In the wake of Shackleton’s journey

So, I’m off to the South Atlantic/sub-Antarctic Ocean sailing on OCC’s Alaska Eagle, a 65′ S&S aluminum sloop. Flying down to Buenos Aires for 1 night, then on to Ushuaia, Argentina located on the Beagle Channel, southernmost city in the world. Catching AE there, the 11-man crew heads south to attempt the rounding of the infamous Cape Horn and then sail downwind to South Georgia Island. Slamming along the raging 50’s AE should make landfall in about 5 days after leaving the South American continent astern. Visiting the whaling stations and Shakleton’s grave is a must. We then will beat hard Northwest across the roaring 40’s for a March 7 arrival in Buenos Aires. Wind, waves, Southern Ocean conditions and a motley crew will accompany me on this new adventure. Carrying Shackleton’s “South” and Moitissier’s “Cape Horn” to keep me company. Hard sailing requires tough choices. I’ve made them and am committed to see this through. With Gun’s N’ Roses blaring in my ears I’m off!

Back in One Piece

Well, I’m back in the Lower 48 after a somewhat puttered start to my trip. Got started fast and furious but by the second day my left shoulder tightened up as I was about to round Point Leo and into unprotected waters off Khaz Peninsula. Not wanting to put myself into a situation where I would be not be able to turn around later I opted to turn right there and then and head back to Sitka. Not a pleasant feeling to do this, especially after planning and so early in the trip. But I felt I was really not ready to commit to that section of coast with a sore shoulder. So I came back to Sitka via Neva Strait and Nakwasina Sound, spent several more days playing around Sitka Sound and enjoying the island surroundings. Landed in Sitka while the wind kicked up to about 15kts so was glad to be ashore by the 4th day. Got back into Sitka Hotel right on the waterfront (actually, the whole town is pretty much on the waterfront) and decided to cut the trip short just a bit. Rescheduled for an earlier flight out of Juneau, took a day off for hiking around town and seeing the National Historic Park, another for a fishing trip which took me back to Salisbury Sound and my first night’s camp, then took the fast 4.5hr ferry to Juneau and spent two days hiking Juneau and surrounding mountains. Beautiful area, great scenery, friendly people. John and Allison Dunlap really helped me out with logistics and gear in Sitka and I spent a very pleasant evening dinner with them after my kayak trip. Thank you! Here are some pix and a video. Enjoy!

Sitka Sound Kayaking June 2010

On my way

At LAX airport waiting for my 10:30am Alaska flight to Seattle, then on to Sitka in late afternoon for a 5:45pm arrival. Checked in all 3 duffle bags and my paddles. Weather seems to be great along the SE panhandle coast so I’m hoping it stays sunny for at least 3-4 days so I can skirt the exposed shore of Khaz Peninsula into more protected waters. Finally, on my way!

The Packing is Done and 3 Days Left!

I’ve packed, repacked, and repacked all my gear and kayak to fit into 3 duffles and 1 carry-on backpack. This includes my Feathercraft Khatsalano, 2 paddles, drysuite, dry bags, 12 days of food in an Ursack bear bag, 12 liters of water in 2 MSR Dromedary bags + 1 liter in a Kokatat hydration pack on my PFD, clothing, emergency gear, tent and poles, sleeping bag and pad, reading material, maps and navigational gear, camera, video camera, and miscellaneous stuff (SPOT satellite messenger, iPhone, fishing gear, solar recharge panel, lights, etc…). Can’t believe it all fit. The kayak is almost full when loaded but there is still space in smaller areas where I can stuff smaller items. I was able to stow the duffles and backpack in the bow and stern sections of the kayak while assembling the Khats, thus eliminating the additional stern deck back, altogether.

I am picking up emergency flares, 3 fuel bottles and 1 bear spray canister when I get to Sitka on Saturday as these items are not allowed on flights, per TSA regulations. Also borrowing a Personal Location Beacon (PLB) from a Search and Rescue (SAR) outfit in Sitka. Will send the PLB back to them when trip is over. The rest of the TSA prohibited gear I will donate in Juneau, probably to the harbor master where I land.

I don’t plan on blogging while on the trail as I do not expect any cell or 3G coverage in the area. I will, though, on a daily basis activate my SPOT and send my coordinates in the morning and evening out to my wife and parents.

I am getting anxious to get under way. The weather seems to be holding but any Low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska will likely push me into Peril Strait and to my Alternative Plan B if such a system develops by late this week.

A good site for Alaska weather is here: NWS Alaska

Playing with Gear

Spent the previous weekend on SF Bay playing with the boat and gear. Packed and repacked a bunch of times trying to get all the gear and 12 days of food inside the kayak without having the large aft deck bag. Didn’t have much success as I am also trying to carry the 3 duffles bags which I’ll use to carry the boat and gear for the airplane with me on the boat. I put those 3 bags inside the waterproof deck bag and took the boat out in 15 kt winds on Sunday on Richardson Bay. The boat wanted to weathercock quite a bit. Had to use side and turning strokes to keep from broaching or heading up wind. Finally dawned on me that I should put the duffles way into the bow and stern sections of the Khatsalano thus reducing the deck windage and boat weathercocking. But that requires me to assemble the kayak with the duffles already placed inside the frame and then sliding the bow and stern pieces inside the skin. Tried that at home after the SF Bay trip and got all the gear inside the boat! Now all I have is a small aft deck bag for miscellaneous gear right behind me and a bow deck bag that is flat where I’ll keep sunscreen, power bars and trinkets. Low boat profile should reduce weathercocking in heavier winds – I hope.

Here’s a vid on Friday kayaking into the Bay with calm conditions, then Saturday sailing on the Horizon with Pato and Freefall:

Heading up to SF Bay

Going up to Sausalito for some kayak pre-trip testing: load up the Khats and paddle around Richardson Bay and Angel Island to see how the kayak feels under the full load. Weather should be ideal for this testing.

A month to go!

Got exactly a month before the trip. VHF radio died so I ordered a new one. Getting my gear sorted; food; logistics; maps, etc….

Getting anxious and excited. Hope the weather holds :)!

John Dunlap from Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures has graciously offered to help with my pick-up at the Sitka airport and getting some items that I can’t take on a plane with me like fuel, emergency flares, bear spray. Thanks!

Sending John a 20lb box of food and gear so I don’t have to lug it on the plane with me. Got already three full bags worth of gear to take on the flight: 1 bag for the kayak and 2 duffle bags full of kayak and camping gear will run me an extra $90 each way. Wish I could take only two bags but don’t think I can squeeze so much gear in to only 2 duffles.

The Khatsalano has been a challenge to pack for a two-week unassisted trip with food. But using smaller 3 and 5 liter dry bags I find more pocket areas to stash smaller items all around the bow and stern. Still I need to use a large stern deck bag to put extra gear on deck. Am not happy about that as the deck bag will probably create added windage, especially in cross wind situations but I have no choice as I also need to pack with me my 3 duffle bags so I don’t have to purchase new ones in Juneau. Either the tent or the bags will go on the stern deck for lower profile.

I’m going to use a combination of 1 small BearVault canister and 1 Ursack bear bag for food storage. Barely can fit the BearVault through the stern deck hatch but it fits. Hopefully I can camp for much of the route on islands and avoid camping in bear habitat, if at all possible.

Preparing for my solo Alaska Kayak trip

Going to kayak Sitka to Juneau May 29-June 13th 180 nautical miles in my Feathercraft Khatsalano.  Am acquiring gear now and testing out equipment.  This is going to be a challenge to pack and live out of the kayak for 10-12 days unsupported and is really a test for next year’s attemp at the Inside Passage in late summer/early fall.

 
The proposed route is to leave Sitka, kayak towards Kruzov Island, Salisbury Sound, then the west coast of Chichagof Island into Lisianski Inlet, past Elfin Cove, Point Adolphus, Hoonah, across Icy Strait, Couverden Islands, across Chatham Strait, around north tip of Admiralty Island and into Juneau through the Mendenhall flats.  I anticipate about 20-25NM/day and give myself a day or two for bad weather.  But if things turn bad, I can bail in Pelican or Hoonah, catching the ferry to Juneau.  If things are bad in Salisbury Sound just north of Sitka I can duck into Peril Strait and go on the inside (east side) of Chichagof Island and up Chatham, though it will be a long haul up this deep ditch towards Juneau.

In any case, lots of opportunity to improvise and explore, per conditions on the ground.  Will test my skills, endurance, gear, food, and enjoy the scenery.

Getting Ready for Alaska

OK, got less than 3 months before I set out to Alaska to kayak some 180NM from Sitka to Juneau. Am now getting the gear ready and trying to fit all the stuff in my Feathercraft Khatsalano. 2 weeks worth of food in that boat is going to be tough. We’ll see…..

New Blog for PCT/IP 2011 Attempt

This is a new blog where I’ll try and post my preparation, training, and trips as I prepare to attempt to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and kayak the Inside Passage (IP) all in one year, 2011.