Bellingham residents Becky Peace and Nick Giguere completed their 1200 mile Inside Passage sea kayak expedition during the summer months of 2007. They traveled the route in two single sea kayaks and negotiated their way south by way of exposed crossings, bear-filled islands, tidal rapids, SE Alaskan deluges, and endless route compromises. They will share stories of their kayaking adventure, but will also discuss some of the planning and logistical considerations that go in to preparing for such an expedition. Admittedly they are not experts, but they did manage to stay happy, healthy, and safe, while returning home a stronger, more accomplished team, and most importantly, still a couple.

Nick Giguere got his first taste of adventure while working on a Student Conservation Association trail crew in Alaska. He has been committed to outdoor adventure ever since and now uses his skills professionally as a Wilderness Ranger at North Cascades National Park. Nick holds a degree in Conservation Biology and utilizes his naturalist training as a compliment to his outdoor pursuits. Nick paddles a modified Pygmy Arctic Tern and frequently swims with his Findeisen surfski.

Becky Peace is a graduate of Huxley College of the Environment at WWU. She started working for the National Park Service at age 19, and has spent every summer working in the outdoors since. Becky currently leads a forest monitoring crew at North Cascades National Park and is collecting data to help detect large scale climate related changes in forest structures. Becky spent the winter working at a remote research station in Antarctica providing logistical and research support to National Science Foundation grant recipients. Becky paddles a Nigel Dennis Romany Explorer.

Jim is a Washington Licensed Engineering Geologist and is a Principal Scientist with Coastal Geologic Services Inc. in Bellingham. Jim specializes in coastal processes and beach management with particular expertise in soft shore protection and beach rehabilitation and restoration. He designs gravel beach nourishment, sediment bypassing, and other methods to reduce coastal erosion, often working with engineers and fisheries biologists. Jim’s project experience includes designing the restored beach at Marine Park in Bellingham.