Life on the Fly

 

The pictures in this post show what it is like on an archaeological survey using inflatable kayaks.  I'll be doing another kayak survey on Shuyak Island next week.  I like inflatable kayaks - mine are made by Innova or Gumotex (new name) - because they hold so much gear and are very easy to load and it is a snap to get in and out of the cockpits.  They also deflate and pack up small so that they fit into a float plane.

When on survey I get in and out of the kayak a lot - I have to check every possible spot on shore on foot.  So it is in and out and in and out of the kayak all the time.  It would be very difficult to do this in a normal kayak with its tiny cockpit.  Also the material on inflatable kayaks is incredibly rugged - barnacles and rocks do not damage it.  Hard shell kayak are much less durable when it comes to rocks and dings.  My kayaks are now over ten years old, have seen extensive abuse and have still not (fingers crossed) leaked.  In the old days they used to be cherry red but have faded over the years to a light red.

Last year I did not use the kayaks on survey.  All of our surveys were on foot, and we could carry much less gear.  That made for a far more austere experience.  In a kayak with a huge cockpit you can carry a lot more luxuries. A kayak survey is almost glamping.  We have a wood stove and a great big teepee for shelter.  When it rains, and it rained a lot on this trip, we are cozy and warm.

Philip made a video of the survey that shows what it was like while on the go.  Click here for link to video.

Patrick

My view on survey - I often kept my legs outside the cockpit to make it even quicker getting in and out