Day 1: Saturday: Paddle 14 miles, put up tents in Surprise Cove State Marine Park.
Day 2: Sunday: Paddle 10 miles to the Goose Bay Public Use Cabin.
Days 3 to 5: Monday - Wednesday: Take day jaunts exploring the sheltered waters around Culross Passage and Long Bay. This might be about 10 miles per day.
Day 6: Thursday: Paddle 10 miles, put up tents in Surprise Cove State Marine Park.
Day 7: Friday: Paddle 14 miles to Whittier.
The round trip will be 80 miles or so at a gentle pace, around 2.5 mph.
Saturday morning we'll take the 7:30 to 7:45 Whittier Tunnel opening and launch together around 8:15 or 8:30. Bring a credit card to pay for the tunnel access.
This trip will be canceled or dates adjusted if excessive wind is expected. Weather can change quickly; be prepared and know your limits.
Bring a sea kayak, paddle, skirt, life vest, rain hat, rain gloves, dry suit (or, if you can roll, a dry jacket will do), food, water, camera, TP, toiletries, medicines, tent, mattress, sleeping bag, and recommend bringing a gallon of kerosene. Maybe a flashlight, batteries, and a phone charger. If you lack any of these items, please let me know in advance and I may be able to bring an extra, or you may be able to rent from Paddler's Realm in Whittier.
I have a radio receiver for weather updates and very limited emergency communication via satellite.
Plan on a leisurely launch from Smitty's Cove at 60.7772,-148.6655855. To pay the $11 parking fee, you may need to download and use the Passport app (enter Zone 9001 for Whittier AK); the kiosk near the US Coast Guard has been out of order. You can download the app from home or from that kiosk (it has a QR code on it to make it easy, but using the app adds a dollar or so).
