Get ready for your Alaska cruise on Qilak

On this page, we answer the questions you could ask yourselves if you plan to join us for an Alaska cruise on board Qilak. Daily time of sailing, physical level, expected weather conditions, what to bring with you… Get ready as well as possible to fully enjoy your sailing expedition in the Far North!

Life on board

According to the weather conditions, the program can be modified at any time. The navigation times are mainly during the day to take advantage of the observations and avoid the fatigue of the nocturnal crossing. The navigation times are variable ranging from 4 to 8 hours.

How do we get around ashore ?

Safety instructions will be respected, especially in relation to the presence of bears, for this we will ask you to go out only in group. We take a bear repellent and a portable radio to keep in touch with the boat. The land walks are mainly on the shore and along the rivers because the interior of the forests is sometimes inaccessible.

Physical level and preparation

Although no special physical condition is required, we simply ask that you be fitenough to get up and down easily from the boat and to walk on sometimes slippery terrains as the seashore is often rocky. It is not necessary to have prior knowledge of sailing, beginners are very welcome.

Equipment

It is often imagined that a sailboat trip in the Great North looks like a deep cold dive. An idea that proves to be wrong when you run along the Pacific coast, thanks to Kuro Shivo, a hot marine current. Although time is changing throughout the year, the rains are mostly in winter. Summer navigation is generally very pleasant, with a temperature of 15 to 25 ° Celcius in British Columbia and more rain episodes than in Alaska, where the temperature can vary between 12 and 25 ° Celcius, except in the immediate vicinity of the glaciers, with alterning long sunny periods and overcast weather with sometimes fog in some areas. It is therefore necessary to provide equipment of the type that one takes for a mountain hike. It is also important to note that, with the exception of underwear, it will not be possible to wash your clothes along the way. We therefore advise you to provide a sufficient change, but also remember that you are aboard a boat that has limited storages!  

Basic equipment

• 1 large-capacity soft/flexible travel bag of 20 gallons (90 litres or more), suitcases are prohibited on board + 1 small empty travel bag (placed in the largest during the transatlantic flight), in order to better store your stuff in the cabin
• 1 small backpack with a capacity of about 6.5 gallons (30 liters), for walks on the ground + waterproof backpack protection during dinghy transfers
• 1 pair of fairly high boots (no mini-boots)
• Lightweight hiking shoes
• Light weight shoes such as trainers, Crocs or sandals for deck work
• A pair of slippers, for the inside of the boat
• 1 warm fleece jacket
• 1 waterproof and breathable jacket (no need to bring a heavy watch jacket)
• 1 microfleece and/or mini-jacket
• top and bottom thermal underwears
• 1 waterproof trousers
• 1 hat/bonnet
• 1 pair of gloves
• quick-drying towels, wipes
• 1 swimsuit

Sleeping

• A sleeping bag : comfort temperature 50-60° F (10-15 ° Celcius)
• A sheet-bag

Miscellaneous

• sunglasses
• 1 pair of binoculars for wildlife viewing
• your camera
• 1 refillable water bottle
• headlamp
• some plastic bags to protect your things

Your personal aid kit

• analgesic
• anti-inflammatory (tablets and gel)
• if you are prone to seasickness, remember to bring along your treatment
• disinfectant, bandages (various sizes)
• sunscreen
• mosquito repellent
• in addition: earplugs
• your personal medicines