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Natural
History Base Camps at Columbia Glacier Itinerary
Columbia
Glacier to Valdez 5 Day Tour
DAY 1 Meet at the office of Anadyr Adventures for a pre-trip safety
briefing, paddling lesson and equipment fitting. After loading
kayaks relax and enjoy the transport ride to Columbia, enjoying
the views offered through the port and narrows of Valdez Arm.
Speeding into Heather Bay, you may catch your first glimpses of
Columbia Glacier, the sound's largest. Marvel at the surrounding
beauty as we launch into our boats in the tranquil and protected
waters. We begin our tour with a relaxing paddle, exploring the
small bays and inlets leading up toward Columbia. This is a perfect
time to spot playful otters rolling around icebergs and watchful
eagles high in the trees overhead. Arriving at the terminal moraine
of the glacier, which is the deposit Columbia left behind upon
its retreat, we prepare to explore. Don't forget your camera because
this is the land of photo opportunities. Walking around giant
icebergs stranded on the moraine with the tallest mountains in
the Chugach range as a backdrop is not a sight you will soon forget.
This is a perfect time to eat lunch and enjoy the scenery. After
lunch prepare for a breathtaking paddle in the land of ice. Perhaps
this is the experience that lured you to Alaska in the first place.....paddling
among floating ice in a bay so tranquil you can see your own reflection
on the water. Weave your way among the ancient forms as you enter
deeper and deeper into the bay. Get your photo taken in front
of bergs or just relax and enjoy the splendor. Whatever your taste
is, this is an experience that should not be missed. After making
camp next to a gorgeous waterfall, relax enjoy your dinner and
take in the evening light.
DAY 2 In the morning after breakfast we will pack up and begin
our tour toward Valdez. Our destination is 17 mile beach, a perfect
place to camp with a view. Explore the coast along the way, all
the while looking for eagles, seals, sea lions, bears and whales.
DAY 3 After breakfast we will pack our boats and prepare for our
paddle out to Sawmill Bay, perhaps one of the most beautiful of
all the State Marine Parks. Along the way keep your eye out for
whales who have been known to cruise this part of the Valdez Arm.
After making base camp on a beautiful beach at the edge of an
old growth forest, paddle up a pristine river and watch the salmon
spawn. This is also a popular place to see black bears and eagles
fishing for salmon so don't forget your camera! Upon returning
to camp, sit back relax and take in the colors of the evening
as the guides prepare (or help you prepare) your meal. Sitting
by the crackling of the fire, it is a perfect time to bask in
the rich experience of the day and to get excited about the next
day's program.
DAY 4 Wake up early and smell the coffee! Today we will paddle
to Shoup Glacier. After a hardy breakfast, we will pack the boats
and begin our journey into the arm and around Potato Point. Along
the way bask in the beauty of falling water as falls cascade from
hundreds of feet up the cliff faces. This is a great time to watch
for wildlife such as otters, seals, sea lions and occasionally
whales. Stop for lunch and spend some time beach combing on the
rugged coastline between Sawmill and Shoup Glacier, our intended
destination for the evening. Once in Shoup Bay, the first views
of Shoup Glacier will begin to unfold. After paddling into the
inner tidal lagoon you will come in face to face contact with
the splendor of a tidewater glacier. Experience the awesome beauty
of the blue ice and listen to the cracking and popping as ice
prepares to calve into the azure waters of the bay. After exploring
and visiting the Black-legged Kittiwake rookery, now numbering
more than 20,000 birds, we will make our way to a camping spot.
After dinner relax, go for a short hike on the moraine, or simply
relax and wait for the special opportunity to see the Northern
Lights spread out across the evening, star -filled sky.
DAY 5 After a breakfast and beverages, head out into the bay one
more time for a morning tour. This is a great time to get those
last photos by the glacier. We'll than paddle back to break down
camp. Now we begin our journey back to Valdez, paddling the beautiful
coastline of Port Valdez. Along the way learn more about the mining
and gold rush history of Prince William Sound as we paddle by
the cliff mine. Watch for eagles as we pull into Gold Creek, a
state marine park. Lunch time and a perfect pit stop in between
Shoup and Valdez. After lunch take a short hike up to the steep,
basalt gorge littered with waterfalls and big trees. This is the
northernmost example of the temperate rain forest which stretches
from Coos Bay in Oregon to Prince William Sound and southern Alaska.
The last three miles back to Valdez are good for seeing river
otters, seals, sea lions and bird life. Pull back into the small
boat harbor of Valdez mid to late afternoon.
Moderately
strenuous
Cost
Adults: $1165/person
Children: $ 935/person
Dates
Adult Camp: June 10-14
Family Camp: July 5-9
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