... Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Jason,Hey, thank you for the great tarp link. We discovered a tarp over the tent is important. It can rain very hard for a long time and the tarp can help! Do not rule out the idea even if you have a great tent! Trust me, it is important!! For the group shelter/kitchen, rain and bug management requires a different approach. We used a custom made shelter with screen panels that was superb. With a regular tarp arrangement the bugs would carry you away in minutes. That environment requires a new set of competences.Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Jason,Yes, Kokatat has a lot of great options and I loved my dry suit and my Storm Cag! Both are essential in PWS. When you paddle in the fiords with glaciers the air and water can be very cold. It can resemble a separate weather zone. But five miles out, you can have the "Alaskan Bake "! It requires careful planning and flexibility, but is worth the effort!We were constantly checking the VHF weather forecast since our journey spanned five separate NOAA forecast zones and that did not include the glacial fiords which would have their own wind speed and direction. PWS is a weather guys dream come true. I was is heaven!Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) Jason,Yes, Kokatat has a lot of great options and I loved my dry suit and my Storm Cag! Both are essential in PWS. When you paddle in the fiords with glaciers the air and water can be very cold. It can resemble a separate weather zone. But five miles out, you can have the "Alaskan Bake "! It requires careful planning and flexibility, but is worth the effort!We were constantly checking the VHF weather forecast since our journey spanned five separate NOAA forecast zones and that did not include the glacial fiords which would have their own wind speed and direction. PWS is a weather guys dream come true. I was is heaven!WarrenThe new dry suit will add a lot of options as it can become a real dry top.http://www.paddlinghq.com/gear/4767-new-kokatat-idol-drysuit-design-drops-the-chest-in-favour-of-a-waist-zip.html Edited July 22, 2014 by jason Added a link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Hey,David and I are now back in Boston!Mission accomplished!Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Welcome home!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katherine Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Yeah!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Prior to our trip to Alaska, this thread generated a fair amount of interest in bears. More specifically, the black and brown bears which live in the Chugach National Forest. As requested, our goal was to observe and photograph these bears in their natural habitat. We did see a total of three black bears at three separate locations within our journey in Prince William Sound.Our best sighting was on the west side of Culross Island, approximately two miles north of Applegate Island within the Culross Passage. At the time we were down wind of the black bear and very quietly paddling along the shoreline. The bear was feeding on shore greens and berries and did not appear to see us out on the water. We drifted to with 100 feet of the shore. We observed the bear for over 15 minutes. At no point did we or the bear appear to feel threaten. The way in which we conducted ourselves felt rewarding. The two attached pictures were my effort at capturing the moment. Enjoy!Additional pictures and narrative will appear in the Trip Report section under a new heading over the next several days/weeks. Stay tuned for more! Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katherine Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katherine Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 PS: I like the new photo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 It's not a bear, but a gopro was lost and the housing didn't make it: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) Hey Jason,How would you like to look over your shoulder and see this guy looking at you?! Warren Edited August 2, 2014 by Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Allen Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Hey Jason,How would you like to look over your shoulder and see this guy looking at you?! WarrenPolar Bear 1.JPGThere's a great article with the photographer that took this pic here:http://www.imagedeconstructed.com/post/spotlight-on-paul-soudershe actively goes looking for the bears photograph them.bestPhil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 It's not a bear, but a gopro was lost and the housing didn't make it: It's not a bear, but a gopro was lost and the housing didn't make it: Can you get me the name of her dental hygenist please?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 A followup on the Mainer that was attached by a polar bear:http://bangordailynews.com/2014/12/26/outdoors/collaborative-project-explores-mainers-attack-by-polar-bear-climate-change/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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