by Eric Oravsky | Jul 9, 2016 | Blog
We have had the delight to test out some of Kokopelli Packraft’s new additions to the lineup this spring. Alaska is the prime testing ground for these crafts with braided rivers often far from any roads or launch sites, there is always more to explore, and a packraft is often the only way to get down the rivers. However, the ocean is a line where packraft rule ends and kayaks take over. We think Kokopelli is about to change that… We use them a little bit differently from the typical river hike, and that is why when we first laid eyes on the Castaway XL and Twain, we were enthralled. A fin, storage, and a spray deck option? Now we are talking possibilities. The standard issues of speed on a packraft tends to lee on the side of misery for longer paddle trips where a packraft’s desire to turn can be more tiring than the trip itself. It is amazing how big of a difference a little fin can make. Our sailing tours cover a lot of ground here in Southeast Alaska. Whether it is cruising along the glacial fjords or bouncing around hot springs, exploring the shoreline by paddle craft is a big part of these tours. We often spend just as much time paddling as we do going ashore to investigate some interesting ice, wildlife, or water fall. And this, this is where packrafts win hands down. With steep mountain fjords and rocky shores, landing a rigid boat is downright terrifying for a new paddler, not to mention the damage it does to our boats. Weighing in at...
by Eric Oravsky | May 28, 2015 | Blog
Juneau, Alaska receives over a million visitors a year and every year the town greats them is the best way we know how: with open arms, great big smiles, and buckets of water freshly squeezed from luscious clouds by our glorious mountains. This large amount of precipitation, after all, is what contributes to our rainforest, glaciers, and in essence everything that visitors come to see in this neck of the woods. While some choose to condemn it, most locals here choose to embrace it, and perhaps with these simple tips you might just enjoy it as well. 10. Rain shells with vents Vents are vital to keeping from over heating while retaining some water resistance. Often these are done with armpit zips on jackets and side zips on pants. While these work great for moist air and even light rain, don’t forget to zip them up when you stop or when it starts to pour! 9. Layer for rain gear A rain jacket is good, rain pants are nice, but if they are touching your skin, you might as well go swimming. Pick layers that cover your skin and separate it from the outer shell. Without a barrier, water will condense on the inside faster than it can escape, soaking you more than the rain that is falling. 8. Synthetic insulation Cotton and down can be tempting, due to being light and inexpensive, but after it gets wet, you will find out just how much it can weigh. 7. Waterproof pack There are many kinds of waterproofing wax and sprays that will get the job done, however, it is also a good...
by Eric Oravsky | May 10, 2015 | Uncategorized
City Tours – Adventure Flow – This walking tour of Juneau’s downtown takes you deeper into the history, culture, and local life than any other tour. It goes past what meets the eye and delves deep into the archives up to the underground of the present, and the everyday life of locals. You will end with ghost stories and a flight of Alaskan brewed beer at the local Alaska Bar and Hotel. Your guide will teach you the power of storytelling and hopefully send you home with a few tools to relay your trip to those you choose to tell. Click here for more about this walking tour! Gastineau Guiding – Enjoy four tours in one! This fully guided trip gives you the best of Juneau`s history with an exclusive downtown tour, a ride on an aerial tram with dramatic views, an easy walk in the timberline wilderness atop Mount Roberts, and some time sampling products made from the rainforest in the Alpine Tea House. Click here for more about this tour! Juneau Tours – Enjoy a Juneau sightseeing tour on an Antique Trolley to see highlights of our quaint little town. Our informative driver will describe places of interest in downtown Juneau, why our state capitol and legislative buildings are here, show you where Sarah lived (Governor’s House) and where the current governor resides as well as pass by some historical houses once lived in by the gold miners. A short trip to Douglas Island may also be included as a picture stop looking back on to the town of Juneau. You can also request to stop off...
by Eric Oravsky | Feb 25, 2015 | Art, Blog, Guides, News
Lindsay Carron grew up in Wisconsin where her young curious mind drew her into the natural world. She learned a deep appreciation of nature and its inhabitants by gathering specimens of the land and replicating them in her sketchbook. From these small forays and backyard haunts, adventure became deeply engrained in her mindset. Her move cross-country to Los Angeles opened many doors, beginning with her education at Pepperdine University and continuing through her numerous global journeys. She has collaborated with communities on public art projects from New York to Baja California and has participated in gallery shows throughout the United States. Art is a way for her to digest the bountiful information presented in this world and translate it into a medium that is passionate and powerful. Lindsay is an art activist who utilizes ink to render invigorating life-size depictions of the life forms of our planet. Her work traverses the animal and human worlds, bringing the issues of both to the forefront, and allowing visibility into the connection that exists between everything on this planet and in the universe. Her goal is to communicate through images and community projects in a way that inspires action, provokes consciousness and responsibility, and empowers both the subjects and the viewers of her work. My art is a call to action. How to live most beautifully and gracefully and in balance with everything around us on this planet. We are ecstatic to have Lindsay on the Adventure Flow team! We asked her a couple questions about the adventure ahead. Read what she says below. Q&A With Lindsay Carron Q What do you view most challenging in...
by Eric Oravsky | Jan 1, 2015 | Running, Blog
Running is: the action of movement at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time. To make a sculpture, all one must do is remove all the rock which is not a sculpture.Unknown Running, as with most repetition sports, is a sculpture of body and mind. Made by steadily chipping away all the pieces that do not make up the stride. Powerful and uninhibited, what is left tackles mountains, roads, and time barriers alike. People often think they must train harder or change their diet or find better music to increase their performance. The endless list of things to make a better runner distracts even the most dedicated runners. People ask what to do for training and the answer is simple. Focus on each step. Running is a road to self-awareness and reliance – you can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet.Doris Brown Heritage Training is an important part for competitors, but training is the last step to increasing performance. To become a better runner, start with a step. Followed by another that was better than the last. Followed by another that took less energy. Followed by another that provided better stability. Followed by another with a smooth transition. You see, running is about steps. Not leaps and bounds. It takes tuning each step to perfection in order to take a better step the next time. Your body will argue that there is no...
