Exploratory kayak tour to Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Tongass National Forest stretches for 500 miles along the coast, encompassing the beguiling karst region of Prince Wales Island, 700 square miles of limestone and marble caverns created by subterranean streams. POW, as it’s known to its 3000 inhabitants is home to Haida and Tlinket native groups as well as a few hardy souls that make their living in forestry and sport fishing. They share the island with numerous streams, dense rainforest, black bear and black tailed deer. The nearby waters are home to numerous whales, sea otters, crabs, four species of salmon, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout and char species. Tidal currents around the numerous islands can be quick, with many sheltered passes, areas of high relief and hundreds of miles of coastline. It shares a lot of the cultural and natural features of a trip to the Queen Charlottes, but is considerably easier to get to and much less costly. It’s starting to sound like Kayak Nirvana, isn't it? Wait, it gets better...

We'll be paddling a loop out of a small native village of Naukati on the West coast that offers a remote feel, yet the convenience of utilizing a forest service cabin along the route for a couple of nights. We'll be there in time for some interesting wild foods as well as King Salmon season, so along with playful tidal features, we get to enjoy great seafood, beach asparagus and some good side hikes up rivers. My co-leader for the trip is Patty, who in addition to being a fine banjo player, has been kayaking and guiding on POW for over 15 years. Having two guides means there may be times in camp when fast tidal features may lure a few out to play in waves while others venture forth to collect spruce tips for tea or simply wander up on crests for some good views. We plan a fairly leisurely pace for this trip (there may be some 15 mile+ days, but not the rule), so that we can spend a bit more time playing with waves, fishing, hiking or crabbing. Sound good to you? It sure does to me, so let's do it!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Sat; Arrival in Ketchikan, Alaska (a one hour flight from Seattle) in time for a late afternoon seaplane flight into Craig on Prince of Wales Island. Transfer to B&B for the night.

Day 2-3: Haul ourselves and our gear overland across the road system to our put-in at Naukati and paddle to Staney Creek area for a couple of days of exploring from there.

Day 4 to Day 7: Explore outer islands, inside passes, tidal creeks, tidal features....whatever weather and desire dictates...all from a few camps along the coastline North of Naukati.

Day 8: Paddle back to take out for overland shuttle back to Craig. Overnight at B&B, group dinner out (budget around $35 oyo).

Day 9: Transfer back to Ketchikan via ferry for flights back home.

Skill Level: Minimum BCU 3 star or ACA level 3. (We can bring you up to speed it you plan ahead.)

Price includes local seaplane flight, naturalist guides, permits, boat shuttles, lodging (price is based on double occupancy room at B&B, single tents may be available)- prior and after backcountry trip (on schedule), all meals as mentioned on the itinerary, local land transport, high quality kayaks, professional instruction, group gear (tents, kitchen gear, safety equipment) and the best backcountry food in the land.

Dry Suit Rental is recommended and is available for $180 from Uncommon Adventures for the week with prior notice.

Please contact seller before booking to discuss fitness level and qualifications.

Life is short. We want to help you make the most of it. We depend on the wild places of this planet for water, air, and a good dose of sanity. Positive wilderness experiences lead to a personal investment in their survival. Uncommon Adventures wants to help you realize your dreams while cultivating the preservation of that big, beautiful world out there. We arrange activities that are fun, self-propelled, and offer various degrees of physical challenge, from mild to wild. All experience levels are encouraged to join these trips — we enjoy sharing skills taught by the very best instructors available.

Uncommon Adventures specializes in kayak tours, certified kayak instruction, corporate retreats and backcountry fly fishing in fresh and saltwater environments. Since 1984, expert guides and professional workshop leaders have made Uncommon Adventures a good find for individuals, small groups and corporations.

We do not strive to be a large tour company offering "cookie cutter" experience to all corners of the world. Our focus is to offer excellence in a few very special locations that we know well, or we partner with local guides for the best local knowledge couple with our own high standards. Uncommon Adventures does not offer "seen that done that" kinds of experiences, but rather programs that are instructional in nature. You'll walk away with new skills, feeling more of an intimacy with the waterscapes traveled within.

"We live in a highly developed nation, with very specialized jobs, packed schedules and to-do lists that rival the roll in the bathroom. It is the beginning of the 21st century and we have never been more divorced from the planet that gives us life. I've developed these programs to address a screaming need for us all to get our hands dirty, our feet wet and breathe the musky aroma of earth back into our lungs. Put down that cell phone, go off-line, get out of the race...come outside and play."

• Michael Gray, Director