• About Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Employment
    • Meet the Guides
    • Testimonials
      • Send A Testimonial
  • Our Trips
    • Single-Day Adventures
      • Nizina Canyon Raft and Flightsee
      • Kennicott Glacier Inflatable Kayaking
      • Half-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Kennecott Mill Tour
      • Root Glacier Ice Climbing
      • Full-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Two-Day Adventure Package
      • Nizina Glacier Fly-In Kayaking
    • River Rafting
      • Nizina Canyon Raft and Flightsee
      • Copper River
      • Nizina Fly, Raft & Hike
      • Source to the Sea
      • Alaska River Journey
      • Two-Day Adventure Package
      • Glacier Lake Paddle and Raft Trip
    • Multi-Sport Trips
      • Ultimate Wilderness
      • White River Backpack, Float and Fly
      • Skolai to Nizina Multi-Sport
      • Two-Day Adventure Package
    • Backpacking – Hiking
      • Half-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Full-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Root Glacier Ice Climbing
      • Nizina Fly, Raft & Hike
      • Ultimate Wilderness
      • Skolai to Nizina Multi-Sport
      • White River Backpack, Float and Fly
    • Mountaineering
    • Custom Trips
    • Guide Dream Trips
      • White River Backpack, Float and Fly
    • Hot Deals, Cool Places
  • Reservations
    • Day Trips
    • Multi-Day Trips
      • Multi-Day Reservation Forms
  • Resources
    • Lodging
    • Transportation
    • What to Expect on your Trip
    • Alaska Whitewater Rafting
    • Alaska Partners
    • Packing Lists
    • Photo Galleries
    • Trip Dispatches
  • Contact Us
    • Send Us A Review
Copper Oar Copper Oar
  • About Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Employment
    • Meet the Guides
    • Testimonials
      • Send A Testimonial
  • Our Trips
    • Single-Day Adventures
      • Nizina Canyon Raft and Flightsee
      • Kennicott Glacier Inflatable Kayaking
      • Half-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Kennecott Mill Tour
      • Root Glacier Ice Climbing
      • Full-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Two-Day Adventure Package
      • Nizina Glacier Fly-In Kayaking
    • River Rafting
      • Nizina Canyon Raft and Flightsee
      • Copper River
      • Nizina Fly, Raft & Hike
      • Source to the Sea
      • Alaska River Journey
      • Two-Day Adventure Package
      • Glacier Lake Paddle and Raft Trip
    • Multi-Sport Trips
      • Ultimate Wilderness
      • White River Backpack, Float and Fly
      • Skolai to Nizina Multi-Sport
      • Two-Day Adventure Package
    • Backpacking – Hiking
      • Half-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Full-Day Root Glacier Hike
      • Root Glacier Ice Climbing
      • Nizina Fly, Raft & Hike
      • Ultimate Wilderness
      • Skolai to Nizina Multi-Sport
      • White River Backpack, Float and Fly
    • Mountaineering
    • Custom Trips
    • Guide Dream Trips
      • White River Backpack, Float and Fly
    • Hot Deals, Cool Places
  • Reservations
    • Day Trips
    • Multi-Day Trips
      • Multi-Day Reservation Forms
  • Resources
    • Lodging
    • Transportation
    • What to Expect on your Trip
    • Alaska Whitewater Rafting
    • Alaska Partners
    • Packing Lists
    • Photo Galleries
    • Trip Dispatches
  • Contact Us
    • Send Us A Review
Brooklyn to Alaska: Between Two Pines

Brooklyn to Alaska: Between Two Pines

Aug 23, 2017 | Posted by Copper Oar Rafting | River Rafting | 0 comments |

By Leslie Hundhammer, Guide 

alaska rafting nizina lakeThe plane landed at Nizina lake and dropped off six teenage girls from Brooklyn. Their eyes were wide, they were laughing, and they had just seen four grizzly bears. The first task after landing was to get three fully inflated rafts a quarter mile down a rocky trail to the lake. Even a non-technical trail becomes technical when orchestrating a large group of ladies carrying a raft. The laughs the girls had as they exited the planes became mere echoes of the past, it started to rain, and frustration ensued.  Just as spirits were breaking, one of the girls started chanting: "Where are we from?" The rest yelled back, "BK!" "Where are we?" "AK!" We pounded on the boat to make noise, lifted it above our heads, and completed the last fifty yards chanting and smiling. In our first task on the first hour of the first day, we had become a team.

The Brooklyn to Alaska Project is a non-profit organization that brings Brooklyn teens to the Wrangell-St. Elias classroom. Many of the kids who participate in this program have never been outside of the city, never seen a national park, never set up a tent, and never been this far out of their comfort zone. Started by Sam Gregory after his life-changing experience in Wrangell-St. Elias, the goal of Brooklyn to Alaska is to provide a monumental trip and inspire young teens in the wilderness. In the past, the program has been offered exclusively to Brooklyn boys, but this year was the first girls trip.

alaska riverbank gameThe girls went ice climbing and backpacking and, by the time they had gotten out of the plane at Nizina lake, they were entering their final phase of the trip: rafting. In the four days we were on the river, tears were shed, meals were boycotted, sleeping bags got wet, clothes got dirty, and raingear was tested. We bushwhacked, we paddled, and we shivered. We shared tents and sleeping pads and stories. The societal constrictions of age, race, class, and gender evaporated. Adults were playing like children. Teenagers were helping like adults. Women were moving boats and lifting heavy gear. And we did it together.

rafting in alaskaOn our final night, we had a bonfire, we went swimming, and the girls gave a heartfelt thank you that prompted enough tears to warrant a roll of paper towels. The Brooklyn to Alaska motto is a John Muir quote: "Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world."  Far from home, far from the city, and far from their comfort zones, the girls threw themselves into cold water and emerged in a new doorway.

And here at Copper Oar, we’re proud to be part of this life changing program.

“Where are we from?”   “BK!”

“Where are we?”             “AK!”

0 Comments
0
Share

About Copper Oar Rafting

With years of experience rafting the rivers of Alaska, we love to share the wilderness of the Wrangell-St. Elias backcountry with others. Come join us on our next trip!

Leave a Reply

Your email is safe with us.
Cancel Reply

CAPTCHA Image
Refresh Image

*

Happy Clients Raft with Copper Oar!

  • Everyone should have the opportunity to see and do what we did. I highly recommend Copper Oar! This was a trip of a lifetime.

    Susan H, Nizina Fly & Hike, 2006

Contact Us!

  • Old Motherlode Powerhouse, McCarthy, AK
  • 1-800-523-4453
  • info@copperoar.com
  • www.copperoar.com
Website by Guerrilla Digital Design

Social Icons Widget

© [2016] · Copper Oar LLC.

Prev Next