Swept Away by a Tsunami During Our Kayak Expedition

On August 10th, while kayaking and camping on Harbor Island in Holkham Bay, we—Nick Heilgeist, Sasha Calvey, and Billy White—were jolted awake by a thunderous, rushing sound. After 75 days and over 900 miles of paddling from Washington to Alaska, we were deep into our expedition along the Inside Passage. But nothing could have prepared us for what happened next.

We scrambled out of our tent and were stunned to find our entire camp obliterated by a tsunami.

A massive landslide had struck the nearby Tracy Arm, a tidewater glacier, sending a powerful wave surging through Holkham Bay. The tsunami hit Harbor Island with devastating force, rising 15–30 feet above the high tide line and pushing deep into the forest. Our camp, set up safely (or so we thought), was destroyed in seconds. Nick and Billy’s kayaks were hurled into the trees, while Sasha’s boat was sucked into a swirling whirlpool off the southeastern side of the island. The wave came within inches of sweeping us away in our sleep.

By a stroke of luck, a nearby yacht spotted us and brought us safely to Juneau. While we’re incredibly grateful to be alive, the toll has been immense. We lost over half of our gear—more than $5,500 worth—including essential expedition and professional kayaking equipment. Our remaining boats sustained serious damage, and will likely need extensive repairs. All three of us are working kayak guides, and many of the items lost are vital to our livelihoods.

We’re currently stranded in Juneau, trying to recover and figure out how to return home to Washington. We spent the last year and a half saving and preparing for this journey, and this disaster has left us both emotionally and financially shaken.

If you’re able to help, your support will go directly toward replacing critical gear, covering emergency lodging and travel, and helping us get back on our feet—and hopefully, back in our boats.

With gratitude,

Nick, Sasha, and Billy

Link to news article about the tsunami