Boy, tough call. Reed Chillcheater makes an inexpensive (to me) drysuit. Cheaper still would be a 3 mil wetsuit farmer john and a drytop. Reed tops are inexpensive and effective. The gaping neck versions are pretty good for venting heat and may retain some utility in Oz. My buddy spent 20 something days with an FJ/drytop combo from Craig to Glacier Bay, but he hated the clammy FJ in the morning scenario. I used a Chillcheater on my last 2 week tour in AK. Bring layers and practice rescues to minimize water time exposure. Where in Alaska? lots of places in SE Alaska have water temps in the 50's in summer, not bad for a place synonymous with the igloo. The closer you are to a tidal glacier the quicker the water drops to the 30's. Unsolicited advice: tarps and Alaskan paddling are mutually interchangeable concepts. Cheers, Rob G -----Original Message----- From: wilt_at_4orty2.seventseven.com A nice query, though the closing line sparked my interest. "What's a thriftily challenged - to do?" We're planning on several days kayaking in Alaska in July and being from the hotter climes of Oz the high cost of 'cold water gear' for a weeks paddling is breaking the bank! So any suggestions of gear that is advisable, safe and user friendly for warmer climes is desperately needed *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed May 16 2007 - 05:47:29 PDT
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