North Pacific High Sea

South of Kodiak, the North Pacific stretches beyond the scattered islands of the archipelago. Chirikof Island stands far offshore, a treeless land used by Alutiiq and Unangan people for thousands of years. Its waters provide seabirds and marine mammals, while its ground squirrels supplied skins for warm clothing. The ocean's winds and storms make the crossing from Kodiak an exposed journey even when the distant island comes into view.