2014 Prince William Sound, Alaska

[...]

Pru,

First off, the weather in PWS appeared quite different from what I was used to in Maine. The rain was heavy and constant and gear would get saturated. I had purchased a pair of rain pants made from "Event" cloth similar to that found in Event dry bags which many of us own. I assumed it would serve me well and it did not. Immediately after the trip I purchased a pair of bibs from an Anchorage outfitter which I believe wil be a better choice for my next paddle on PWS.

Other members of the team had gear failures as well. One thing to remember is the need for a very good four season free standing tent with a tarp over it to minimize the water saturation. I attempted to use my tarp to cover three tents and that did not work well. As I was packing to leave Elf Point, my tent was three times heavier due to the water saturation.

Also, I know many of us like to pack a cotton pillow case to stuff with dry clothing and use as a pillow. Forget that approach real fast. All cotton materials get damp, wet and do not dry.

I could go on and on, but this discussion might be best held for a face-to-face presentation at a later date.

Warren

Edited July 25, 2014 by Warren

[prudenceb]

Thanks for further details. Your expedition was in some ways a shake down cruise for all your further expeditions. I will be very interested to speak further with you about all this.

Do I see a new - red! - four season tent in my future? I think I finally do!

pru

[...]

Ed,

Regarding your question related to distances and whether or not it is calculated in statute or nautical, I assume you were referencing the draft trip plan. The mileage on the draft plan were very rough estimates obtained via Google Earth. I assumed it was statute miles. The good news is David was operating his GPS during the trip and has access to specific mileage data. I remember how we celebrated as a team when David informed us that we had achieved the 100 mile mark on our journey. Seems we were all realizing many small accomplishments throughout the trip.

Regarding your question about how Ryan related to the draft trip plan, Ryan was a superb guide for this trip. His leadership style was just what our team needed. He enriched the original draft trip plan in some many ways. I would seek his guidance on all future PWS trips in a heart beat.

In many ways I see myself as a seeker of knowledge as well as a sea kayaker. I like being actively involved in trip planning and execution. Ryan’s style of guidance works very well with my style and we could sense the alignment.

For an extended paddling trip on PWS, I see the need for a specific set of core competencies which relate to four categories.

The categories are;
1. Self awareness and skill for land based activities, such as efficiently packing and unpacking your hatches.
2. Self awareness and skill for water based activities, such as a rock solid forward stroke.
3. Group awareness and skill for land based activities, such as group meals, bear hangs and collecting water.
4. Group awareness and skill for water based activities, such as safely executing a long crossing.

There are many more examples, but this might give you the basic idea.

I hope this is helpful.

Warren

Edited July 25, 2014 by Warren

[Suz]

Warren, you have come so far from the few short years ago when you didn't own a tent nor a cook stove! Never mind a tarp...

Really looking forward to your presentation at the Gould Barn! Set the date!

[...]

As we launched from Elf Point we could see the fog surrounding Glacier Island had lifted and we set our heading to arrive at a pocket beach in the northeast corner of the island. There were no boats or ice bergs to concern us. Our concern center on the length of the crossing, approximately 3 miles, and the sea state which approximated 2 to 3 foot seas. A little bounce, which in most cases would not be concerning, but for us the length of the bounce would prove to be tedious at times. The team handled the crossing very well.

As we arrived on Glacier Island we unanimously agreed to seek the southern route.

During our paddle along the south side, the rock formations were stunning.

Before we knew it, we could hear the sound of sea lions. Hundreds and hundreds of sea lions for over one mile of the coastline. Now we all know the Marine Mammal Protection Act states we keep away at least 300 feet. Surprisingly, many of the younger sea lions were delighted to see us and would gather in large pods of 20 to 30 and come out to welcome us. We jokingly said to each other, does the protection act address the need for the mammals to keep a safe distance from us? These sea lions were huge and the large number in the pods worried us. We all focused on having a good low brace ready, but did not need to worry. I kept my camera in my pfd and focused on paddling ahead. For over a mile they played with us and we could hear them breathing heavily behind each kayak. It was an amazing experience!

We passed by a section of the coastline called Cave Point which had dozens of caves similar to the one below.

The coastline was stunning and time flew by as we were mesmerized by what we saw.

We finally paddled past the sea lion colonies and discovered seal colonies. Like the sea lions, the seals would gather in large groups and come out to see us. They kept further away, but seemed very friendly and curious. I was able to take a few photographs.

On most days we would go in search of fresh water streams to collect and filter water.

The trees were also fascinating as some would have moss hanging from the branches.

In some areas of PWS there would be no fishing signs since that indicated a salmon stream and would frequently be a great location for a bear sighting. We would avoid collecting water from those streams.

Once we arrived at Granite Point, we took advantage of the fine weather and warm stones to dry all our wet gear. It was amazing how fast everything dries on warm stones!

Our team had arranged to rotate responsibility for group dinner meals. The Granite point dinner was my responsibility. With the fine weather, we decided to eat out on the rocks. It was a fine evening!

The group shelter and bear hangs.

We pack up to leave Granite Point in search of whales and bears.

Next up……….The journey continues into the center islands of PWS…………….Every single day a major “Wow Factor” I am on sensory overload!!

Warren and another selfie. The beard continues to grow!

Edited July 25, 2014 by Warren

[...]

For this installment in the story, pictures were taken at Axel Lind, The Dutch Group, Perry and Culross Islands. That section of PWS is rich in wildlife. We saw whales, puffins, kittiwakes, sea lions,sea otters, river otters and black bears to name just a few. The landscape and rock formations are stunning.

In reviewing the photographs taken, I selected a few photos of the buddies and the landscape for your viewing pleasure. As you click on the landscape photos to enlarge them, you will note where they were taken and/or what is being viewed as noted in the lower left hand corner.

Enjoy!

The Buddies!

The Stunning Landscape of Prince William Sound!

Next up.........The last installment and the realization of our greatest achievement.................

Warren

Edited July 26, 2014 by Warren

[...]

NSPN Community,

In this, the final installment, we make our way back to Whittier with an overnight at Decision Point State Marine Park. I remember feeling sad about arriving at the end of our journey together. At the same time, I realized our greatest achievement had been the creation of lasting friendships. I hope you have enjoyed following along with us as we attempted to help you gain a deeper understanding of Prince William Sound, a kayaker’s paradise.

Warren

Paddling to Passage Canal.

View of College Fiord.

Resting after the crossing.

Cheers with beers from Ryan's buddies.

Porcupine buddy at Decision Point camp site.

Bedtime stories read by David.

More buddy beer.

Bedtime stories read by Beth.

Decision Point camp site.

Whittier weather.

Return to civilization.

The ever-present bald eagle.

Paddling to the take out.

Buddies at the take out.

Celebration at the take out.

Celebration in Anchorage.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Warren

[EEL]

Warren:

Pictures gave a good "feel" for your trip which must have been very nice journey indeed.

I noticed you mentioned that each person was responsible for a couple of dinners. I assume this meant planning, carrying and preparing. Was each person responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches/paddle snacks? Jetboil type stoves appear to have been the stove of choice...is that correct? I would have thought it would not have been good when cooking for five.

What was the longest crossing and did you need to predetermine courses for the crossings in terms of ferry angle, etc. or did you rely of GPS with waypoints?

Ed Lawson

[...]

Ed,

Yes, it was a great trip in many ways.

We were each responsible for our breakfasts, lunches and snacks. It meant planning, packing, preparing and clean-up.

For the dinners, we each were responsible for two, except Ryan was reponsible for three. That meant planning, carrying and cooking. We helping each other with some dinner prep as needed and the cook was never responsible for the clean-up on their nights.

We had a total of four stoves. Beth and David both had JetBoils. Ryan and I both brought MSR Whisperlites. Ryan's used white gas and mine used canisters. We had a nice degree of redundancy in our plan.

It was fine cooking for five when using both a JetBoil and a Whisperlite. We had two pots, a 2.5L and a 1.5L as well as a fry pan. We all rather enjoyed the process.

If my memory serves me, I believe the longest crossing was 3.0 nautical miles. David is the custodian of the trip metrics and may help correct my statement. The PWS does experience patchy fog, but we did not encounter anything that was concerning regarding fog. Except when leaving Shoup Bay, we did not encounter much current and simply used ranges to adjust our course when we felt we were being set. We used the GPS for collecting metrics but not as a navigation aid. Although I had my GPS with both waypoints and an embedded nautical chart of PWS, I never had to use it during the trip.

I discovered that PWS, like Alaska, is a very large place.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Warren

[...]

Kurt,

I see in your posting you plan to paddle in Alaska within the next few years. I hope you might consider exploring Prince William Sound. David and I may be arranging with the NSPN Board of Directors to present our PWS experience at a TBA location and a TBA date/time. If the presentation occurs, I hope you will be able to attend.

Kurt, if all goes as planned I hope to return to PWS next summer and continue exploring. By the time you are ready to travel to Alaska, I should have knowledge that may be helpful to you.

Hope to see you out on the water soon.

Warren

[prudenceb]

Warren,

Just as you were sad when your expedition ended, I am sad to have reached the end of your trip report. Thank you for letting us vicariously join you and your buddies - human, animal and winged creatures - on this most excellent adventure!

pru

[...]

Suz,

Yes, I was at ground zero three years ago. It is said when a goal is important to you, you will find a way to get it done. Paddling in Alaska was important to me.

I discovered Alaska can be a land of extremes. The weather can be big, the carnivores can be big and the insect swarms can be big. I know many paddlers can go to Alaska and survive. NSPN paddlers can do better. We can go and thrive. To achieve that goal we need the collective intelligence of each other. I do hope we can meet at a location to be determined and begin the knowledge transfer.

I believe Alaska has a way of changing people who are ready to hear the message. I was ready to listen.

Warren

[Gcosloy]

Warren, thanks so much for sharing what must have been a life changing adventure. Your pictures gave us all a flavor of what it must have been like. I found myself feeling sad looking at the last picture of the "take out". You and David experienced something very special indeed.

[kate]

splendid trip report. How wonderful! I too was sad to reach the end of your report. Thank you for documenting it for us, and for sharing your abundant enthusiasm.

[David M]

I have to admit it’s with some sadness that I read Warren’s final post. Great job! I have been living and reliving the experience as I’ve traveled on business this week and have been able to sneak peeks at the unfolding narrative.

The following supplements to the trip report may be more of a personal journal with accompanying takeaways so - readers beware. I’ve used categories to keep my otherwise random and myriad thoughts somewhat containerized. Because of a camera failure early on, I am relying on Warren’s wonderful pictures. Consequently, the reader is left with only my words and they somehow have evolved into many. My apologies are offered in advance.

By way of context I am a relative newcomer to the kayak community, with limited kayak camping experience but when the opportunity presented itself early in January I jumped at it and continued what was already feeling like a pretty steep learning curve. I had purchased my first boat in 2010 for what I thought then was the sole purpose of exercise on local fresh water lakes. As an above knee amputee of some 30 years, finding exercise outlets that required minimal leg involvement have been a constant quest. I naively assumed that kayaking was all about upper body. Also, I had no interest in the ocean. All of that was to change.

Preparation:

In the second year of my kayak career I was introduced to the concept that there was much more to kayaking then met the eye. Safety issues, the synthesis of body, boat and blade combined with the challenge of the ocean environment all convinced me that I needed help. I was introduced to the BCU system and pursued formal coaching. Suz Hutchinson did a wonderful job of providing a strong foundation, assisting in reforming some bad self-styled habits and instilling in me a love and healthy addiction to the sport. John Carmody has continued that process through 2*,3* and 4* training. There was also significant peer learning along the way from friends and NSPN members, many times one in the same. A trip like the Prince William Sound (PWS) trip was two years ahead of my personal plan but because of the investment of others I was able to board the plane for Anchorage feeling well prepared.

The Plan:

The plan was to paddle from Valdez to Whittier on PWS. There were no pullouts or restocking options in between. It is true wilderness. High on the list were exploring glaciers close up and taking in all that PWS has to offer. The draft plan developed by Warren with input from the rest of the team and a final vetting by our local escort/guide was framed around a 12 day trip (11 nights) with allowance for 2 weather days at an estimated 140 nautical miles (nm). The GPS indicated 140.55 nm at takeout, a testament to Warren’s planning!

Escort/Guide Services:

Our escort was Ryan Collins of Paddlers Realm www.paddlersrealm.com . Ryan is the consummate professional. His extraordinary leadership skills, strong kayaking skills (BCU and ACA) blended with local knowledge and an easy going manner of facilitating group conversation were significant factors adding to the team’s success. He communicates clearly and was also ready to transfer skills such as bear-hangs, water collection and purification and much more. His degree in philosophy and prolific knowledge of the Seinfeld TV series added to the humor and never ending conversations at both breakfast and dinner. He also has access to both NDK and P&H boats!

Paddlers Realm’s website differentiates between guided and escorted (this trip) services. The essential differences are that in an escorted trip each participant is expected to minimally paddle at the BCU 3* level, supply their own kayak safety equipment, dry suit and water-proof tent and land-based clothing. In addition, the escorted team has significant input into the route and navigation planning.

The PWS Team:

In addition to Ryan the team of 4 included: Beth from Alaska, Michael from New Jersey and Warren and me from NSPN. All contributed immensely to the harmony and success of the team. Attesting to this is the fact that after spending 12 days in close quarters, we chose to do dinner in Anchorage a day after getting off the water. It was four hours filled with laughter and reminiscing.

PWS Overview (source PWS: A Travelers Guide, Holleman, M.):

Size: 10,000 square miles

Location: 60 degrees Lat. in South Central Alaska, 60 miles east of Anchorage, 300 miles northwest of Juneau

Geological content: We passed through 2 distinct geological zones: sedimentary and basalt each with remarkable shoreline presentations.

Features: 3,500 miles of heavily convoluted shoreline, more than 150 glaciers, 34 major islands and hundreds of smaller islands

Precipitation: Average of 200 inches per year.

Navigation:

Trip planning involved numerous resources including nautical charts, NOAA tide and current info, Google Earth and National Geographic hiking maps. On the water we combined hand railing, pilotage and chart work and map references. Key differences navigating in PWS were both the eastern variation and the relative small number of aids to navigation. We only encountered a handful on this trip. In addition, we needed a resource to assist in locating sources of water. For that reason and others the team referenced both charts and maps (see below). Daily tide information was readily available for Valdez and Whittier and was extrapolated to the particular days journey. Currents with the exception of narrow passages such as the approach to the Shoup Glacier were inconsequential in this area of PWS. The team had regular evening debriefs that also included projected next day plans. The daily trip plan with weather (great VHS access throughout PWS), potential hazards and contingencies was agreed to in the morning before launch. This was often incorporated into the normal breakfast chatter. The tide information turned out to be critical in that more often than not our camping spots were adjacent to the “beach” and any miscalculation would potentially result in a soggy night at least. Fortunately our use of various measures not the least of which was the Rule of Twelfths allowed us to project safe and dry camping spots. I found myself applying the principle at several of our lunch stops playing a game with Mother Nature on whether I could predict how far I had to haul my boat. Additionally, at about midpoint in the trip we had both a full moon and lunar perigee. The tidal range was in excess of 17 feet. We discussed our location carefully that evening!

Nautical Charts: 16700, 16708, 16713, 16712, 16705

National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps: Prince William Sound East, Prince William Sound West

Additional Resources: Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound, Twardock, P., Cruising Guide to Prince William Sound, Lethcoe, N. & J.

Weather:

PWS winds tend to be influenced by the general circulation from the Gulf of Alaska. Occasional summer lows create moderate to strong winds from the south, southeast or east. Winds in the sound are locally variable in direction and strength. Local variations in temperatures (think glaciers) often create local winds that can overpower the general circulation. Ridges, valleys, islands and passages of steep sided fiords channel and block general wind circulation. Average highs were in the mid-50’s with some 60’s and average lows in the 40’s. Water temps were in the high 40’s with water temps near the glaciers in the high 30’s.

While the prevailing winds are typically southwest in PWS, Ryan proposed the westerly trip from Valdez to Whittier to accommodate for paddling in low systems with the prevailing winds more to our favor.

I actually found the weather delightful, including the torrential rain we experienced for multiple days. After all, it was no surprise. I tend to melt so the cooler temps especially the climate/weather systems around the glaciers were welcome. Personally, attitude was as much an antidote to the weather as our high-tech materials. I went into the trip expecting that we could have as much as 12 days of steady rain and was looking forward to managing its effects.

However, I have to give due credit to the gear. Storm cag, dry suit, paddling hat, tent, rain gear (hat, jacket and pants) and boots all performed as advertised. Several times I used www.outdoorgearlab.com (a backpacker’s site) to research camping gear and non-paddling clothing.

Kayak:

I’m somewhat superstitious or preferential in my habits. I wanted to duplicate as much of what I was used to as possible. I rationalize that some of that feeling is less than neurotic in that the Cetus accommodates my prosthetic paddling limb very well. I felt fortunate in both being able to paddle a Cetus MV and I had purchased a 4 piece Werner Cyprus to travel so life on the water was all good.

Water:

My very limited camping experience did not require collecting and purifying water. PWS has an abundance of glacier fed streams and waterfalls. Ryan schooled us in the collection and purification of ample water. In addition, the simple tarp method of capturing rainwater worked like a charm. We regularly carried about 60 liters between us. We used both Warren’s and Ryan’s Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter. It is a gravity system with a capacity of 5 gallons and a fast flow rate.

Meal Planning:

The plan called for each team member to be responsible for their own breakfast, lunch and snacks. Each team member would prepare 2 group meals. Our group meals included some great tasting manufactured dehydrated meals and home brew where folks had dehydrated their own concoctions. We enjoyed Mexican, Italian and a range of other options. Of note was the fact that even the seemingly smallest contribution went a long way… wild salmon to enhance a dehydrated meal with salmon base, tequila and lemonade aka Margarita on Mexican night, having to sing for your meal, mystery chocolate offerings, a stash of wine at key points of deprivation along the way and… even a “Thanksgiving Feast” prepared by Ryan on our final night with all the trimmings. We ate very well.

As most meals were water based the combination of the Jet Boil and MSR systems allowed us to boil lots of water very quickly. Coffee was available early, always a necessity and the group meals were prepped so we were all able to eat a warm meal together.

Kayak Packing:

I knew this would be a challenge. First of all, where does all this stuff fit!?!? Second, how could I efficiently empty the boat each evening, and set up camp, only to repeat a reverse of the process the next morning. To a seasoned kayak camper this was no big deal. I must have conducted mulitple test-packs carefully weighing each dry bag. I determined that my Cetus performed best if I distributed the additional weight (100lbs) roughly 35% to the front, 25% to the cockpit and 40% to the rear. I scoured the internet and talked to folks all in an attempt to establish an effective routine. Did I say I can become obsessive?!

I finally established my own system. With 4 hatches (front, mini in front of the cockpit, day hatch and oval rear hatch) in the Cetus I chose dry bags in 3 different colors for each of the larger hatches: blue for the front, yellow for the rear and yellow striped (created these with a sharpie) for the day hatch. I used the mini hatch for electronics, daily snacks and a few emergency items. I selected Seal Line Kodiak Window 5-liter dry bags. My sleeping bag and tent were packed in OR compression drybags. I used a Kayak Academy tapered bow bag for my clothing. My objectives also included having my spare paddle as the only item on deck. The combination of the different colors, labeling and windows made for smooth land/water transitions.

Additionally, I packed my tent in front of the cockpit foot pegs and had a 4 liter dromedary between my legs, one behind my seat and another in my day hatch to centralize the weight to the cockpit as much as possible. The bulk of the food was packed in the rear hatch. The system worked well and the boat did not appreciably weather or lee-cock.

The group divided: bear hangs, fuel, poop shovels, and the group shelter.

Supplemental Comments to Warren’s report:

1. Valued the bear management and spray training provided in Valdez. While we couldn't take the spray canister on the plane, I did purchase my own “holster” as a souvenir.

2. The GPS recorded our speed at 9.2 knots coming out of the narrow passage from the Shoup Glacier on day 2. I was still adjusting to the handling characteristics of my loaded boat so I was a bit on edge. Once through it however I wanted to turn around and do it again!

3. In negotiating Valdez narrows I lost count of the number of fishing boats actively engaged in setting their nets. On at least two occasions Ryan approached the boats and asked if we could paddle over their nets. They reached for quite a distance. Not in your life would I have done that without local input.

4. I’ve lost count of how many times I would say “Hey Bear, Hey Bear” when landing or walking through the woods.

5. The explosive rumble of glaciers calving is awesome.

6. Warren said it but the wildlife was off the charts: moose, black bears, puffins, humpback whales, porpoises, harbor seals, river otters, sea otters, porcupines, stellar sea lions, black oyster catchers, belted kingfisher, harlequin ducks, tundra red backed vole, pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, kittiwake black legged gulls, hermit thrush, loons and on and on. (Detail provided by Beth. She is an avid admirer of all things wild and botanical. Her commentary was a true value-added to the trip.)

7. The extra daylight (sunset 11ish, sunrise 5ish) allowed significant flexibility. Longer breakfasts, extending our paddles on a couple of days and a more leisurely approach to ending the day were all a part of it.

8. I was going to attempt to enter the laundry list of plants that Beth identified, but given she identified many of them with their Latin names; I can’t even begin to spell them. Suffice it to say it was a huge education. It gave me a literal wakeup call to stop, and yes you guessed it… smell the roses.

9. While we maintained more than a very respectful distance to the Stellar Sea Lions they apparently didn’t get the memo. It was a bit disconcerting. I’m not sure if the rest of the team believes me, but I really did get bumped 4 times in succession on the bottom of my boat right under the seat. Maybe it was just flirtation.

10. While we encountered some challenging sea states (in predictable places) as the pictures indicate we also had more than our fair share of calmer waters.

11. The group shelter (see pics) turned out to be one of the most valuable pieces of equipment. I can’t begin to imagine what the bugs would have been like. During the heavy rain on the day we stayed off the water we spent the vast majority of the day, waxing philosophical in relative comfort. Inquiring about the manufacturer unfortunately it was made by a woman in a cottage industry some 25 years ago. It was little used and in excellent condition.

12. The head net took some getting used to. I lost track of how many times I found myself trying to jam my toothbrush through the mesh.

13. I’ll provide comments on the SPOT device once I have had the opportunity to play with the tracking and conceivable include our track as a link.

Notes to Self:

1. Take more extended day trips in the future.

2. Electrician’s tape on the fingers does work for blister control/prevention when gloves are not preferred.

3. I had 2 partially filled 5 liter bags of trash/waste at the end of the trip. Next time consider repackaging to minimize waste.

4. Get more IKEA bags. They work!

5. A small piece of a plastic table cloth civilized feel when prepping meals.

6. The effectiveness of a well-functioning team is directly proportional to open communication, problem solving and complimenting the strengths and limitations.

7. Remember to thank the many folks that helped me prepare for this trip.

Finally:

So there you are, my ramblings are complete. If you have made it to the end… congrats! This was an incredible journey that I feel fortunate to have made but there is one last item and it needs to be done in public.

I have to thank my dear friend Warren Parlee who invested heavily in bringing me up to speed on all things Alaska and PWS and camping in a very wet environment. We had innumerable conversations on gear, mindset and success criteria. As we both jokingly put it Warren took me on as “a project” to make sure I was ready and able to fully engage and enjoy the trip. Thanks Warren, in true NSPN spirit, you’ve truly demonstrated the value of paying forward by investing in others!

[...]

David,

Your report is superb. It fills in all the blanks and enriches our attempt to help the NSPN community gain a deeper understanding of PWS. Thank you for your kind words regarding my efforts, you were so good to work with and together we gained the knowledge we needed. We thrived in Alaska. I do hope you will accompany me next summer as I return to PWS and begin exploring a whole new section. I know we can enlist both Ryan and Beth to join us. Actually, I could not imagine a trip without them. Ryan is a superb escort/guide and Beth has such a deep understanding of plants, animals and the geology of PWS. Besides they are now very good friends! On the last day of our trip, Ryan pulled me aside and said next year seeing a tidewater glacier will be our first order of business.

To help complete our team, I suspect we might need one or two NSPN paddlers to join us next year for another 12 day trip. If we help them gain the knowledge they need, I suspect they will be ready to seek approval from Ryan. As always, Ryan will determine the final team membership. I see opportunities beginning in September where the curriculum will include erecting tarps, bear hangs and planning/execution of group meals. We have so much knowledge to share.

David, as you know, I have fallen in love with Alaska and PWS in particular. I am counting the days when I can return to Prince William Sound, a kayaker's paradise!

Warren

Edited July 27, 2014 by Warren

[prudenceb]

David,

Thanks for your additional commentary. It helped me to understand more about the prep, logistics, daily challenges and so on. The combo of your and Warren's extensive notes/ reports has certainly been inspirational!

pru

[EEL]

David:

Appreciated your comments very much, especially the descriptions of the specific techniques you used.

Some things to think about and incorporate.

Ed Lawson

[cfolster]

As alluded to earlier, we are planning a potluck dinner and presentation so everyone can see the slides up close and get a chance to live this adventure again through Warren and Dave's presentation.

Due to schedules, it looks like it won't be until September.

To ensure that we choose a day that works for most, below is a link to a doodle poll to assess availability. I will also post this as an event on the trips forum.

https://doodle.com/ue4s5cen3xk8ub8t

Please indicated for each day/time offered whether you can make it. Once we have a good number of responses, we'll choose the day that works for the most people.

Looking forward to this club get-together and hearing their tales from PWS!

[kurtyang04]

Certainly I want to join this great event.

As alluded to earlier, we are planning a potluck dinner and presentation so everyone can see the slides up close and get a chance to live this adventure again through Warren and Dave's presentation.

Due to schedules, it looks like it won't be until September.

To ensure that we choose a day that works for most, below is a link to a doodle poll to assess availability. I will also post this as an event on the trips forum.

https://doodle.com/ue4s5cen3xk8ub8t

Please indicated for each day/time offered whether you can make it. Once we have a good number of responses, we'll choose the day that works for the most people.

Looking forward to this club get-together and hearing their tales from PWS!

[kurtyang04]

2 years ago, I lead one group of friends running the Chitina river(+ a little of Copper river) in AK successfully. It made me feel in love with Alaska. I knew I would come back for sea kayaking next time and many more trips for ocean and rivers over there. Both PWS and Glacier National park have been on my list. We certainly will do both in next several yeas. And this trip report is not just helpful, but also inspired me and my friends. Warren and David, thank you!

Kurt,

I see in your posting you plan to paddle in Alaska within the next few years. I hope you might consider exploring Prince William Sound. David and I may be arranging with the NSPN Board of Directors to present our PWS experience at a TBA location and a TBA date/time. If the presentation occurs, I hope you will be able to attend.

Kurt, if all goes as planned I hope to return to PWS next summer and continue exploring. By the time you are ready to travel to Alaska, I should have knowledge that may be helpful to you.

Hope to see you out on the water soon.

Warren

[BLConaway]

I too am sad to see the end of the TR, but would love to learn more about the adventure. I hope to make the potluck.

[...]

NSPN Community,

David and I are excited about our participation in the Gould Barn event.

Feel free to jump in with any requests!

Some of the topics which I think you might find helpful if planning to paddle in Alaska are:

1. How did you handle your clothing plan both on and off the water knowing you would encourter great variations from the glacial fiords and the other sections of the PWS and a lot of rain.

2. How does poop management differ in PWS from Maine camp sites.

3. Describe your bug management program.

4. Did you have a travel logistics plan and if so, can you share.

5. Can you describe your water collection methods.

6. How did you manage not be eaten by a bear?

7. What are some of the health and wellness issues you planned for and addressed during the trip.

8. How does one successfully navigate the group interactions of a team on expedition?

9. Expedition travel can be intense living. Any suggestions on what worked well for you?

10. Can you talk about the rental boats, paddles and any other available gear?

That was just 10 ideas that came to mind. I know there are many more. Feel free to list any you have since we want this to be helpful to you.

Warren

[prudenceb]

Wow, that covers a lot of the questions I had. I'd also be interested in the issue of food... What worked, what didn't ( if anything), how much did you think you needed to consume each days to keep up energy. Typical breakfast, lunch and snacks. Etc.

Also, more on packing the boat, which David addressed in his post.

pru

[kurtyang04]

Great topics. I would like to hear more about safety issues like water temperatures, risk control, communication within the group or with your family, emergency kits , equipment like GPS, SPOT, VHF radio and signal equipment.