In the late 1700’s, the first recorded European to set foot on Alaska was George Steller, a naturalist on the Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering. Steller landed on a rugged prominence called Kayak Island, a 23 mile island directly exposed to the violent waters of the Gulf of Alaska. A great book on details of the expedition can be found in “Where the Sea Breaks its Back” by Cory Ford.
Kayak Island, south central Alaska.
It is reported that many ships have been lost in the nearby tumultuous currents, and a lighthouse made of cement still sits on its south western shore. We landed on a sandy beach in a small bush plane on wheels, and did a little exploring. A plaque commemorating the Russia/Alaska encounter has been posted on the rock face of a cliff along the north east shore. It is a wild place, visited by very few people. Fortunately, the clear and wind free skies offered conditions suitable for the trip. I was tucked in the way back seat of the airplane, shooting through less than clear windows, so the aerial pictures were more documentary in nature.
