Enjoy this photo feast and short update from Nicole Mansfield’s summer 2012 Alaskan paddling adventures.

 

 

I spent the last five months in Alaska with my friend and road trip companion, Meg Smith. After spending a month ski touring in Valdez, we headed to Girdwood to discover what river adventures Southcentral Alaska had to offer. I found an amazing group of kayakers, fun rivers, stunning glaciers, beautiful mountain scenery, and of course all the bi-products of Alaskan adventures – numerous wood portages, devils club, bear anxiety, and extremely cold water. My NRS Inversion Drysuit and WaveLite Union Suit were Alaskan summer MUST HAVES!

Rafting with Reese Doyle after a day of exploring the the Matanuska Glacier, which fed this silty river.

 

Photo by Savannah Hayes of Beth Fueller admiring the icebergs in Spencer Lake.

Paddling towards Spencer Glacier.

Nadia Almuti taking the Big Earl out on Glacier Creek, the local Girdwood run.

Paddling one of Alaska’s finest creeks, Upper Willow. Photo: Henry Munter

Ingram: one of the many creeks flowing directly from the mountains to the ocean. Photo: Henry Munter

The gals at the put-in to Bird Creek after an early season, Alaska-style shuttle.