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Northern Lights Log (2008-07-10 -> 2008-07-29)
Leaders: Katie Tennille and John Henderson
Students: Ellen Alpaugh, Rags Coxe, Connor Dobbs, Richard Douglas, Hillary Dwyer, Mary Kate Hetzel, Rachel Pitman, Mary Stuart Smart, Rose Spencer, Lindley Sytz
Our group has just completed their sea kayaking section in Prince William Sound. Internet connections are tough, but we hope to hear from Katie and John by Friday to update us of their travels. Stay tuned.
Trip Update 7-18-08
Greetings from the “Greatland”!
We have just completed the first leg of our expedition, a 5 day sea kayak in Prince William Sound. After a long day in the Anchorage airport, we headed up to Portage to catch the train to Whittier, where we began our journey. When we arrived in Whittier, we were greeted by our sea kayaking guide, Megan. Megan took us through a short lesson that afternoon and gave us all the gear we needed to prepare for 5 days on the ocean. After a long day, all were tired and went to bed early.
Waking up on our first day of sea kayaking we were greeted by blue skies and calm seas. Everyone met Megan down by the water for a short introduction in paddling boats and then the first leaders of the day, Rachel and Richard, led us on the water for the first day of paddling. We headed out into Passage Canal for a long day to Entry Cove. Even though the Paddle was long, everyone was able to push through and enjoyed a great dinner of Bean Bowls prepared by Hillary, Rags, and Lindley. All were into to bed early, so that we would be ready for the next long day on the water.
The second day on the water began with an early morning wake up and a quick breakfast, so that we could get out on the water and head for Hobo Bay. Out on the water there was wildlife everywhere, and Rose help us spot a sea otter with a young pup on its back. The paddle to Hobo was hard with on and off rain and sun, but everyone arrived at camp in high spirits.
For the third day on the water, Conner, as leader of the day, showed excellent map reading skill as he led our paddling group into the Barry Arm, otherwise known as “Glacier Land”. The cloudy skies parted as we paddled through the waves, and we were able to view the majestic glaciers from miles away. As we arrived at Black Sands Beach, the whole group was speechless as the stepped on to the beach adjacent to three gigantic glaciers.
With a rest day on black sands beach, everyone was able to relax after working so hard to get there. Even though it was a rest day, Mary-Stuart was able to motivate people to go on a day paddle, where we were able to get more intimate with the glaciers. Mary-Kate was awe struck as we watched large chunks of ice fall from the glacier face and into the water. Everyone went to bed early that night, to get ready for an extremely early morning paddle back to Hobo Bay for our 2 pm pick-up.
After meeting our boat shuttle back to Whittier we had a nice scenic bus ride through Alaska to Chickaloon, on which Ellen was able to keep the group entertained with her song and jest. Now we are in Chickaloon, preparing to begin our trek into the Alaskan wilderness. Everyone is having a great time and we will check back in ten days.
Sincerely
John and Tennille
Trip Update 7-29-08
Greetings from the land of the midnight sun, or for the backpacking section I should say the midnight rain! We started our eight day backpacking trip heading for Hicks Lake as large storm clouds loomed overhead, but we were lucky and arrived at our first campsite after the rain and snow had fallen and were blessed with blue skies for the evening.
The second day began with a hike along Hicks Creek to just below Hicks Lake, a beautiful high alpine lake filled with fresh water from snow melt.
That night, Rose, Conner and Ellen made a fantastic team as they fixed AMAZING quesadillas which made everyone happy and put everyone to bed with a full belly.
Wind and clouds picked up on the third day as the group moved past Hicks Lake toward Caribou Creek. However by the end of the day, the clouds had cleared and blessed us with another beautiful night in Alaska. We set up camp below a massive grey cliff that the creek had carved out over the years. Its size and slope were totally breath-taking. The group was truly humbled below its massive face. On this night, the boys (Conner, Rags, and Richard) decided to sleep outside under the night (barely) sky. In the early morning hours the three were awoken by not only a moose "tip hoofing" through camp but also by a curious fox that came to check out our food supply. It was the last time the boys slept outside.
Day four started with a warm summer sun and a light wind. But the weather changed quickly as we hit the trail. The sun disappeared behind high rain clouds, not to reappear for a long time. However, with the wind in our face on the trail, we had ideal conditions to spot wildlife. The wildlife came in the form of two gigantic moose, calmly grazing near the trail, unaware of our presence. This day also brought the trip's first major river crossing, which led to Hill taking a quick summer dip in Chitna Creek. But the cold water did not dampen her spirits, and Mary-Kate readily lent her a pair of dry clothes to put on.
The following day we crossed Caribou Creek six times as the river snaked through a deep canyon. We camped at a very nice spot witching the canyon, at the base of glass creek. That night the wind a rain began to pick up, which kept in the canyon for second day, which we used to rest up for long hiking days ahead.
The morning after our rest day, the rain let up just enough to allow us to get up into the high country. We traveled up into the Alaskan tundra in the Glass Creek drainage. Mary-Stuart did not let the rain bring her down as she led the group in speed and carried the heaviest pack. The weather continued to worsen throughout the day as we set up camp in three inches of snow. As everyone stayed warm in their sleeping bags inside their tents, Tennille and I cooked dinner for the group. Everyone ate quickly and hopped into be in anticipation for a long cold snow night.
The weather did not turn out as bad as we anticipated, and everyone awoke to find that some of the snow had melted. We all packed packs quickly in preparation for the last and longest day of our backpacking section which took us up and over a mountain pass then into a drainage leading to the Chickaloon River. Rachel led the entire group up and over the snow pass and into the valley on the opposite side with great speed, eventually leading all the way to the landing strip next to the Chickaloon River.
With the backpacking section finished, we waited for the rafting guides to fly in with all the rafting gear. After a cloudy morning, the plane began to land and bring in gear and guides in the late afternoon. We had a fantastic lunch brought in by the guide then suited up and got on the river quickly.
Despite the cold river water, everyone remained in high spirits because of Lindley's constant encouragement. We continued to be blessed with good food from the raft guides through the next couple of day. After coming off the river on the second day, the only adventure that was left was a trip to the airport, which was a sad day for all. It was really hard for the group to say goodbye after sharing such good times with each other and tears were shed. But I encourage the group not to say goodbye, but instead tell each other "until we meet again," because I know this group will not remain apart for long.
Now with everyone at home, warm and dry, they have plenty of memories to look back on after conquering the coldest, wettest summer in Alaska since 1928. Great job to everyone and Tennille and I are proud of everyone in our group.
Until we meet again, sincerely
John and Tennille
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