Island Trails Network

This year we're celebrating International Coastal Cleanup Day by completing a two-phased sweep of Bruhn Point at Womens Bay begun this spring.

Project sponsors include the Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak, the Ocean Conservancy, the MCA Foundation.

Refreshments, clean-up supplies and educational materials will be provided.

Bruh...n Point is best found from the road by a large, flat parking lot just past the Rendezvous (on the left), in Bells Flats. We are seeking families, friends and individuals from the community to help us clean this beach.

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Following the fun week we spent on Kodiak in July 2009, we’re excited to return for a September event, 3-7 September. Returning students can take it to another level and new students (we’ve heard) can get in on the fun they missed in July. Thanks for the interest and enthusiasm, Kodiak and the Island Trails Network (is...landtrails.org). Rob Avery (ACA Open Water Instructor and BCU Level 3 Sea Coach) is ready to come back and so is Tom (ACA Open Water Instructor and BCU Level 4 Sea Coach). We are offering a structured program from 3-7 September and may stay to offer more programs the next weekend as demand allows.

Sep 3 - Coastal Instructor Development; 9 am - 4 PM
Sept 5 - Fundamentals 1 (intro) & Fund 2, tuning (intermediate); 9 am - 5 pm
Sept 6 - Sea Rescues 1 and 2; 9 am - 5 pm
Sept 7 - Nav and Open Water 1 and 2; 9 am - 5 pm
Sept 8 – ITN Trail work party
Sept 10th – Paddling in conditions (surf?) near town
Sept 12 - Parent-teenager sea kayaking skills
Sep 13 – Open Water day trip?
Sep 14-17 Upon Demand: Parent-teenager sea kayaking skills, Fundamentals and Fund tuning, rescues, navigation and open water, rough water paddling, Pool, evening tuning sessions and paddles, duplicate courses for those that missed Labor Day and want more, we’ll play it by ear.Read More

We are seeking volunteers for the Tugidak Marine Debris Clean-up. Because of some project staffing issues, we’ve had to postpone the clean-up for by one week. It is currently scheduled for October 4-10.

This week-long expedition on the southernmost island in the Kodiak archipelago will be our most challenging clean-...up to date. 2008 aerial surveys identified a severely impacted catchment area along the eastern shore of Tugidak Island. This is believed to be one of the densest accumulations of marine debris in the Kodiak archipelago. Tugidak also has critical habitat value to many species of nesting birds and harbor seals, and is the least impacted island by humans in the archipelago.

The guidelines for participation are this:

1) There are seven berths available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

2) Each participant should be a current member of ITN. www.islandtrails.org/join.htm

3) Your air transportation (floatplane) is provided as part of a grant from the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation. Apart from having the right equipment, your only expenses are food.

4) Each participant should be ready to travel as early as the morning of Oct 3th and return Oct 11th. Our advertised dates are October 4th and 10th, but I am requesting this buffer to allow for weather delays or early departure to take advantage of a weather window. Because of inclement weather, last year’s marine debris clean-up at Sitkinak was 48 hours longer than expected—therefore all volunteers should bring 3 days extra rations.

5) Everyone will sign a release of liability waiver for this trip as well as emergency contact information and a medical release form.

6) There is a firm gear + person weight limit of 300 lbs. These pounds are transferable, and once the crew list has been identified we will have one in-person meeting to discuss a food plan, tent-sharing etc.

7) You must be able to carry everything with you, as we will be hiking up to several miles from our landing point to the catcher beaches without motorized equipment, as well as possible change of campsite according to location of debris).

8) The volunteer work is moderately strenuous, but for long hours in sometimes challenging conditions. ITN will provide the necessary bags, tools and personal protective equipment.

9) Minors must be sponsored by an adult. The minimum age is 16.

For questions or to sign up, please contact me by phone or reply to this email. 539-1979.

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Thanks to Rae Jean Blaschka, Joel North, Brian Glaspell and Andy Schroeder (and canine crew Ernie & Gage) we got another 150' of trail down this morning. It was a great day to feel the sun on your back and the weight of a Pulaski in your hand. We're over halfway to the goal and have made steady progress. Great job g...uys!

ITN Fans: Next work party at Rotary Park is Saturday morning, August 8th at 9:00 AM.Read More

Catch the steepest and deepest in high-adrenaline outdoor sport films when the 2009 Radical Reels Tour comes to Kodiak on September 11th, 2009. Hurtle down steep untouched powder, feel the cold spray of stomach-dropping kayak first descents, fly high with the world’s wildest BASE jumpers, and much more in extreme moun...tain sports.

Growing out of the famous Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Radical Reels screens the best in action sports filmmaking, audience-tested and programmed for maximum excitement.

The Radical Reels Tour kicked off in the winter of 2004 in a limited number of special locations, and now visits about 15 states and provinces.

For more information on the Radical Reels tour, including tour locations and dates: www.radicalreels.com

Hosted by Island Trails Network, the Radical Reels Film Tour screens in Kodiak on September 11th, 2009 at 8:00 PM at the Gerald C. Wilson auditorium. For tickets and information, visit Island Trails Network's web or facebook site, or stay tuned for future media releases.

For details about the Banff Mountain Film Festival and World Tour or The Banff Centre:
Jill Sawyer, Media and Communications Officer
The Banff Centre
403-762-6475 • jill_sawyer@banffcentre.ca
www.banffmountainfestivals.ca
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