Words and Photos by Ryan Lucas @ryanbabybirdlucas
Ryan Lucas here– outdoor enthusiast, kayaker, and packrafter from New Zealand. I live in Okere Falls, right beside the Kaituna River, northeast of Rotorua on the North Island. When I can, I get out and explore the mountains, travel through remote wilderness areas, and paddle rivers by kayak and packraft.
This trip report, however, takes place in Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park, around Crescent Lake.
This adventure was planned with a good friend who lives in Alaska, Todd Wells. He had a strong knowledge of the area and helped us establish the route and logistics. We flew in by float plane and arranged a plane ride out at the other end. From our research and knowledge of the area, it was possible that this particular route had never been completed from where we started.
We spent a lot of time studying the route before leaving, looking closely at topo maps and satellite imagery. From this, we estimated how many days we would need to complete the journey and packed our food and equipment accordingly. Because we were traveling through such a remote area, we wanted to be as prepared as possible while still keeping our packs manageable.
Our HMG setup included:
• Porter Packs: a 55L, 70L and 85L
• CrossPeak 2
• Versa
• 2 × Camera Pods
The trip was a special one, with so many aspects aligning. The weather was absolutely all-time–Alaska can be pretty harsh and unpredictable, so we were incredibly grateful for the amazing weather window we had throughout the entire trip.
It’s hard to narrow a highlight down to just one thing, as there were so many. The float plane access was definitely up there. It’s such a unique and special way to access these remote areas.
Overall, though, the biggest highlight would have to be the Alaskan surroundings of Lake Clark National Park. The scenery was absolutely mind-blowing, and the wildlife was something else, making the experience even more memorable.
The bear viewing, in particular, was incredibly up close and personal at times, and we saw at least 30 bears throughout the trip. Coming from New Zealand and never having experienced wildlife on that scale before, it was a real eye-opener and definitely something I won’t forget. Being so deep in the Alaskan wilderness, surrounded by huge mountains, remote rivers and wildlife, was pretty incredible.
If I were to do it again, I would put in at a higher point on the river to access more worthwhile whitewater. We spent several hours walking through thick bush before reaching the point where we put on the river. With more research and route planning, I would look at finding a higher put-in that offered more paddling while still being appropriate for our skill level.
Should you venture out to explore this part of the world? In a word, yes. Do your research and plan your route properly before heading out. Understand the river, the terrain, and your own skill level. And I can’t stress this enough–know your own skill set. Rivers are powerful and dangerous, and you never want to find yourself in above your ability. Be smart, stay safe, and choose a put-in that matches the type and grade of whitewater appropriate for the level you are comfortable paddling. There is a big difference between putting in higher to access more whitewater and putting in too high, where the river can become significantly steeper, more technical, and more dangerous. For a remote trip like this, good preparation and honest assessment of your abilities are key, and getting lucky with a weather window is a huge aspect.
Ryan Lucas (35) is a New Zealand-born adventurer and whitewater kayaker who has gained recognition for his daring feats exploring the world’s most challenging rivers and remote wilderness areas. With a past passion for pushing the limits of his sport, Ryan has made a name for himself through paddling the world with numerous first descents including breaking the 100-foot mark. Within the last few years, Ryan has broadened his adventures by taking up packrafting, combining the thrill of river exploration with the challenges of travelling through remote wilderness. Whether paddling a kayak or packraft, Ryan’s pursuit of adventure continues to take him into the heart of nature’s wildest places.
