SCARED for our lives. Kayaking Portage Lake to Portage Glacier - Alaska Road trip

Where else in the world can you kayak to a glacier? Alaska is one of those few places where you can do that! I've had this on my Alaska bucket list for so long! and the day has arrived! Except this is Alaska. Its wild and unpredictable. And we got ourselves in the most dangerous situation we've ever been in. This was our experience kayaking on Portage Lake to Portage Glacier in Alaska. Don't do what we did in this video.
inflatable kayak we use in the video (affiliate link): amzn.to/3vkVWCY
#alaskaadventure #alaskatravel #alaskaroadtrip

[@leemayhan4199]

I hope they checked their point of entry into the lake to be able to find their way back especially if it rains hard. Love being an Alaskan, this video shows how much preparedness going into a simple kayaking trip, we generally just post a nice photo of the beauty of the scenery and how we look while paddling like a cover for National Geographic. Just living the dream…..

[@TacoCat101.3]

Wow taking a basic inflatable kayak in Portage lake is dangerous even on a clear day! FYI not sure that flying a drone is allowed in Chugach Natl Park in case you come back. Glad you’re ok and enjoyed the perspective.

[@NickandJulie]

Glad you enjoyed the perspective. Are you from the area?

[@AKtoTok]

This is outside of Chugach in the National forest and in unclassified airspace 🤓. I fly Portage quite frequently as its absolutely gorgeous and safe to fly 🙌

[@leemayhan4199]

@@TacoCat101.3 Thought they couple were fussing over a couple of holes in their inflatable….. never good, all your outdoor gear has to be in top shape and they were fussing it got beat up on the remote hwy.

[@alaskabarb8089]

Dense glacier ice is the best for drinks, lol. Even on a normal day, there’s usually a cold breeze coming off the glacier that make standing outside at the visitors’ center unpleasant without a jacket. 💨

[@NickandJulie]

we took it all the way to the Florida Keys to drink at a sandbar 😆

[@Lazymofoprepper2]

That area gets heavy winds, everyday, doesn't matter if it's sunny or cloudy. Many times that wind will blow motorcycle riders right off the road, on the Seward Highway.

[@NickandJulie]

Wow that’s crazy 😳

[@kixigvak]

A punctured kayak and the ensuing struggle to survive in 35 degree water would make for great video!

[@NickandJulie]

@@kixigvak idk if we would be there to edit that one 😆

[@leemayhan4199]

@@kixigvak Add that comment to my thought having kayaked Portage Lake there are really deep currents that criss cross , worse to deal with in the wind on this lake and I was not comfortable for them to be paddling so close to the glacier and among the big chunks of ice. Kayakers need to be aware of the area they are in like a glaciers that can drop a huge mass of ice anytime and floating chunks of ice that appear on the surface and one never knows what a large mass of ice lies underneath. I did take the boat tour on this lake a few times with my grandkids as it is scenic, and they have a Guide who tells the history of the area past and present. We got close to the glacier and it dropped a few big masses of ice and we saw some kayakers that were way to close to the glacier as it did this and the crew was keeping an eye on them… wish I could post the photos of that trip and the price was a bargain and the tour boat was great.

[@willowtree5267]

I live in south central Alaska, about an hour from Portage. I like to check conditions before I kayak anywhere in AK. My rule: if the sun's up, it's probably too dangerous; if it's nighttime, it's definitely too dangerous. 😁

[@NickandJulie]

That’s a good rule 😆

[@pjkenny3933]

Welcome to AK. This place doesn't care, it will kill you if your not prepared so pay attention to what is going on around you at all times. the weather flows right over portage pass and will hit that lake with a vengeance. I have been out there when it has done it. good ya made it.

[@NickandJulie]

We learned that the hard way. But grateful God kept us safe despite the dumb choice to go out there that day. Glad you made it out safely too when that wind hit!

[@randalbladel2817]

I think the Forest Service rules are no boating on Portage Lake. They’ve had to deal with too many rescues. We like to ice skate or ski to the glacier in the winter.

[@lovetosmile9859]

Love the video! Nick is such a trooper with carrying all of your equipment and the paddling. Love the footage of the glacier. Glad that ya'll made it safely back to your truck.

[@NickandJulie]

Nick is the best! One of the scariest experiences we’ve ever had😰We were so relieved to have made it back.

[@Berr3631]

Spectacular views, something so extraordinary and beautiful about Alaska..Thanking Jesus for your safe return and very much appreciated for sharing your precious moments in your travel volgs👌🏼🙏🏽Remain blessed.🇬🇧

[@NickandJulie]

We completely agree! Alaska is a special place. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. We love sharing these moments with viewers like you!

[@edwardmiller6353]

Wow, what an experience! We are so glad you are safe and thanks for the great video!

[@NickandJulie]

Definitely! One of the best and scariest things we have done. Now I’m glad I made myself keep filming. Thanks for watching!

[@ralph5899]

That was incredible footage. Absolutely beautiful. Those glacier pieces remind of portuguese man of war jelly fish.

[@NickandJulie]

It’s some of the most beautiful scenery of our trip 🤩 And the most scary of our trip. But all’s well that ends well 😃 oh yes they do remind me of the jellies floating around!

[@junepeck4259]

Just a suggestion, always check the weather when paddling on any lake or body of water in Alaska. The wind can change and cause the waters to become rough. Living in Alaska for many years, it's just good practice. Portage Lake has receded a lot.

[@NickandJulie]

Very good point! we will be extra careful if we choose to do any paddling next time we’re in Alaska.

[@travelandexplore4133]

This was very scary. Julie that look on your face was enough to say you were very scared, but let me tell you both it was one of the epic Kayaking adventure. The closer look at waterfalls, and then the spectacular view of the Glacier and the icebergs. Wow! Even the cruise did not get that closer look. You guys did risk it but it was worth it. I have enjoyed watching. You both deserve a big Like 26 👍 and of course a new subscriber, who wants to watch more 😊 Thank you Nick and Julie 🤗🤗

[@NickandJulie]

Oh yes I am not exaggerating when I said that is the scariest thing we’ve done. I didn’t want to film anymore but I had already filmed most of the adventure so it would have been a shame to quit now. But paddling among those icebergs was a dream come true. I always wanted to get a chance to do that in Alaska! And here we are actually experiencing it. And it was surreal! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. And welcome to the channel!!! 😊

[@AchimDaffin]

loved your account. Jane (my better half and I [Achim]) found ourselves in a similar situation on Flathead Lake a few years ago when the waves started white caping. It is a bit scary. We hugged the shore as best we could. Thanks for sharing your journey,

[@NickandJulie]

Oh wow glad you guys were safe! It was a good thing that the wind and waves were pushing us back in the direction of the kayak launch. I don’t want to think about if it was going in the opposite direction we probably wouldn’t be able to fight it. Thanks for watching!

[@brianj812]

The weather, moose and bears are all out to ruin your day in the most epic way possible!

[@YewtBoot]

Out to enrich your day, IMHO.

[@upnorththerat]

That was pretty interesting, it could have been much worse. Don’t think about the people commenting on you not paddling, everyone knows the camera crew never dies. I love that lake and that area. I drive into Whittier two or three times a week.

[@shahabuddin04]

excellent, your video is always nice

[@NickandJulie]

Thank you! 😃

[@jimmbling]

That was scary. Be careful. Have fun❤❤❤❤❤

[@NickandJulie]

Yes it was, still don’t like remembering it 😰 thank you! 😊

[@GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz]

Sorry that both of your wife's arms are broken. It would have been much easier for two people to "hurry" back ahead of the gale!

[@NickandJulie]

But then who would have filmed? 😢

[@GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz]

The drone!@@NickandJulie

[@NickandJulie]

@@GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz 🤔🧐🤨 she would have to operate the drone tho & again would have been useless for paddling 😭😭😭

[@GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz]

You need a different drone. My DJI Mavic 3 Pro will track so you can paddle!

[@NickandJulie]

@@GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz well of course better filming equipment would be nice George. I’d love a new drone and camera.

[@YewtBoot]

Glacier ice is good to make margaritas.

[@NickandJulie]

Because of the density of it?

[@YewtBoot]

@@NickandJulie Basically - it's really compressed so it lasts longer. Has very few minerals, being compressed snow, so it has a more pure taste.

[@JoeBellavance]

Gentle stuff. Amateurs in Alaska lol

[@NickandJulie]

😆

[@robertdoyle8972]

I know you dramatize what happens to try to get views but at the same time if you thought that you was in danger, put the camera away and help paddle that would help keep you off the rocks if you was helping paddle also

[@NickandJulie]

It seems that way. I believe we were already on the rocks when I pulled the phone out to film the few seconds on the rocks before putting it away to get back on the kayak. I was paddling too and it didn’t help the surf and wind pushed us on them. The entire paddling from where we were back to the kayak launch site took about 45 minutes. Thank God the wind and surf was in the direction we were paddling back otherwise not sure how long we would be struggling out there trying to fight the wind and surf. Probably wouldn’t be able to and would be pushed into the middle or other side of the lake at best judging from how we both weren’t able to fight it to stay off the rocks. I was only able to get a few minutes of that 45 minutes on video between paddling. I didn’t want to even take the time to do that but made myself do it figured if we did make it out I’d kick myself for not getting any footage at all. Yes, for KZbin since that is what we do. Thankful to God he kept us safe and everything turned out okay despite our dumb decision to go out there that day. If the wind and surf were going in the opposite direction- I can’t even think about what could have happened. This was a situation where you know you’re in danger and you’re this close 🤏to things going very wrong and you try to focus and stay calm despite the panic which I think we did a good job of. I appreciate the comment it gives me perspective of what the viewer watching might be thinking. I can see how it looks that way.

[@katyb9781]

That’s too scary for me to watch 😅😅

[@NickandJulie]

Oh no 🙈 I should’ve put a warning at the beginning of this video too 😆

[@NickandJulie]

🛶🛶🛶

[@EJS1970]

It’s beautiful but not for me I think you guys are crazy quite frankly

[@NickandJulie]

I don’t blame you. That was crazy 😆 what we’re doing next after Alaska might be more of interest to you if this isn’t for you. New series will start in January!

[@Alaskaman1953]

Other than bear bait, she is pretty much useless...

[@NickandJulie]

Thanks for the comment it helps with the algorithm 😆

[@NickandJulie]

🧊🧊🧊