“I want to do things that I know I could die trying, but let’s not get too physical about it.”  Those were our marching orders with the arrival of Scott Saklad to the Lodge at Whale Pass.  And he was definitely up to the task.  We know that every day just being in this remote part of the inside passage challenges life and limb.  What with the brutal summer cold of the ice fields of LeContes, the raging 20 foot tides of Clarence straights, and the wild Pacific Ocean, just visiting our little corner of the world offers unique risks.  Fortunately, we’ve taken all the fear out.  Extensive safety precautions, highly trained staff, and four star comfort take the worries away.  But for Scott, we wanted to uncover that worry.  He thought a 4×4 jeep ride bombing around our gravel logging roads was just the ticket.  Little did he know, it was the stop at the Naukiti Connection that exposed him the most.  Alaska is home to some of the greatest people on the planet, but when us “Americans” step into their world, far removed from what we think of as civilized society, we’re best advised to use a certain level of respect and caution.  Of course, I jest, we’ve enjoyed the support of many of our friends in Naukiti since the beginning.  For guys like Scott, their’s plenty else to push the envelope.  We’ll take you up 2,000 feet for a heart pumping downhill mountain bike and awe inspiring view.  Or chose to challenge the rapids over at Stephenson island, where monster tide swings squeezing through a little spit can create a 4 foot standing wave.  And if that’s not enough water for you, hop on a jet boat to travel up the Stikine River, the fastest free flowing river in North America.  For Scott, the extreme days were just the precursor to nights, when  conversations turned to great books, institutional food service (you need to ask us about Scott if you’re in that business), and pop psychology about the Lodge staff.  Between Bill Cowart, who joined us earlier this year with Tommy Tompkins group, and Scott, all the crew has been analyzed and categorized.  Those who know us know we love to trade services for lodging.  We’ll have to think of adding those two to the benefits as staff psychologists to be paid in fishing and playing time.