Since we got back from SE Asia two and a half weeks ago Dave and I have been hard at work planning for our sea kayak trip in Alaska. We’ve been sorting through gear, making lists of things we need, shopping in Boulder and the surrounding area to fill in holes in our gear stash, making orders on the internet for other gear and clothing, making food lists and menus and then shopping for food, quantifying food and then making more lists and shopping. All the while Dave has been going through the dry bags, camping and other kayak gear and making repairs and conditioning things to start this trip fresh.

Trip Outline

  • On Friday, June 27 – We’ll start our trip in Bellingham, Washington with our friends Kris and Leslie, where we’ll get on a ferry of the Alaska Marine Highway System on the Inside Passage / Southeast Alaska route. Three days later we’ll arrive in Sitka, Alaska.
  • July 2 – Starting from Sitka, the current plan is to paddle around Baranof Island as well as possibly Kruzof and Catherine Islands. We have six weeks to leisurely paddle and explore many of the fjords and bays.
  • August 10 – the four of us will arrive back in Sitka.
  • August 12 – Stick and Leslie will leave for home, and Dave and I will then paddle up to enjoy Glacier Bay National Park for about three weeks.
  • Wherever we decide to end our trip, Dave and I will hop on another ferry and make our way back to Bellingham.

Kris, better known as Stick, is Dave’s best friend from high school. Stick, Leslie, Dave and I shared a long weekend kayaking and camping on the Colorado River (Black Canyon area) last year in January, one of the coldest weekends of the winter. That was so much fun we decided to plan this trip to Alaska together. They have a good run-down of the trip details, time line, and their preparations on their website.

Where is Baranof Island and Glacier Bay?



These three days are going to be fun, as we camp on the deck of the ship, watch the glorious scenery go by, and play the first of many games of travel Scrabble with Stick and Leslie.

Now, I must get back to packing…