LAUNCH
STATS
POPULATION 8,909
AVERAGE SUMMER HIGH 62°F (July)
ANNUAL PRECIPITATION 132 inches, falling on 252 days.
WILDLIFE
Whales, sea lions, sea otter, seal, brown bear, wolves, marten, bald eagle, Pacific salmon.
TERRA Cozy USFS cabins, TRIPS
ALASKA’S OUTER COAST Discovering Sitka’s Tongass treasures
Adam Andis is a photographer, conservationist and kayak instructor who works with the Sitka Conservation Society to protect his adopted home.
The operative word for Sitka is REMOTE. Just a couple hours of paddling from town will find you in true wilderness. Keep paddling in any direction and it will be weeks before you encounter another town.
I made my first visit to Sitka by kayak, paddling for two weeks through some of the most beautiful, ancient country imaginable. I shared the water with in- numerable humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds, otters and occasional orca. I shared my campsites with one of the world’s densest populations of brown bear under the canopy of one of the last remaining old-growth temperate rainforests. The best part about paddling in Southeast Alaska—a region roughly the size of Maine—is that it is nearly all uninhabited public land, mostly within the coun- try’s largest national forest: the Tongass.
Once I reached Sitka, I fell deeply in love with this tiny fishing town that perches on the western shore of 100-mile-long Baranof Island, overlooking the Gulf of Alaska and the cratered summit of Mount Edgecumbe. After years working to explore and protect this place, I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. ADAM ANDIS
30 | ADVENTURE KAYAK
If you have a day explore Sitka Sound right from downtown. Float over kelp forests, watch bald eagles, sea otters and sea lions, and search for whale spouts as you weave through the network of islands.
If you have a weekend tour 17 miles south to Goddard Hot Springs, soak in the relaxing waters and explore Baranof Island’s wild outer coast.
If you have a week paddle to Kruzof Island and reserve one of the many public Forest Service cabins. Hike to the top of the dormant Mt. Edgecumbe volcano for breathtaking views, walk the black sand beaches, or paddle out to St. Lazaria Wildlife Refuge to see nesting seabirds.
If you have two weeks kayak the outer coast of West Chichagof Island Wilderness. Follow the route of historic rumrunners through a maze of untouched islands and hidden bays full of spawning salmon and brown bears.
undeveloped wilderness camping on beaches and in old-growth forest.
TIDES
Tidal exchange reaches 20 feet with currents up to eight knots in channels.
DIVERSION
See traditional Native paddle craft at Sheldon Jackson Museum.
LOCAL WISDOM
File a float plan with Sitka Mountain Rescue (907-747- 3233) before you head out.
OUTFITTERS
Latitude Adventures—day trips, expeditions, rentals, instruction;
www.latitude-adventures.com. The Kayak Shed—half-day and day trips, rentals, sales;
www.thekayakshed.com.
MUST-HAVE
Bomber rain gear, rubber boots and bear spray.
PHOTOS: ADAM ANDIS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84