Spend the day at Shoup Glacier kayaking among icebergs, hiking on the recently ice freed glacial moraine and in the rugged mountains of Chugach National Forest. Camp with a glacier in view. The following day paddle back toward Valdez along the picturesque shoreline of Port Valdez stopping at Gold Creek for the night or just for lunch. You will have numerous opportunities to see seals, otters, eagles, shore birds and occasionally bears. Wildlife lovers will find an added treat near the glacier visiting the fastest growing black legged kittiwake rookery in Prince William Sound.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet at our office for a pre-trip safety briefing, paddling lesson and equipment fitting. Load boats on our specialized water taxi and sit back to enjoy. The ride out to Shoup Glacier takes approximately 40 minutes. Once we arrive in the outer bay we will unload and spend some time packing gear into kayaks. We then officially begin our kayaking journey as the experience of paddling in Prince William Sound starts to set in. Among the majestic peaks of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Hogan, your guide will begin to tell you about the natural history of the area and introduce you to some kayaking concepts to make your tour more comfortable and fun. After paddling (or, depending on the tide, lining) our boats up the tidal river which separates the outer and inner bays of Shoup, we arrive at our destination for the evening: The fantastic inner tidal basin at the terminus of the glacier. A more perfect place to camp would be hard to find. We set up camp in a stand of alders with a trickling creek nearby to supply us with water, eat lunch and return to our kayaks for our afternoon’s enjoyment. Throughout the rest of the Day, relish the beauty of the place as our knowledgeable guides lead the way. Enjoy intimate glacier viewing as the glacier cracks and moans and, perhaps, calves. Take a hike up the moraine or on the glacier itself. Enjoy a ringside seat for the spectacle that is Shoup Bay. In the evening relax in our specialty cook tents as our quality guides/chefs cook up some fine camp cuisine or help you in organizing your own. After dinner relax and share stories, take a walk, beach comb or simply soak in your surroundings ... this is your time!
Day 2: After a breakfast and beverages, head out into the bay one more time for a morning tour. This is a great time to get those last photos by the glacier. We’ll then paddle back and break down the camp. Now we begin our journey back to Valdez, paddling the beautiful coastline of Port Valdez. Along the way learn more about the mining and gold rush history of Prince William Sound as we paddle by the Cliff Mine. Watch for eagles as we pull into Gold Creek, a state marine park. Lunch time and a perfect pit stop in between Shoup and Valdez. After lunch, take a short hike up to the steep, basalt gorge littered with waterfalls and big trees. This is the northernmost example of the temperate rain forest which stretches from Coos Bay in Oregon to southern Alaska and Prince William Sound. The last three miles back to Valdez are good for seeing river otters, seals, sea lions and bird life. Pull back into the small boat harbor by mid to late afternoon. Be prepared for both intense periods of sunshine and for cold rainy days. Prince William Sound has a warm and wet coastal climate, typical of temperate rain forests. Temperatures range between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but abnormally cold spells can happen when night time temperatures drop to the below 40s. You should come prepared for wet or dry weather. Sea kayaking fortunately is a sport that can easily be pursued while raining. Provided you are adequately dressed, seas tend to be calmer and wildlife is more easily approached. You should follow standard layering techniques in your choice of clothing.
We recommend you to bring minimum of 2 sets of warm clothes:
First Set:
- Pants/Long Johns: preferably wool, fleece, or polypropylene - they are excellent sources of warmth even when wet. I recommend fleece clothing because it dries very quickly and retains its warmth when wet. Synthetics do dry faster than wool.
- Upper body: 3 layers of wool/polypropylene /or fleece, (i.e., long john top, shirt, jacket) and a windbreaker.
- Feet: Warm socks, one pair per Day and 2 additional pairs I personally prefer polypro and wool blend socks with standard high top rubber boots (called break-up boots in Alaska) for getting in and out of the boat, for hiking and tide pooling. I strongly recommend that you bring your own boots, so as to assure proper fit. However we do have a supply of boots available for you to use. Please let me know the sizes you need in ample time so that we can have them available.
- Hands: We provide pogies for fully guided clients. Polypro or wool gloves are also very good with rubberized dish washing gloves to put over them on rainy Days Please bring at least 2
pairs of gloves
- Head: A ski cap and baseball cap.
- Rain Gear: Good rain gear is essential for protection from both rain and wind. It should fit well and be sturdy if you have a dry suit, paddling pants, jacket and/ or booties- bring them along.
Additional Set:
- This can be additional warm clothes in case you get too cold or wet & should include: a wool sweater, wool or fleece pants (or light weight wind pants), a wool gloves and/or mittens, wool or fleece hat.
Additional items:
- T-shirt, shorts, thin loose pants;
- Thin loose long sleeve shirt to prevent sunburns, sun glasses;
- Comfortable camp shoes (ex. Tennis shoe, sandals, camp moccasins);
- Sun screen 15-25 rating;
- Insect repellent and or mosquito head net, small day pack for hiking;
- Croakies for sun glasses or glasses, water bottle;
- Pocket knife, watch;
- Waterproof flashlight or head lamp, extra batteries.
Your personal toilet items should include:
- Towel Toothbrush/paste;
- Biodegradable soap, hand towel for tent;
Camping Equipment: Note: We will provide these items for fully guided clients (if necessary)
- Sleeping pad;
- Sleeping bag –3 season. Down is not recommended;
- Tent – a full cover rainfly is recommended.
Optional Items:
- Camera, film and replacement batteries, binoculars;
- Books, umbrella;
- Fishing license: can be purchased anywhere in Alaska. Licenses can be purchased for a day, week, month, or year.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Price: 2 Days: $300/person; $375 with meals included;
- 3 Days: $400/person; $480 with meals included;
- Minimum age 12, easy to moderate.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
