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The Trip

One of Alaska's premier kayaking destinations, Prince William Sound, resides just south of Anchorage. This wild, remote, and beautiful coastline is a special gem among the crown jewels of wilderness experiences. The summer of 2013 offers a unique opportunity to participate in two events that are critically important to the preservation of this amazing area. First, massive amounts of debris from the Japan tsunami are headed to Prince William Sound. According to Chris Pallister of the nonprofit Gulf of Alaska Keeper Organization, “… this is the single greatest environmental pollution event that has ever hit the west coast of North America. . . It far exceeds the Santa Barbara or Exxon Valdez oil spills in gross tonnage and also geographic scope.” While some light debris arrived in 2012, the heavier, current-driven debris is expected in 2013. We will be part of the clean-up effort. Second, as 2013 unrolls and brings us closer to the big wilderness celebration year of 2014 -- 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act -- the Sierra Club and others in Alaska want to seek wilderness status for the huge College Fjord-Nellie Juan Wilderness Study Area surrounding Prince William Sound. Currently, Chugach National Forest, arguably America's wildest and least roaded national forest, has no (zero) designated wilderness. We will assist the Forest Service in assessing wilderness characteristics of the area to help them as the agency starts to revise the land management plan for the Chugach National Forest.

By early spring of 2013, the precise needs of the Forest Service and the various agencies involved in the tsunami debris cleanup effort will be updated and our specific trip plan revised as called for to ensure our volunteer service efforts will be put to the best use. The current plan calls for us to paddle and camp along the coast of Knight Island. Our group, plus kayaks and gear, will be transported from Whittier to the first of two basecamps by water taxi. Once there we will be on our own until the water taxi picks us up at the end of the week. We have a general route in mind, however, we will let the weather, the tides, and any safety considerations dictate our movements. We aim to spend 2-3 nights at our first camp, paddling out each day to collect debris to be picked up later by USFS or other cleanup partner vessels. Midweek we will pack our gear into our kayaks and spend a day paddling to a second basecamp farther along the Knight Island coastline. We will then continue our project, paddling to various locations in the new area.

In addition to carrying out important clean-up efforts, paddling these waters in sea kayaks is the perfect way to explore the sweeping mingled land and sea scapes of Prince William Sound. Our double kayaks are stable, quiet, and can go places other vessels cannot reach. The silent visitor may see wildlife that could include bald eagles, whales, seals, sea otters, and bears, just to name a few. We hope to have opportunities during the week to explore the island, possibly hiking up to a vantage point for a totally different perspective of the area. Hiking in Alaska is very different from the lower 48 in that there are no trails and you may be wading up glacial streams or through thick alder trees in order to reach more open, sometimes still snow-covered, meadows. If you've never been to Alaska before, this will be an extraordinary introduction -- a true wilderness experience without heavy backpacks. Plan to arrive well rested, because the extended daylight hours and wonders of the area will encourage you to stay up well past your usual bedtime.

Please note that the trip leader has been visiting Alaska for over 15 years and has led several trips in Prince William Sound. However, this trip is a new itinerary and the leader has not paddled or hiked these particular routes -- so bring your spirit of adventure as we explore this new area together.

The Project

As U.S. Forest Service volunteers, we will begin our project with a comprehensive safety orientation. This will include very specific instructions as to what debris we will clean up and what we will leave alone, reporting its location to the USFS or other agencies for special handling. NOAA and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation confirm that it is highly unlikely that the tsunami debris has been affected by radiation from Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Reactor. The debris was already in the ocean, miles away from the reactor, before the radioactive water leak developed. Spring/Summer 2012 inspections of Alaska beaches have found no marine debris with levels of radiation above normal. The magnitude of this 2013 cleanup project is unprecedented. In the words of our forest service liaison, we will be assisting in "a dirty job, no doubt, but also a rewarding and historic one."

So on the one hand we will help return Prince William Sound to its natural state -- and at the same time help influence the future preservation of it as designated wilderness. "Assessing wilderness characteristics" is a formal requirement for agencies that manage our federal public lands as they will help the agency meet its Forest Plan direction to manage the area in accordance with the 1964 Wilderness Act. We'll learn more about how all this works and discuss why our 1964 Wilderness Act is such a major cultural and environmental achievement. And some of our observations may actually become a part of Chugach's revised plan.

Itinerary

The trip officially starts in Anchorage on the morning of Tuesday, July 2nd, and ends back in Anchorage on the evening of July 8th. You should plan on arriving in Anchorage two days early to allow for flight and baggage delays. There will be a pre-trip meeting on Monday, July 1st. This is a good opportunity to meet the other trip participants and to solve any last-minute equipment challenges. We will depart early Tuesday morning from Anchorage for the two-hour drive to Whittier by charter bus. There we will pick up our kayaking equipment and load everything onto our charter boat for the ride out to Knight Island, where we will set up our first camp.

Before beginning the paddling portion of the trip we will take time for kayak instructions and safety information about coastal paddling and cold water. You will learn how to fit everything you brought plus our group food and equipment into those tiny hatches on your boat. Once oriented to our boats, weather permitting, we will set out for a “shakedown cruise” so we’ll be ready for our first cleanup day the next morning. We plan to move camp once midweek. On July 8th, our water taxi will pick us up and transport us back to Whittier to board our charter bus back to Anchorage. We should arrive late afternoon in time for that wonderful shower before dinner.

When you are approved for the trip by the leader, you may make your airline reservations to Anchorage and start thinking about accommodations there. We will let you know about possible hotels, bed and breakfasts, or hostels after you sign up. You should try to arrive in Anchorage by June 30th if possible. You may schedule your departure for as early as July 9th or stay on for more Alaska adventures.

Accommodations and Food

There are no developed campsites on Knight Island, so be ready for wilderness camping. This may include setting up tents on moist, uneven surfaces and cozying up to your fellow group members under a tarp at mealtime when the bluster of Prince William Sound weather reminds us of the forces of nature, which we cannot control.

All on-trip food will be provided by the leaders, and preparation and cleanup will be shared by the trip participants with the leaders' guidance. Vegetarian preferences can be accommodated. The first trip meal will be lunch on July 2nd on our way into Prince William Sound. The last meal will be breakfast on the last day. Lunch that day will be on your own in Whittier before the shuttle takes us back to Anchorage. We'll also plan a final no-host dinner at an Anchorage restaurant on the 8th.

Trip Difficulty

Kayaking is a wonderful, gentle way to explore the wild coastline of Alaska. It is not as exhausting as backpacking in the arctic, but there are some very specific requirements: You must feel comfortable in a small boat with a cockpit a few inches above very deep ocean water; you must be able to sit for a couple of hours at a time with your legs straight out in front of you; and you must be able to swim in cold water if there is an emergency. In general, our paddling days will vary from 6 to 15 miles. Keep in mind that 6 miles can seem like 15 if you are paddling against the wind or a strong current, so building up the muscles in your arms, shoulders, and lower back before the trip is essential. You need not be an experienced kayaker to enjoy this trip. We are happy to take novices who are willing to learn basic kayaking skills from the leaders. However, we strongly encourage all participants to take a basic kayak and self-rescue class in advance of the trip if you do not already have those skills.

Expect to do a lot of walking and carrying of equipment up and down the beach each day, sometimes over wet and possibly slippery rocks. Prince William Sound has some of the most extreme tidal differences in North America -- up to a 20-foot difference between high and low tides at this time of year, which can translate to a long walk to secure boats and gear. You must be able and willing to work as part of a team. In addition to your personal gear, expect to carry your share of the 80-pound kayaks and community equipment and food. To truly enjoy this trip, you owe it to yourself and the group to get into the best possible physical condition before the trip.

Another aspect of the trip's degree of difficulty has to do with the weather and other land and sea conditions we encounter. For example, several rainy days in a row can feel stressful, as can persistently sunny weather with an abundance of mosquitoes. The best strategy is to relax, be flexible, and understand that it is all part of the Alaska experience!

Equipment and Clothing

While out in Prince William Sound we will be camping every night. You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and pad. It is absolutely essential that your tent be waterproof. Extended periods of rain are possible, and staying dry can become a serious safety issue. Detailed lists of recommended clothing and equipment will be sent to participants after they register for the trip. Most of this is similar to what you would use on a backpacking trip, but a few more items are necessary to stay dry on the water. Our footwear on sea kayak trips includes wearing "Wellie" (Wellington-style) rubber boots (aka “Juneau tennis shoes”), as we launch and land in water that is ankle- to calf-deep. Do not plan on bringing cotton clothing as cotton will chill you when wet and refuse to dry in the damp air.

References

• National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated Map: Prince William Sound - West. Available at http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_761.html or various other outlets.
• Delorme Atlas of Alaska. Available in the travel section of most major bookstores, you'll find this trip's general area on page 72.
• Twardock, Paul, Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound.
• Information on the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act: http://www.wilderness.net/50th
• Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation website has a wealth of information about the tsunami debris cleanup efforts: http://www.mcafoundation.org/
• NOAA website Japan tsunami marine debris FAQs: http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/tsunamidebris/faqs.html
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation regarding tsunami debris: http://dec.alaska.gov/commish/tsunami-debris/
• Joint agency website re: tsunami debris cleanup: http://disasterdebris.wordpress.com/

The trip leaders will also provide copies of topo maps of our paddling area.

Conservation

A key conservation focus of our outing (but not part of our service project) to Prince William Sound will be the emerging campaign in Alaska to seek wilderness status for the long-established Forest Service Wilderness Study Area comprising most of the land around Prince William Sound. A Congressionally legislated WSA in the Chugach NF, the huge -- 2.1 million acres -- College Fjord-Nellie Juan WSA has never been acted on by Congress, in part because Alaska’s legislators have over the years not been supportive of additional wilderness protection in Alaska -- the state in our country that has far more designated federal wilderness than any other. And while the Forest Service is mandated to manage this big WSA in a way to keep its wild qualities inviolate until Congress should make up its mind about the long-term status of the area, local activists have recently been concerned that management may be allowing activities that degrade the wilderness values. As 2013 unrolls, and brings us closer to the big wilderness year of 2014 -- as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act -- the Sierra Club and others in Alaska who are already gearing up for major wilderness activities and events plan a renewed wilderness campaign for College Fjord-Nellie Juan WSA.

An additional (but related) conservation “thread” to note on our trip is the upcoming revision of the Chugach National Forest management plan -- exact timing not yet certain. A comment period for such a planning process is an excellent opportunity to urge the agency to make additional recommendations for wilderness. In its previous plan, the Forest Service recommended only a relatively small portion of its big WSA for actual wilderness designation. Present agency management may be more receptive to wilderness, and the strong public comments on the new plan, when the time comes, could be instrumental in formulating a better recommendation.

We are honored to have Vicky Hoover as our trip conservation coordinator. Vicky has led Sierra Club national and international outings for nearly 40 years, including the Club's first official "activist outing" in 1993. She served as Sierra Club’s Alaska staff in San Francisco for 20 years, encouraging Sierra Club members in the Lower 48 to get involved in Alaska issues and producing a newsletter with action alerts on contacting legislators and agencies, as needed. Vicky is now directing the Sierra Club’s role in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act -- as well as co-leading the national effort for the 50th, which involves many organizations and agencies. Check out 50th anniversary plans at http://www.wilderness.net/50th.

Travel in Alaska and the Arctic

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Jan Lockie has been an outdoor guide for over 17 years, leading paddling, backpacking and wilderness trips in her home state of California, as well as Alaska, Canada and other outdoor destinations. She is a certified Recreation Therapist and Wilderness First Responder who enjoys introducing people to the wonders of the outdoors. Working with Wilderness Inquiry, Environmental Traveling Companions and the Sierra Club, Jan is most content when she is in the wilderness, experiencing nature and the companionship of other outdoor enthusiasts.

E-mail: jan@janlockie.com

Assistant Leader:

Rebecca Dameron, assistant leader, began her sea kayaking experience on a sea-kayaking trip to Alaska in 2006 and she was hooked. Since then she has kayaked in the Everglades and elsewhere in Florida, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Iceland, Chile, New Zealand, Scotland, and Greenland. She loves experiencing the quiet and power of the kayaks as well as the water. Seeing the coastline from this vantage point is a treasure.

E-mail: becdameron@cox.net

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners