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Features of the trip
· Paddling route: 80-90 miles
· 18 day itinerary
and Dates
· Travel in the Tongass National Forest
· Group size: 12 students/3 adult leaders
· Travel in both single and double kayaks
· Good fishing
· Age: 14-18 yrs.
· Led by Chris
Starbird
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Trip
Descripition
The
wilderness of Southeast Alaska offers a spectacular
and varied natural history. The sea teems with life
and nearby forests offer sanctuary to many animals.
On past trips we have seen whales, bear, wolf, river
and sea otters, seal and sea lions and Sitka black tailed
deer. At every beach we camp at there are opportunities
to explore tide pools and the amazing diversity of animals
living in them. A majority of our trip is spent paddling
around Kuiu Island which is on the one of Alaska’s
major migratory flyways. There is ample opportunity
to observe many western birds. Southeastern Alaskan
waters are full of halibut and salmon and it is a virtual
paradise for those who like to fish.
On
this trip you will work hard paddling with all the gear
for the expedition stowed in your hatch, but you will
have a great time as well. You will learn the skills
you need to organize and lead your own kayak expedition
long after the trip has ended. These skills will begin
with the basics-camping, cooking, map reading, stove
use and low impact/leave no trace techniques—skills
that are the foundation for wilderness sea kayaking.
We
will begin by teaching you sea kayak technique such
as paddle strokes, tides and ocean currents, weather,
marine hazards, rescue techniques and wet exits. You
may want to learn how to roll a kayak as the Aleuts
did. Throughout the trip your leaders will hold informal
classes on a wide range of subjects. As the trip progresses
and you begin to feel more comfortable, the teaching
emphasis shifts to the environment. Do not be surprised
to find yourself sitting in on a discussion on geology,
logging practices in Alaska, marine ecology or the current
state of our oceans. We will also discuss different
leadership styles and communication.
You
will be living with three other students in a “cook”
group during the trip. These groups will enable you
to master the art of backcountry cooking and living
and disperse our impact on the beaches we visit. Before
these groups are formed, you will get lots of coaching
from the leaders on the trip on how to cook. As time
goes by you’ll be cooking up pizza, cinnamon rolls
and other gourmet delicacies that you made from scratch
on a single-burner stove.
Alaska
Trip Objectives
Each
trip is unique due to variables such as route, group
dynamics, fitness levels and environmental conditions.
Working with these variables, we hope to accomplish
the following objectives:
- Leadership
and Teamwork
- Outdoor
Living skills
- Environmental
Ethic
- Sea
Kayaking Skills
Meet
The Trip Leader |
