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| Whittier, Alaska is connected to the road system via the longest vehicle tunnel in North America. |
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| Tunnel to Whittier, trains take the same tunnel as scheduled |
Whittier, Alaska is an interesting little hamlet at the edge of the civilized world. I know there are more far flung places but few are as unique as this location. There are no standalone private homes, only condos and apartments. The sun doesn't even shine here a couple months each winter due to the location and the high mountains that surround it. What makes Whittier especially unique is the diving community that abounds here. In the dark of the arctic winter, the normally turbid waters of Prince William sound become clear as everything above the waterline freezes solid.
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| Record snowfall has arrived across South Central Alaska |
Yes, it is cold but the water is four times warmer than the air temperature most days. This day it was almost 38 degrees Fahrenheit, I'll let you do the math on the air temperature. Anchorage (Alaska's metropolis) is only an hour away so this is where you go to dive all winter and train. Yes, Hawaii is only 6 hours away via Boeing 727, but not exactly a Saturday morning destination.
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| Smitty's cove |
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| Whittier communication systems |
Every weekend divers congregate here and don layers of polypro, heated
undies, and enough wool to make a highlander jealous. This is drysuit
country and those hardy souls splash down in Prince William sound via
Smitty's cove are all going in drysuits. I dive here, it is cold, that
is all there is to it. Numb hands, face, head, all part of the game. Why
would people choose to do this and spend a small fortune in the
process? Why climb a mountain, why run a marathon? Because it is
suffering, and dedication above all else. Diving the arctic is like
running marathons in the desert, if you have to explain it to someone
don't bother, they won't get it anyway.
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| Smitty's Cove in Whittier. Diver's debrief and warm up between dives in this palace with snow as high as the roof. |
If you have never contemplated using crampons to reach a dive site, then
maybe a trip to Whittier should be in your cards. Take a leap away from
comfort and find out what dedication is. If nothing else you can have
that badge of a winter dive in the Last Frontier. Just remember night
dives end at 10am and begin at 5pm this time of year.
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| Diver's going out for their second dive on a Saturday, they will do 45 minute diver even this time of year. |
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