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.

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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…..

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