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Porter's
Island Paddle (beginner / intermediate) |
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Our most popular tour! A 2 ˝ hour introduction
to sea kayaking combines basic instruction with a paddle
on Lake Superior, in
and around the relative sheltered waters of Copper Harbor. Explore the ancient rock
shoreline, paddle past the oldest lighthouse on Lake Superior and
around an uninhabited island. Learn about the history of the
largest, natural harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula, while taking in the mountainous
landscape above Copper Harbor. Sunsets are a particularly special time
to be on the Lake. Paddlers may bid farewell to the day as
shades of vibrant changing color schemes highlight the sky, as
the sun drops into the world's largest freshwater sea. [$34]
Please register at
least one day prior to the scheduled tour to
gurantee availability. A limted number of walk-ins (up
to six people) are welcomed up to 30
minutes
prior to the scheduled
tour time, space permitting. Shop location: 155 Gratiot Street (US 41). |
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Tours
run daily: |
9:30am |
1:00pm |
7:30pm
(Sunset Paddle) |
7:00pm
(Sunset Paddle) after Aug. 1st |
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Paddlers explore the rocky reefs off Porter's Island. aerial photo by Neil Harri. |
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Horseshoe
Harbor Paddle (intermediate / advanced) |
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A full day tour leaving from our dock
in Copper Harbor includes a visit to the Copper Harbor
lighthouse and the original site where Douglass Houghton
staked his
first claim, which ulitimately lead to the great copper-boom of the
Keweenaw Peninsula. We'll paddle the rugged shoreline past ancient lava-flows and along-side
gigantic conglomorate bedrock formations. We will visit the Nature Conservancy's
preserve at Horseshoe Harbor, weave between the inlets
of this unique archipeligo and have lunch at a
protected cove once visited by the French Voyagers. Lunch is included.
[$109] |
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Tour departs by arrangement
- 9:00a.m. This area along the Keweenaw's
northshore is particularly exposed to the effect of winds
and waves...scheduling of this tour is generally more dependant on a
favorable marine forecast
& conditions than our other day
trips. |
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Agate
Harbor Paddle (intermediate / advanced) |
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This half day tour highlights an
area of the Keweenaw which most closely resembles the shoreline
of it's sister rock, Isle Royale. We'll launch from a rocky
beach and explore a chain of barrier islands, the "arch
rock", finger bays and view the spiny ridgelines that parallel
the Peninsula. On calm water days, paddlers can view the
remnants of the City of St. Joseph in about 20'-35' of water...the 254'
barge was lost on the shallow reef during a Northwest gale in
September of 1942.
Tour departs at 10:00am on Wednesdays
& Sundays, with a 24-hour
reservation
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or by special arrangement. Lunch is included. [$84]
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Bare
Bluff Paddle (intermediate / advanced) |
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This full day excursion is full of some of
the Keweenaw's most spectacular scenery and may challenge
those looking for real adventure. We will launch from a sandy
beach and paddle below cliffs that tower up to 600' above our
kayaks and Lake Superior. We'll explore sea caves and arches
and sea stacks that rise like pillars from the water. We will
visit a historic fishery on route to the mouth of the Montreal
River where the discovery of one of the Keweenaw's most
scenic waterfalls awaits us."
Tour
departs at 9:00am on Tuesday & Saturday mornings with a
24 hour
reservation
or by special arrangement. Lunch is included.
[$109]
Additional Note:
We will paddle approximately 15 miles on this full
day tour. Participants must have the physical ability and endurance
to complete the route as non-medical evacuations are very difficult,
if not impossible.
This tour is best described in Tina Lassen's journal "Mission
Superior" in the August 2002 issue of National Geographic
Adventure Magazine, during her Keweenaw Adventure spent with
us:
"The
water of Bete Gris Bay is gin-clear, and sandstone boulders
20 feet below look as they're just under the surface. I have
the uncanny sense that I'm floating on air. We needle through
an obstacle course of red-rock boulders and 50-foot sea stacks
sprouting trees from the tops-like giant terra-cotta flower
pots. Eventually, we arrive at the mouth of the Montreal River,
a wall of amber water roiling furiously into the big lake.
We ease in as close as we dare, our boats dipping in the froth." |
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Paddlers explore the Mouth of the Montreal River |
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Surf
and Turf Adventures |
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Experience
the best of both worlds the Keweenaw has to offer, paddling
and peddling! We combine a 1/2 day of sea kayaking on 'da
BIG LAKE with a 1/2 day on mountain bikes through the deep
woods of the Keweenaw. For those who can't decide which activity
to do, it's a little taste of each ... why it's the best thing
since lake trout and venison steak!
We'll explore
many places less traveled ... uninhabited Lake Superior
shoreline, mountain top vistas with panoramic views, scenic
inland lakes, streams, rivers and waterfalls, ghost towns, towering cliffs, sweet
singletrack, sugar sand beaches and the creatures who inhabit the woods and
the Lake. Lunch is included.
This can be scheduled as a one day or a two-day, lodging based
adventure. As a one day tour:
$115 w/ own bike OR $140 w/ Kona or Marin dual suspension mountain bike rental.
As a two day tour (lodging NOT
included):
$120 w/ own bike OR $145
w/ Kona or Marin dual suspension mountain bike rental
This tour is scheduled by reservation only.
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Suggested
Items to Bring |
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To make sure your sea kayak adventure
is a good experience, we suggest that you bring
these items with you:
* Because of Lake
Superior's chilly water temperature and the possibilty of cold water immersion (although this only
happens to a small percentage of participants) we do require that all
of our clients wear a wetsuit. Wetsuits will be provided as
a part of the outfitting package.
• A synthetic top
such as polyester, polypropylene or
capaline. Fleece is great for cool weather. These materials are
highly recommended to wear underneath your wetsuit, as they will
still help to insulate your body even if they get wet and they dry quickly …cotton
should be avoided!
• Shorts or a swimsuit that a wetsuit can be slipped over.
• Shoes you wouldn't
mind getting wet…water shoes or neoprene booties work the best or folks
can go barefoot.
• Hat; for shade when it's sunny. Cap; for warmth if it's cool
in the Spring & Fall.
• Sunglasses and Sunscreen
• Drinking Water…at least 1 quart or more on ˝ day & 2 quarts on full day
trips per person. A pint is sufficient for most people on the
Porter's Island Paddle.
• Camera….take advantage of the many photo opportunities while
on 'da Big Lake! |
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General
Trip Information |
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The
Keweenaw Adventure Company operates many of its sea kayak tours
in very remote, uninhabited areas. Emergency and medical response
can be distant and time consuming at best. Be aware that weather
conditions on Lake Superior can sometimes be extreme with greatly
varying temperature, wind and wave conditions. We will not set
out if there are poor conditions on the Lake or if there is
an unfavorable marine forecast, but conditions are sometimes
subject to change throughout the course of the day. Participants need to be aware
of the possibility of paddling in
rough water and/or cold water immersion.
Although we do not require previous
paddling experience, we
will provide instruction. Keep in mind that our full
day sea kayak tours will paddle up to 15 miles per
day and half day tours up to 8 miles. Patricipants must have the physical
ability to complete these routes as evacuations for non
medical emergencies can be difficult, if not nearly impossible. Our guides
have gone through many hours of training and have cumulative
years of experience paddling Lake Superior and the Keweenaw
Peninsula. Safety is always our number one concern and we do
everything possible to minimize the risks for our clients.
Participants' Minimum Weight
Requirement: 100lbs |
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Post
Adventure Relaxation
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Schedule a massage in Copper Harbor with Johanna Peters, certified
massage therapist. www.spiritofthenorthwellness.com |
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The
Fine Print: All Kayak
Tours require at least a 24 hour advanced reservation and
a 50% deposit. Deposits are refundable less a 15% cancellation
fee anytime prior to 24 hours of the scheduled tour. No refunds
for cancellations less than 24 hours of the scheduled tour.
All tours are subject to rescheduling, alternate destinations
or cancellations due to wind, wave or other unfavorable weather
conditions. Full deposits will be refunded in the event of
tour cancellations due to unfavorable paddling conditions.
Wetsuit use is mandatory and will be provided for all kayak
tours. 15% discounts for groups of 8 or more people (must
mention website to get discount.) Gratuities for your trip
leaders are at your discretion. |
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