Kayaking in SE Alaska

I joined this guided tour due to the fact that I had never cold water kayaked. Bad mistake. I did not learn a thing about the aspects of cold water kayaking that could not have learned while simply kayaking myself. The best advantage of a guided tour is that it is all inclusive. They provide tents, food, and the kayak. So with that in mind I can honestly say it was worth the money.

My Kayak partner, the kayak was a tandem, was a lawyer from Las Vegas. He was quite the character. He wore a Kelt the entire time. Was first to dive into 47degree Farenhiet water. The other participants were all very well educated. Two engineers that discussed the possible melt rate of icebergs and when they would roll due to melt rate. A married couple that were quite the hornologist (bird watchers) using scientific names of birds that we saw. Then there was our kayak. We were always away from the pack observing icebergs and determining what they looked like. One looked like a cow eating hay. Just listening to the others hurt my tiny brain. Dont get me wrong they were they best people to have on this trip. I learned so much from listening to their conversations.

We made our way down Endicott Arm, a fjord south of Juneau. At the southern end was a beautiful glacier. We camped there for two nights. The glacier would calve off huge chunks of its ancient ice flow creating and thunderous noise and a spectacular wave. We paddled within a reasonable distance so as not to be capsized from the calving. We picked some glacier ice from the water and returned. That ice was a fantastic blue. We added some tequila and margarita mix and had a little party.

The seals were pupping and they were on the floating ice parade with youngsters in tow. Mom would depart the ice leaving the youngster as she gathered food for herself. I spotted several nursing mothers and pups. It was a spectacular site of nature.

The terns were also nesting in the area, but due to the fact that they are endangered we were not allowed to observe them as close.

All and all it was quite the ten day paddling event. If you desire to partake but only for a day or so go to Prince William Sound. There you will see Whale and Orcas galore. there is plenty of icebergs also.