Surf and Turf

[Joseph Reeves]

We had a short time ( 8 days) and the desire to combine sea-kayaking with bushwhacking in Southeast Alaska. So, a two day paddle north of Juneau and a romp along three river valleys that empty into Lynn Canal. The paddling was hot ( 65-70) and the first bushwhack was brutal with, what my wife has termed, old growth Devils Club along pathless forest. Still, beats sitting in the office. A couple of pictures and the link to others http://www.flickr.com/photos/umnak

[Steven Evans]

Hi Joseph, first off, fantastic photos! Gotta love the different things (scenery and wildlife) that you get to see.

I have a question. You've got Admiralty Island in the background so I am guessing the browns are in town. What kind of precautions do you take when fishing/cooking fish (saw the fish photos) up there?

[Joseph Reeves]

We use Ursack bags with OPSAK ( odor proof) liners for our food. We carry bear spray and I carry a marine grade shotgun made ultralight with just the pistol grip ;-). Never used, but it calms my Irish Mother-in-law. "ach, the bears!"

Frankly, we get a little too familiar with the bears and seldom hang our Ursacks. We've found they want as little to do with us as we with them — OK from a distance but we live in different worlds. We tell them we are entering the forest and remind them every once in a while with a loud, " Hello Bear" We do tend to sleep close and we are all light sleepers. We get a little more thoughtful when the large runs of salmon start in July and August, tending to avoid Admiralty unless we are a group of 4. We would not camp near these rivers in August, right now the bears are mostly upland since they have already cruised the coast for spring's leftovers.

[Rog Tallbloke]

Fabulous locations and photos Joseph. I love your 'spring sunset' from april 10th. Any chance of a high res copy to print out for our wall?

[Richard Nisley]

Joseph,

Absolutely stunning scenery… thank you very much for sharing!

[Author]

Posts