Boat Placement Formula: can be calculated by the rule of 12ths (or was it 14ths?) and by considering the following factors: low tide time, low tide level, prior high tide line, predicted high tide level, high tide time, offset from tide chart origin, current time, amount of supplies eaten, amount of gear to load, rate of gear loading, beach terrain and the prevailing weather conditions.In any case, we had about an hour to wait before the water reached our boats. After casting off, we briefly entered Coghill Bay before making our way around Coghill Point. We encountered some head-wind, and after a couple of hours it was time for some lunch. At this point we'd paddled about 2.5 miles and ended up 0.5 miles away from the campsite we'd left - needless to say we hadn't been paddling in a straight line (see the GPS track).
After lunch we continued paddling up the east side of the fjord. The fjord itself is over 2 miles wide and is popular with cruise ships, which is why we stayed on one side of it. We saw lots of sea otters during this part of the trip, many with their young. Every now and then one close by would pop it's head out of the water and swim on it's back while gazing at you with slight puzzlement, as if they were wondering what the heck you're doing paddling past in that fiberglass boat. It didn't usually last for long though, before they lost interest or you would get too close and they would plop back under, sometimes with a splash, not usually to be seen again.
It was on this day that we also started to see our first Icebergs floating along in the water beside our boats. Their frequency increased gradually, and as we paddled further, we began to see more of them. They came in all shapes and sizes and it has since occurred to me how remarkable each of these chunks of ice is. Ignoring the several thousand years that the ice was in the glacier before a large chunk calves (falls) off and crashes into the ocean, it then picks up the pace and embarks on a continually melting, splitting, rotating journey as each unique piece changes shape until it is eventually absorbed by the ocean. Each berg appears to have a life of its own, moving at its own speed and floating its own course - probably due to the differing shapes and wind resistance of each. Not only that, but different pieces make different sounds too - cracking and popping as you get close. But you have to be careful not to get too close (especially to the big ones), as it is an fact that due to the differing density of salt-water and pure ice, that only 10% of the volume of an iceberg is above the water – remember the titanic. This also means that if you're near a one that only stands several feet out of the water, and a small piece happens to break off, causing the balance of the resulting mass to adjust, there can be quite sudden movement in the water beneath. There's also black ones, and spotty ones... and I'm sure I could go on to write much more about how fascinating I found icebergs to be up close, but for now, let's move on.
It was getting late when from about a mile away we spotted our general destination. As we got closer we selected a location that looked like it would make the best camping spot. Out campsite requirements were something like: a suitable beach for kayak entry and exit, near fresh (non-salt) water source (but not too close due to bears), with level ground for tents above the tide line. We also completed our now-regular routine of unloading, setting-up camp, locating water, firewood, preparing and eating some dinner (a tasty pesto pasta with fresh zucchini imported from Connecticut) before cleaning up and having hot drinks and quality biscuits around the fire. As it happened, the campsite we'd selected for this night was in an especially scenic location with amazing views all around, however I think we were all too tired that night to really appreciate it.
Here's a map showing our location and paddling track for Day 4. It's best viewed in Google Earth or directly in Google Maps (link opens in a new window).
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