Hi Todd- I admire your sense of adventure and your bravery to go it alone. Thanks for sharing. Tim (I met you at Ruffas in June. Me and my fishing partners had some fish that went 12 lbs. you helped me do a little surgery on them to see what they were eating. Remember?
Of course I remember. I spent a lot of time on Rufus this spring, it was great training to spend all day in the currents chasing rainbows but I never found those big ones that you got into, my biggest went about 6. I am still eating from my supply of frozen rainbow and walleye. The fish from there are so good.
just started my 4th time of watching this adventure..... #Envious ..... I am purchasing my kayak this fall and hoping in 2 years I will be knowledgeable enough to have a smaller but similar adventure!! Just WOW!!!
Great to hear that your getting started. Even a simple overnighter trip across the local lake will teach you tons and then you build up from there. Thanks for the support!
Thanks. The really good footage should be up in another week or so. I'm trying to keep the format sequential rather than skip ahead so that the trip makes sense, but it's coming up.
Thanks. I'm not a great guide, but I know a few. This area is very very difficult as you'll see coming up in another week or so. It's so remote that leading a guided trip to this region without a rescue boat would be very unsafe. I'd recommend checking out The Kayak Academy for guided trips out of Sitka, George usually leads them and he is very safety oriented - see his books "Deep Trouble" and "More Deep Trouble". For years he wrote the safety column for Sea Kayaker Magazine.
I am planning a bucket trip like this... it my take a long time to get there but I wanna do something like this before I go on in.... moving on to part 2! Like 89
Nice one Todd. You got some great shots the whole time. Eating clams would be a first for me, and I have no idea how to cook them til I watched. I would have had a sandy meal for sure! I have to give you kudos for taking these long trips alone. Whereas I would find it uncomfortable doing 1 night alone, weeks might be too much. I suppose a person would get used to it. Oh and the grizzly bears....ever had a close call? I mean, you said you weren't even gonna use a tent, just sleep outside. I guess you were pretty confident there were no bears around? Thanks so much for sharing Todd. I'm looking forward to the next one!
If you like it so far stay tuned. Yes, I have bear encounters but I've never felt threatened. These are black bears and they these ones are very mellow. I saw nearly 2 dozen bears on this latest trip alone, sometimes 2 or 3 at a time. I filmed most of it. Plus I'll show how to smoke salmon and other fish over a fire using only woods from the forest, no metal frying pan. I did my first kayak camping trip at the age of 12 with my dad. I've been kayaking since I was 7. I'm 52 now and I have no plans to stop doing these types of trips. It's great to have you along.
As you already know, I really love you sharing all this. I started canoeing at age 5, but have never really done the wild alone. I am very intrigued by it all.
The POW trips are by far the wildest landscapes I've ever been thru and that includes Africa, Mexico, Australia and many other countries. This trip pushed me to my limits in many areas, but I trained hard for it and in many ways I was better prepared for this trip than any other I've done in my life. Life begins at 50! Thanks for the support.
They grill up nicely! Some of the best eating fish I've had. Columbia River Kings also very delicious. I bet those remote Alaskan fish taste great also. I was wondering ; do you pack bear spray? For me, it would be difficult to sleep knowing a big bear might come nosing into the camp.
I'm usually too tired to be worried about bears at night. I have woken up to hear them softly walking by my tent just a few feet from my head. That gave me pause the first time it happened. But overall I get pretty use to them moving around. I think if I had bear spray I'd end up setting it off inside my tent and gassing myself.
Hey Todd, watched your last Alaska trip just a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it and now your doing it again ! Do you think this could be done on a SOT kayak ?
I'd be hesitant to round the southern end of POW, but once you're behind Long and Dall Islands it's very doable. I met some folks that brought a canoe out to Hydaburg and started there. You can explore for weeks in that area and it's all protected coast. Or there's trips on the inside passage. My first trip was Petersburg to Ketchikan in 2012 and it was flat as a lake and that was awesome.
I live in Anchorage but Prince of Wales is tugging at me to visit. I may even retire out that way. What make / model of Kayak is that? I look forward to watching your entire series. Take care my friend.
awesome Cant wait for part 2 im jealous bro I would love to do a trip like this with someone like you it would be a blast. Where you from anyway Todd? im in Wisconsin we have some awesome lakes and rivers here.
Just a guess but I'd say 200 lbs before I get in. It felt pretty light this trip compared to 2013, but I trained harder for this trip when compared to my 2013 trip.
Thankfully never a Grizzly, but yes several bears come walking right into my camp during this trip. Bears have boundary issues. Bears start appearing about day 5 of this trip.
How much time does it take to find dry wood twice per day, start a fire and produce good cooking coals given that you're in the Alaskan rain forest that gets over 200" of rain per year? Now subtract that time from your daily routine: paddling, fishing, food prep, camp setup/break down, laundry, hygiene, food storage, sleeping, navigation, equipment upkeep...on and on.
it is feels like watching my fav tv show which I couldnt wait to watch another episode. I envy you and your adventures!
That's why I bring you along the best way I can. I'm glad you're enjoying them.
Hi Todd- I admire your sense of adventure and your bravery to go it alone. Thanks for sharing. Tim (I met you at Ruffas in June. Me and my fishing partners had some fish that went 12 lbs. you helped me do a little surgery on them to see what they were eating. Remember?
Of course I remember. I spent a lot of time on Rufus this spring, it was great training to spend all day in the currents chasing rainbows but I never found those big ones that you got into, my biggest went about 6. I am still eating from my supply of frozen rainbow and walleye. The fish from there are so good.
just started my 4th time of watching this adventure..... #Envious ..... I am purchasing my kayak this fall and hoping in 2 years I will be knowledgeable enough to have a smaller but similar adventure!! Just WOW!!!
Great to hear that your getting started. Even a simple overnighter trip across the local lake will teach you tons and then you build up from there. Thanks for the support!
Incredible! This Kansas boy has gotta get back up there! Excellent videos as always.
Thank You for coming along.
Off to a great start, I look forward to the rest of the trip to see what adventures you encounter.
Thanks. The really good footage should be up in another week or so. I'm trying to keep the format sequential rather than skip ahead so that the trip makes sense, but it's coming up.
Here we go!!! Thanks for taking us along Todd!!!
Right on!
What a great start to your trip - you seem nicely at ease with it all.
It was a good trip. I probably had enough room for more gear or food but I didn't forget anything.
great video i can't wait for the others.. thanks for share your adventure
Thanks
ALASKA is always a great destination to repeat your travel ! I love this place !
Alaska state of mind. I camp in other areas but it's always my favorite destination.
I'm pleased you found a little break in the weather. I know how crummy the weather can be in that neck of the woods.
You know it. I had 4 great days, then back to rain for the next 13 days. But it's the weather that separates the goats from the sheep in Alaska.
Nice. Makes me want to do a trip up there. My friend Yakkelberry would love this!
Thanks. It seems YakkelBerry watched it too (see next comment), thanks for the share.
River Kings - You're right. No one would have to draw bear tracks around those parts ;) It would be all natural eh?
I've learned so much in this video! I would love to experience that journey you're on!
Thanks. It was a good trip.
Incredible, i watched the Whole series i one evening. loved it, now i am going ut kayaking :). ceep filming M8, you make great videos.
Great to hear. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ill be paddling the mississippi river this june, 2019 but alaska is next on my list!! maybe the whole yukon river!
I've been watching your videos. Congratulations on making it down the Mississippi River.
The man is back at it again! If you start leading small kayak groups out I will pay $$$$ to go out there with you! Amazing adventures!
Thanks. I'm not a great guide, but I know a few. This area is very very difficult as you'll see coming up in another week or so. It's so remote that leading a guided trip to this region without a rescue boat would be very unsafe. I'd recommend checking out The Kayak Academy for guided trips out of Sitka, George usually leads them and he is very safety oriented - see his books "Deep Trouble" and "More Deep Trouble". For years he wrote the safety column for Sea Kayaker Magazine.
any seal trouble on the way over. cant wait for the next video
More otters than seals in that part of Alaska it seemed. They come up starting in the next video. It should be done in a day or two.
I am planning a bucket trip like this... it my take a long time to get there but I wanna do something like this before I go on in.... moving on to part 2! Like 89
It takes a lot of planning, but well worth it.
Nice one Todd. You got some great shots the whole time. Eating clams would be a first for me, and I have no idea how to cook them til I watched. I would have had a sandy meal for sure! I have to give you kudos for taking these long trips alone. Whereas I would find it uncomfortable doing 1 night alone, weeks might be too much. I suppose a person would get used to it. Oh and the grizzly bears....ever had a close call? I mean, you said you weren't even gonna use a tent, just sleep outside. I guess you were pretty confident there were no bears around? Thanks so much for sharing Todd. I'm looking forward to the next one!
If you like it so far stay tuned. Yes, I have bear encounters but I've never felt threatened. These are black bears and they these ones are very mellow. I saw nearly 2 dozen bears on this latest trip alone, sometimes 2 or 3 at a time. I filmed most of it. Plus I'll show how to smoke salmon and other fish over a fire using only woods from the forest, no metal frying pan. I did my first kayak camping trip at the age of 12 with my dad. I've been kayaking since I was 7. I'm 52 now and I have no plans to stop doing these types of trips. It's great to have you along.
Alright Todd, you got me pumped up for the next one! Looking forward to it my friend.
As you already know, I really love you sharing all this. I started canoeing at age 5, but have never really done the wild alone. I am very intrigued by it all.
The POW trips are by far the wildest landscapes I've ever been thru and that includes Africa, Mexico, Australia and many other countries. This trip pushed me to my limits in many areas, but I trained hard for it and in many ways I was better prepared for this trip than any other I've done in my life. Life begins at 50! Thanks for the support.
They grill up nicely! Some of the best eating fish I've had. Columbia River Kings also very delicious. I bet those remote Alaskan fish taste great also. I was wondering ; do you pack bear spray? For me, it would be difficult to sleep knowing a big bear might come nosing into the camp.
I'm usually too tired to be worried about bears at night. I have woken up to hear them softly walking by my tent just a few feet from my head. That gave me pause the first time it happened. But overall I get pretty use to them moving around. I think if I had bear spray I'd end up setting it off inside my tent and gassing myself.
Hey Todd, watched your last Alaska trip just a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it and now your doing it again ! Do you think this could be done on a SOT kayak ?
I'd be hesitant to round the southern end of POW, but once you're behind Long and Dall Islands it's very doable. I met some folks that brought a canoe out to Hydaburg and started there. You can explore for weeks in that area and it's all protected coast. Or there's trips on the inside passage. My first trip was Petersburg to Ketchikan in 2012 and it was flat as a lake and that was awesome.
I live in Anchorage but Prince of Wales is tugging at me to visit. I may even retire out that way.
What make / model of Kayak is that?
I look forward to watching your entire series. Take care my friend.
That was an old 90's Necky Tesla with extra glass on the bottom for dragging rivers and beaches.
Ktn and POW have had high PSP. Glad the clams didn't give you trouble!
Luckily no issues. I know that PSP is a factor.
Freaking awesome ! So good !Thank you man !
Thanks!
awesome Cant wait for part 2 im jealous bro I would love to do a trip like this with someone like you it would be a blast. Where you from anyway Todd? im in Wisconsin we have some awesome lakes and rivers here.
we miss your videos!! i hope you are ok
Thank You. Work and life got in the way of wandering on a kayak, but all things swing back and forth and one day I hope to get back to Alaska.
Great video
Thanks.
Hey Todd, what was the weight of your kayak fully loaded when you started out?
Just a guess but I'd say 200 lbs before I get in. It felt pretty light this trip compared to 2013, but I trained harder for this trip when compared to my 2013 trip.
Great vid, ever have a grizzly come into camp?
Thankfully never a Grizzly, but yes several bears come walking right into my camp during this trip. Bears have boundary issues. Bears start appearing about day 5 of this trip.
It was Sasquatch
As long as we have someone to blame it on.
Why waste your fuel? Just cook on the fire.
How much time does it take to find dry wood twice per day, start a fire and produce good cooking coals given that you're in the Alaskan rain forest that gets over 200" of rain per year? Now subtract that time from your daily routine: paddling, fishing, food prep, camp setup/break down, laundry, hygiene, food storage, sleeping, navigation, equipment upkeep...on and on.