Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

SPEC I AL EVENT Alaskan Dreams WITH BARRY LOPEZ AND RICHARD NELSON • JULY 22-29, 2017

Southeast Alaska’s stunning fjords and waterways, including magnificent Glacier Bay, are the extraordinary setting for our Special Event with renowned nature writers Barry Lopez and Richard Nelson. We’ll journey from Sitka to Juneau aboard the 74-guest Wilderness Explorer , with hiking, whale watching, sea kayaking, exploring by skiff, and paddle boarding adventures all along the way, and enjoy unforgettable presentations by our Special Guests. Their thoughtful insights into our relationship with the natural world bring even greater depth to our explorations.

Our Journey Boarding the Wilderness Explorer in Sitka, we head into Peril Strait, a great place to watch for otters and whales, scan the shoreline for bears, and look skyward for bald eagles. We may hike on Kuiu Island for broad perspectives of the stunning Tongass National Forest, and kayak in the glacier-carved fjords surrounding Chichagof Island. In sublime Glacier Bay, we uncover coves and corners of the bay that most visitors miss, and keep an eye out for puffins and oystercatchers, along with sea lions, mountain goats, bears, and eagles. Icy Strait has one of the richest concentration of whales in Southeast

Alaska, and we search for humpbacks and orcas in the nutrient-rich waters before ending our voyage in Juneau. Our Guest Speakers Barry Lopez explores the complex relationship between physical landscapes and human culture in his renowned works. His best-selling book, Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desires in a Northern Landscape , received the National Book Award for nonfiction. Richard Nelson is a cultural anthropologist and author whose work focuses on the indigenous cultures of Alaska and the relationships between humans and nature. His literary works include The Island Within , winner of the John Burroughs Medal for distinguished nature writing. The Wilderness Explorer The 74-guest Wilderness Explorer is fully equipped for adventure, with open deck areas for wildlife viewing, an easy launch platform for the on- board kayaks, inflatable skiffs, and paddle boards, hydrophone and camera to capture the underwater world, and a full staff of naturalist guides.

RYAN MCNAMEE RYAN MCNAMEE / JOHN VICORY

Trip Cost: From $6,395, depending on cabin category.

PHOTO: JO OVERHOLT