We went on a whale watching & sea kayak day trip on 6/11/2016. It was amazing!! Our guides were courteous, friendly and experienced. They made all arrangements at a days notice, were on time and provided us with excellent gear -water proof jackets, bags, boots and most importantly mosquito HEAD NETS (a must for this trip). They took care of our luggage and provided us delicious lunch and coffee. It was early season but we were able to watch few hump back whales, some of them from as close as 200 feet. Thank you Patrick and Annette! Will definitely recommend Spirit Walker for tours. Russell Fjord Disaster Trip – Survivor 2014 After researching “adventure” companies that could take us on a sea kayaking trip, we unfortunately chose Spirit Walker Expeditions. Summary of the trip to the Russell Fjord: 1) Our guide, having told us she had been in the area once before, lacked the experience level required to lead a group into a very remote location. Based on the guide’s direction, we camped below the tidal water line only to be awakened at 1:15am to, “the tides in!!!” … It was too late for the tents, sleeping bags, mattress pads, personal items in the tent like cameras and eye glasses… Instead of the Guides 6 foot tide estimate it was closer to 12 to 15 feet. The water rushed in the tents resulting in a quick exit to higher ground as we tried to locate items floating in the dark cold glacier water. The trip food was stored in dry bags however, the electric bear fence protecting the food was submerged in salt water. So now, we have no protection for our food from the bears. The water purification pump broke earlier in the day forcing us to rely on water purification tablets for the remainder of the trip. 2) When we arrived at the drop off point, we had to assemble three wooden framed kayaks from a kit. The Guide had done this once before so after many missteps and four hours later, we had assembled three kayaks. Unfortunately, based on the age of the kayaks, broken parts and our not understanding how to correctly assemble them, they required daily maintenance / repairs. On one of the boats the rudder failed (wire snapped) in the middle of the fjord leaving the two persons paddling the kayak like a canoe. 3) The rain gear provided by Spirit Walker was torn and the buckles missing. We had to tie the shoulder straps together so they would not fall down. The same problem with the Kayak skirts; patched together and repaired after many years of service. 4) My Nikon D200 was sitting in a non-water proof bag beside me in the now flooded tent. The camera was flashing lights as the salt water soaked the electrical components. Even though, Spirit Walker are quick to state, “you signed an agreement indicating Spirit Walker is not liable for personal property damaged on the trip”, they agreed to an exception in this case. The exception was based on, “…the guide should have known…” We all agree, however, for a Family to invest $$$$ for a trip of a lifetime, we expected more and Sprit Walker delivered much less resulting in a substandard experience. As a trip settlement, Sprit Walker offered to replace my Nikon D200 with a used one for $233.00 or I could have $1000.00 off the next Spirit Walker trip. If you are looking for a sea kayaking trip where the equipment is ancient, the guide is semi experienced, and you enjoy repairing kayaks, sleeping in wet clothing and sleeping bags; cooking, cleaning, hauling and stuffing kayaks beyond their capacity and you would like to be a participant in the reality show Survivor, then Sprit Walker should be your first choice. For me and my Family, NEVER AGAIN!!!!
Spirit Walker Expeditions is a US Travel Agency based in Gustavus, Alaska. Spirit Walker Expeditions is located at 1 Grandpas Farm Rd, Gustavus, AK 99826, USA.
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