On a three day weekend, Adrienne, Scott (her brother who was visiting from San Diego), Tim, Anne, Berryl, Arc, and I set out on a raft trip down the Kennicott, Nizina, and Chitina rivers. The first day we drove to McCarthy, handed our keys to some folks at Wrangell Mountain Air, and then rafted the Kennicott and Nizina rivers - they were spectacular. The next two days were spent on the Chitina. It is a mammoth river - large volume and wide river valley made it feel more like being on open seas than on a river. On our last day, we got hit with strong winds in the afternoon and then, unfortunately, about 1/4 mile from the take-out, Tim flipped his raft. Luckily, all made it through unscathed but the experience was sobering and definitely put a bit of a black cloud on an otherwise flawless trip. Here are some shots from the three days:
It was a long trip to McCarthy ... we did share the jump seat in the back of the truck:
Just getting Arc out at the rest stops was a bit of a packing/repacking ordeal:
Rigging the rafts:
You can see who really was doing all the work here...
Posing at the put-in:
Heading down the Kennicott:
Scott in the captain's chair:
The family on the Nizina:
Rafter dog extraordinaire:
Sometimes he needs come consoling:
In Nizina Canyon:
Our first camp at the confluence of the Nizina and the Chitina (great spot !):
Mornin', Scott:
The second day we were in a bit of rainy weather:
Classic Chitina shot - huge in every way:
Fog:
The second night we made a small fire with some pieces of driftwood on the beach:
The Californian and bear tracks:
Tim ready for anything:
Trying to find fish:
The last day's lunch spot:
Bocci shots:
At the take-out loading up:
