddling is relatively easy because the thing is smaller and, a bit, more protected. No cruise boats, either. Glacier Bay is one of the great paddling destinations of the world, if only for the whales. Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jim said; > I have only been in Glacier Bay twice, a week of paddling each time. > Both were East Arm. On the last trip we got a tour of the West Arm by > the pickup boat. I'll be happy to share details. Thanks, Jim. My trip is probably several years off, so I haven't done any specific planning, and therefore don't have any specific questions yet. But, if you have trip reports or pictures that you can share, it would be very helpful in eventually figuring out things like the routes I want to take, and so forth. Come to think of it, I do have a somewhat specific question afterall. I'm sure the web will turn up a number of local outfitters, water taxis, and so forth. While searching, are there any companies that you DO recommend or any that you would suggest steering clear of? THANKS A BUNCH! Rick *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Please post any suggestions "front" channel rather than back channel. > Glacier Bay is also a dream trip of mine that I know will be at minimum > 3 years away, if not more. I'm hording as much info as I can get my > hands on, and therefore would love to see your suggestions. > > Rick I will offer a few more thoughts on Glacier Bay DON'T DELAY: Don't wait three or four years, go now while you have your health and your dreams. Life has too many uncertainities to wait. BE FLEXIBLE with your schedule.your perfect route you planned all winter may be quickly overruled by bear problems. The park service will close down a camping site due to bear problems. (the problem usually begin as a human problem i.e. bad camping practices) The result is you will need to paddle longer distances to your campsite BE REALISTIC ON PADDLE DISTANCES weather and the gawk factor can slow you down WEATHER can get serious fast in Glacier Bay and damn cold. Wind whipping off the glaciers will bite through about any clothing. Add the rain of Southeast and if you are not prepared you will be hurting quickly. On the other hand we had four days of sunshine and t - shirt paddling weather so expect the worst and rejoice in the best. DO NOT FEED YOURSELF TO THE BEARS; practice safe bear camping and remember there are no guns allowed in Glacier Bay DO NOT FORGET TO PACK YOUR CHILDHOOD IMAGINATION What I loved most about Glacier Bay was the ice that was sculptured by wind and waves. Wild creatures, ancient castles, birds on the wing all protrayed in floating ice. Beautiful beyond words. If you are interested a while back I posted a trip report from my trip to Glacier Bay back in 89. It is long with I am sure more info than you are looking for but I could back channel post it to you if you want. Happy paddling Bob *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- > > Bob, that's certainly sound advice. But, here's my issue. I've only > been paddling a few years, have no roll, and marginal self rescue > skills, and as I understand it, Glacier Bay can be a deadly place if > unprepared. I'm just now getting geared up to "get serious". In > addition to that, I have trouble taking more than one week of vacation > at a time (I'll be coming from Virginia), I have nobody to go with, > won't go solo due to the skills issue above, and can't afford the $2500 > to pay an outfitter for an organized tour on top of the other trip > expenses. Any suggestions? > > Rick, First I will compliment you on knowing and staying within your own limitations. You will out live many who foolishly plunge ahead. Glacier Bay...set some goals and set a time frame for example this winter attend pool sessions and learn to roll and get the self rescue techniques down.This spring paddle as much as you can. This summer go on an extended trip locally. As your skills build so will your confidence.... Then begin to share your dream of Glacier bay with some of the folks on paddlewise and it may come to pass in a couple summers that a group of paddlewisers gather together for a grand trip into Glacier Bay. Just think of it sitting in your kayak in ice berg laden waters under the Alaska midnight sun having endless debates about rudders! (Sorry gang I couldn't resist) Hope you do make it to Glacier Bay soon Bob *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I would second Bob's thoughts and add make sure you read and/or take with you to read John Muir's _Travels in Alaska_. Muir's Glacier Bay and yours will be very different but it gives you an idea about how dynamic the landscape is. -----Original Message----- From: "Rev. Bob Carter" <revkayak_at_aptalaska.net> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Glacier Bay - was "Where ya paddlin in '04" I will offer a few more thoughts on Glacier Bay DON'T DELAY: Don't wait three or four years, go now while you have your health and your dreams. Life has too many uncertainities to wait. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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