Thinking back to Alaska, 2011

Now that it is May, I am thinking back to my first long kayak expedition, a monthlong journey across Prince William Sound in south central Alaska. It was a journey of firsts, and lots of learning. It shaped how I travel in a kayak, and who I go with. It was an unbelievable experience and I want to go back. We travelled from Seattle to Valdez on the Alaska State Ferry, which was a journey all its own. While not the cheapest method of travel, it was an incredible way to see the area and see the sights, sounds and smells of the area.

Pre-trip stretch circle.

Dirty Curty really knows how to stretch.

Nick looking magnificent.

Our original plan (there's a hint) was to take 30 days, and our goal was to end in Seward, Alaska, around the Kenai Peninsula, after a resupply in Whittier. We had a group of 14 or 15, I don't remember correctly.

the first campsite out of Valdez.

Postholing was not what we expected.

Snow was an unexpected find. The weather before we left was about 60 degrees and never below 40 at night. But somehow the first and only campsite in snow.

My first iceberg. Not big, but a great framing tool.

We spent a long time exploring icebergs around the Columbia Glacier- one of the fastest receding glaciers in PWS. The bay was so choked with ice that we couldn't even get to within site of the glacier.

That's a lot of boats.

Instead of camping next to a glacier, we found a great south facing beach where we warmed ourselves like seals.

Looking across the sound to Hinchinbrook Island.

First glacier in real life.

Nick with the Surprise Glacier in the background.

Nick and Nick paddling towards the peak in between Harriman Glacier and Surprise Glacier.

Surprise Glacier.

Robin and Aileen steaming mussels and making bread. An excellent food group.

Team building activities.

On days off we went exploring. If there was a glacier around, we would try and get as close as possible. Sometimes that meant fording streams as a team, sometimes that meant scaling scree slopes, and sometimes it meant wading up to your neck with your boots held above your head.

Exploring a glacier to the west of King's Bay. Humans for scale.

Lots of fresh water.

Me with College Fjord in the background.

Kelly inspecting ice.

Flowing like water.

Aileen with Nellie Juan Glacier behind her.

Ice + fruit punch powder= sno cones.

Blackstone Glacier.

Seal Lion Colony at Bull Point on Glacier Island.

We took our time exploring the nooks and crannies, but there are so many parts that I have yet to explore. Can't wait for next time.

Entry Glacier. Photo: Canyon Florey.