With today the time of the advent calendar should be over until next time, December 2011. But I thought it might be a good idea to offer a christmas riddle as an extra. continue reading…
Meanwhile I’ve got some feedback from Optimus about the Nova stove and from Condor about the claim of my kayak’s transport damage. The responses couldn’t be more different.
It’s already November and autumn is on his way to say slowly goodby, although the temperatures in Freiburg are quite moderate around 60 ºF (15ºCelsius). The situation looks a bit different in the Yukon Territory and Alaska. Temperatures there are around the freezing point (32ºF or 0ºC) in Whitehorse. In Emmonak they are even lower with Fairbanks as coldest place. For the upcoming weekend temperatures of 5ºF (-15ºC) are forecasted for the night in Fairbanks.
Already during my journey down the river the question came up which equipment I would consider to be recommendable and which not. At this time I gave a short feedback based on my experiences with my gear so far. Due to a recent event I come back to a particular piece of equipment. My statement to the Optimus Nova stove at this time was:
Puffin
Hello Lukas,
Even though I’m meanwhile back in Germany I’d like to wish you all the best to your birthday by means of this bog article.
I hope your birthday will be as colorful as the bird on the right. I took the picture on my journey to Seward. The cruise with the small boat to the resurrection bay gave me the first opportunity to observe puffins sitting on their cliffs and bluffs; occasionally taking of to look for fresh seafood. Amazing how they dive into the water to catch a fish.
The photo to the right I actually shoot in the Alaska SeaLife Center, where I could get even closer to the birds.
All the best and lots of fun celebrating … ;:mrgreen:
As mentioned in one of the previous articles only Gerlinde, or the Triton Ladoga to be more factual was nit surviving the return trip in good shape. Today I sent Condor a nice letter expressing my disappointment about the damage. 
I’ve just looked at my blog and noticed that already more than a week passed since I published my last article. It’s high time for an update. The most important news is probably that I’m back home in Germany. And this already since more than a week. continue reading…
I’m right now at the airport in Fairbanks using the opportunity to write some articles for the blog. But again and again I zone out. Four months I’ve been in Canada and Alaska, was able to see many things and to experience a lot of adventures. What has changed? Have I changed? It’s difficult for me to give a feedback to this questions? The future will finally give the answer.
Horizonte / horizons
What stays is melancholy, a little bit of proudness and gratefulness. The melancholy to have to leave this wonderful scenery. The proudness being able to get successfully to the Bering sea and a deep feeling of gratefulness. To my family and friends at home, who crossed their fingers for my me. To my team which supported me and maintained the blog when I was floating down the river.
Special thankfulness I feel for the hospitality which I could experience, for the opportunity to make acquaintances and to find new friends going down the Yukon river. Looking at the bottom line that’s probably the key insight I take with me: Having found new friends.
It’s already a while ago when I was adding a new article to the blog. Thus I try to add some of the gaps just before my flight starts. Actually the last two weeks were dedicated to visit friends who I found during my journey down the river.
Fall time
Back to the (almost-) starting point of my paddle tour. It’s a strange feeling being back in Whitehorse almost three months after I had begun the journey. On June, 18th I started from Whitehorse after the Headwater Lakes stage – not sure whether I will make it down to the Bering Sea. But now even the arrival to Emmonak four weeks ago ist past…
The drive from Fairbanks to Whitehorse for a distance of thousand kilometers or six hundrets miles gives at least an idea about the distances I’ve paddled by Kayak. The weather the past few days was extremely pleasant. Sun, blue sky and moderate temperatures. On top of this the amazing fall colors. Even when driving for hours you’re never get sick of those.
Autumn in the north has it’s own beauty and in when it’s going with the current weather it is definitely no insider tip for travelers anymore. The forecast looks good for the next days and so I’m perfectly happy: Enjoying the remaining time here and looking forward to my return, which comes closer and more concrete day by day.
The next few days I will visit Denali National Park. From Tuesday on I’ll be somewhere in the “woods” to help a friend making her cabins ready for the winter. End of this week I’m heading towards Whitehorse to catch my backpack, but most of all to say “Hello” to some friends. And then it goes most probably very fast until my return flight departs and the chapter Alaska will be (temporarily) closed….
Today, after some time, you can find a new gallery of the stage from Circle to Yukon Crossing Bridge. Or with different words: The flats. Many rumors are told about this stage but also some valuable information is available. The Yukon river starts to split up in several smaller arms already before Circle and keeps odd with himself for several hundred miles until he decides to become one river again. The river can get up to twelve miles width in total.
Homer was the past few days my base for several activities, which me allowed to see more of the the Kenai peninsula. And of course to experience the flora and fauna of Alaska.
The Diamond Creek Trail with it’s starting point on the Diamond ridge Road led you right at the beginning through elders, high grass and wildflowers. Glimpses of open water invite you to shoot a photo. The trail is sometimes a bit muddy but all over it’s a fairly easy downhill path along the cliffs. Arrived on the beach you have two options: Going southwest in direction Bishop’s Creek to Homer or Northwest all the way to Anchor Point. I decided to go for the first option and it was a good choice. It should become an Eagle day. Never before I saw so many bald Eagles so close as on this day.
Bald Eagle
Similar as on the Coastal trail to Caines Head in Seward this one requires to take the tidal conditions into account. This time I had the advantage of low tide around noon giving me plenty of time for the hike. The tides for the Katchemak Bay report a range of about 28 feet. Although the quite often published statement, that this area has the second highest tidal range worldwide, is according to Homernews not true – I think the number of 28 feet is quite impressive.
The hike itself was despite all the tidal considerations all the way dry 
. I was lucky again to met very nice people on my way; after an hour or so I met Chris and her daughter. This was beneficial in several ways. First of all Chris was an incredible Eagle spotter. She could see Eagles already I hardly was able to see a tree. Moreover she offered my some of her own smoked salmon during or break – just awesome. Additionally I had nice company for the hike, so time flew. Last but not least I came to a free ride back to my car which saved me eight miles of walking…
The second activity I’d like to describe was an affront towards Gerlinde – I decided to paddle another kayak for the second time on Kenai – in this case a Necky Looksha V. The sea kayaking tour took me to the other side of Ketchemak Bay . Alison – the owner of True North Kakyak – brought us with her little but seaworthy water taxi “Harlequin” across the bay to Yukon Island .
Sea Otter
Brad, our Guide for this day, was already waiting for us. Different than the other days this day started rather uncomfortable: overcast and rain. But during our tour the weather improved, the rain stopped and at the and we could enjoy sun and blue sky. Again bald eagles could be observed hunting fish but the virtual star were the sea otters. Brad’s comments an immense knowledge about the animals and the underwater world made this excursion a memorable event.
I already commented on Katchemak Bay enthusiastically (by the way thanks to mr. januar for all the feedback, comments are always appreciated …) . Just can repeat myself: An ideal playground for anybody looking for active recreation in combination with incredible nature. continue reading…
Beside hiking to the Harding Icefield I allowed myself two additional hikes.
The first of the two was hiking up to Mount Marathon, which allows spectacular views to Resurrection Bay and Seward.
A cruise on the Kenai Fjords National Park with plenty of sea life and several glaciers is a must. Several cruise lines offer various packages. I decided to go for the “Captain’s Choice Tour” from Kenai Fjord Tours. This package really burdened my budget but has the advantage that you’re on a small boat and the route will be tailored according to the interests of the passengers.
Harding Icefield
The Exit Glacier was two times the target destination during my stay in Seward. The first time I hiked the Harding Icefield Trail- Hiking this trails means gaining 1000 feet of elevation with every mile. The trail start on the valley floor and winds up through cottonwood and alder forest, followed by heather filled meadows until you reach the tree line. A little further up a breathtaking view of the Harding Icefield is your reward.
The last few days I was exploring the area around Seward on the Kenai peninsula, also known as Alaska’s Playground. An area which has it’s name absolutely to it’s right, as more as this time the weather cooperated.
The focus was in activities by foot, since the lower extremities were missed out in the daily exercise program of the last weeks. Several day hikes result finally in sore muscles, which in combination with the typical weather for this region – rain – gives me the opportunity to work on some articles for the blog.
The water taxi took us to the eastern side of the Resurrection Bay. Drop off on a beach and we could prepare ourselves for the sea kayak tour.
Gallery
