Unalaska Island Trek II

January 30, 2010

Well as most you (and by you I mean you my blog visitors, the local community and my friends) know – ever since trekking the island last fall I’ve been itching to get out and finish what I started. My knee is healed up nicely (it only pops and cracks once in a while) and I’ve gained what feels like 30 pounds, over the last four months.

It looks like June is the month I’m going to go back down to the far end of the island. I’m hoping to start at Station Bay again if not, Chernofski will do just fine. Maybe I can visit Art Christensen at the old sheep ranch there. I know Buck (a sheep that kept head butting Dakota for six miles) will be happy to see us again.

Same as last time for the most part, I’m not changing much. The route is perfect thanks to Jeff Hancock of Aleutian Adventure Sports. My meal planning and food cache in Pumicestone Bay were perfect. (although I’m tossing out trail mix.) The amount of food Dakota carried in her pack was spot on, although I may carry a little extra in my pack for her. I’ll be renewing the registration on my SPOT Satellite Messenger and that will of course include up to $100,000.00 of whatever it takes to rescue me insurance! I’ll have it post in real time my location on the site here just like the last time.

One BIG change this year will be NOT having a flight crew from the USCG fly out to come rescue me after 11 days of trekking and just two days shy of my destination because I fell in the Shaler Mountains and couldn’t walk anymore.

Here is the gallery of images from my first trek across the island in August / September of 2009.

Posted by Dan | Filed Under Adventures, Fishing, Hiking, Life, Photography, Trekking | 2 Comments

Engine Power

August 3, 2009

'Kasper' - The Boston Whaler

Well after what seemed like forever, the new engine for my project boat has arrived. The Horizon Tacoma was late and our containers were some of the last to off load, so I had to wait until Saturday to pickup the beauty.

I ordered this motor for a variety of reasons. The company I ordered it from is based in Waterford Connecticut. Outboard Exchange, LLC has been rebuilding, refurbishing, servicing and selling outboards forever.

I had several options when it came to the engine I wanted. Evinrude, Mercury, Yamaha are the three they specialize in.

However, since I have an Evinrude and a Johnson v-4 88 SPL – I chose to have them send me an Evinrude that would bolt up to the OMC controls I already have installed on the boat.

It’s been six days since I installed the motor. I have had no problems at all with it. It fired right up, purred like a kitten and winked at me, like a taunt to take her out on the water to give her a test run. – Which is what I did.

Posted by Dan | Filed Under Adventures, Boating, Fishing, Life | 2 Comments

It’s Friday

July 31, 2009

I’ve waited and waited and waited and I’m still waiting. The container ship Horizon Tacoma pulled in a few hours ago and the containers are being off loaded now. In one of those containers is an engine. A engine that goes on the back of my boat.

The boat has been washed, both tanks filled with fuel, electronics installed, battery charged, fuel lines installed. I just need the engine now.
THe ship was late and the UniSea containers are in the back, or is it the bottom, or is it both? I’m not sure. Rumor on the street is that were not getting out containers until later tonight. -eeeeeergh. Oh well, whats a few hours or another day at this point. I’ve been restoring this boat since Septamber of last year. I think I can handle it.

Posted by Dan | Filed Under Adventures, Boating, Diving, Fishing | Leave a Comment