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Jimmy Garcia's Great Outdoors Site

So you've bumped into my paddling site, very good, pleased to see you here.

When you are heading out into the backcountry on a paddling trip it's very important that you bring the following items.

FOLDING TOOL
 		One of the few things that really saves the day is your multi purpose tool. Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool doesn't matter so much, they both have advantages over the other.
 
 
CAMPING SAW
 		If you are planning to make a fire a camp saw is a great thing to have. Often times branches of wood that you find are too long and hard to break, a camp saw will spare you a lot of frustration.
 
 
FIRST AID
 		With a first aid kit in your pack you can feel a little bit safer maybe.
 
 
STRING
 		A little bit of string is very very light and is always very useful to bring.
 
 
STOVE
 		Gas stoves are a big scam! A gas stove can cost up to $150 or more, then you have to buy gas to use it. There is fuel in the forest everywhere, it's called fire wood. And you need a wood stove to burn it. Take a look at the Trailstove, it costs $19.95 and you never have to buy any fuel for it.
 
 
FOOD
 		Don't get those dehydrated bags of camping food. Just bring plenty of rice. Just eat beef jerky for meat and some carrots for veggies and your all set.
 
 

CATCH ANIMALS WITH A ROLLING SNARE

Pick a spot where animals have an easy time passing by surrounded by natural obstacles where they would have a hard time passing through and where there is a small tree.

Find a piece of wood about an inch in diameter and a few inches long, cut a notch in it.

Find another piece of wood also about an inch in diameter but about a foot long. Cut a notch in this piece of wood too close to one end. Sharpen the other end of this stick, the notches on the two pieces should be such that they fit in each other and can take a good amount of pull along their axis but let go easily if the smaller stick is pushed sideways.

Make a lasso type knot on the string you will use and tie the string to the shorter stick in such a way that the lasso reaches the stick when open.
Bang the sharp end of the longer stick into the ground with a rock.

Tie the rope to the tree at an appropriate height and with an appropriate length of string. You may need to adjust this later to get it right.
Hook the notch of the short stick to the notch of the long stick.

Suspend the loop in the air with a couple of small twigs. That's it, all done.

Check your snares often since an animal may be able to escape, if you want you can attach some type of noise maker that goes off when an animal gets pulled up in the air. It's very important that you beat the animal to death before you take it out of the snare since they will bite you if they get a chance.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Seward, AK

The Kenai Fjords reflect scenic icebound landscapes in which salt spray mixes with mountain mist. Located on the southeastern Kenai Peninsula, the national park is a pristine and rugged land supporting many unaltered natural environments and ecosystems.

The fjords are long, steep-sided, glacier-carved valleys that are now filled with ocean waters. A mountain platform, one mile high, rises above this dramatic coastline. The mountains are mantled by the 300-square mile Harding Icefield, 35 miles long and 20 miles wide. Only isolated mountain peaks interrupt its nearly flat, snowclad surface. Exit Glacier spills off the massive Harding icefield and is accessible by road.

The park's wildlife includes mountain goats, moose, bears, wolverines, marmots and other land mammals who have established themselves on a thin life zone between marine waters and the icefield's frozen edges. Bald eagles nest in the tops of spruce and hemlock trees. Thousands of seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes, and murres seasonally inhabit the steep cliffs and rocky shores. Kayakers, fishermen, and visitors on tour boats share the park's waters with stellar sea lions, harbor seals, Dall porpoises, sea otters, humpback, killer and minke whales.

  

CONTACTS

Email - KEFJ_Superintendent@nps.gov

Fax- 907-224-2144

Write to
National Park Service
PO Box 1727
Seward, AK 99664

Phone
Visitor Information Recorded Message - 907-224-2132
Headquarters - 907-224-3175

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The visitor center in Seward offers exhibits, slide programs, maps, publications and information. It is open Monday through Friday year round, and Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with extended hours. There is a ranger station at Exit Glacier which offers exhibits and information about the glacier and the Harding Icefield, interpretive programs and talks. Rangers provide information daily during the summer months.

Getting There
PLANE - Commuter flight services link Seward and Anchorage.

CAR - The park lies 130 road miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway. The park's headquarters and visitor center is located on Seward's small boat harbor.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - The Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) System connects Seward with Homer and Seldovia via Kodiak, providing service to Valdez and Cordova. Bus services are available between Anchorage and Seward. The Alaska Railroad serves Seward from Anchorage during the summer months.

Weather & Climate
Overcast and cool days are frequent in this maritime climate of abundant rain. May is the driest month; successive months see increasing precipitation. Summer daytime temperatures range from the mid-40s to low 70s (F). The wet, stormy fall begins in September. Wool or synthetic clothing and sturdy rain gear - pants, coat and hat - are essential

Accessibility
The park visitor center and the exhibit area near the Exit Glacier Ranger Station is wheelchair accessible. The first 1/4 mile of the Exit Glacier Trail is fully accessible. Contact the park for details.

Getting Around
In summer, Exit Glacier can be reached by car on a gravel road (approximately 9 miles), and a short trail. Exit Glacier is the only portion of the park accessible by trail. A gravel road at mile 3.7 of the Seward Highway leads 9 miles to the Exit Glacier Ranger Station. An easy 1/2 mile walk will take you to the glacier's terminus. The first 1/4 mile of this trail is completely accessible. A steeper trail continues across moraines and bedrock. Visitors may return to the Ranger Station via a nature trail. The Harding Icefield can be reached by air or trail. Air and boat charters provide access to the fjords.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
CAR
$5.00 for 7 Days
$15.00 for Annual
There are user Fees at Exit Glacier. Individual Hikers/bikers may enter for $2.00. Commercial fees depend on number in vehicle.

CAMPING

Exit Glacier Campground and Back Country Cabins
Open All Year
Exit Glacier has 12 walk-in summer camping sites. Three back country cabins for summer visits along the park's coastline are located in the fjords of Holgate Arm, Aialik Bay, and North Arm. The cabins are accessible by boat, kayak or small plane. In winter, a public use cabin is available at Exit Glacier. Cabin stays are limited to three days. Visitors must obtain reservations and permits in advance. Seward provides full tourist services, including campgrounds.

FACILITIES

Ranger Stations
EXIT GLACIER RANGER STATION
Location - 9 miles down Exit Glacier Road off the Seward Highway.
Special Programs - There is a ranger station at Exit Glacier which offers exhibits and information about the glacier and the Harding Icefield, interpretive programs and talks. Rangers provide information daily during the summer months.

Visitor Centers
KENAI FJORDS VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Location - The center is located on Seward's small boat harbor.
Special Programs - The visitor center in Seward offers exhibits, slide programs, maps, publications and information. It is open Monday through Friday year round, and Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with extended hours.

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service