Glacier Bay Kayak 2009
In June 2009, I spent 22 days kayaking through Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park. 400,000 people per year visit the park but most are in big cruse ships and only 10 % of them ever touch land. About 700 people each year use a kayak but half of them are local. Four of us packed our food in bear canisters that fit into two double kayaks. We saw calving glaciers, 12 grizzly bears, humpback whales, and an uncountable number of bald eagles. We kayaked 267 miles and saw most of the two major arms of Glacier Bay. The only significant costs were for plane fare and the cost of renting the kayaks at the park. Other paddlers were Armando Menocal, Craig Miller, and Dave Erskine. Our itinerary is below. We started paddling on June 16. For people who are really interested, I can send you a detailed trip report.
ITINERARY
Day -2 - fly from LA to Gustavus, camp at Bartlett Cove cg
Day -1 - camp at Bartlett Cove cg
Day 1 - 16 miles, camp at York Creek
Day 2 - 17 miles, camp at Dirt Glacier
Day 3 - 21 miles, paddle Adams inlet, camp at Dirt Glacier
Day 4 - 16 miles, camp at McBride Glacier
Day 5 - 18 miles, paddle Muir Inlet, camp at McBride glacier
Day 6 - 11 miles, paddle Channel of Death, camp at Rowlee Point
Day 7 - 16 miles, camp at Tingit Point
Day 8 - 18 miles, paddle Tidal Inlet, camp at Gloomy Knob
Day 9 - 0 miles, climb Gloomy Knob, camp at Gloomy Knob
Day 10 - 15 miles, camp at Queen Inlet
Day 11 - 10 miles, food resupply, 4 mile crossing, camp at Blue Mouse Cove
Day 12 - 10 miles, paddle Weird Bay, camp at Skidmore Bay
Day 13 - 10 miles, thru Skidmore cut, camp at Reeds Inlet
Day 14 - 4 miles, hike Reeds Glacier, camp at Reeds Inlet
Day 15 - 10 miles, camp at Topeka Glacier
Day 16 - 5 miles, camp at end of John Hopkins Bay
Day 17 - 22 miles, camp at Tarr Inlet
Day 18 - 5 miles, day paddle to Marjorie Glacier (Rich only), camp at Tarr Inlet
Day 19 - 12 miles, camp north of Russell Island
Day 20 - 14 miles, camp at Rendu Inlet
Day 21 - 13 miles, camp at Queen Inlet
Day 22 - 2 miles, boat pickup, camp at Bartlett Cove cg
Day 23 - Fly from Gustavus to home
Read MoreITINERARY
Day -2 - fly from LA to Gustavus, camp at Bartlett Cove cg
Day -1 - camp at Bartlett Cove cg
Day 1 - 16 miles, camp at York Creek
Day 2 - 17 miles, camp at Dirt Glacier
Day 3 - 21 miles, paddle Adams inlet, camp at Dirt Glacier
Day 4 - 16 miles, camp at McBride Glacier
Day 5 - 18 miles, paddle Muir Inlet, camp at McBride glacier
Day 6 - 11 miles, paddle Channel of Death, camp at Rowlee Point
Day 7 - 16 miles, camp at Tingit Point
Day 8 - 18 miles, paddle Tidal Inlet, camp at Gloomy Knob
Day 9 - 0 miles, climb Gloomy Knob, camp at Gloomy Knob
Day 10 - 15 miles, camp at Queen Inlet
Day 11 - 10 miles, food resupply, 4 mile crossing, camp at Blue Mouse Cove
Day 12 - 10 miles, paddle Weird Bay, camp at Skidmore Bay
Day 13 - 10 miles, thru Skidmore cut, camp at Reeds Inlet
Day 14 - 4 miles, hike Reeds Glacier, camp at Reeds Inlet
Day 15 - 10 miles, camp at Topeka Glacier
Day 16 - 5 miles, camp at end of John Hopkins Bay
Day 17 - 22 miles, camp at Tarr Inlet
Day 18 - 5 miles, day paddle to Marjorie Glacier (Rich only), camp at Tarr Inlet
Day 19 - 12 miles, camp north of Russell Island
Day 20 - 14 miles, camp at Rendu Inlet
Day 21 - 13 miles, camp at Queen Inlet
Day 22 - 2 miles, boat pickup, camp at Bartlett Cove cg
Day 23 - Fly from Gustavus to home
