FlatulenciaRoar
Dazed and Confused
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2008
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Some of the more memorable outdoors experiences of my life occurred on a kayaking trip to Alaska.
After a float plane trip from Glacier Bay to Chichagov Island, we headed along the coast of the island to the first camping site. It was a beautiful, fairly clear day at the outset and I was foolishly wearing a cotton rugby shirt.
Later in the day it turned cold and heavy rain came up so I put on a GoreTex jacket. Another big mistake. Soon I was soaked to the skin. The campsite was at the end of a long inlet, and as I turned into it headed straight into a strong wind. The kayak was short and wide, and very heavily laden with a week's provisions and gear. It was like paddling a log.
It plowed through the waves rather than ride over them, and the waves would break over me. It was like pulling one's self up a rope through a waterfall.
By the time I reached the camp I was deeply exhausted and hypothermic. With help I got my tent pitched, I stripped and got into my sleeping bag shivering violently. I don't remember how long the shivering went on, but when it stopped I got up although I barely had the strength to stand up.
I made it out to the big meal of fresh salmon, potatoes, etc. that had been prepared and ate plate after plate of food. My body had been drained of every readily available calorie and I was voracious. I didn't think I could hold that much.
Afterwards, although it was still early, I went right to bed. I was fine the next morning, and the day that followed was much more memorable.
After a float plane trip from Glacier Bay to Chichagov Island, we headed along the coast of the island to the first camping site. It was a beautiful, fairly clear day at the outset and I was foolishly wearing a cotton rugby shirt.
Later in the day it turned cold and heavy rain came up so I put on a GoreTex jacket. Another big mistake. Soon I was soaked to the skin. The campsite was at the end of a long inlet, and as I turned into it headed straight into a strong wind. The kayak was short and wide, and very heavily laden with a week's provisions and gear. It was like paddling a log.
It plowed through the waves rather than ride over them, and the waves would break over me. It was like pulling one's self up a rope through a waterfall.
By the time I reached the camp I was deeply exhausted and hypothermic. With help I got my tent pitched, I stripped and got into my sleeping bag shivering violently. I don't remember how long the shivering went on, but when it stopped I got up although I barely had the strength to stand up.
I made it out to the big meal of fresh salmon, potatoes, etc. that had been prepared and ate plate after plate of food. My body had been drained of every readily available calorie and I was voracious. I didn't think I could hold that much.
Afterwards, although it was still early, I went right to bed. I was fine the next morning, and the day that followed was much more memorable.
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