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Guided Multi-Day Glacier Trips-

Ketchikan Kayak Co. is offering five day guided kayak trips to LeConte Glacier in 2013 and beyond. LeConte is the southernmost saltwater terminating glacier in North America, and is located about half way between Ketchikan and Juneau. Join us as we take an Alaska State Ferry from Ketchikan to Petersburg, and disembark on a journey through constantly changing ice and glacially carved fjords deep in the southeastern Alaska rainforest. Towering waterfalls, steep cliffs, and low foggy clouds will surround you as your kayak glides silently through a maze of floating ice. This area offers unparallelled beauty in a remote yet accessible by kayak location.

For five days you will kayak along rainforest shoreline as we make our way from Petersburg to LeConte Bay and back. On day three, once in the bay itself, we will attempt to paddle to the head of the glacier, depending on the amount of ice, wind, and weather. However, from day one there will be ice along the route, and the nicest formations are typically not up close to the face of the glacier. Camping will be along the rough shoreline, and there are very few places to camp due to the terrain.

This is an exciting trip for novice or experienced paddlers. We do cover some terrain, but at a casual pace. Every day is unique, and you will wake up to new ice formations on the beach, and see one of a kind ice throughout each day. This is an amazing area with limited pressure, and no cruise ships come anywhere near. Kayaks are the perfect craft to weave through this paradise.

Trips are limited to only four people! This offers a private and peaceful journey. If you have more than four people as part of one group, please let us know and we'll make a trip just for your group.

This trip comprises many different things. The overnight ferry ride to/from Petersburg is an experience in itself, and is intentionally part of this trip. The paddling will take us through some variety as well. We start out paddling through the small, busy fishing docks of Petersburg, along waterfront homes, then suddenly out to wilderness and beyond. The waterways are completely protected from the open ocean. There is no swell. Wind is our only factor, and wind just is what it is.

You will be cooking your own food, and taking care of your own tent set up and other personal needs. We all pitch in to get kayaks up and down from the water, and whatever other group needs arise. Your guide is definitely there to help with any and everything, but we genuinely feel you get a better experience when you take on some of these tasks yourself. Your guide will be Ketchikan Kayak Co. owner Howard McKim.

Logistics - The trip is 9 days from your front door back to your front door. Here's the breakdown:

7/23 Arrive in Ketchikan; hotel stay overnight

7/24 Open morning. Afternoon test packing kayaks and test paddling/beach landings. Trip briefing. 11:45pm ferry departure. Sleep on ferry. Arrive Petersburg 5AM.

7/25 - 7/29 Glacier paddling trip

7/29 Overnight hotel in Petersburg

7/30 Open morning to wander around Petersburg; 1:30PM ferry departure, arrive Ketchikan 11:45PM. Overnight hotel in Ketchikan.

7/31 Fly home

Looks crazy but it's smooth and easy. We arrange your hotels, ferry rides, and local transportation. Your hotel in Ketchikan is directly across the street from the ferry terminal, and just down the street from the airport. This schedule gives you some time in both Ketchikan and Petersburg.

The Details -

What’s included:

• Pre-trip practice/training day
• Hotel for first night in Ketchikan
• Round trip state ferry from Ketchikan to Petersburg
• Excellent fiberglass/kevlar single or double kayaks
• Expert guide
• Eureka Tents and ground pads
• Nice Werner paddles
• Stoves and pots
• All local transportation
• Overall support so you have the best time possible

What you need to bring:

• Sleeping bag
• Quality layered clothing (no cotton, that means no blue jeans!)
• Waders/rain jacket, or dry pants/top
• Camera
• Dry bags
• Snack items
• An adventuresome attitude!

Cost - $2700 per person

Dates - July 23 - July 31 *These dates are approximate. We are waiting for the 2013 Ferry schedule to be released, but the trip schedule will match what is above. It just might be slightly off on the dates. We will update as soon as the ferry schedule is released.