Re: [Paddlewise] Alaska & BC planning

The best trip on the North American coast is from Sitka to Glacier Bay. 
You have protected water to The north end of Baranof then a 15 mile 
exposed and partially tidal paddle on the south end of Chichigof. If 
the weather is favorable then stay on the outside around the Myriad 
island til you get to Warm Sulpher Springs. Otherwise, after Khaz 
Peninsula dart into the interior of West Chichigof and island hop or 
get drawn within and out of the bays. The area around Dry Pass is good 
to wait out conditions until you make a break for the hot springs. It's 
only 4 or so NM to them that is exposed. Last time I did it I was a few 
yards from a pod of Grey Whales that came over to check us out.

Next bit after the springs is decide if you want west side of Yakobi 
Island or inside the Lisianski Strait separating Yakobi and Chichigof. 
You can go full coastal or interior and reasonably protected after 
rounding the Porcupine islands just off the springs. Your call on the 
weather. Then you get big currents at the Inian islands, regardless 
which way you go. Cross Icy Strait then enter Glacier Bay. Careful, it 
too has big currents, particularly at the mouth and the first few 
miles. Go up as far as you want then return to Gustavus for a flight to 
the US mainland. That section of Alaska has more wildlife than you can 
keep track of. Bears, whale, wolves, pinnipeds, bird life, moose, you 
name it. There is a good book written by Jim Howard called South East 
Alaska Kayaking. You can buy it from Sea Kayaker Magazine or some other 
place.

Cheers,

Rob G


-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
To: pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz
Cc: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
Sent: Thu, Dec 17, 2009 8:50 am
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Alaska & BC planning


.

Skagway is an interesting community but its paddling opportunities don't
appeal to me very much. I think I would rather disembark at Sitka and
camp/kayak around there for a few days. Then I would turn around and 
head
right back south, perhaps to Prince Rupert where the AK ferries and the 
BC
ferries intersect. This gives a paddler the chance to shift to one of 
the BC
ferries to get a better feel for the smaller communities and tighter 
water.
Prince Rupert is a perfect spot to regroup and decide where you want to 
go
next; partly because of the intersection of the two ferry systems but 
also
because it's one of the best spots to get access out to Haida Gwai (the
official name for the Queen Charlotte Islands).

One of the BC ferries will give a paddler the option to get off - and 
into
your kayak/canoe - at almost any spot on the route and arrange to be 
picked
up the same way at a prearranged place/date later. No dock required.

A BC ferry from Prince Rupert will get you to Port McNeill on Vancouver
Island. Word is that there is a terrific little kayak "resort" in the
Broughtens (Simoom Bay) that will pick you up in their boat at Port 
McNeill
(on Vancouver Island) and take you out. They are well situated and 
rustic
with a floating cabin (as well as one on land). Food service, too. 
Nothing
fancy. I like the idea of having my kayak on the deck outside my 
floating
cabin. www.paddlersinn.ca for more info. I think I'd make this my first
priority after the ferry tour. I have not stayed at Paddler's Inn but
several BC paddlers have had nothing but good to report. If you don't 
like
it then you are still in prime paddling territory.


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