Sometimes just getting to the start-line is half the battle. Certainly our trip back to Juneau has been a logistical challenge.  We left the UK a few days ago to fly via Vancouver with support from our long term supporters Canadian Affair.  A short layover there before flying via Seatle to Juneau was then the order of the day.  Our plan to start in Auke Bay and sea kayak up Lynn Canal to Haines and then Skagway to the trail head of the infamous Chilkoot Trail.  So first question people usually ask is about the weather ...rain and sea mist...joy!

We spent the last day or so sorting out final preparations including bear spray, snacks to complement our Be Well Rations and fuel for our Trangia. Did i say fuel well we made a comedy purchase by buying non-flammable fuel, hence our delayed start this morning. No fuel is not a please on thought. Cold foods for 3 days. No way. Killing time while the guys at above and beyond Alaska sea kayak rental come to the rescue.

The bad news we have missed the tide so will be working much harder than planned.

C'est la vie.  The last couple of days have been amazing. We caught up with Juneau legend, Suzanne who we met 2 years ago, she had put us up and been great to spend some time with. The small world theory then kicked in, her next door neighbours were the rangers at Pack Creek Bear observatory we met 2 years previously, the only other 2 people we know. Small world wouldn’t want to paint it.  So yesterday we hung out with Dori and tested our Packarafts at the Mendenhall Glacier, literally paddled close (not too close) to the glacier. Stunning and majestically beautiful. It has been great to hang out with our friends before setting off and has enabled us to share our experience.  Last night we checked out the crooked fish restaurant with Suzanne and Jane...great food and a brilliant send off.

We did a radio interview with Jeff Brown at KTOO radio and with Richard at Capital News Weekly in the Baranov Hotel.  So now we are dodging the weather before heading off in the next hour or so. There are some concerns about the overall weight of our kit with boots, crampons, packarafts, paddles, poles, personal kit and food.  Apparently there is still snow on the pass which should be beautiful.  All the planning is done, the talking is over, it’s time for action...100 miles of sea kayaking and wild camping up to Skagway, then hiking the Chilkoot Trail before Packarafting down to Whitehorse. Truly exciting joining up 2 previous expeditions, reaching a 5,000 mile landmark and of course hiking into Canada via the Klondike Goldrush historic route. Here's to the next 5,000miles, onwards and upwards.

Sadly can’t get the sat tracker to work so pop back in 3-4 days’ time and we will try to get some images and more news.