Just returned from a trip to Alaska, and even though it wasn’t just a paddling trip we had the opportunity to paddle in a couple of incredible places; Maclaren River and Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound.
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That was a lot cooler than your part of NC.
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In more ways than one
Looks great! Last time I went by McLaren Lodge I noticed they had canoes. I was guessing they ferry you up toward the glacier and you float back out? If so, how long is that float?
Yes, they ferried us up to their tents toward the glacier and spent the night. The next day we floated back. It was supposed to be a four hour float, but the river was high and moving and it took us a little less than 2.
Thanks!
Alaska is under rated.
Dress for immersion. .
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Until you see Alaska’s immensity and beauty it’s hard not to underrate it
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Even after almost 30 years of trips to other places since, Alaska is still the trip I dream about.
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Get up there while you are still young.
It takes some courage to be able to relax in the bush.
The first two trips I did for work in the bush were for about 3 weeks each working 12 hour days.
I did not like it much because we saw bears every day at close range and there was 150 inches of rain. The country is tough, steep, slippery and there are no trails except those made by bears. We had to wade the rivers.
But then we started to realize how special of a place it is. Seeing 30 mountain goats, hundreds of salmon, wolves, wolverine and 5 bears fishing from the helicopter made a strong impression. The forest of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, red cedar and yellow cedar were ancient and impressive.
The local people and those that travel up there to work are shaped by the country. The women are tough. Hell even the kids are tough. I remember seeing a 12 year old going out to fish. He had a rifle on his shoulder. Alaska is a place that quickly separates the sheep from the goats.