What do you do when Alaska throws almost every type of weather at you during a four-day camping trip? Let me tell you. . . You see the beauty in both the driving rain with gusts of wind, and the blue skies dappled with sunshine. You maintain a cheerful attitude, hunker down and discuss the great books you’ve read, eat delicious hot meals, drink a lot of tea, and laugh a lot!
A huge thanks goes out to Siobhan (pictured above, leaping for joy for a much-deserved sunny day in Columbia Bay), who travelled all the way from Melbourne, Australia, to join me on a sea kayak adventure. She was everything that a guide wishes for in a client and paddling partner; helpful, cheerful, funny, adventuresome, and with a “ready to rally” attitude.
Getting the Family Back Together for the 28th Season: Continuing the Legacy of Anadyr Sea Kayak Guides in Valdez, Alaska
We call it the “anadamily”, and it extends far beyond the current nuclear family of Anadyr guides, office staff and managers. A few weeks ago when I was excitedly anticipating the arrival of the other guides to Valdez, I sent them a message asking, “What are you excited about for the upcoming season?”
Former Guide & Office Queen, Morgan & Sara
Of course, we are all looking forward to the exploratory perks of our employment as sea kayak guides in a state as vast and wild as Alaska. We often comment on having the most beautiful office to go to every day. Yet, what stands out to me more is the mutual feeling of being part of a special family. This season, my sixth, is number three for Bagel, Aidan, Jared, and KC. It’s the second for Mark, Dalton and Denise. Sami is joining the Anadyr team after guiding for a different tour company in Valdez last year. And as far as the extended “anadamily” in the community of Valdez, it’s hard to go anywhere and not run into an anadamily member (former guide, office staff, client, spouse, child, brother-in-law, niece). I happen to live on the same street as a handful of former Anadyr guides, totaling about 20 years of collective guiding. When we speak of their years guiding for Anadyr, I can detect a glimmer in their eyes as they reminisce about Sea Otters, Glacier Island, Valdez Glacier, and camping trips in Prince William Sound.
Anadyr Adventures was started in 1989 by Hedy Sarny, the same owner today. . . so that’s a lot of seasons of kayak guides, office staff and managers. Imagine the number of guests who have walked through our doors, been shown how to put a spray skirt on and been handed a paddle to embark on what many describe as a trip-of-a-lifetime. The heart and soul of Anadyr remains the same as it did 28 years ago: a genuine love and admiration for Prince William Sound.
Without further ado I introduce to you the 2017 Anadyr Adventures Sea Kayak Guides:
BAGEL: I am excited for another season in the mighty Chugach mountains where I have found my peace and connection to this Earth and I hope to share that love with all who come out with us this summer. As the creatures of the Sound migrate back for another season, so do the guides, with enough passion and excitement to fill the ocean. I can not wait to show you our home.
SAMI: I am incredibly excited to be a part of the Anadyr team this summer! The mountains, the ocean, and the beautiful town of Valdez. I am looking forward to exploring and adventuring in new and familiar places. And of course, introducing folks to the incredible place we call home.
DALTON: What I’m most excited for is to be back together with all of the wonderful people that we get to live and work with. I can’t wait to see how the glaciers have changed to again be surrounded by wildlife and ice. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the interesting people who come on our trips, and of course camping trips! I’m so excited to sleep out under the stars next to the rolling waves on the beach, and to climb the mountains up to the hanging glaciers that feed the amazing waterfalls. Valdez is such a magical place.
JARED: I’m excited for exploring new camping spots, seeing where the glaciers are at and checking in on the whale carcass.
GOOSE: I’m excited for camping trips, the training trip, seeing all the guides, and spending another summer in the most stunning wilderness.
KC: Looking forward for everyone to reunite. Can’t wait for endless sun, adventures, icebergs, and softball.
DENISE (our office queen): I’m excited to see everyone again and just to be back in Valdez.
MARK: I’m excited to hear the melodious sound of Ilene’s voice.
ILENE: I’m excited for that warm feeling when I run up the stairs to the Anadyr guide’s apartment, swing open the door and am greeted with an enthusiastic “Ileeeene!!”. . . To wake up to the sound of waves rolling into shore from my cozy sleeping bag on the south side of Glacier Island. . . To notice the subtle changes in the ice at Columbia Glacier. . . To feel that contagious joy when someone sees a Sea Otter for the first time.
TASH (honorary Anadamily member): I’m looking forward to seeing you guys the most. And the snow nipped mountains, adventures in the icebergs and karaoke.
So get ready for another exciting fun- and adventure-filled summer! Join the growing Anadamily and share your Alaskan experience with us.
Hello everybody! This is Ilene, senior kayak guide for Anadyr here in beautiful Valdez, Alaska. I’ve been enjoying a sunny spring, delighting in watching the days grow longer and warmer. Before we know it the snow will be gone in town, flowers will be blooming and heaps of visitors will be arriving to explore and discover all that the area has to offer. I finally got into a sea kayak the other day and felt happy to be paddling once again in Prince William Sound, greeting the Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals and Sea Otters. Back for my 6th season with Anadyr Adventures I continue to be amazed and inspired by the beauty and wildness of this place.
Lunch with a view of Columbia Bay
Do I ever tire of returning to the same places with different guests season after season? No, absolutely not! That’s why I keep coming back. The wildlife, the mountains, the glaciers, the icebergs, the sky, and the water offer the chance to tune in and discover the subtle yet constant changes that occur in this dynamic marine environment. Just like no two icebergs are the same, no camping trips will ever be the same either. Anadyr offers a variety of camping trips for all experience levels, time frames and trip goals. We are excited to be expanding our camping trip offerings, highlighting the awe-inspiring environment of eastern Prince William Sound, one of the most spectacular places for sea kayaking! Check out these two new and unique camping trip itineraries.
The Chugach Mountains offer an awe-inspiring backdrop to Columbia Glacier
Glacier Island to Columbia Glacier Discovery Trip 5-Day ($1625/person Fully Guided)
Diverse wildlife, boreal forest, rugged coastline, sea caves, towering icebergs, serene bays and coves, cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, glacial moraine, and the dramatic recently-revealed landscape from the retreat of the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. This unique trip is Alaska at its’ best!
Glacier Island, with its’ rugged coastline and sea caves, is home to numerous bird and marine mammal species, including Horned and Tufted Puffins, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, and the chance to view bear, Humpback Whales and Orcas. A highlight is paddling amongst Steller Sea Lions, as the island hosts a large haul-out for these playful and active animals. It’s a dream-come-true for wildlife enthusiasts.
A rowdy crew of Steller Sea Lions adds a thrill to paddling Glacier IslandNothing like seeing a whale tail from the seat of a kayak
This trip takes us into Columbia Bay, one of the most breathtaking and dynamic bays in the area, ringed by the majestic and snowy glaciated peaks of the Chugach Mountains. We will explore the popular bird-nesting site and often ice-dotted glacial moraine, where Columbia Glacier sat until the start of its’ retreat in the early 1980’s. The peaceful boreal rainforest and distinct coves of this bay and its neighbor, Heather Bay, are home to a delightful diversity of birds, ducks and mammals, including Arctic Terns, Loons, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, and Sea Otters. At certain times we can observe salmon returning to their natal streams. If conditions allow, we will paddle the recently-exposed shoreline all the way to the face of this impressive glacier, as it calves icebergs into the water, an unforgettable and powerful experience for all to witness.
This wilderness trip-of-a-lifetime will allow you the feeling that you are experiencing the best of Alaska’s dramatic and awe-inspiring environment.
Navigating through icebergs in Columbia Bay
Columbia Glacier to Long Bay Exploratory Trip 6-Day ($1900/person Fully Guided)
Diverse wildlife, boreal forest, towering icebergs, serene bays and coves, cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, glacial moraine, rarely visited glacial lakes, and the dramatic recently-revealed landscape from the retreat of the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. This exciting wilderness trip allows you to discover one of Alaska’s most breathtaking and dynamic areas.
Enjoy the tranquility of Long Bay
With the majestic and snowy glaciated peaks of the Chugach Mountains as the backdrop, Columbia Glacier towers above sea level, frequently calving large icebergs into the water. We will paddle amongst these glistening ice sculptures as we cross Columbia Bay, discovering lakes and ice left over by the glacier. The popular bird-nesting site and often ice-dotted glacial moraine left over after Columbia Glacier started its’ retreat in the early 1980’s offers a unique landscape to explore. We will have many opportunities to view a diversity of birds and ducks, possibly bears and Mountain Goats, as well as paddle amongst Harbor Seals and Sea Otters that frequently haul out onto the ice.
We will enter Long Bay, a glorious gem of a bay, surrounded by boreal rainforest, cascading waterfalls, muskeg meadows, and towering rock cliffs. Wildlife viewing opportunities include Humpback Whales, Orcas, bears, Bald Eagles and other birds and ducks, Sea Otters, Harbor Seals, and salmon returning to their natal streams.
This trip will leave you feeling inspired and amazed at the best of what Alaska has to offer.
Bald EagleSea Otter on an iceberg in Columbia BayLife is good with ice aroundHappy paddlers in front of the face of Columbia Glacier
I hope this has you as excited as I am about Anadyr camping trips! I encourage you to peruse other blog posts for previous camping trip descriptions and photos, as well as read client testimonials to see the wonderful things that former Anadyr guests have to say about us. Contact us for more information. We love hearing from you and hope that you’ll join us for a trip-of-a-lifetime in the great wilderness of Alaska’s Prince William Sound.
Mama Harbor Seal with her newborn pup on Glacier Island
Anadyr Adventures offers four types of trips: day trips for those with limited time in Valdez, multi-day camping trips, Mothership trips for those desiring the amenities of a support vessel, and lodge based trips offering Prince William Sound day excursions from the comfort of a remote Alaskan wilderness lodge.
What others are saying about Anadyr Adventures
Keith Goetzman of Pioneer Press writes about life amongst Columbia Glacier's "Growlers". Read about what professional travel consultants are experiencing with Anadyr Adventures.
Read what our clients from Trip Advisor are saying about our Alaska sea kayaking, hiking, and camping trips.
A Denver Post writer accompanies an Anadyr 5 Day trip.
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