^{Alaska August  17th-25th 2008}

Alaska              
( beginner to intermediate )

We will fly into Anchorage and drive to Homer (the starting point of the original Iditarod) where we will spend the night before heading out on our 6 day kayaking and hiking adventure.


Requirements:
Paddling Experience: Intermediate - you will have taken Intro to Kayaking as well as an Intermediate Course or have the equivalent skills. In addition, you feel comfortable out on the open water and in conditions of waves and wind.
Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $800 to reserve kayaks and campsites/cabins. 
Transportation You will be responsible for getting yourself to Anchorage at the designated time and getting yourself home (round trip tickets are pretty inexpensive if you buy them in advance)  All other costs of hotels, car rental or ferries will be split equally between the group
Paddling Gear - We will be renting in Alaska 
Personal Gear - you are responsible for your own clothing, tents, camping gear, food etc.  Any questions, please contact chicagokayak@comcast.net
Goals- You should be easy going and be flexible in your attitude. The group will determine the daily itinerary while on the water - we will be taking each day as it comes. This is going to be laid back and relaxing - if this is not what you are looking for, then this trip is not for you.
Availability There are only 8 spots available.  This is on a first come, first serve basis.

Reserve your spot $800 Deposit - Non Refundable.  Total trip price is expected to be approx $1,000 which will include kayak rentals, drysuits, van support, gasoline and accomodations
 

Itinerary
Day 1 (August 17th)
Meet at Anchorage Airport (Ted Stevens) by 3 pm and drive to Homer (approx 6 hours)
Camp out or stay in hostel/cabin in the Homer area
Dinner at the Spit Fire Grill Homer Spit Road, Homer, AK 99603

Day 2 (August 18th)
Early rise, arrive Homer Port by 10am for water taxi to Katchemak Bay State Park
Land in Tutka Cove, either camp or stay in the yurt
Set up camp
Paddle to Tutka Bay Lagoons, have lunch, hike and lay in the sun- be back at camp by 9pm
Campfire at night
 

Day 3 (August 19th)
7am -Early start Paddle to Kayak Beach (about 4.5 miles) , break for bathroom stop, then head out into the racing waters of Eldred Passage and into Sadie Cove for an additional 2 miles, Prepare lunch whle we are out, collect water to filter before turning back. (Approx miles covered for the day 14-15)


View from Camping in Anchor Point

Day 4 August 20th
Morning Paddle
2pm - Water Taxi return us to HomerUnload gear and kayaks
4:30 Dinner at Fat Olives 276 Ohlson Ln, Homer, AK 99603 9072358488 Camp in Anchor Point, AK  on the Beach - Cook Inlet - with views of Mt Illiana and Mt. Redoubt

Day 5 August 21st
Drive to Seward
Set up Camp at Exit Glacier
Into Town for lunch at
Visit the Sea Life Center
Return to Camp and hike 3 miles of the Resurrection River Trail

Day 6 (August 22nd)
Drive to Hope - Class 4/5 rafting on Six Mile Creek
Camp or cabin in Hope for accommodations

Day 7 (August 23rd) Drive to Anchorage- depart for Chicago in the morning

Add on some additional Days (August 23-25th)
Denali junket - a park of almost 6 milion acres! - Extra $350 per person

Day 1 Drive to Denali - stop to view wildlife along the way
Stay at Park Lodge - small day hike that evening after dinner

Day 2 Take Shuttle Bus into deep into park - Hike the park - accommodations = camping
Day 3 Whitewater Rafting on the Nenana

Day 3 Drive to Talkeetna (Operations base for Denali Mountaineering)
Lunch there and then return to Anchorage for a late flight out







Any questions, please e-mail chicagokayak@comcast.net

Important Links for our Alaska Trip

Seldovia Tide Tables (Applicable to Tutka Cove
Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park