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Ben Wisely
Boston, MA
bjw@tca-us.com

���ϳԹ��� Adviser: Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks (907-697-2257) in Gustavus is the place for rentals in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Ben. Prices run from $40 to $50 per day, including spray skirts, life vests, paddles, and rudders. They’ll also throw in a pre-trip orientation on paddling technique, wind, weather, tides, map-reading,
and, most important, how to kayak (or rather, not to) in the vicinity of calving glaciers. The next morning, you’ll lug your kayak onto the Spirit of ���ϳԹ��� for a drop-off at one of three designated spots in the bay. Make sure you get all your maps and gear in order, pick up the required bear-proof food canisters at the ranger’s office in
Bartlett Cove, and set your alarm clock nice and early; the ferry leaves at 7 a.m.($88 per person, one way).

As for the route, a good plan is to take the tour boat all the way up to a gravel bar near the snout of McBride Glacier in Muir Inlet. From there, paddle the 60-odd miles back to Bartlett Cove. The trip will take you at least a week, more if you spend some extra time taking in the not-so-shabby scenery: 15,000-foot mountains; garage-sized chunks of glacier falling off into
the sea; and the occasional killer whales, wolves, bears, and bald eagles.

You’ll love Glacier Bay, Ben. It’s one of the classic, don’t-miss trips around the country. For a sneak preview, read Tim Cahill’s account of his paddling excursion there: published in our June issue.

For more info, call the Park Service at 907-697-2230 for a copy of the Glacier Bay handbook (No. 123), or pick up Jim DuFresne’s Glacier Bay National Park: A Backcountry Guide to the Glaciers and Beyond (The Mountaineers Books, $10.95).