Hi all. I have a six week sabatical that I need to schedule. I’m brainstorming ideas and trying to decide what I’d like to do. One of the options is a long paddle trip. Growing up in Pgh, as a kid I always thought it would be fun to paddle from there to the gulf. I’m not sure what that kind of trip would entail. Other than that, I’d like a more secluded paddle, w/o whitewater. I live in San Diego now. Ideas for a solo trip 2-6 weeks paddling and camping?
Not sure what Pgh is…
…does it have to be south? Have you considered paddling in BC?
The inner passage to Alaska
The “Bride” and I have done portions of it, and it is on our bucket list.
jack L
Pgh = Pittsburgh, PA
Sorry, Pgh = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It doesn’t have to be down South but I do want to avoid whitewater.
Lots in Alaska
Noatak is relatively benign
We are doing the Yukon this summer.
Do you have any solo experience?
There is a lot on myccr.com for routes in Canada. Most Arctic rivers however do have whitewater and most do not have cities or for that matter much settled population.
The Mississippi is not on my list. While it looks flat I have seen whirlpools on it caused by current. Eddies and whirlpools can flip you.
You can certainly do six week routes in Provincial Parks like Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou. For the most part there are portages around any whitewater.
Both however are remote.
ft benton to.ft. yates montana-s dakota
Some of.the most.beautiful flat water in the usa. See missour Mississippi thread now on expedition page.
Google Missouri river breaks
Images
Ft. Peck reservoir
Great beauty, wildlife, history…Lewis and Clark, native Americans etcsee blog pertaining to Montana section and.the Dakotas at my site
WWW.normanwmiller.com/blogspot I think is url
Are you looking for an arctic trip or
something in the US?
hows this for pics
here…plenty of great views
http://www.google.com/search?q=upper+missouri+river&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=JqxFT_nxKZDKiALF25ikCQ&ved=0CEIQsAQ&biw=1315&bih=906
google images here
sorry google images wont let me cut and paste link…so
google
“upper missouri river” Images and see for yourself
Prince Rupert to Port Hardy
– Last Updated: Feb-24-12 8:14 PM EST –
Typically 3 - 4 weeks depending on weather. You can rent boats in Port Hardy and take the ferry to Prince Rupert (about one or two days paddling south of SE Alaska). You will paddle with whales most every day and see very few other people. You can discover cultural sites along a coastline that was once the most heavily populated in North America and now one of the least. You can go via the Inside or Outside Passage depending on your preferences (I prefer Outside).
Something shorter or longer is possible. Check out the Alaksa Ferry system from Bellingham to points North to see what longer options you have.
Want two weeks on the water? Get to Port Hardy, rent a boat, take the ferry to Klemtu or Bella Bella. Get off and go. The Queen of Chilliack will stop and drop you in the water if conditions allow. They will pick you up, too, if you have pre-arranged it and it is safe.
Poke around around without intent or carefully plan your trip. Always judge the tides, current and weather. You can avoid whitewater or you can choose it. Currents and winds can defeat you or you can plan, judge and use them.
You do have to plan because campsites are limited. Most areas don't allow egress without punishment. You don't want to just start off assuming that a nice beach will present itself when you are ready for it to appear. You are paddling in a Rain Forest and need to choose gear appropriately. Pick your trip window correctly and it will will probably be dry. Don't assume anything weather related. Nobody should come to the BC Coast without decent knowledge of where they can get off the water, where campsites exist or where they might exist. Decent charts are a must.
Some links to review include:
http://sites.google.com/site/insidepassageregistry/
http://denisdwyer.blogspot.com/
http://nevernevermiles.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-i-kayaked-down-outer-bc-coast-and_25.html
http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~walpole/OutsidePassage.html
http://voyageofthepilgrims.blogspot.com/
http://www.omick.net/adventure/kayak%20trip%202009/kayak%20trip%202009.htm
http://3meterswell.blogspot.com/
Consider BC.......
I'll be off Aristazabal and Calvert this Summer.
Jon
East arm of Great Slave Lake
This area is an amazing archipelago. Have a google, and you will see what I mean. Can stage from Hay River or Yellowknife with a boat ride to get you to the start at the Simpson islands.
I’ve heard wonderful
things about the East Arm. Yellowknife locals use that area quite a bit for inexpensive and beautiful remote trips.
Yukon River
is highly recommended. Start at Whitehorse and choose trips of 190 miles, 430 miles, or 1000 miles as the most reasonable endpoints. Constant current (except for 30 mile Lake Laberge) of 3-6 mph. No white water, but one section of large standing waves that you can safely traverse in about 10 seconds. Check out the outfitter for more information and advice at: http://www.kanoepeople.com/
Except the two shorter trips wont last
more than two weeks. We are doing Whitehorse to Dawson and will have to take some layover days to fill two weeks.
There will be stuff to see there… nothing says three weeks has to be all on the water.
Spending 2 weeks…
– Last Updated: Apr-06-12 4:55 PM EST –
You could continue beyond Dawson to Eagle at 525 miles from Whitehorse, or to Circle at 673 miles. Those are the only other two possibilities for reasonable extraction until you reach the Dalton Highway bridge north of Fairbanks. You can hire regular transport back to Fairbanks from Dalton, and to Whitehorse from Dawson. But from Eagle or Circle it might be more difficult and expensive to return to civilization. But there is no need to hurry, as there is much to see along the way, especially in Dawson City. It's a fun town, even if a little "touristy". We paddled the 1000 mile race to the Dalton bridge in little more than 6 days, but by rights it should take a month to enjoy all there is to see and explore along the river.
NFCT
Look into the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.