tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90786002800330558802024-03-06T20:39:56.420-09:00The EdventuresFinding the balance between work and play...Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-31291242631329769252010-05-30T09:32:00.046-08:002010-10-31T14:30:46.041-08:00Rendezvous at Kilo Hot Springs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtFS7rd67F5h6GWrBzrMy28eNuA7WeOSiO6hBbsc91jU7uOL9P6TjkQ_g4HJmt6fJwUq1RUF7MbwjRdfH2ToFlMujVzk_AeHBdCLo1aJuihmTfLWdkg_rU8k4LmYpocP3ty-Zwr6kjFhz/s1600/IMG_2867.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtFS7rd67F5h6GWrBzrMy28eNuA7WeOSiO6hBbsc91jU7uOL9P6TjkQ_g4HJmt6fJwUq1RUF7MbwjRdfH2ToFlMujVzk_AeHBdCLo1aJuihmTfLWdkg_rU8k4LmYpocP3ty-Zwr6kjFhz/s400/IMG_2867.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534114828150005042" /></a>Soaking in one of the pools at Kilo Hot Springs<br /><br />We were about four miles from the springs when my ear captured the muted buzz of a plane as it skirted over a distant ridge. The small aircraft passed just overhead and continued west before disappearing between the building cumulus clouds. I felt a sudden pulse of excitement and relief surge through my body. And as I glanced over at Dan and Ann I could see that they shared the same sensation. We knew within a few hours we would be lounging in the hot springs, sipping the bitter sweet combination of gin and tonic, satiated from a warm meal, all in the company of our friends.<br /><br />At this point, we had been moving almost constantly across the rugged terrain of the Ray Mountains for the past two days with only a few hours of sleep. The plane was our quick exit back to civilization. It would carry us effortlessly over the deep and thickly vegetated valleys, rocky scree slopes, ankle twisting tussocks, and endless stretches of mosquitoes. There were a number of reasons that could have prevented our aerial transport from reaching our prearranged rendezvous point though; foul weather, mechanical problems, illness...and these thoughts lingered silently in the back of my mind for the duration of our trip.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49EcAPHUIdOmx5Y2Nui4YDKswiukU-oi8iITOvYFF_QCGmZxo_UFRHFqBKXdOns5bmaHvOvFJiNdUoT8KWePt2q3AFELIjEC-yOoJiqmdl-43lHJwghB45plKzF6khND09E-oImfrMYm2/s1600/KiloHotSpringsTrack.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49EcAPHUIdOmx5Y2Nui4YDKswiukU-oi8iITOvYFF_QCGmZxo_UFRHFqBKXdOns5bmaHvOvFJiNdUoT8KWePt2q3AFELIjEC-yOoJiqmdl-43lHJwghB45plKzF6khND09E-oImfrMYm2/s400/KiloHotSpringsTrack.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534336860097165426" /></a>Kilo Hot Springs is situated in a broad valley on the marge of a crystal clear stream that drains north from the Ray Mountains. The nearest road or community is more than 40 miles away. Access to the area is difficult since there is no airstrip or trails. A well drained tundra ridge about 5 miles from the springs serves as makeshift landing spot. We began our journey to Kilo from the Yukon River bridge along the Dalton Hwy. Paddling 20 miles down the mighty Yukon to an undefined ridge, we packed up our boats and climbed steeply into the high country of the Ray Mountains, traversing about 45 miles on foot to reach the springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ElAq0-0wZO1CYiSeJG0exHcFwVjpjyvkRz1kB_PBrid4rn8S3IbHZZNuFyh8EpCINh4pposHAwZiGo7XGFY6xR520faL_4sZs2HOYSfSu9ZNwmQzKh8eZVrc-YssIU58k0ZlpL-rgBe_/s1600/IMG_2819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ElAq0-0wZO1CYiSeJG0exHcFwVjpjyvkRz1kB_PBrid4rn8S3IbHZZNuFyh8EpCINh4pposHAwZiGo7XGFY6xR520faL_4sZs2HOYSfSu9ZNwmQzKh8eZVrc-YssIU58k0ZlpL-rgBe_/s400/IMG_2819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534113442010695906" /></a>Smoke from early season wildfires settles into the Yukon River valley as we paddled 20 miles to our take-out point. The Yukon River narrows considerably below the Dalton Highway as it approaches a pinch point know as the Rampart Canyon. This narrow neck was once considered a feasible site for the hydroelectric producing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_Dam">Rampart Dam</a>, which was estimated to flood an area the size of Lake Erie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEoZSQpxj_xw45CUWZazVwibeGIf3PBGcL8cArscS0WeMVl9YBJk7d_WprIVjd6BWzFh9YMzAYxn7zQXIWbHYtJqyyOX07jWG1BfT0HggvkgaARsRhxI5L8tHVNdodTJGCLkVj4KsgCX2/s1600/IMG_2823.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEoZSQpxj_xw45CUWZazVwibeGIf3PBGcL8cArscS0WeMVl9YBJk7d_WprIVjd6BWzFh9YMzAYxn7zQXIWbHYtJqyyOX07jWG1BfT0HggvkgaARsRhxI5L8tHVNdodTJGCLkVj4KsgCX2/s400/IMG_2823.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534113446316135666" /></a>We pulled our packrafts out of the Yukon at an unassuming ridge that would provide us with direct access the treeless high country. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivM3a4BTItEu83fXqU5Geec4xMBozPxGpyfUIRLk1tk7FW6MxlpiSL6scwiewsZOY9U5XZDZaP7X248phVP99VFJD94uzi5kUUDabgZNYhLfKrpyxbL11BMDsjlY6SzJwB5S0mdyNOJICt/s1600/IMG_2825.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivM3a4BTItEu83fXqU5Geec4xMBozPxGpyfUIRLk1tk7FW6MxlpiSL6scwiewsZOY9U5XZDZaP7X248phVP99VFJD94uzi5kUUDabgZNYhLfKrpyxbL11BMDsjlY6SzJwB5S0mdyNOJICt/s400/IMG_2825.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534113448001525922" /></a>The steep ascent quickly provided us with a panoramic view of the Yukon River far below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxrnjAQ6xGbSO-tzLNCr9wur400i6qL7J530dlK_AG90jlG7GFp5btcAq4ED2k2s7th0ztxAbYSCmSv-mNjADI0r5xrd-LdihkvjNDmqbSIbW4w4IjFBxMYEqG2nNi6s7XiR_HK63UaH_/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxrnjAQ6xGbSO-tzLNCr9wur400i6qL7J530dlK_AG90jlG7GFp5btcAq4ED2k2s7th0ztxAbYSCmSv-mNjADI0r5xrd-LdihkvjNDmqbSIbW4w4IjFBxMYEqG2nNi6s7XiR_HK63UaH_/s400/IMG_2844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534292368093135266" /></a>Crossing sweeping carpets of tundra pockmarked with treacherous, ankle twisting tussocks en route to Kilo Hot Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H3UnV1nhUaCNnVCryTI5YlJAx0VbrT1KcoWTB7iF5aXJnlfb0oMNblFHgc3uJ5MmAg3R6cWxNMXm_6Heglvr_QfSu-LHadstpaln7xIXuTqmH_1V9liJrXTqecFRGmY4mc_3aqWsaaNQ/s1600/IMG_2845.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H3UnV1nhUaCNnVCryTI5YlJAx0VbrT1KcoWTB7iF5aXJnlfb0oMNblFHgc3uJ5MmAg3R6cWxNMXm_6Heglvr_QfSu-LHadstpaln7xIXuTqmH_1V9liJrXTqecFRGmY4mc_3aqWsaaNQ/s400/IMG_2845.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534292361607501042" /></a>The muggy heat forced us to dip for water in even the slimiest of tundra ponds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0nKi7FgEZrfxD4AAyW2ELx-YsnMjcsz9y6RrQTNAOpMtxMZuVjdTdu10udtj4ZV44y7Tsd6OVPpDmAV6gr8BEBkNmRik67NN-SkUZgzy52TkEQdxFrRnh5WjEXPkJ9uO0twOIowOXXM4/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0nKi7FgEZrfxD4AAyW2ELx-YsnMjcsz9y6RrQTNAOpMtxMZuVjdTdu10udtj4ZV44y7Tsd6OVPpDmAV6gr8BEBkNmRik67NN-SkUZgzy52TkEQdxFrRnh5WjEXPkJ9uO0twOIowOXXM4/s400/IMG_2850.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534292355015315778" /></a>Furry willow catkin's and new spring leaves absorb the late evening sunlight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBDJU77u2_iSnB71krDdd3CuO31fscRnxRvME0POlRcyOoOlNtGEBCEWonDKiBJeS1gkX_crRpTBmd42jktdomdwZ71c42BASYHLQL_kP_jL2yS67uKsWvby2yHXwuf0vJ0LpQ1wRGtLl/s1600/IMG_2861.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBDJU77u2_iSnB71krDdd3CuO31fscRnxRvME0POlRcyOoOlNtGEBCEWonDKiBJeS1gkX_crRpTBmd42jktdomdwZ71c42BASYHLQL_kP_jL2yS67uKsWvby2yHXwuf0vJ0LpQ1wRGtLl/s400/IMG_2861.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534292351871416082" /></a>Some of the granite tors jutting from the tundra resembled giant prehistoric creatures grazing on the distant hillsides.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPRMMG51x0ZOJidRuQsMeqHOzu1CJf9-IikfAPeg3u_ONV8BgHQMkzrhk1ssT20d9do9myYLD8ZDw8VoZPeR0XDyoaMIIyX9K0GAsoK5nAlKsI-N6E38x7DlwGeO7SWaOTOf7GnN_9bIK/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPRMMG51x0ZOJidRuQsMeqHOzu1CJf9-IikfAPeg3u_ONV8BgHQMkzrhk1ssT20d9do9myYLD8ZDw8VoZPeR0XDyoaMIIyX9K0GAsoK5nAlKsI-N6E38x7DlwGeO7SWaOTOf7GnN_9bIK/s400/IMG_2871.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534113437866712914" /></a>Our friends flew in from the Dalton Highway, hiked five miles down from the plane, and met us for a night of soaking in Kilo Hot Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgrChUUEre-2gJS4vEt8NWtegmR3Ndge7sv4HUmu8h7LeZkCTjC0UTe4Wulmq9-jSggtIpx1Q_fIsvIlc1mxuedKsiZB1dBxLn5x3Ah_IrXp3DcvaRiz78z5mUDtEj66iKElYIJa_lJfm/s1600/Picture+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgrChUUEre-2gJS4vEt8NWtegmR3Ndge7sv4HUmu8h7LeZkCTjC0UTe4Wulmq9-jSggtIpx1Q_fIsvIlc1mxuedKsiZB1dBxLn5x3Ah_IrXp3DcvaRiz78z5mUDtEj66iKElYIJa_lJfm/s400/Picture+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534302838634072706" /></a>Dea and Ben sit around the campfire and listen to our stories about the exhausting trek to the springs from the highway -- a grizzly bear encounter, cracks of thunder and strong winds on the Yukon, torn up feet, falling rocks, never-ending ascents and descents, spongy tundra, expansive views, untouched wilderness... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIKaedswgQHUqNGZamy2G4AlhJpxuUI249ae-z3tCt6OhpwzVibT9mT_cGRlFHTFysP_Bb-OzFHz9WrssYzbtbqmNhdAHambDTgSaomJF5TAmnZcsoqAJu4emOQog1TqTmXVIW-FDR8Dz/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIKaedswgQHUqNGZamy2G4AlhJpxuUI249ae-z3tCt6OhpwzVibT9mT_cGRlFHTFysP_Bb-OzFHz9WrssYzbtbqmNhdAHambDTgSaomJF5TAmnZcsoqAJu4emOQog1TqTmXVIW-FDR8Dz/s400/IMG_2884.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534302827969084834" /></a>The springs are home to an abandoned homestead. Three cabins remain just upstream from the main hot springs. At least one of these cabins was situated adjacent to the springs but was relocated to it's present location a few years back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD6aHG9zLx8O7oKB4IIbX7t3m2kQDJ3fVpxuFVQyQJRpZAlPKI9W-1T2fdfEgNwIAsFQMtLA6oB9_JPEfLyMCyLBeEeu2cbZC4rILco5_MQwwMMg4HdrP4fETgvwtlTA131m5-muhJjpy/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD6aHG9zLx8O7oKB4IIbX7t3m2kQDJ3fVpxuFVQyQJRpZAlPKI9W-1T2fdfEgNwIAsFQMtLA6oB9_JPEfLyMCyLBeEeu2cbZC4rILco5_MQwwMMg4HdrP4fETgvwtlTA131m5-muhJjpy/s400/IMG_2894.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534302824272601266" /></a>The closest place to land a small plane is on a firm ridge about five miles from the springs. It was a 30 minute flight back to the highway.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6FQyeJunaXw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6FQyeJunaXw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />Above is a video account from the trip to Kilo Hot Springs.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-90867432773283640472010-05-27T23:42:00.004-08:002010-05-27T23:59:11.225-08:00Northern Alaska Packrafts, LLC<a href="http://www.alaskapackrafts.com/"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40UaPglRz1eXBVRrvO_LRb-dYvxWrEj8jxAvqWiaGSneyruXlaxHzTpTrNFEu6kfJxYbwPS1nyOsBQ8V90gNMHSUbe32nblKlGhD1ARa7-Ry5UjUhW9ZvNRtOH40fGrl-tx2prWmeFB3F/s1600/NAPLogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40UaPglRz1eXBVRrvO_LRb-dYvxWrEj8jxAvqWiaGSneyruXlaxHzTpTrNFEu6kfJxYbwPS1nyOsBQ8V90gNMHSUbe32nblKlGhD1ARa7-Ry5UjUhW9ZvNRtOH40fGrl-tx2prWmeFB3F/s400/NAPLogo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476223286392017714" /></a></a>A packraft rental shop has been born in Alaska's interior. <a href="http://www.alaskapackrafts.com/">Northern Alaska Packrafts</a> is now open for business, serving up packrafts to those with an appetite for adventure.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this blog has been severely neglected due to the consumption of time from other endeavors - but it has not been totally forgotten. New trip postings, thoughts, and experiences coming soon...Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-3978085228159056252010-05-16T22:09:00.021-08:002010-11-11T14:32:16.756-09:00Day Trippin' the Middle Fork Chena River<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUtKLBI-Uhm2Di39C85XbYW4WVTaWvIXAoVbWnrbMPnZBGBZkRKStHCcmApKZMb-w2sshABRUYxcVsDKyFZznbZcg3Nrb6gko9axiN1MfWTEHh71kXn-S45G0Epi484J4iu5-UCYczjs-/s1600/IMG_2706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUtKLBI-Uhm2Di39C85XbYW4WVTaWvIXAoVbWnrbMPnZBGBZkRKStHCcmApKZMb-w2sshABRUYxcVsDKyFZznbZcg3Nrb6gko9axiN1MfWTEHh71kXn-S45G0Epi484J4iu5-UCYczjs-/s400/IMG_2706.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757699413649154" /></a>Eager packrafters head towards the Middle Fork Chena River.<br /><br />A winters worth of ice has flushed out of local rivers, the snow has melted, and the packrafts have reappeared after 8 months in hibernation. We headed to the hills east of Fairbanks for the first packraft excursion of the season. This was a pleasant day-trip right in our backyard playground known as the <a href="http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chena/">Chena River State Recreation Area</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ua95YKDLn5Vx9f9GYqRQfGtLkqN6fhKtS33aSahHqfufg7edc5weginzZDZ-sWKhsjkvK5i2OvZHOF6c684IhP59CSZgI0zH3htP3PVnt4x6Rik3bBbwhWpf7y9zyeo-r8vRdSSN_P6n/s1600/AngelRocksMiddleFkChenaLoop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ua95YKDLn5Vx9f9GYqRQfGtLkqN6fhKtS33aSahHqfufg7edc5weginzZDZ-sWKhsjkvK5i2OvZHOF6c684IhP59CSZgI0zH3htP3PVnt4x6Rik3bBbwhWpf7y9zyeo-r8vRdSSN_P6n/s400/AngelRocksMiddleFkChenaLoop.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538419043033089778" /></a>Our hike began at the <a href="http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chena/anglhotrpgshndout.pdf">Angel Rocks trailhead</a>. After a steady climb to the granite outcroppings that mysteriously protrude from the boreal forest, we continued the steep ascent to a tundra ridgeline on a connector trail that eventually leads to Chena Hot Springs. Just before reaching a small shelter cabin, a winter trail spurs off to the south and descends down to the Middle Fork Chena River. From there we floated back to the road where bikes can be stashed. Then its a quick 6-mile ride or run back to the vehicles. Total hiking was approximately 12 miles and the 6-mile float took us about 2 hrs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue4bhe6oMWwNxyAenv5c2HkVGBP1igvwb-aixVfW0RMn1MuBfu-0DRmXhgIxtAYQsrMGHiU9aXiZDHLtLstMGHw1W41sqiVMVSdbMdDuziqg0T8OC_LD393eqpNOpQBUK66_mCtk3nZL0/s1600/IMG_2691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue4bhe6oMWwNxyAenv5c2HkVGBP1igvwb-aixVfW0RMn1MuBfu-0DRmXhgIxtAYQsrMGHiU9aXiZDHLtLstMGHw1W41sqiVMVSdbMdDuziqg0T8OC_LD393eqpNOpQBUK66_mCtk3nZL0/s400/IMG_2691.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534758725487692370" /></a>A boardwalk elevates hikers and alleviates damage to the fragile, yet burnt, vegetation below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMJddnrO0cPX-04D7FClC3ZvvEls7-hE-zpQ2k9GEMUKdO0h3W3l5nVPP2JPwNTtKPZiljwjD8KPoEtTTzsmmku41p2tszIIVRCVYg9RNznbnyoNAmgqD0mGxhv9T2_tTezFzdXoBINZ3/s1600/IMG_2693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMJddnrO0cPX-04D7FClC3ZvvEls7-hE-zpQ2k9GEMUKdO0h3W3l5nVPP2JPwNTtKPZiljwjD8KPoEtTTzsmmku41p2tszIIVRCVYg9RNznbnyoNAmgqD0mGxhv9T2_tTezFzdXoBINZ3/s400/IMG_2693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534758722474449442" /></a>The first few miles of the trail are well marked. The trail to Angel Rocks is one of the most popular in interior Alaska.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTMvKxTtKoaJZe_he8YahYSXlPuVFn_HvK7WCYLmewn_8S_OeG6Ak5veSVNsACFuIHenTbuqsFD_G9KAM4BR-MZ3VgD3PeogHsth1sXkX-hKjgBRGUzTGeQziOiuQQszREPlXDn5f7J5n/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTMvKxTtKoaJZe_he8YahYSXlPuVFn_HvK7WCYLmewn_8S_OeG6Ak5veSVNsACFuIHenTbuqsFD_G9KAM4BR-MZ3VgD3PeogHsth1sXkX-hKjgBRGUzTGeQziOiuQQszREPlXDn5f7J5n/s400/IMG_2699.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757714715557810" /></a>Excellent walking and views of the Tanana-Yukon Uplands and Alaska Range.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MDpmoPp2pEGFt5RDihlKhOTyEMtXyU9piSm0xJ_10DhIue1UEu6f6RXZDpBKBex1wY7rZi25-y8ktahHCmtpexreN4RXq8AMvbdVOV_XVx6KB7gsOHcbl1s85sZnF9COIuqA69fo5f_1/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MDpmoPp2pEGFt5RDihlKhOTyEMtXyU9piSm0xJ_10DhIue1UEu6f6RXZDpBKBex1wY7rZi25-y8ktahHCmtpexreN4RXq8AMvbdVOV_XVx6KB7gsOHcbl1s85sZnF9COIuqA69fo5f_1/s400/IMG_2710.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757017711721874" /></a>In a saddle at the eastern end of the ridge, sits a small trail shelter. A trail marked with cut-up road signs branches off to the south just before reaching the shelter. The relatively firm trail follows a ridge down to the Middle Fork Chena River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-mz2eiPmITfgoJxIuWBhGkN8esKCDuvD49N4VoBS4QQAGq3eFD3GuFUCV3MdD2c32rZJDsdn-3-5uc5rsmxcRKIPCjX_48e1T1WlUf-6WBAE91iNf29SIHyXoJ5i9eG7nybYnwzXcj0c/s1600/IMG_2715.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-mz2eiPmITfgoJxIuWBhGkN8esKCDuvD49N4VoBS4QQAGq3eFD3GuFUCV3MdD2c32rZJDsdn-3-5uc5rsmxcRKIPCjX_48e1T1WlUf-6WBAE91iNf29SIHyXoJ5i9eG7nybYnwzXcj0c/s400/IMG_2715.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757012390389394" /></a>The trail splits just before reaching the boggy wetlands around the river. One trail leads into a network of small beaver dams and flooded forest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOr0BSlZoxhPyQkP0vYioagi6HhyphenhyphenL2llMHkqRIXtfocqZrI70k0-Li7Vjwdf7fkLbfz3ZqZVBrjllbLspw8Ik9hIFUPehi4ZVfYOtKjjLVWU-XPGVr1djrk2SoBUzEFCbrVZ0JvUHBdJc/s1600/Picture+149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOr0BSlZoxhPyQkP0vYioagi6HhyphenhyphenL2llMHkqRIXtfocqZrI70k0-Li7Vjwdf7fkLbfz3ZqZVBrjllbLspw8Ik9hIFUPehi4ZVfYOtKjjLVWU-XPGVr1djrk2SoBUzEFCbrVZ0JvUHBdJc/s400/Picture+149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757005264398770" /></a>The put in on the Middle Fork Chena River is about 12 miles from Angel Rocks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYppXQb-ZN3niEZuabgRyRjeAAwqqL5p-DYdbCmUfjGjCg7DNMblw2MmaT-lGszymYStIIpnUK0nxXhQil335HUrn9B5voHjvkrB46RTg82STXr1GQaz50QkvrN92dDODaQKSL9WK8xiZh/s1600/IMG_2722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYppXQb-ZN3niEZuabgRyRjeAAwqqL5p-DYdbCmUfjGjCg7DNMblw2MmaT-lGszymYStIIpnUK0nxXhQil335HUrn9B5voHjvkrB46RTg82STXr1GQaz50QkvrN92dDODaQKSL9WK8xiZh/s400/IMG_2722.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757004488374690" /></a>The Middle Fork is a casual class I float with an occasional sweeper or log jam to avoid. The take-out is at well established gravel bar and pullout at Milepost 43 Chena Hot Springs Rd. Jay pioneered this route and has some additional information <a href="http://yak.spruceboy.net/2009/07/fun-with-packrafts-on-angel-rocks-and-the-middle-fork.html">HERE</a>.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-32570798942869991732010-05-10T21:02:00.047-08:002010-06-27T23:27:12.080-08:00Dash to Dall Hot Springs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3dD1HcLD5f3ZMXQcTfm3QQMarYkfZfIjClQcCeRV8pkjdD91_Nw9awdwq1ePrwDgis-ghONWiOcfMxhU-zv-prjCPRjaZRR9mVgTeq3OxIBw5weq5JXFUH22zgdYP2YYrxGdm-NOq53e/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3dD1HcLD5f3ZMXQcTfm3QQMarYkfZfIjClQcCeRV8pkjdD91_Nw9awdwq1ePrwDgis-ghONWiOcfMxhU-zv-prjCPRjaZRR9mVgTeq3OxIBw5weq5JXFUH22zgdYP2YYrxGdm-NOq53e/s400/IMG_2659.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487144142773020930" /></a>Dan inspects one of the pools of hot water at Dall Hot Springs<br /><br />I just stood there perplexed, frustrated, and on the verge of despair as I stared out at the foreboding landscape. As I spun around looking for relief, my 360 degree view was overwhelmed with jumbled, multiple layers of criss-crossed, endless slash piles of blackened spruce trees that littered the hillsides. We had been climbing around, up, through and over a twisted maze of forest destroyed by a past fire for more than 10 hours since breaking camp. The incessant minefield of jagged spears had ripped or shredded much of our clothing, gashed our flesh, and thrown us on the ground as an unseen root or branch would lash on to any loose thread. We were determined to make it to our destination though - a small flag marked on my GPS that indicated the approximate location of Dall Hot Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyla_SlhqDMHLAZSTI0U35naB9-MG4KSJsPYoBarzDo49TwXY27bmVMAyAjJT1avrGkzsxgq5E5NmTFiN3zicZdjF9qyvqwnsxgQt8wPy3whFCJQmVrht4JV-GPqlvTcOjO2xtNp5nWI2/s1600/DallHotSpringsTrack.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyla_SlhqDMHLAZSTI0U35naB9-MG4KSJsPYoBarzDo49TwXY27bmVMAyAjJT1avrGkzsxgq5E5NmTFiN3zicZdjF9qyvqwnsxgQt8wPy3whFCJQmVrht4JV-GPqlvTcOjO2xtNp5nWI2/s400/DallHotSpringsTrack.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487201122785916946" /></a>We spent the weekend traveling overland nearly 30 miles from the Dalton Highway to reach Dall Hot Springs. About 10 miles of our path crossed decent alpine tundra and open stands of burnt spruce - BUT - during much of the remaining 20 miles we clambered across the torched landscape. We only had a short time once we finally made it to the springs because we had to begin the arduous 18 hour trek back to the truck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFiUdPDN2Om0GZm8rQis_dIREjy0QiSU6TjS8RZu4eto_xl9DKwr0ows1I_om0rzCKJV-aacjQI0M7TM7aYRVo9zPKZslkWmQ46I0UREedfbM6WLfuuFYkzbAltg0ZMNwg2AAwJl7P5iK/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFiUdPDN2Om0GZm8rQis_dIREjy0QiSU6TjS8RZu4eto_xl9DKwr0ows1I_om0rzCKJV-aacjQI0M7TM7aYRVo9zPKZslkWmQ46I0UREedfbM6WLfuuFYkzbAltg0ZMNwg2AAwJl7P5iK/s400/IMG_2625.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487226517596153058" /></a>A small portion of our route coincided with the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pipeline/peopleevents/p_hickel.html">Hickel Highway</a>, which is quite a prestigious title for an abandoned winter ice road. This mostly forgotten and overgrown swath of history was cut across the boreal forest, mountains, and arctic tundra en route to explore the potential reserves of petroleum deep under Alaska's Arctic coastal plain. Governor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Hickel">Walter Hickel</a> ordered the winter supply road to be bulldozed north in November 1968. The "highway" was soon ditched due the poor engineering techniques which stripped away the insulating vegetation that protected the underlying permafrost. The highway turned into an impassable mud bog as the permafrost thawed. A new environmentally sound route, the Dalton Hwy, was constructed a few years later. Although Hickel's Hwy failed, it paved the way and served as a catalyst for the exploration and development of the oil and gas fields in Alaska's Arctic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG09cCNaA3BhaYSQS49wOzMlXTI9OQq5ZG8eTmmbDbT_a7olKhHtE0HXEb6JKwhO1JVhhaO3IL8XZKcZAMaQRPWutyC7uwtGvBmbsij4p9nabjI9gWibKPZd-eMqOUs1A_xMkzJNlRq9oo/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG09cCNaA3BhaYSQS49wOzMlXTI9OQq5ZG8eTmmbDbT_a7olKhHtE0HXEb6JKwhO1JVhhaO3IL8XZKcZAMaQRPWutyC7uwtGvBmbsij4p9nabjI9gWibKPZd-eMqOUs1A_xMkzJNlRq9oo/s400/IMG_2622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487228678816860834" /></a>We found an assortment of relics along the Hickel Hwy, including oil cans and numerous unidentifiable fragments of old machinery and equipment. Some random photographs during the highways construction can be found <a href="http://jukebox.uaf.edu/haul_road/htm/photo_scougal.htm">HERE</a>. Unbeknown to us, Hickel had <a href="http://www.adn.com/2010/05/07/1268751/hickel-dead-at-age-90.html">passed away</a> at the ripe age of 90 the day we skimmed his defunct highway on the way to Dall Hot Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dsHcTTt7lrIl7zFEgwZa6T5YH9BlLuJIrHNAuxe_mOxFsnKCxLDewnNrFWcFRutOAQXR9-0qCBoq9wtH9xoUn1yyq9mSSOVClWePTAT4D0JXFoG_46bebWS1TwjrGQ8ZmS9hr1r7kGcg/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dsHcTTt7lrIl7zFEgwZa6T5YH9BlLuJIrHNAuxe_mOxFsnKCxLDewnNrFWcFRutOAQXR9-0qCBoq9wtH9xoUn1yyq9mSSOVClWePTAT4D0JXFoG_46bebWS1TwjrGQ8ZmS9hr1r7kGcg/s400/IMG_2675.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487244183992091330" /></a>Dall Hot Springs is a small oasis of warm water and lush grass tucked up against the hillside. A handful of sulfurous springs percolate to the surface and flow away into the boreal forest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiy8SuWMAFtZg9PKi0K9oN9aNbcdVbXCZ8zKRXNODdwWmGg-GuUyi9nfLDGQ4Qpbb1sToTN5-tbBJNEIIKlS2nntZtObhi4URnWZZaIUoU7UAnAW0e3vtz32QBBt-38ASioCW42UWdYY7/s1600/IMG_2656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiy8SuWMAFtZg9PKi0K9oN9aNbcdVbXCZ8zKRXNODdwWmGg-GuUyi9nfLDGQ4Qpbb1sToTN5-tbBJNEIIKlS2nntZtObhi4URnWZZaIUoU7UAnAW0e3vtz32QBBt-38ASioCW42UWdYY7/s400/IMG_2656.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487245420580992306" /></a>There were remnants of human activity at the springs. This pool was contained by a decaying wood frame and had a complimentary deck and collapsed supports poles for some type of primitive cover. There was also some sort of control gate to adjust the flow of water entering the tub.<br /><br />Beat-up and tired, but exhilarated from an arduous trek and time out in the wilderness, we made it back to the road and quickly headed south to our materialistic comforts back in Fairbanks.<br /><br />Here is the video version from our 60-mile, 48 hour push to Dall Hot Springs....<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_eIzGGSEONI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_eIzGGSEONI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-14605268202321649522010-03-23T09:59:00.015-08:002010-11-21T13:43:15.535-09:00100 Miles through the White Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY-m_dzHJWHtSylN_qGpzzx5xb_BBx36SeTgyrlaFRwk93cCVXY8mf0_s4mVFVdTZRKEKeXZHcIKGH7jf7YGl5pT9pK6eGZxbKXyTYyOb8GT3wpKW__TDp5udnlVqZACsBXjVbJlRPwkq/s1600/IMG_1258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY-m_dzHJWHtSylN_qGpzzx5xb_BBx36SeTgyrlaFRwk93cCVXY8mf0_s4mVFVdTZRKEKeXZHcIKGH7jf7YGl5pT9pK6eGZxbKXyTYyOb8GT3wpKW__TDp5udnlVqZACsBXjVbJlRPwkq/s400/IMG_1258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>50 athletes leave the start line of the inaugural White Mountains 100-mile race<br />
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At the count of one, I sucked in a deep breath of the cold March air and blew into the plastic red whistle. A puttering squeal shot through the air and a wall of racers surged forward. I stood precariously balanced on the trailer hitch feeling hungover from several sleepless nights and peered down as 50 people on bikes, skis and foot funneled into the narrow slot in the trees. They were just starting their race and for me, my race was over. From an idea that was conceived 9 months earlier while packrafting through this country in the warm sunshine, the <a href="http://whitemountains100.org/">White Mountains 100</a> became a reality. Skiing the 100-mile course was going to be a cool down or decompression of sorts, and time to watch the race unfold before me.<br />
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Thanks to all the volunteers, athletes, and supporters that made this a successful race.<br />
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<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fwhitemountains100%2Falbumid%2F5452804054111914497%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-32137006895808467972010-02-05T18:57:00.146-09:002010-11-21T13:39:27.913-09:00Kite Skiing in the Alaskan Arctic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvKR1P0TbUgAmaZNVjhEikcMSWSOBIPF1uhUKNEo4H38SxgvUgqK_6FqQUV8wgKLXzK6iCS1MlgDMlGO2m8wvnIubIN6iYUbOiIOGRovPy66OpBLnj_ojH7LjLLJVHxjEuTsyuM5MfYLW/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvKR1P0TbUgAmaZNVjhEikcMSWSOBIPF1uhUKNEo4H38SxgvUgqK_6FqQUV8wgKLXzK6iCS1MlgDMlGO2m8wvnIubIN6iYUbOiIOGRovPy66OpBLnj_ojH7LjLLJVHxjEuTsyuM5MfYLW/s400/IMG_2063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dan heads west along the wind-swept tundra of the Arctic coastal plain.<br />
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He spent hours hunched over his sewing machine, stitching together the slippery material that would one day pull him across the frozen tundra. Dan mastered his sewing skills as he created from scratch several different sized kites. Each individual kite was designed for a particular meteorological condition; the largest would scoop up enough air in a light wind regime and accelerate Dan forward, while the smallest would be utilized in stronger winds where a large surface area of fabric was not necessary for propulsion.<br />
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I drove Dan north to Alaska's Arctic coastal plain where he was to make a test run of "kite" assisted travel for a few days. This is a harsh environment where wintertime temperatures seldom climb above zero degrees Fahrenheit, the sun remains below the horizon for nearly two months, and strong winds accompanied by zero visibility in blowing snow can persist unabated for days. His plan was to ski across the tundra to the village of Nuiqsut and work out any bugs with his system before venturing off on a more comprehensive journey across Alaska.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN9TsVJH3dRztzcbfAEi_CiqT_qbNeS6xQAW9u3o5Ow4vlE1YPxl4m3XIiC7K3Svc7ubBcLpybVDEUyjTsklqlhXEZZpDR81BJMy6dmhWVj1U7xJmX1hY0qYV__jZBs0LNlW8O0LbCU6W/s1600/IMG_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN9TsVJH3dRztzcbfAEi_CiqT_qbNeS6xQAW9u3o5Ow4vlE1YPxl4m3XIiC7K3Svc7ubBcLpybVDEUyjTsklqlhXEZZpDR81BJMy6dmhWVj1U7xJmX1hY0qYV__jZBs0LNlW8O0LbCU6W/s400/IMG_1996.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Loading up the hand-crafted sled and bag with a weeks worth of gear to survive in sub-zero temperatures and mind numbing wind chills.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1cYoLjvUKqB4sB76DaP0zBX8cMk1RuUFexp4JcKbYHWyosptoK7GImT5oo4x0RYccl5uCSRyAfJ_YxaNOM7dtI_ec_TZlaLVQSLIw25Zb6T_4NP_0JxdS6u92bEBKMBr4V3zGc3ZCVXF/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1cYoLjvUKqB4sB76DaP0zBX8cMk1RuUFexp4JcKbYHWyosptoK7GImT5oo4x0RYccl5uCSRyAfJ_YxaNOM7dtI_ec_TZlaLVQSLIw25Zb6T_4NP_0JxdS6u92bEBKMBr4V3zGc3ZCVXF/s400/IMG_2033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Bundles of lithium batteries for a headlamp, gps, and <a href="http://www.findmespot.com/">SPOT</a> messenger.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvCMdK0JIJBR28NypaxMsQEDkmlu9bi7iLSIRhPiloGp_9-pwBpHs-BdDHMNcBL4K2W14FVF7S4c6fA9v6pMO8a71k5-m-P2jzJqKc2m0Hbg6wl8NEV1FWLKEBPD3UyaqVmqVXBVV08d3/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvCMdK0JIJBR28NypaxMsQEDkmlu9bi7iLSIRhPiloGp_9-pwBpHs-BdDHMNcBL4K2W14FVF7S4c6fA9v6pMO8a71k5-m-P2jzJqKc2m0Hbg6wl8NEV1FWLKEBPD3UyaqVmqVXBVV08d3/s400/IMG_2043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ensuring the kite lines are untangled prior to departure.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVQaY99rIr98J57z0PZoAerPQ0TdNuWaK_LwfxjaCgXxHsK9r0RB06hEF6CRKQOgcvDin6k136fqshlqT6zIsbzvhcGJhXWzNSKy8mc4mzvLCfypjoKI4FXEWESTIuonPpjkWqoDrCz4i/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVQaY99rIr98J57z0PZoAerPQ0TdNuWaK_LwfxjaCgXxHsK9r0RB06hEF6CRKQOgcvDin6k136fqshlqT6zIsbzvhcGJhXWzNSKy8mc4mzvLCfypjoKI4FXEWESTIuonPpjkWqoDrCz4i/s400/IMG_2059.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>All geared up and ready to launch the kite. First stop: Nuiqsut, Alaska.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Vlogging from the drop-off point 15 miles south of the Arctic Ocean.</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ldiadhfgj54?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ldiadhfgj54?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-4047485603365090762010-01-24T21:44:00.012-09:002010-02-01T23:15:16.920-09:00Growing Older at Caribou Bluff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxGvNrjyQXnhFnSMt8PYK7dmJ9ieuqFW9_DtjSzRCzFfsQRkLW8jVdMl5AOinG1RBtPclMUMKKFTSTctdjQynAY6lfCbOodChlmWUwY1LMdTUBwJRLUR8dW0Fqy6PB0brjhGEX2l3twTf/s1600-h/IMG_1929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxGvNrjyQXnhFnSMt8PYK7dmJ9ieuqFW9_DtjSzRCzFfsQRkLW8jVdMl5AOinG1RBtPclMUMKKFTSTctdjQynAY6lfCbOodChlmWUwY1LMdTUBwJRLUR8dW0Fqy6PB0brjhGEX2l3twTf/s400/IMG_1929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433168728077569394" /></a>Curtains of northern lights dance above Caribou Bluff cabin<br /><br />I stood at the edge of the bluff in front of the small log cabin. Even though I have seen the northern lights illuminate the sky an uncountable number of times in my life, I am still mesmerized by the silent beauty of every display. Each time it's a different performance; sometimes turning into an explosion of colors shooting quickly across the sky, and other times a shy green streak that dimly fades away into the starlight.<br /><br />On this night I remained deathly still as I attempted to visually contemplate which direction and with what intensity the next wave of light would pursue. The green arc eventually faded and the show was over. But I remained standing at my perch on the bluff, a bit disappointed that there was no grand finale. I was suddenly aware of the warm glow emanating from the cabin window, the swirl of smoke rising from the chimney, and the muffled laughter of my friends inside. I was overwhelmingly happy to be here to celebrate the beginning of another year in my life... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGbN5IhBGdtrepoDKZq8AaLzqVxW1IugtR2bioclzWGfLnPn2aZ4rI0Vl4wK5IjrAyyaUM_e-Eh8y8t9yG9Bow8ApEu5ZRerwuY-JllV-uNJ3kQKGY5b3eLWunKJq6kc7j06xcl_VnSe8/s1600-h/CaribouBluffTraverse.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 353px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGbN5IhBGdtrepoDKZq8AaLzqVxW1IugtR2bioclzWGfLnPn2aZ4rI0Vl4wK5IjrAyyaUM_e-Eh8y8t9yG9Bow8ApEu5ZRerwuY-JllV-uNJ3kQKGY5b3eLWunKJq6kc7j06xcl_VnSe8/s400/CaribouBluffTraverse.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433546640028029330" /></a>This was a quick weekend trip into the White Mountains. Six of us traveled by skis, and one on a bike with fatty tires. We propelled ourselves 30 miles out to the Caribou Bluff cabin and then an additional 30+ miles back to the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ2Rg9mjKp3mcfjA6MsuhnyD81SOJgVjNvNFJAmMjvxm2uHvlMlSuEWyNBERjxmH5L4G5Ifp8L96aGfSfU4UXlF_wVk8aVglzi4P7kkvPvep38Yoa3xLHWRbMadb5JQe712QuKSAxSBZD/s1600-h/IMG_1964.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ2Rg9mjKp3mcfjA6MsuhnyD81SOJgVjNvNFJAmMjvxm2uHvlMlSuEWyNBERjxmH5L4G5Ifp8L96aGfSfU4UXlF_wVk8aVglzi4P7kkvPvep38Yoa3xLHWRbMadb5JQe712QuKSAxSBZD/s400/IMG_1964.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433552243718520818" /></a>This was an especially special trip. It has been nearly a year since <a href="http://huffblog.blogspot.com/">Dea</a> received her kidney transplant. After many months of building up her endurance, she was able to join us on this this vigorous ski traverse. Not too long ago, I could only fondly imagine a time when I could see Dea out enjoying a dialysis-free lifestyle. Now it's become a reality.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EJt13znmumE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EJt13znmumE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />A video story from Caribou Bluff.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-35748839232124436752009-11-14T11:21:00.008-09:002009-12-18T13:13:34.920-09:00White Mountains 100<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeBT8b39fP7M76v-NhPargubIoWhpcYifvT8niqdGryDhaHoyt1AJt7HfAJNDddFhLiaIPCpN4utHv44lvCrH4vzz8TVI8NO9Dzh9KqTbEVeHBk4fwSqMmrtspETjQ-QBQlPcDoe-XKmQ/s1600-h/whitemtnslogo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeBT8b39fP7M76v-NhPargubIoWhpcYifvT8niqdGryDhaHoyt1AJt7HfAJNDddFhLiaIPCpN4utHv44lvCrH4vzz8TVI8NO9Dzh9KqTbEVeHBk4fwSqMmrtspETjQ-QBQlPcDoe-XKmQ/s400/whitemtnslogo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416702371832569378" /></a>An idea...that morphed into some scribblings on a sheet of paper...and now may become a reality. So simply named but packed with an uncountable number of challenges to push the human body to the point of physical and mental exhaustion. <a href="http://whitemountains100.org">The White Mountains 100</a> - a 100-mile human powered winter bike, ski and running race. Coming to interior Alaska in March 2010.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-35549119404333836812009-09-08T23:18:00.030-08:002009-12-18T13:04:20.551-09:00Packrafting in Technicolor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NeE6BC3QQXkKXPMr446sTJHOp1ETQvwg0h-2mhGoPqoa1Y1VhOAOouelhGz3IyM9RlmJSieENNeWb7GDb4i3WLd2gHfEQFM6n3gTS2YALe3maBmK8i19IIJwd9NbCx1kTHnHmgO9O5iM/s1600-h/IMGP0288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NeE6BC3QQXkKXPMr446sTJHOp1ETQvwg0h-2mhGoPqoa1Y1VhOAOouelhGz3IyM9RlmJSieENNeWb7GDb4i3WLd2gHfEQFM6n3gTS2YALe3maBmK8i19IIJwd9NbCx1kTHnHmgO9O5iM/s400/IMGP0288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416420086507514082" /></a>Vibrant colors illuminate the East Fork Susitna River basin<br /><br />The wide spectrum of light sent me into a visual overload. It seemed like my brain was confused at how to process the incredible array of wavelengths entering my eyes. My vision had previously adjusted to the washed out colors brought on by a rather cloudy and wet, monochromatic August. But as September and autumn rolled in, summer-like weather decided to throw one last performance with bright, warm sunshine lighting up a chromatic display of fall foliage.<br /><br />We headed into the Alaska Range south of Fairbanks for our final packrafting trip of the season. My nephew and I had traversed the <a href="http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2009/07/silence-in-clearwaters.html">Clearwater Mountain</a> area earlier in the summer, and I was excited to return and explore more of this countryside. I was intrigued by the easy access to the open tundra, shimmering alpine lakes, sweeping valleys, and dramatic views of glaciated peaks looming above the horizon. All of this is within easy reach of our limited Alaska road system.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzhOT96eBVufD90qgkOK2uNfH2YthOz-Bk3kmavct0Ygyq59Gvfp33Xoa9wIN3jyytJP6H1abi41vGRc_3o59r2q9HwO-Us36Pbrfwy01Kp0lKMXqk0ryzb2xf9l9B6o-Qe_VtiTFDJGo/s1600-h/EForkSusitna.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzhOT96eBVufD90qgkOK2uNfH2YthOz-Bk3kmavct0Ygyq59Gvfp33Xoa9wIN3jyytJP6H1abi41vGRc_3o59r2q9HwO-Us36Pbrfwy01Kp0lKMXqk0ryzb2xf9l9B6o-Qe_VtiTFDJGo/s400/EForkSusitna.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416440950223281618" /></a>We started our trek near the end of the Valdez Creek mine road, at which point a dendritic network of mining trails branch out into the surrounding mountains. These trails provide easy access to the high country. Our traverse led us up one of these paths for about 6 miles, at which point we veered off and paraded across the tundra for an additional 20 miles of cross country walking. Our destination was the East Fork Susitna River a few miles from its start at the terminus of the glacier with the same name. From there we floated 32 miles back to the Denali Highway bridge where we stashed bikes and running shoes for the 11 mile trip back up to the truck. The walking was superb with firm tundra, minimal bushwhacking, excellent alpine lake swimming, easy floating and portaging, plentiful wildlife viewing, along with classic Alaska scenery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHp353rwDfOdIdcxDyFXka4EpbSPRS3sf8beHpP9aOghjidsKSAZvRFTmxviOs9GmS5zOVIV3VbvT-HX1IfOrB6okK3ZLNSicR92ElFx6vNuqGOWIuXAK4JIYo161_ijT9Z-cDCQ47QGb/s1600-h/IMG_0982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHp353rwDfOdIdcxDyFXka4EpbSPRS3sf8beHpP9aOghjidsKSAZvRFTmxviOs9GmS5zOVIV3VbvT-HX1IfOrB6okK3ZLNSicR92ElFx6vNuqGOWIuXAK4JIYo161_ijT9Z-cDCQ47QGb/s400/IMG_0982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416420085351995522" /></a>We had to cross Valdez Creek a handful of times as we worked our way up the drainage. A well established 4-wheeler trail provided easy access to the alpine and eliminated the need to fight our way through the chest high dwarf birch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mAwRtT_iBDdDjJMzy6KH_gSb-kjW2UcOukasOrTbtZGj-B52sv8f8OZql29DH9DQdTXhVFLjFG5vL58Sibxd5-SFaR9PAbP0KyTnXpxe7rZT_toFCnBzcLOjgTwo5AENJtOQqrDbtX7D/s1600-h/IMG_1012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mAwRtT_iBDdDjJMzy6KH_gSb-kjW2UcOukasOrTbtZGj-B52sv8f8OZql29DH9DQdTXhVFLjFG5vL58Sibxd5-SFaR9PAbP0KyTnXpxe7rZT_toFCnBzcLOjgTwo5AENJtOQqrDbtX7D/s400/IMG_1012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416420079818107218" /></a>A classic example of <a href="http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/685.html">solifluction lobes</a> are draped along the hillside. These features resemble oozing tongues of molasses. They are created as the first meter or so of frozen soil, also known as the active layer, thaws during the summertime. Gravity takes its toll on this water saturated active layer of permafrost and it slowly slips downhill along the interface with the permanently frozen ground below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmyLuCehHb3gfKN_u5z86RxyLgXo4f6K-RhARZYieYyTWWJ-a2Y5N4LoLoSkBJy6YMT8589tiVNvXnRRBZrLGczH9FLCMtS90ZaRpAfovmWZ98srbrW6yxgfxEY_8ticSCe420gFFAiic/s1600-h/IMG_1057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmyLuCehHb3gfKN_u5z86RxyLgXo4f6K-RhARZYieYyTWWJ-a2Y5N4LoLoSkBJy6YMT8589tiVNvXnRRBZrLGczH9FLCMtS90ZaRpAfovmWZ98srbrW6yxgfxEY_8ticSCe420gFFAiic/s400/IMG_1057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416419031944308386" /></a>Curious caribou are prevalent in this part of the Alaska Range.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPRO0IKK-7SxmpXEoZIcgwi2lvzvLA3aCw1REDhGkJenBgJCRWzUJcYQdw5892niWh57KiEaft4q6i_eEiiAoSTKzYBk-a2DmjnvYieSyFzMiYG1PxXXtsKIRuItrpgNaQSlCwmkHnq5V/s1600-h/IMG_1054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPRO0IKK-7SxmpXEoZIcgwi2lvzvLA3aCw1REDhGkJenBgJCRWzUJcYQdw5892niWh57KiEaft4q6i_eEiiAoSTKzYBk-a2DmjnvYieSyFzMiYG1PxXXtsKIRuItrpgNaQSlCwmkHnq5V/s400/IMG_1054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416419036116453202" /></a>The tundra grasses and sedges had transitioned into a soft yellow carpet with the onset of fall. In July my nephew and I had strolled down this valley through fields of wildflowers on our way to float <a href="http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2009/07/silence-in-clearwaters.html">Clearwater Creek</a>. For this trip we just skimmed the upper edge of the drainage on our way to a rock strewn pass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROavBCkLcdNhUIoyfdx2aZesgJuKin2NAF71oS8qge8QBee-0wa511WXuX-rvxTw8dFOr2jQLtZnBRsFyDthE_5ti7XWYoSqpn47y3OvYc_RMn1M09SdXkt1fb37IJvS4ABWIrzVfF90t/s1600-h/IMG_1107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROavBCkLcdNhUIoyfdx2aZesgJuKin2NAF71oS8qge8QBee-0wa511WXuX-rvxTw8dFOr2jQLtZnBRsFyDthE_5ti7XWYoSqpn47y3OvYc_RMn1M09SdXkt1fb37IJvS4ABWIrzVfF90t/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416417811821293842" /></a>The vertical face of Mt Deborah towers over Ben and Heather.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwpN7lfkdW2aApXin7TUGTIw2SPbNBGCOLBq8AYwoU19pNQLpf4yMaOCc8xGFkbphev94y1g24eewT6rKGbRzpTeIcRbY6nUVIbKerSe5CfnDv_ZgghFxK2ONSkG1hFrg77x2e63PIBd0/s1600-h/IMG_1122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwpN7lfkdW2aApXin7TUGTIw2SPbNBGCOLBq8AYwoU19pNQLpf4yMaOCc8xGFkbphev94y1g24eewT6rKGbRzpTeIcRbY6nUVIbKerSe5CfnDv_ZgghFxK2ONSkG1hFrg77x2e63PIBd0/s400/IMG_1122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416417807988677602" /></a>The fall foliage reflects from one of the many unnamed alpine lakes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI57p1D0GGHP0nocPMC7JNTwKW0VCU8WCKzvRZDq3RvTcqCny6azJd0zKyNWmDkDPxzFgIxXik_fb8TeVWTGixRwYAGrje1SC9uOGR3p1dOK9flSOWx_av4mJCD-Pe9OCT-OmiDEtRH6e/s1600-h/IMG_1127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI57p1D0GGHP0nocPMC7JNTwKW0VCU8WCKzvRZDq3RvTcqCny6azJd0zKyNWmDkDPxzFgIxXik_fb8TeVWTGixRwYAGrje1SC9uOGR3p1dOK9flSOWx_av4mJCD-Pe9OCT-OmiDEtRH6e/s400/IMG_1127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416416331953948194" /></a><a href="http://huffblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/ak-range-traverse-and-east-fork-susitna.html">Dea</a> and Heather enjoy the unbelievably stellar walking across the firm tundra and brush free landscape. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFJ4HdJevBNWa5ECd05TNdHGEB8JTu0DGal4WIzAMNa9VA61XAXAXDQaxYW_EKvjKGGwPEMGQOZF9GJzwx1QBEchpaejqp4QvJNlwFbQ3cybsv-T41qpIS7JPyjLG0SzjUfrL4yzCqBem/s1600-h/IMG_1136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFJ4HdJevBNWa5ECd05TNdHGEB8JTu0DGal4WIzAMNa9VA61XAXAXDQaxYW_EKvjKGGwPEMGQOZF9GJzwx1QBEchpaejqp4QvJNlwFbQ3cybsv-T41qpIS7JPyjLG0SzjUfrL4yzCqBem/s400/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416416326746200146" /></a>Ben approaches yet another beautiful, crystal clear lake. We swam in nearly every pool of water we encountered along our route.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNnA4l2QNz6qhWQvcSJlt8IiXSMqC6JTaWRmVt0RksXlqDIgZ-UEgPf-OeTXp6xE-6NO3nf5vOKXd7dm9PcXF9-EHJ1nEQztJ4LtzG53o7n0ppriRK33a6EzuVk5yiI8D-q6WyrbF2q79/s1600-h/IMG_1162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNnA4l2QNz6qhWQvcSJlt8IiXSMqC6JTaWRmVt0RksXlqDIgZ-UEgPf-OeTXp6xE-6NO3nf5vOKXd7dm9PcXF9-EHJ1nEQztJ4LtzG53o7n0ppriRK33a6EzuVk5yiI8D-q6WyrbF2q79/s400/IMG_1162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416416322132264114" /></a>Our progress was slowed by the bountiful supply of plump blueberries which weighed down the bright red bushes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0Vkqu8e53edS5w_VZIKPiXQoVCCqpzxy7EWdU06rYBub74zey6blVVr9fTMXb_TPQ-MgdKFURV3gGQw-NX_NwGaqletD1gpHbvaH7n_5-1srj0WTFkcy9qIwaKZwC4TBDA411GETKkfX/s1600-h/IMG_1176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0Vkqu8e53edS5w_VZIKPiXQoVCCqpzxy7EWdU06rYBub74zey6blVVr9fTMXb_TPQ-MgdKFURV3gGQw-NX_NwGaqletD1gpHbvaH7n_5-1srj0WTFkcy9qIwaKZwC4TBDA411GETKkfX/s400/IMG_1176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416416316958618338" /></a>A choir of cotton grass stands proudly along the edge of another nameless alpine lake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kMJOzBhhQMSqkr0-_9GtFV-Ca3cJFe6_7VRDqHJAl5Jkv0g98YFlnIQwoGNmXVtFhe0BcQwQTsDEgbhmiVNG4O_QjPwsaDdAGGeh_ATKa-bhJSjPKJ4rtwB57Lk2zyzSluuMl81awU47/s1600-h/IMG_1221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kMJOzBhhQMSqkr0-_9GtFV-Ca3cJFe6_7VRDqHJAl5Jkv0g98YFlnIQwoGNmXVtFhe0BcQwQTsDEgbhmiVNG4O_QjPwsaDdAGGeh_ATKa-bhJSjPKJ4rtwB57Lk2zyzSluuMl81awU47/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416416309412474402" /></a>Ben hesitantly walks through the bright red-leafed blueberry bushes as he makes the final descent to the East Fork Susitna River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgEs87lAcbaeCuzr-59ANyFfF_MDzYMz7oejfxDRzq_HAQRKjbbDw1i_Hj2ssSFbZAInQl8jAghJ4sVPiVs-kNLwgL5ZgpfiQnWh1CFIDIswJkYvYB-uTm8v1ogPmr501vHMcGx_Ehb1i/s1600-h/IMG_1223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgEs87lAcbaeCuzr-59ANyFfF_MDzYMz7oejfxDRzq_HAQRKjbbDw1i_Hj2ssSFbZAInQl8jAghJ4sVPiVs-kNLwgL5ZgpfiQnWh1CFIDIswJkYvYB-uTm8v1ogPmr501vHMcGx_Ehb1i/s400/IMG_1223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416414817801612050" /></a>A carpet of tundra and game trails led us right down to our put-in on the silty waters of the East Fork Susitna River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPExARniI6oW1PtH777yhefYm5gyMrU0gRiiOXf9L5zhf5pCxgMxNQ3zPsZKVRkIne-L1XnUYw2IRYcewm0PTsr0QsCAcC8IjQo-93AIHxfS8WB7-fiQtVEzzAsQMdigSijH_nLDVU9BuG/s1600-h/IMGP0292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPExARniI6oW1PtH777yhefYm5gyMrU0gRiiOXf9L5zhf5pCxgMxNQ3zPsZKVRkIne-L1XnUYw2IRYcewm0PTsr0QsCAcC8IjQo-93AIHxfS8WB7-fiQtVEzzAsQMdigSijH_nLDVU9BuG/s400/IMGP0292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416420093452453330" /></a>The East Fork Susitna River was mostly easy class I water, except for a 1.5 mile stretch of rapids just above the confluence with the main stem of the Sustina River. At the water levels we encountered, the rapids were generally class II, with a very short class III rocky drop which required some quick maneuvering.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnWgNRAUJwv6kNr9ulFiLQEbBDT4tRLTyeq2ZM75MwmOX1qxP2YlOravX7517NJEkAvBHiKHzD04FuDZYCLg3YDSf4UQsPpkm752l35znLuFXMfS1AXDI3RGg5g6keQjWImQcd7vw6aFZ/s1600-h/IMG_1245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnWgNRAUJwv6kNr9ulFiLQEbBDT4tRLTyeq2ZM75MwmOX1qxP2YlOravX7517NJEkAvBHiKHzD04FuDZYCLg3YDSf4UQsPpkm752l35znLuFXMfS1AXDI3RGg5g6keQjWImQcd7vw6aFZ/s400/IMG_1245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416414814904488082" /></a>Portaging around any portion of the rapids on the East Fork Susitna was easy due to a well worn game trail along the south bank of the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMTJf-RGlhX6K4o_mKW36JIPt0X-KhbS7R4RZA6Hyh4KJR31t43ePHLbfDr3m2uG4OBp_fyr3o7zW_MOGYWCLZ6Ivt1Z-la9kJ1-HBK3-TUmrqbx_7VUcZoSfXtlZHcAE8hW8gIVUt4Y9/s1600-h/IMG_1244.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMTJf-RGlhX6K4o_mKW36JIPt0X-KhbS7R4RZA6Hyh4KJR31t43ePHLbfDr3m2uG4OBp_fyr3o7zW_MOGYWCLZ6Ivt1Z-la9kJ1-HBK3-TUmrqbx_7VUcZoSfXtlZHcAE8hW8gIVUt4Y9/s400/IMG_1244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416414809577600434" /></a>A portion of the 1.5 mile stretch of rapids on the East Fork Susitna River. A very short class III bouldery section is just up river from this point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeXDjMYJocWksiXWnlQgMRf39Io_BwjPKPWWrPqCPjDslPwcBRpdC3qMVLuBSgcXE5I01vrcEep2x7u3uBuLDI6ctd4qFhLv-ydMLzEx3SxTAz-z5nhm4qgkFB4B-DSbKV3BpViyucweI/s1600-h/IMG_1261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeXDjMYJocWksiXWnlQgMRf39Io_BwjPKPWWrPqCPjDslPwcBRpdC3qMVLuBSgcXE5I01vrcEep2x7u3uBuLDI6ctd4qFhLv-ydMLzEx3SxTAz-z5nhm4qgkFB4B-DSbKV3BpViyucweI/s400/IMG_1261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416414801368097586" /></a>The glaciated peaks of the Alaska Range dominate the skyline above the main stem of the Susitna River. We dragged and powered our way through a few miles of very shallow, braided channels on the Susitna River. Otherwise, the entire traverse was an awesome way to close out the 2009 packrafting season.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-30506530458624308012009-07-20T21:33:00.023-08:002009-09-13T12:03:43.828-08:00Silence in the Clearwater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92Ju_oKo6pOPahF3WrKxmgNdI0EU8669FyeLGe1Aj3KYgboeqOS-zh4RjMm3IsZD-d-NyZQM45gZnVYvGjYVrP_1oU6R3JuwFf0Yd8F53pJwtdn8D02ohnHzXxtGXKNqjz_6ltY7OJBlJ/s1600-h/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92Ju_oKo6pOPahF3WrKxmgNdI0EU8669FyeLGe1Aj3KYgboeqOS-zh4RjMm3IsZD-d-NyZQM45gZnVYvGjYVrP_1oU6R3JuwFf0Yd8F53pJwtdn8D02ohnHzXxtGXKNqjz_6ltY7OJBlJ/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381021201665632146" /></a>Mark and Sky descend a mountain pass in the Clearwater Mountains<br /><br />We finally settled down and started to cook dinner around 1 am under the dim twilight. It was noticeable that the nights were gradually getting darker as time slowly slid away from summer solstice. The two of us perched ourselves on a cushion of tundra overlooking a glassy alpine lake as we devoured our warm meals from the self contained aluminum bags.<br /><br />Mark was the first one to notice it. I had sensed that something was different but no conscious thought had surfaced until he pointed out the obvious. It was completely silent...dead still. There were no birds, not a single movement of air to rustle the miniature leaves on the surrounding sedges -- but this place was void of something more prominent. Bugs! There was no incessant buzzing of mosquitoes. We had been so accustomed to a constant hum in the atmosphere this summer that the lack of sound felt strangely discomforting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiyzkMbQVd5YO_-jCBTPtnwMyhjWH3TJD-8I83SeIxfL9gBEz7zbEHFGaWUxEXOa-fTVrYA40XQ7BaRu-Prq0rHJpSoeGyi-EdHZq8B-bYfDDnY16KCv7ACK136378an8ODRxF-aWG42s/s1600-h/ClearwaterCircuit.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiyzkMbQVd5YO_-jCBTPtnwMyhjWH3TJD-8I83SeIxfL9gBEz7zbEHFGaWUxEXOa-fTVrYA40XQ7BaRu-Prq0rHJpSoeGyi-EdHZq8B-bYfDDnY16KCv7ACK136378an8ODRxF-aWG42s/s400/ClearwaterCircuit.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380850185211860466" /></a>This was our last trip together before Mark heads back to his home high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and tends to more important things like high school and cross country running. Mark was eager to do a multi-sport trip which would combine hiking, boating, and cycling. We decided to explore the Clearwater Mountains: an accessible subrange in the greater Alaska Range along the Denali Highway. A very well maintained road and network of 4-wheeler trails lead to the tundra in the Valdez Creek mining area. We followed one of these paths until it spit us into the alpine. From there we hiked about 18 miles to Clearwater Creek, dropped our packrafts in the water and floated 15 miles to the Denali Highway, and then biked 35 miles back to the truck. A complete 70 mile loop which can easily be completed in a 3-day weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxNnvwYNTF0Ojoq5olmzHp-h6T3cWZsBYyHtEmuxXAHZSegkk72WuW0xnDIvPfXBhKLBhpt1ypw-srirJkZoBENuAkOXApyLOBZpQjBV892GWvX8wPsJ0sNJU2T4wKbDOghUvNEzgf9zh/s1600-h/IMG_0060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxNnvwYNTF0Ojoq5olmzHp-h6T3cWZsBYyHtEmuxXAHZSegkk72WuW0xnDIvPfXBhKLBhpt1ypw-srirJkZoBENuAkOXApyLOBZpQjBV892GWvX8wPsJ0sNJU2T4wKbDOghUvNEzgf9zh/s400/IMG_0060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380850190551925778" /></a>We scrambled up a pass above Grogg Lake en route to our put-in on Clearwater Creek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMn8yUWq808AZcyPVf5Qh5VMs6q1FzSabbqNMGvHr6HFeyDwxAbfzLO7odMvm4l89xQX0-3j2BPvwX-KMTGIPDQf6t_36WdUlIA-xyxdMfpsfTK_G0N8L7_M6TNgKlttoaTBW7qJrG_CLy/s1600-h/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMn8yUWq808AZcyPVf5Qh5VMs6q1FzSabbqNMGvHr6HFeyDwxAbfzLO7odMvm4l89xQX0-3j2BPvwX-KMTGIPDQf6t_36WdUlIA-xyxdMfpsfTK_G0N8L7_M6TNgKlttoaTBW7qJrG_CLy/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380850215489615250" /></a>A dense population of caribou in this area have developed a well worn web of trails through the lower elevation brush. This made for easy walking as we dropped down into the Clearwater Creek drainage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZURndMG4AfIFDVm31hFTMuYQNnt2UBTcF7maVRtflTbKNldgbeu-EYoH3u9V9FR7ktMLhnkBVpRRsNHNtaqQZWMBvCgpzlbwB15KgYyPj9ze-gGiNlgzvdYooNM7yrGeWzRuOCpIpXgld/s1600-h/IMG_0089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZURndMG4AfIFDVm31hFTMuYQNnt2UBTcF7maVRtflTbKNldgbeu-EYoH3u9V9FR7ktMLhnkBVpRRsNHNtaqQZWMBvCgpzlbwB15KgYyPj9ze-gGiNlgzvdYooNM7yrGeWzRuOCpIpXgld/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380852403590810690" /></a>We put in on Clearwater Creek at the confluence with a tributary which contributed enough water sufficient for floating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgsKPr7vW_NJcg6uSa_-SAomaiyqAIdwWVWdo2uawKtGa_le-G0_04kDDmAMKkuDTsCOADGIwLuR_tNo1javhxJmQMlXosGif6xJOL_rSTxe2-5htNkFSFPhiD3GNQr68swB8xCEAyfAq/s1600-h/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgsKPr7vW_NJcg6uSa_-SAomaiyqAIdwWVWdo2uawKtGa_le-G0_04kDDmAMKkuDTsCOADGIwLuR_tNo1javhxJmQMlXosGif6xJOL_rSTxe2-5htNkFSFPhiD3GNQr68swB8xCEAyfAq/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381000008334693698" /></a>The creek was almost entirely Class I water with a short stretch of rocky...non butt dragging...Class II riffles with some boulders to dodge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54X-asc4aH4rPToT2TXKG9P7NFCmDMp8Bqa4mUYvlCRCu_XJuvUKjII8qV4Ub9xnRETuLde4bkibGpMGItme6fpUJY7ybtN231FvF9wflXJWt4PTzB2wnF0kI_FgbT24lB4vqjFo5bAVM/s1600-h/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54X-asc4aH4rPToT2TXKG9P7NFCmDMp8Bqa4mUYvlCRCu_XJuvUKjII8qV4Ub9xnRETuLde4bkibGpMGItme6fpUJY7ybtN231FvF9wflXJWt4PTzB2wnF0kI_FgbT24lB4vqjFo5bAVM/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381000015990385090" /></a>The take out at Milepost 55 Denali Highway. I was skeptical about floating this river when I saw the low volume of water flowing under the bridge. The trip was surprisingly nice with plenty of water to keep the boats afloat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoueG0MKWnxW9wPX0stFV7q5iMGY36xuO1iH8Ni5qoumWCQsyvrCn1TcIAHzDXGeBrLBAD84RLJF5ezPgnoreRgyd9ZPG3AyN-DPA5V7saRv_Jp66AdscNwPb-KonZlWj6X6herYCYpKF/s1600-h/IMG_0139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoueG0MKWnxW9wPX0stFV7q5iMGY36xuO1iH8Ni5qoumWCQsyvrCn1TcIAHzDXGeBrLBAD84RLJF5ezPgnoreRgyd9ZPG3AyN-DPA5V7saRv_Jp66AdscNwPb-KonZlWj6X6herYCYpKF/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380852429326018226" /></a>Heading west on the Denali Highway and back to the truck.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-27326401860207812732009-07-12T19:09:00.015-08:002009-09-11T00:56:45.340-08:00Whitewater on Windy Creek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA6TGKOR-yose8mwc_Ccy8CfuVPUs6AIjdIIy37MDFxzHEP1l6H22NGNG9BsjskSzApktIJggXCncqOSawoWOD9IasP-q0tyjtx2669L_o9EFWvnBoCcb5viFvBpfISxidSPAUDHCcK4x/s1600-h/plugin+021-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA6TGKOR-yose8mwc_Ccy8CfuVPUs6AIjdIIy37MDFxzHEP1l6H22NGNG9BsjskSzApktIJggXCncqOSawoWOD9IasP-q0tyjtx2669L_o9EFWvnBoCcb5viFvBpfISxidSPAUDHCcK4x/s400/plugin+021-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379733465134939298" /></a>Ben and Tyler take a ride down Windy Creek<br /><br />Windy Creek is often used as an approach to access the Sanctuary River in Denali National Park. This clear boulder strewn ribbon of water also makes for a superb day trip. When I first walked up this drainage en route to the Sanctuary River via Windy Pass I was so focussed on my final destination that I somehow overlooked its amusement park ride-like floating potential. Fortunately a fellow packrafter pointed out the obvious in a post on the internet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72o9vUI5Nqlt6StRED6TLRd6OgxPObTCtwKmth5heyJwBAhO5d6s0kVoiaAtpIewZ6KcrIe6ShkSkESgw1iCmdBFIrvn3-w79lRlb8wYg8_8GOgUE8VdL4PCXi-2U3wHSp5eb-BTTMU1w/s1600-h/WindyCreekDaytripper.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72o9vUI5Nqlt6StRED6TLRd6OgxPObTCtwKmth5heyJwBAhO5d6s0kVoiaAtpIewZ6KcrIe6ShkSkESgw1iCmdBFIrvn3-w79lRlb8wYg8_8GOgUE8VdL4PCXi-2U3wHSp5eb-BTTMU1w/s400/WindyCreekDaytripper.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379675774056030290" /></a>A well worn 4-wheeler trail branches northwest from the community of Cantwell and crosses a low divide before narrowing down to a single track where it descends into the Windy Creek drainage. We hiked about 5 miles along this path from Cantwell to an undefined spot that looked like a great starting point. This was followed by a 9 mile float down Windy Creek and the Jack River -- eventually pulling out where the Jack spills into the Nenana River. A short portage through the brush brought us back to the road. From there its a pleasant 8-mile bike ride or run back to the vehicle in Cantwell. The ideal trip..no car shuttle required.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtyy_GO9QLYvdhjr61L4UomGDgw42C39x_L09F0755QSnmy0GaaOvr7giGgXBCS8goYeY9QyLN6LZdBpvtQP9ldJ1GOHp-1UHg3cXMwPvvDp5mjd3FNZ13VD-0CAdLdnUPpWjvjBwqlRs/s1600-h/IMG_8201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtyy_GO9QLYvdhjr61L4UomGDgw42C39x_L09F0755QSnmy0GaaOvr7giGgXBCS8goYeY9QyLN6LZdBpvtQP9ldJ1GOHp-1UHg3cXMwPvvDp5mjd3FNZ13VD-0CAdLdnUPpWjvjBwqlRs/s400/IMG_8201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379732625301829746" /></a>Mark gazes down at the others clambering on all fours as they climb a steep bluff along Windy Creek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzx0wXI2tPk2zIEfRlyY9W7JgcMU8CTp82-lhKXZdS0FWuUi-011xY2TkduzjpNLPbbaX7bN5YxYGYM3z8B_nbLwo4cynoDua3pd2k_G5bkSeEvmQXYDtJPHhaqHJKU_3T_xvJsT5ubcuT/s1600-h/IMG_8204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzx0wXI2tPk2zIEfRlyY9W7JgcMU8CTp82-lhKXZdS0FWuUi-011xY2TkduzjpNLPbbaX7bN5YxYGYM3z8B_nbLwo4cynoDua3pd2k_G5bkSeEvmQXYDtJPHhaqHJKU_3T_xvJsT5ubcuT/s400/IMG_8204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379732620121455026" /></a>The upper part of Windy Creek is very fun and steady class II water with lots of small drops and standing waves. The volume is relatively low so there are no big hydraulics or unmanageable holes to contend with. Its a confidence boosting intro paddle for newbies to whitewater packrafting. The lower river is a mellow class I "chill out" and soak up the scenery float.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_HFrSl6IZQ_nOtp4eXQbvUaQsZamkyYuVK3OdgDNvT91-S4qRFata6NwJnbfo3lCwdsWgfCcWZBfaRhfgJ5dnmnJOivnBAhf3MTx9DpkGA8PgVmWROB3FEvewIwMYNReNODuD40h7Tqy/s1600-h/IMG_8229.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_HFrSl6IZQ_nOtp4eXQbvUaQsZamkyYuVK3OdgDNvT91-S4qRFata6NwJnbfo3lCwdsWgfCcWZBfaRhfgJ5dnmnJOivnBAhf3MTx9DpkGA8PgVmWROB3FEvewIwMYNReNODuD40h7Tqy/s400/IMG_8229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380106121960592818" /></a>Tyler prepares to re-enter the river after one of our numerous stops to dump water out of the boats.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JZQCdmXq5mw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JZQCdmXq5mw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Videography from Windy CreekEd Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-16778161396523469582009-07-09T23:00:00.084-08:002009-09-11T14:24:06.108-08:00Hot Springs Double Header<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W6HkIOcXfiwqDWolvdUu3du4csYpyXkOrotJ5oIsZz0smU7L2miCOz4qqjm804ryDmD1dpsJVzcwkFLaSe2EYuUtM_tyW2z9jlM5c1zQdmjKcZVC64T_qit2zxuIGfci4eb1b4MN_5TZ/s400/IMG_1470.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376762332103130946">Melozi Hot Springs - the abandoned wilderness paradise... <span style="font-style:italic;">(Rozell photo)</span><br /><br />I stood there completely naked as the cascade of hot water splashed over my head and ran down my back. Several large grayling suspended in the crystalline water that was lapping at my knees effortlessly maneuvered between the cobbles lining the bottom of the creek. A lone dipper glided across the blue summer sky as it skipped from rock to rock in search of food. This is absolutely unreal I thought to myself. Does this place exist? ...or is this some fantasy that I conjured up in my mind? But I am really here...in this remote valley deep within Alaska's interior.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YYnlvKlaF_Ei70Bwr5VpNLv8bxH-h_zlT2st_stJRXNduib3Nf0wFhWg6UCmoluu_WNmp2dWkKx3FCUBD6X7RM2l0VW6VOBR6Ic7ckow_fjqDWqRxBS9E0HOJqQHutTPhctbNpwYjio6/s1600-h/HSDoubleHeaderTrack.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YYnlvKlaF_Ei70Bwr5VpNLv8bxH-h_zlT2st_stJRXNduib3Nf0wFhWg6UCmoluu_WNmp2dWkKx3FCUBD6X7RM2l0VW6VOBR6Ic7ckow_fjqDWqRxBS9E0HOJqQHutTPhctbNpwYjio6/s400/HSDoubleHeaderTrack.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376770069526887506"></a>The hot springs double header - this trip was conceived while soaking in the steaming water of <a href="http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2008/12/winter-solstice-at-horner-hot-springs.html">Horner Hot Springs</a> over 7 months ago on winter solstice. Dan and I had skied from the village of Ruby to these springs that rest on the northern flank of the Yukon River. Now we were here again in the heat of the mid-summer sunshine retracing our steps - but this time by boat and foot.<br /><br />On this return trip we were accompanied by my 15-year old nephew and friends <a href="http://www.alaskatracks.com/date/2009/07/">Ned</a> and Jim. The plan was to complete a full 360 degree traverse that would hit two remote geothermal springs: Horner and the mystery shrouded Melozi. This entire circuit would incorporate a 25-mile boat ride up the Yukon River, 25-miles of ridge hiking over the Kokrines Hills, and over 70-miles of packrafting the Melozi River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpXSmne5h5XfwgY2y4iG4hvD4x07lJY0_-30X52KhmLW2bJNNx1t5RtTjDxg_MczxdPnfE82cykdNAqorx4Ml9pchykMc_jw84sSBYXSIR1EspP8YZS_tEhyWJ0ziuw3U9FYelgEliE8/s1600-h/IMG_7720.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpXSmne5h5XfwgY2y4iG4hvD4x07lJY0_-30X52KhmLW2bJNNx1t5RtTjDxg_MczxdPnfE82cykdNAqorx4Ml9pchykMc_jw84sSBYXSIR1EspP8YZS_tEhyWJ0ziuw3U9FYelgEliE8/s400/IMG_7720.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377158484865743410"></a>Sam and his friends drop us off at the start of an overgrown trail that leads a mile back to Horner Hot Springs. Sam lives about 10 miles downriver and is building the <a href="http://www.yukonriverlodge.com/">Yukon River Lodge</a> which should be open for business soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjOLEV_4NS25GKyxsnrCIsI4f7BCuVnY2XaOKnSr_QFei9CwsNk5MdTMSYP9vUG_zl_DDexeE5uCYyyJmnKjKfExD8FHtGW6YPtFWA4kpAiN0px5B9SgP9LvzW1943sFFUgQP_rzBDWXM/s1600-h/IMG_7722.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjOLEV_4NS25GKyxsnrCIsI4f7BCuVnY2XaOKnSr_QFei9CwsNk5MdTMSYP9vUG_zl_DDexeE5uCYyyJmnKjKfExD8FHtGW6YPtFWA4kpAiN0px5B9SgP9LvzW1943sFFUgQP_rzBDWXM/s400/IMG_7722.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376770651085459426"></a>The approach to Horner Hot Springs nearly required a machete in order to bash back the thick growth of ferns and other Jurassic-like vegetation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgvhr_syIF7ZlU7L3m4U6jPf-WToUVBYnC6eLFZqwc6igH6wjnsTZWVrHBYCIBeKnOBpUqfi8FsogzMVvgY3AgIiZUhMxu1gkyDG0Q5H6dtaiG7yJc1fVsIK320gWVNTWICI8LD0PKwvA/s1600-h/IMG_7734.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgvhr_syIF7ZlU7L3m4U6jPf-WToUVBYnC6eLFZqwc6igH6wjnsTZWVrHBYCIBeKnOBpUqfi8FsogzMVvgY3AgIiZUhMxu1gkyDG0Q5H6dtaiG7yJc1fVsIK320gWVNTWICI8LD0PKwvA/s400/IMG_7734.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377155028924657106"></a>Jim adjusts the plumbing that feeds the small tarp-lined pool at Horner Hot Springs. Hot water seeping from the adjacent hillside is collected in a small pond above and piped into the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_7U-NPrIPF1hxKNRiOLjpU-F8c-DttWpN_Vs5Qv3wjGDoIzVwSRPZJGTs6WarIJBtwgQy_WFbZJ2gPs6H8pR5WIzLp6YAHDQZBjkRJlgZ0jVAw6OOc137bk6C6vafslJkOnLKrUy8hOa/s1600-h/IMG_1171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_7U-NPrIPF1hxKNRiOLjpU-F8c-DttWpN_Vs5Qv3wjGDoIzVwSRPZJGTs6WarIJBtwgQy_WFbZJ2gPs6H8pR5WIzLp6YAHDQZBjkRJlgZ0jVAw6OOc137bk6C6vafslJkOnLKrUy8hOa/s400/IMG_1171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376767878270652050"></a>Quaking aspen cavities <span style="font-style:italic;">(Rozell photo)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0yigzBqLHfi48Xsa1fUXkqaAFOtgj8gTgPYpii2bI_6UiaYivS9nX6ft2P9NxCYcgSKEjgUggwCaV0q42S0kpcuskfG4SOjhgotuiBg6VKxruo28UdjMD45-QoA5NZFNEDninMO176gf/s1600-h/IMG_1195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0yigzBqLHfi48Xsa1fUXkqaAFOtgj8gTgPYpii2bI_6UiaYivS9nX6ft2P9NxCYcgSKEjgUggwCaV0q42S0kpcuskfG4SOjhgotuiBg6VKxruo28UdjMD45-QoA5NZFNEDninMO176gf/s400/IMG_1195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376762328142553554"></a>Jim climbs into the alpine tundra high above the mighty Yukon River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOC791dF6G4_xrb-MffnFwKfN-TO4zh2SURzdZschoeKrQ22djaQHRFWYxAAyausLrSynAyo0svUZUD0w3wovFUdnk3AoO7SQDXPzgjwX_TmA3AyQjVMRG0-9g3KQ7Gx_IOkUgx00GemL/s1600-h/IMG_7768.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOC791dF6G4_xrb-MffnFwKfN-TO4zh2SURzdZschoeKrQ22djaQHRFWYxAAyausLrSynAyo0svUZUD0w3wovFUdnk3AoO7SQDXPzgjwX_TmA3AyQjVMRG0-9g3KQ7Gx_IOkUgx00GemL/s400/IMG_7768.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377122788870114322"></a>Mark gazes down at an unnamed alpine lake from the crest of the Kokrines Hills. This was the first of two cirque lakes we skirted which were tucked into a dramatic amphitheater of rock that rose over 1000 feet above the waters surface.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlhwE-9WpSDarkWyY0UlB1MkSzmOMpq5IoSmqeJajYn4wP_XFMUpa8315i3TzGBKj9FsYQIAz7sllvQQgZCHg1iOt_ZnBkayFAUN7cGy3pQjBQIuNVcSB1TEqCpQHOKoqhp3d4aGFNFkF/s1600-h/IMG_1279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlhwE-9WpSDarkWyY0UlB1MkSzmOMpq5IoSmqeJajYn4wP_XFMUpa8315i3TzGBKj9FsYQIAz7sllvQQgZCHg1iOt_ZnBkayFAUN7cGy3pQjBQIuNVcSB1TEqCpQHOKoqhp3d4aGFNFkF/s400/IMG_1279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376767887383713938"></a>Plotting a course across the "green" -- We had to descend from our firm carpet of tundra into a saddle riddled with thick brush, dense mosquitoes, and scraggly spruce trees. Rumor had it that a trail transected this low pass through the Kokrines en route from the Yukon River to Melozi Hot Springs. We never saw any trace of the historical path...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u-J6ywfZm0RXURKYD7YW-AyQcGPhKp4o47bb4QiQOu34JXGQonqp4K2tGVjaaA0YKJ0jbzKAI3wtXieWL5w_iUt77Hh1TAEPICld5PUcervW70M2mYCOC7Ni3d8W9ix72n2oR4rcgcBf/s1600-h/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u-J6ywfZm0RXURKYD7YW-AyQcGPhKp4o47bb4QiQOu34JXGQonqp4K2tGVjaaA0YKJ0jbzKAI3wtXieWL5w_iUt77Hh1TAEPICld5PUcervW70M2mYCOC7Ni3d8W9ix72n2oR4rcgcBf/s400/IMG_1284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376767891747257426"></a>Becoming one with the tundra <span style="font-style:italic;">(Rozell photo)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XEWJJ0nss_g5UyOjT7tfBxobG_04z2C1LQX-_SwDt8kw_zGdRxuC6n1Xn1ljbJd9LmhXP-g3rewWo2OWOo8P4HdGjRTaObt-JF43z-um6uN1lVRXSyg7OS39HpfxwHCPmaddaQRhOq8H/s1600-h/IMG_7842.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XEWJJ0nss_g5UyOjT7tfBxobG_04z2C1LQX-_SwDt8kw_zGdRxuC6n1Xn1ljbJd9LmhXP-g3rewWo2OWOo8P4HdGjRTaObt-JF43z-um6uN1lVRXSyg7OS39HpfxwHCPmaddaQRhOq8H/s400/IMG_7842.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376767904121365602"></a>The late evening sunlight softens the high terrain of the Kokrines. This elevated island of rugged topography along the central Yukon River was once sculpted by glaciers and lies in sharp contrast to the surrounding weathered and rounded hills. The isolated alpine ecosystem here is home to the <a href="http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/zoology/species_ADFG/ADFG_PDFs/Mammals/Alaska%20marmot_AKNHP_06.pdf">Alaska marmot</a> which can only be found in two other ranges in northern Alaska.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMEpwzU3vUGEQG6POIfgcKhzWX_XHtIj12zxxqRn8sAFjWwkiOwBLCn3q2KrWJKxFeBqbh-EEIL4h2NUf_49saptzvX5ML3cOAjuAdEmmZxQbw39mqBXowrA9g6iCcj0Ez-AdEPWMWz1i/s1600-h/IMG_8024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMEpwzU3vUGEQG6POIfgcKhzWX_XHtIj12zxxqRn8sAFjWwkiOwBLCn3q2KrWJKxFeBqbh-EEIL4h2NUf_49saptzvX5ML3cOAjuAdEmmZxQbw39mqBXowrA9g6iCcj0Ez-AdEPWMWz1i/s400/IMG_8024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377160338028213282"></a>The main lodge at Melozi Hot Springs was in stellar shape. The stout roof was still intact even after more than 25 years of neglect. This was not the case with the remaining structures littered around the springs which were in varying degrees of disrepair. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJEt7vS5px1qKFes0v9gdg3LFiLYFUgPS0AP1PRXcZLXkCWKMYFmaBEcZE9wBQcggppDoe3V9PwSzTQ-jLmxl-7x_yTzLy1oXTdKm-aFEcgp6ZHVEI_pbdBMA-M6MOvonmrHVB0kFfUka/s1600-h/IMG_8046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJEt7vS5px1qKFes0v9gdg3LFiLYFUgPS0AP1PRXcZLXkCWKMYFmaBEcZE9wBQcggppDoe3V9PwSzTQ-jLmxl-7x_yTzLy1oXTdKm-aFEcgp6ZHVEI_pbdBMA-M6MOvonmrHVB0kFfUka/s400/IMG_8046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377160317632427666"></a>The Melozi Hot Springs reservoir tub fabricated from slats of wood was too hot for soaking. It was designed to accumulate a pool of water that could be gravity fed to the various cabins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZnJrErmzHMW5-ESobP_IpkNnMfLzVEQw-q-Mgcam6IDe5bNlZUhQSlsmAF8BHZr2CmfljgR2jH1LwzccoFacdm_8mfMG_pjc97fVARPDGEBd08rWrL7_jCkj-Rn35uVUMsX0KKLd-b3Y/s1600-h/IMG_7921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZnJrErmzHMW5-ESobP_IpkNnMfLzVEQw-q-Mgcam6IDe5bNlZUhQSlsmAF8BHZr2CmfljgR2jH1LwzccoFacdm_8mfMG_pjc97fVARPDGEBd08rWrL7_jCkj-Rn35uVUMsX0KKLd-b3Y/s400/IMG_7921.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377715684593010194"></a>A pipe fed an intricate network of plumbing that provided a "green" source of heat to several buildings and brought the luxury of hot running water to this isolated paradise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm7oaAovFHz5TYOrIhpKDSOsr1dch0B9rZqsw5J5K7JgiA7jNNmtzct253xzNwyZDVF09aQWkJ32IYTeS4Pj8wSxJFD7jr73gdRUZU7r4LlSPsMrB5PIGUkjNTfGl9wG2LLPk6AWyh_9C/s1600-h/IMG_8003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm7oaAovFHz5TYOrIhpKDSOsr1dch0B9rZqsw5J5K7JgiA7jNNmtzct253xzNwyZDVF09aQWkJ32IYTeS4Pj8wSxJFD7jr73gdRUZU7r4LlSPsMrB5PIGUkjNTfGl9wG2LLPk6AWyh_9C/s400/IMG_8003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377521757616064658"></a>Ned rotates a hand crank drill that was mounted in a dilapidated workshop. The shed was loaded with nearly every tool one could imagine. It was difficult to accept that the last residents at Melozi Hot Springs departed and left an entire lives worth of hard work to decompose in the boreal forest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINgq2_Y9jBkqJYWo2HMm0HKfP0zEKQYkOwPkwg4XsB47LjPZEJMe0rzgZ8D9dGb9HEvUAUAN2jUVAzmUupkS86k7H51FBLNIEV0fQ9cutul5RsFv9ssYg6xfaY1TP-QeKvzI6xiIunP-H/s1600-h/IMG_1396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINgq2_Y9jBkqJYWo2HMm0HKfP0zEKQYkOwPkwg4XsB47LjPZEJMe0rzgZ8D9dGb9HEvUAUAN2jUVAzmUupkS86k7H51FBLNIEV0fQ9cutul5RsFv9ssYg6xfaY1TP-QeKvzI6xiIunP-H/s400/IMG_1396.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377521774464293218"></a>Its amazing the structure hadnt been ransacked by bears or other varmints such as squirrels or porcupines. There was still an assortment of spices on the kitchen shelves, jars partially filled with dried legumes, circa 1970's clothing hanging in the closets, file cabinets with various paperwork, and liquor bottles at the bar (empty...of course). <span style="font-style:italic;">(Rozell photo)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p_I7v35sgETwO0rd7-cBalr_cCenKBDxnAY6vd7A29SZL7eYXOrmH1EGsYuzRh3z63kAuFRrMx4-Dd9xlQjDr83-x_n6PaVVETNYCfjbWLs8OabfE-KeWvhIYC6NHrzuQJBXbwjFu5Fm/s1600-h/IMG_8020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p_I7v35sgETwO0rd7-cBalr_cCenKBDxnAY6vd7A29SZL7eYXOrmH1EGsYuzRh3z63kAuFRrMx4-Dd9xlQjDr83-x_n6PaVVETNYCfjbWLs8OabfE-KeWvhIYC6NHrzuQJBXbwjFu5Fm/s400/IMG_8020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377715675472181826"></a>An old brochure describes the decadent features at Melozi Hot Springs...including the indoor swimming pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vt6VDE7nWEor0UD937wb2-0I-UaBKbvujUZfMpA0ipE_yclChTPcE1PVoGz9BLHPhZJfA3wlnwEr11MCbxryXhk5519ZxHblVOFJoaMxfCJkajodmt0RMLZwXKXr9yLplE46fs-uWynU/s1600-h/IMG_1423.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vt6VDE7nWEor0UD937wb2-0I-UaBKbvujUZfMpA0ipE_yclChTPcE1PVoGz9BLHPhZJfA3wlnwEr11MCbxryXhk5519ZxHblVOFJoaMxfCJkajodmt0RMLZwXKXr9yLplE46fs-uWynU/s400/IMG_1423.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377158468472801794"></a>The indoor pool in July 2009 - collapsed and gradually being overtaken by the boreal forest and eventually erased forever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vb6xV44dNRZ3R2yhAf5el3i_AnCJm7nPITF5zsOUphajA66e3F3k_qhO45FRGolPhFAteMXs_pSBWDa-TtsJ15jjxn64Dx9pW9bXbasByTWoAZERu_zzyWEUGUprnPpCQLAAeKS4-WQl/s1600-h/IMG_1404.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vb6xV44dNRZ3R2yhAf5el3i_AnCJm7nPITF5zsOUphajA66e3F3k_qhO45FRGolPhFAteMXs_pSBWDa-TtsJ15jjxn64Dx9pW9bXbasByTWoAZERu_zzyWEUGUprnPpCQLAAeKS4-WQl/s400/IMG_1404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377122809185717506"></a>A tattered copy of People Magazine and Cosmo resting on the table from the early 1980's shot us back to a time. The account of the passionate and later volatile love affair between Glenn Campbell and Tanya Tucker provided us with a brief flashback of pop culture from that era.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxuVEMg1Q3wybjDKWhp3fWxtaL0tp-PtMorXyx9g3GCQ77bPwHVSsBtA8b7WhxWN280DKdWjVHgfV3GS37Q-EawfTT2OXfa3BbsJoyPZpMiMaZomDkRKBctRgjVjUYxihs2d1BHvGsmJZ/s1600-h/IMG_7947.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxuVEMg1Q3wybjDKWhp3fWxtaL0tp-PtMorXyx9g3GCQ77bPwHVSsBtA8b7WhxWN280DKdWjVHgfV3GS37Q-EawfTT2OXfa3BbsJoyPZpMiMaZomDkRKBctRgjVjUYxihs2d1BHvGsmJZ/s400/IMG_7947.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377748266391041330"></a>The not so grand piano rests silently under a pile of dust.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyav2_4fCaASrVjbdh4q4uFICW_eSS3Lgsv_RZDkrilAVGsJg3sY2rG5FMiKnaXbbS72EJOUhYOmATDSonZVX5DWbeNBTmH-omRvDsVAsZrXXpr3p3SWJiweKvK1ArfN22d0exsXbEnuIF/s1600-h/IMG_1411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyav2_4fCaASrVjbdh4q4uFICW_eSS3Lgsv_RZDkrilAVGsJg3sY2rG5FMiKnaXbbS72EJOUhYOmATDSonZVX5DWbeNBTmH-omRvDsVAsZrXXpr3p3SWJiweKvK1ArfN22d0exsXbEnuIF/s400/IMG_1411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377122817180924530"></a>Pinups on the wall of the main Melozi lodge give a glimpse into the lives and dreams from days past.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRHICN9wi6DrVhO7FOdrd0M7gpgUwg2dJqSZnudxlqMOxaUt1Qq8KLqviy2L6lEBryoUwH1cJwB1U3q0Dj7fj9aCPfFoKWIRYnghC4N6zgAOzPZUSvEi5cMily9CPOj80OzUAIw3UGs6M/s1600-h/IMG_8055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRHICN9wi6DrVhO7FOdrd0M7gpgUwg2dJqSZnudxlqMOxaUt1Qq8KLqviy2L6lEBryoUwH1cJwB1U3q0Dj7fj9aCPfFoKWIRYnghC4N6zgAOzPZUSvEi5cMily9CPOj80OzUAIw3UGs6M/s400/IMG_8055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376762312854902626"></a><i>Aug 24 1983 2:00PM +70 degrees. Beautiful, sunny, bugless day!! Light variable breeze. Melozi seems more of a natural paradise. Photographed a grizzly splashing across the river below cabin #2. Working in the garden naked - making love on a mat by the pool..then a warm swim. Grizzly running in the sparkling blue river. A rare day.</i> (Excepts from a Melozi diary, author unknown.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcu-hm4pB6uLER0kgOezt7lMtf9wD6DwT8jC90aHnxv09ADOMpnwAd4DZU4v-XAs1btUvWAcS48E5maATr4BLxOTiDbN0f_tBXC3kKgAp2cBt6H12d0RojJAbU7DOAhIWIEJsAijQl09sM/s1600-h/IMG_8082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcu-hm4pB6uLER0kgOezt7lMtf9wD6DwT8jC90aHnxv09ADOMpnwAd4DZU4v-XAs1btUvWAcS48E5maATr4BLxOTiDbN0f_tBXC3kKgAp2cBt6H12d0RojJAbU7DOAhIWIEJsAijQl09sM/s400/IMG_8082.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377521770904171314"></a>We loaded up our rafts and took to the river where the hot water free falls into the creek. We suspect this was the first packraft descent of Hot Springs Creek and maybe even the Melozi River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixchmJ9v2AwZmnXe0MhzxsbcLez13aAtYoRLHi4ZhwOcN4qSXH1TGqY5VshX6y0GiUymb6yMgHylKyLSpuahkpTiaZuYugi1zJtL_zhamXZkkKJASITcu03I4jeKiTdQgBzIY3RDDQxUNq/s1600-h/IMG_8095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixchmJ9v2AwZmnXe0MhzxsbcLez13aAtYoRLHi4ZhwOcN4qSXH1TGqY5VshX6y0GiUymb6yMgHylKyLSpuahkpTiaZuYugi1zJtL_zhamXZkkKJASITcu03I4jeKiTdQgBzIY3RDDQxUNq/s400/IMG_8095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377160325752510658"></a>Hot Springs Creek was entertaining Class I/II water with some rocks to "pinball" through and small standing waves to bob over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2R3F3__gKRvaNvJS7t_zEPTMGyNbB8xzlrQCdS_JmRWU90X2Bcay0Qm9IPW-WInh3YKFoRq9XECUsDiUhyphenhyphenULe9OYCvh022CzfXZ1P0_0RLnbCN4X1ONKWf1dPOZA1R20i52coUZ5nuni/s1600-h/IMG_1559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2R3F3__gKRvaNvJS7t_zEPTMGyNbB8xzlrQCdS_JmRWU90X2Bcay0Qm9IPW-WInh3YKFoRq9XECUsDiUhyphenhyphenULe9OYCvh022CzfXZ1P0_0RLnbCN4X1ONKWf1dPOZA1R20i52coUZ5nuni/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377122823914840338"></a>Altocumulus clouds illuminated by the midnight twilight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFhd2JHGKdkF2eg8-QwxjUcmGuE35GLgz7CMdViC7DgXCKy8ydazlJ5mj8V0h0laTRBHoQBCt8I0nlYA5uLMKiUklSy-hvBF41gKXea9M-tA7dY7DDzSf5KCx7MPHOv4xBpkWIYti1ebA/s1600-h/IMG_8138.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFhd2JHGKdkF2eg8-QwxjUcmGuE35GLgz7CMdViC7DgXCKy8ydazlJ5mj8V0h0laTRBHoQBCt8I0nlYA5uLMKiUklSy-hvBF41gKXea9M-tA7dY7DDzSf5KCx7MPHOv4xBpkWIYti1ebA/s400/IMG_8138.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377155056306883938"></a>The gang enters the head of the Melozi River canyon. The river water was an unbelievably warm 64 degrees F (18 C)! Several hundred miles of the upper river slowly meanders across a broad interior valley and soaks up the 20+ hours of daily sunshine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4C39djc2rTAnGDtsT_MYvzHz7gkU2Qk9_I2junyD2kVgW_NlHquXJB450G7lYO1eSTU2IuIf47C3Ctdqz_BieOM5K-uUbv8MvqkeH5I872DqOvMqxz46dk-5JMXSEbV7ac0jc2Ru6j7pu/s1600-h/IMG_8151.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4C39djc2rTAnGDtsT_MYvzHz7gkU2Qk9_I2junyD2kVgW_NlHquXJB450G7lYO1eSTU2IuIf47C3Ctdqz_BieOM5K-uUbv8MvqkeH5I872DqOvMqxz46dk-5JMXSEbV7ac0jc2Ru6j7pu/s400/IMG_8151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377155045641426770"></a>Scoping the runout of the upper rapids in the Melozi River canyon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyofTZWGYxoJzNc68b1GZsJYHWSOyQzfTwuZtvC5spTihB8TfbO0qO0ftwaPAyNXwSvxv9pkOEDKD1yVFKwg8KD53XK4X8fu1upX_0cpVAycrx5zIBu_wEcI_Cv1sHSoPZmwdN13ZxzELL/s1600-h/IMG_8159.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyofTZWGYxoJzNc68b1GZsJYHWSOyQzfTwuZtvC5spTihB8TfbO0qO0ftwaPAyNXwSvxv9pkOEDKD1yVFKwg8KD53XK4X8fu1upX_0cpVAycrx5zIBu_wEcI_Cv1sHSoPZmwdN13ZxzELL/s400/IMG_8159.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377155063212104194"></a>There are two short class III rapids in the Melozi canyon. This inhibits almost all motorized boat traffic from traveling beyond the canyon. We also heard that the local legend about the "woodsman" that haunts the forest along the Melozi also discourages visitors to this region. Thus, there is minimal sign of humans on much of the Melozi River considering its navigable size and proximity to Ruby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-di4hsiVveZEnlt_ERYT5zslqd8hcZ1fRlU3Hi1LHCH926OLLlDF-G5yRANqTFSX3_PJZym06feNPsHDIVWP420V6lVknXSQmpiMQAxzDU8I-SEQdahvpfOZzV2ciTzWLvgVTfn047nJ/s1600-h/IMG_8176.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-di4hsiVveZEnlt_ERYT5zslqd8hcZ1fRlU3Hi1LHCH926OLLlDF-G5yRANqTFSX3_PJZym06feNPsHDIVWP420V6lVknXSQmpiMQAxzDU8I-SEQdahvpfOZzV2ciTzWLvgVTfn047nJ/s400/IMG_8176.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377155037855246162"></a>We were not the only ones traveling down this river corridor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-VuAmahfeKXoVbpZXswVbviiDExkjxLXpqMmDyGt-fXpfb0a8FPLK96x4db0lqNFea1h77PzX6ltQ7qjXNF51BJpfqnxSC9MW6MUtzLBbpsQBQA-kcNYjBpjAl5NZoz1rSVmvgwy8SJA/s1600-h/IMG_1615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-VuAmahfeKXoVbpZXswVbviiDExkjxLXpqMmDyGt-fXpfb0a8FPLK96x4db0lqNFea1h77PzX6ltQ7qjXNF51BJpfqnxSC9MW6MUtzLBbpsQBQA-kcNYjBpjAl5NZoz1rSVmvgwy8SJA/s400/IMG_1615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377746236281905330"></a>The full circle is complete - the hot springs team back in Ruby on the way to the airport. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Rozell photo)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyKbK_tRA2-Wmgt1xhxrBvQaLL5Ip1jI88Hri31O6i25XK_fFZuU89M573XtdJ2ijxOsxnlWqonEEammbjY06wJLkBEYK4ueqGbau6FHUz3NV_VTMmgZ1BayI76zHpfiRe7atvp7zzOlR/s1600-h/IMG_8016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyKbK_tRA2-Wmgt1xhxrBvQaLL5Ip1jI88Hri31O6i25XK_fFZuU89M573XtdJ2ijxOsxnlWqonEEammbjY06wJLkBEYK4ueqGbau6FHUz3NV_VTMmgZ1BayI76zHpfiRe7atvp7zzOlR/s400/IMG_8016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377744445071193778"></a>Plaque at Melozi Hot Springs...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/E5pVQrCyLCM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E5pVQrCyLCM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Video sampler from the Hot Springs Double HeaderEd Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-80560387067836320142009-06-25T12:07:00.060-08:002009-09-11T14:28:15.246-08:00Kids on the Itkillik<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox-Xy434eIQTgbA8BQdcgYd4p0YfNZuZTm731PFT3PdNMpEv_dW6G73YEWr4eC6LEN7OyLVXbLcir182TxLaDQ8qnYx7ferELLoNSSI7i64KLBMzlL7AU9gTuysODMPiRjtHWlEb9Fq8M/s1600-h/IMG_7519.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox-Xy434eIQTgbA8BQdcgYd4p0YfNZuZTm731PFT3PdNMpEv_dW6G73YEWr4eC6LEN7OyLVXbLcir182TxLaDQ8qnYx7ferELLoNSSI7i64KLBMzlL7AU9gTuysODMPiRjtHWlEb9Fq8M/s400/IMG_7519.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374163416513955666" /></a>Dwarf fireweed casts a midnight shadow along the Itkillik River<br /><br />I looked back over my shoulder and they were still there. Completely lost in their thoughts and undoubtedly struggling to deal with the miserable situation. I began to seriously question my decision to bring two 15-year old kids on this trip. We had been stumbling across knee deep tussocks in the late afternoon heat fully draped in our armor of raingear for hours. The uneven surface made it nearly impossible to move in any direction. Each erratic and unstable step ended with a sharp roll of the ankle as we clumsily navigated through the maze of towering tufts of grass. But we had to keep progressing forward because the incessant humming of the mosquito filled atmosphere was maddening. The continuous ricochet of bugs against our bodies felt like a torrential shower of raindrops pelting our clothing. There was no choice but to move on to a place where the ground would firm up enough to allow us to setup camp and take refuge in our tent.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qqmButrXUqQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qqmButrXUqQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I knew better than to head to the Arctic this late in June but I thought we had a few more days of reprieve before the onset of bugs. We were a day too late. The season is short this far north and the tundra explodes with new life every hour during the start of the brief warm season and 24-hour sunshine. My nephew Mark and his friend Mara were up for the adventure and decided it was worth the gamble. So we spent summer solstice above the Arctic Circle in the shadow of spectacular folded limestone cliffs, fields of wildflowers, diving raptors, howling wolves, following the footprints of grizzly bears, and sacrificing ourselves to the hordes of blood thirsty mosquitoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBffovEKp3G1xvQDtAXJNAl-ydZ9UiohnAwJwoVE10KXRpbVs6u4eEMTujDeMxvGiCm3_6mlBoqIVs_-iuOC3lgpllbXXm3wYCN7CtjbFWY4s0HVDVkYhu9qhrkYhaCWtymX8yReIy2tNh/s1600-h/ItkillikTraverseMap.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBffovEKp3G1xvQDtAXJNAl-ydZ9UiohnAwJwoVE10KXRpbVs6u4eEMTujDeMxvGiCm3_6mlBoqIVs_-iuOC3lgpllbXXm3wYCN7CtjbFWY4s0HVDVkYhu9qhrkYhaCWtymX8yReIy2tNh/s400/ItkillikTraverseMap.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374842013733881986" /></a>Our traverse would take us over the crest of the Brooks Range to the Itkillik River valley. From there we would hop in our packrafts and drift northward before beelining our way back across the tundra to Galbraith Lake about 40 road miles north of our starting point. The entire trip consisted of roughly 50 miles of hiking and 25 miles of river travel. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1yzFHg4JMz3yhBACbwhFGGDbB6pPgJi-GBSlsAmtZCJqYRvmuiuMCWxm2idzV9Mo-i6uy69RY-cQkmNppcQihv0rKCrECvDJ5tsSHR4zxw_Se-eLcOZegYG8hXo3qb-ol8CAXi2SgrKE/s1600-h/IMG_7366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1yzFHg4JMz3yhBACbwhFGGDbB6pPgJi-GBSlsAmtZCJqYRvmuiuMCWxm2idzV9Mo-i6uy69RY-cQkmNppcQihv0rKCrECvDJ5tsSHR4zxw_Se-eLcOZegYG8hXo3qb-ol8CAXi2SgrKE/s400/IMG_7366.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374168620932433986" /></a>Our last view of the Dalton Highway before we head into the wilderness. It would be another 5-days before we returned to this industrial artery that connects the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay to the rest of the world. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KMtAMXawwJIjh2Y7w4z7zWk0njZVo6wTqdFVy0a2jdUurpJHrEfg6xsJpyyngfYgNJbADtLvMaeln6KJaEtz-roqsS_XQybDeR0jK6CH9KqTQn6LPI_nu2SxUgQFzxsW0yKTT0R9VMm4/s1600-h/IMG_7393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KMtAMXawwJIjh2Y7w4z7zWk0njZVo6wTqdFVy0a2jdUurpJHrEfg6xsJpyyngfYgNJbADtLvMaeln6KJaEtz-roqsS_XQybDeR0jK6CH9KqTQn6LPI_nu2SxUgQFzxsW0yKTT0R9VMm4/s400/IMG_7393.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374167774034106370" /></a>An uncountable river crossing...the classic image of almost any trip across Alaska where trails and bridges are almost non-existent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHBtnDCKr-5TRqCpyhf0VDPLhk6kvaZ11q5jYQUYHjWv43asAXvWHEihNEPrH0cRk9uWDct9yjxRXPVL_k3m1p43Obz5v8e9ngLsBx02AmkhTFqRD6QMk2xjvZe0BCSSx_NKIWnEYnzs-/s1600-h/IMG_7403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHBtnDCKr-5TRqCpyhf0VDPLhk6kvaZ11q5jYQUYHjWv43asAXvWHEihNEPrH0cRk9uWDct9yjxRXPVL_k3m1p43Obz5v8e9ngLsBx02AmkhTFqRD6QMk2xjvZe0BCSSx_NKIWnEYnzs-/s400/IMG_7403.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374167766460543538" /></a>Mark gazes into an eroded cavern in the remnant river ice. Extensive areas of aufeis are common in this region. These large sheets of ice can be several meters thick and persist well into the summer. Aufeis begins to form as the river freezes and the channel becomes constricted. The buildup of water pressure forces the river to flow out of the channel and spread across the adjacent flood plain throughout the winter. Ice sheets like this often serve as the only escape from the mosquitoes for thousands of caribou.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W8VooVOiuz6r74w2v6xD2MkOjp2_X5ISnbT32yRD-tomH95ipM0Qq-eufvfz4gVw15pmlEfWoj8S2ZDp-1zp6B9L85oXrvIlBDENfm4nwioNDpLxozdnFRAzQ1W2wCAzVh7BO8KQatho/s1600-h/IMG_7416.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W8VooVOiuz6r74w2v6xD2MkOjp2_X5ISnbT32yRD-tomH95ipM0Qq-eufvfz4gVw15pmlEfWoj8S2ZDp-1zp6B9L85oXrvIlBDENfm4nwioNDpLxozdnFRAzQ1W2wCAzVh7BO8KQatho/s400/IMG_7416.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374167757577016450" /></a>Crossing Oolah Pass - aka the continental divide.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28oRCHxRUBEFmmCnMi3Eep-sbBpWlbEip1H3gUqt6kPksAWg33uVjHXff9cylayk1HltsRh-XLUg-87SkWRjLdKbuOmKQ_OuOELNMSKTW4dnWC-FyVQYcrdqJsi6_WB5bG3hCz2amY06o/s1600-h/IMG_7444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28oRCHxRUBEFmmCnMi3Eep-sbBpWlbEip1H3gUqt6kPksAWg33uVjHXff9cylayk1HltsRh-XLUg-87SkWRjLdKbuOmKQ_OuOELNMSKTW4dnWC-FyVQYcrdqJsi6_WB5bG3hCz2amY06o/s400/IMG_7444.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374166656888888034" /></a>Mara makes the descent into the Itkillik (or Oolah) Valley past giant walls of sedimentary rock that originated as the floor of a shallow tropical-like sea. There is evidence of this past environment in the fossilized corrals and shells that can be found littered in the piles of scree.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MDGnyOwqzSH9aKeXGrBspx5L_FqNEtC_Q38Qe1EOyOfYaD-vwGglo62tKzQKgt6U-ZRCFcCJGFRbNtCKVRSqlqolG8HivApSnQ_CuqcdZvDN8VgvRARl9VBV4gBFfsltqt9L0GbP1fRp/s1600-h/IMG_7481.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MDGnyOwqzSH9aKeXGrBspx5L_FqNEtC_Q38Qe1EOyOfYaD-vwGglo62tKzQKgt6U-ZRCFcCJGFRbNtCKVRSqlqolG8HivApSnQ_CuqcdZvDN8VgvRARl9VBV4gBFfsltqt9L0GbP1fRp/s400/IMG_7481.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374165351210622146" /></a>We tromped through a lot of grizzly bear scat but never saw the source of the bodily waste.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Bo7dPLNrxvnO8UmVClolKw4EPf_WUZgOZ_TFm4Xr5QzdrtGJSm-JC6zgdF_OeSgb-hhqjR6SzWcXzsR1z0AMg06Va3P5VJcr_PyU-ATsiWwmuEYaeIIfi_G2HtMJjLN3hp33i370Amx/s1600-h/IMG_7494.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Bo7dPLNrxvnO8UmVClolKw4EPf_WUZgOZ_TFm4Xr5QzdrtGJSm-JC6zgdF_OeSgb-hhqjR6SzWcXzsR1z0AMg06Va3P5VJcr_PyU-ATsiWwmuEYaeIIfi_G2HtMJjLN3hp33i370Amx/s400/IMG_7494.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374165334168100514" /></a>Vibrant arctic poppies brighten the landscape.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A6xmdYNSHv3k0gkbgU6bV0-JrMwMNYdRLR9v0CG5dyAWoYoV_oE05ogPLOS6ewntwVAYpLkNEH-TYfbnYOEUSIgbBlTRyR8pPXpO6UirHBULuw1XMlhpMLEPGkoZ6XH2gwcnEeHVCMN0/s1600-h/IMG_7501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A6xmdYNSHv3k0gkbgU6bV0-JrMwMNYdRLR9v0CG5dyAWoYoV_oE05ogPLOS6ewntwVAYpLkNEH-TYfbnYOEUSIgbBlTRyR8pPXpO6UirHBULuw1XMlhpMLEPGkoZ6XH2gwcnEeHVCMN0/s400/IMG_7501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374163456546858306" /></a>We eventually came to a point where the gradient of the Itkillik River mellowed enough for us to throw the boats in the river.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsIR7oXd3sUkGO2B6FeBVqWLv63eliWGJnKKJnaQmmFBwiw-mZBglHuxmGKOlSK_F9NCfAdqRNPVr60y2oggVdy_-3u1LM-b7GbdH6bvLNcNlTieOLodpWEKmLiUEx_pRWaO8ojcp7h2G/s1600-h/IMG_7508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsIR7oXd3sUkGO2B6FeBVqWLv63eliWGJnKKJnaQmmFBwiw-mZBglHuxmGKOlSK_F9NCfAdqRNPVr60y2oggVdy_-3u1LM-b7GbdH6bvLNcNlTieOLodpWEKmLiUEx_pRWaO8ojcp7h2G/s400/IMG_7508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374163424539690802" /></a>As we continued to move downriver and to a lower elevation we reached the "mosquito zone" --- our only escape was the heat from a fire fueled by dried willows.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE32tTJkZZEfjRa81e_kDjuaUKJbrITeNyT4hEma2CcjNhK9CzVr1keZU45Ch2mxKfBw687dGUTNOsB6nyPMmR8ukpRGI4CR1akFN_D7-9uqyFDnqEALevBLRgik66Pda6WqtLnFT2rJO4/s1600-h/IMG_7539.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE32tTJkZZEfjRa81e_kDjuaUKJbrITeNyT4hEma2CcjNhK9CzVr1keZU45Ch2mxKfBw687dGUTNOsB6nyPMmR8ukpRGI4CR1akFN_D7-9uqyFDnqEALevBLRgik66Pda6WqtLnFT2rJO4/s400/IMG_7539.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374161498871252754" /></a>The river was mostly class I/II water with occasional rocks and small wave trains to bounce through.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwuDy_nlSGe1_-GpIl1mN7pITP98E8m9ClQvRWF9iZE7aq8cXzk8tFykeGg9RjzPzjs5dSF_IYHU5mNp12qLXCJE1I0hW0kEjXQLsDteK52w3EIJ0OD4dSaUgahPyHV-3gPwqInuju2MO/s1600-h/IMG_7557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwuDy_nlSGe1_-GpIl1mN7pITP98E8m9ClQvRWF9iZE7aq8cXzk8tFykeGg9RjzPzjs5dSF_IYHU5mNp12qLXCJE1I0hW0kEjXQLsDteK52w3EIJ0OD4dSaUgahPyHV-3gPwqInuju2MO/s400/IMG_7557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374165319162028450" /></a>Mark paddles past a massively exposed ice wedge along a cutbank of the Itkillik River.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vUnrnfFIrXoNTUe3PD8TTfvU0y_UrcwMDov7p98nlHQpXg4N6pOtF1mE0s9_X-GFjw-772qlbISPp5F5wrQ5Qkm8hIWG8xZyyBc7RuXM0bR5WB7KZvrea6BmF9QX1PKUVrbkNe9zsArM/s1600-h/IMG_7548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vUnrnfFIrXoNTUe3PD8TTfvU0y_UrcwMDov7p98nlHQpXg4N6pOtF1mE0s9_X-GFjw-772qlbISPp5F5wrQ5Qkm8hIWG8xZyyBc7RuXM0bR5WB7KZvrea6BmF9QX1PKUVrbkNe9zsArM/s400/IMG_7548.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374161488482726674" /></a>More frozen ground or permafrost features. A lens of ice heaves the tundra up into the warm summer air. Its hard to believe the ground is permanently frozen just below the green surface. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg3eLgMy7KvlZDzepPs5D9fnnqHDc_-Xkdjgw2QjpOUQwbLHRIZ4AnfGF83pZyYW3QBCPLs4XhaeLz8xXB1kXS2DpceuTXJgJ90m1CvM0NeO8xFxvWCq25r-PXSQNqrzgFridlKtr8Tc6/s1600-h/IMG_7602.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg3eLgMy7KvlZDzepPs5D9fnnqHDc_-Xkdjgw2QjpOUQwbLHRIZ4AnfGF83pZyYW3QBCPLs4XhaeLz8xXB1kXS2DpceuTXJgJ90m1CvM0NeO8xFxvWCq25r-PXSQNqrzgFridlKtr8Tc6/s400/IMG_7602.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374159454587057090" /></a>The uber-light and roomy <a href="http://www.tarptent.com/">tarptent</a> sheltered us from mosquitoes, heavy rain, and moderately strong winds. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp6WQNbc1E617KnVkTd3mXJESW1H8bNRfyiQXZI-3fH22ZjumhkIsROKYf3s1Ywu23ciMdAQphOqvCM5U6J7-pB84mw4T_KdY4jSTW8l_o36uBSap0f0dTEjY1dazrKYoFjuIIZZvhBFz/s1600-h/IMG_7622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp6WQNbc1E617KnVkTd3mXJESW1H8bNRfyiQXZI-3fH22ZjumhkIsROKYf3s1Ywu23ciMdAQphOqvCM5U6J7-pB84mw4T_KdY4jSTW8l_o36uBSap0f0dTEjY1dazrKYoFjuIIZZvhBFz/s400/IMG_7622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374159476558249154" /></a>We make the final push out to Galbraith Lake and the Dalton Highway with our small insect friends in tow as another spectacular trip in the arctic comes to an end...Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-24663894320069681522009-06-15T18:54:00.025-08:002009-09-11T14:17:44.226-08:00W. Fork Atigun Weekender<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHWTIDX_zQ89JACbUOz-1U62ku1Rg2QNQF-s5PXH7SIaYD8QaSEcjEP2TcuQ8FRoprc0PgDpWQjnCImJ_QGO9bLklCPd4Ef1VARd_F7NVjRxXMnwDRiwoZKjukBx68BrGbeHQJUwm_KYt/s1600-h/IMG_7351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHWTIDX_zQ89JACbUOz-1U62ku1Rg2QNQF-s5PXH7SIaYD8QaSEcjEP2TcuQ8FRoprc0PgDpWQjnCImJ_QGO9bLklCPd4Ef1VARd_F7NVjRxXMnwDRiwoZKjukBx68BrGbeHQJUwm_KYt/s400/IMG_7351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363346955394280402" border="0"></a>Dan rides the waves in the West Fork of the Atigun River<br /><br />I suddenly felt a sense of relief as the last bit of warm blood vacated the few remaining vessels in my feet. I was no longer subjected to the excruciating pain caused by the snow and pools of slush that were penetrating my sneakers. I somehow convinced myself that no feeling is better than endless stinging. But I already knew that repeated inflictions of my feet to the cold over the years had resulted in permanent numbness to some of my toes. At this point I still didn't care. I just wanted to keep moving downhill to a lower elevation where green tundra and the first wildflowers of the summer dotted the valley bottom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbDk9sYJUZq_0L_2uDH_xiwSyAPzORzEX49DAaJxaV7qhFvyPyjJPUry6DG3cJOHsrVZemyHIPwQ9_C-QsZWYO538WfxsXmKmnhT2eYadsdV95DEqYcR8hEmAPhyphenhyphenHxMsi8AG5eWVKH3DK/s1600-h/WForkAtigun.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbDk9sYJUZq_0L_2uDH_xiwSyAPzORzEX49DAaJxaV7qhFvyPyjJPUry6DG3cJOHsrVZemyHIPwQ9_C-QsZWYO538WfxsXmKmnhT2eYadsdV95DEqYcR8hEmAPhyphenhyphenHxMsi8AG5eWVKH3DK/s400/WForkAtigun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363351507160115602" border="0"></a>We headed north for the weekend to the Brooks Range in hopes of crossing over two passes and floating a portion of the upper Itkillik River before returning to the highway. This plan abruptly failed. A cool start to summer left large expanses of snow lingering in these mountains that define the divide between water flowing north to the Arctic Ocean from that draining southward towards the Bering Sea and north Pacific. We retreated back in our tracks after attempting to climb a sketchy ice covered pass with our inadequate gear. Instead we found ourselves bouncing down the whitewater of the West Fork of the Atigun River in a stunning Arctic valley.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ126Gq58_AUoID8N1IZm01vxMqqsSdRlMJiLgcRtRf01DWrrSFByOadfq1owEG3a2U5YfZwi8CTtZIx2W7iTUTm_A1-VKDYGqMXTmlX-Wwaad7UPR77J2fVlTwZQHEifnWt_nIAdAYWy/s1600-h/IMG_7279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ126Gq58_AUoID8N1IZm01vxMqqsSdRlMJiLgcRtRf01DWrrSFByOadfq1owEG3a2U5YfZwi8CTtZIx2W7iTUTm_A1-VKDYGqMXTmlX-Wwaad7UPR77J2fVlTwZQHEifnWt_nIAdAYWy/s400/IMG_7279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363349637238384242" border="0"></a>Ted plunges up to his crotch as he crosses endless stretches of snow on our way over the continental divide. We delicately placed our weight on the white surface in hopes of warding off additional swims in the bottomless snow. It would be another week or so before the snow would setup and transform into a solid walking surface.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsXvz4fFDA90aWIfzkP3cRXtDluOCB7gp5_Qbm02OD04CEcFMJJr7FrxS0edQHJa4WHOIXS5Mq1IYsWRPhWDhaflLf55xYeDHdzCWXAxdNunlesIeNhfEKQlvfMAWOh75EVVhagUvhP2k/s1600-h/IMG_7282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsXvz4fFDA90aWIfzkP3cRXtDluOCB7gp5_Qbm02OD04CEcFMJJr7FrxS0edQHJa4WHOIXS5Mq1IYsWRPhWDhaflLf55xYeDHdzCWXAxdNunlesIeNhfEKQlvfMAWOh75EVVhagUvhP2k/s400/IMG_7282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363346933367130626" border="0"></a>Despite the rotten snow and laborious trudging the scenery was absolutely spectacular as we descended into the upper reaches of the Atigun River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNwVX8LvPfgfvkEmx9JL5ZsWMGjnmSfSoJLNTS4LjGeGfYTm-mGI_p-3ZG-qiI2RyU-CV5YtHzNo4hd1pQ6LVWFW5kJCaF7mNGxO_TdM2iRsopZNG1acayxHMNy0_QOH5PaEBiLKwLG_K/s1600-h/IMG_7309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNwVX8LvPfgfvkEmx9JL5ZsWMGjnmSfSoJLNTS4LjGeGfYTm-mGI_p-3ZG-qiI2RyU-CV5YtHzNo4hd1pQ6LVWFW5kJCaF7mNGxO_TdM2iRsopZNG1acayxHMNy0_QOH5PaEBiLKwLG_K/s400/IMG_7309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363346939170975810" border="0"></a>We really were happy to be out in the mountains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk46_PDan0giopN_cswPe2hdJcXbOabFSNx_Q8lIE2tOtCidVivj3J98xDvnMhO0K248DaVjv40cKJDXEyw6QWXTN0skNKlaTMVFpJ68KtOofdPXEhuHEOhokPB0MDh-jywmubSWCxf1x-/s1600-h/IMG_7288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk46_PDan0giopN_cswPe2hdJcXbOabFSNx_Q8lIE2tOtCidVivj3J98xDvnMhO0K248DaVjv40cKJDXEyw6QWXTN0skNKlaTMVFpJ68KtOofdPXEhuHEOhokPB0MDh-jywmubSWCxf1x-/s400/IMG_7288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363346928044511362" border="0"></a>Another water crossing near the headwaters of the Atigun River flushes the cold snow out of our shoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO7QS1y4efQsyCL85Bn0hxaBhLgosWajMivPPsaVSk95U1-JWAPo8wUz3PqEjZLy0vvKVEOVau8nUJeNa5KDefgNHQmc5iYBRTqAzoPpA83VISyV45cv2S4HC46-hNrk8cQvq47N7s9Na/s1600-h/IMG_7316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO7QS1y4efQsyCL85Bn0hxaBhLgosWajMivPPsaVSk95U1-JWAPo8wUz3PqEjZLy0vvKVEOVau8nUJeNa5KDefgNHQmc5iYBRTqAzoPpA83VISyV45cv2S4HC46-hNrk8cQvq47N7s9Na/s400/IMG_7316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363346939718837042" border="0"></a>We had to hike for several miles down valley to a spot where the shallow braided channels consolidated into one primary deeper channel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yb2v-lJEfrtoRgO96nBOvkxrINzvdX8kHTYqIdUxTLBrkHiueHVs_bZRYnywpkAdubhfkG3eHDkqU0QzlG6nnybWJrQ99VBSwcy1RbSU03nkDvBZJ-rwSYPnm5LHEKNb3buCRSK9Q5ao/s1600-h/Picture+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yb2v-lJEfrtoRgO96nBOvkxrINzvdX8kHTYqIdUxTLBrkHiueHVs_bZRYnywpkAdubhfkG3eHDkqU0QzlG6nnybWJrQ99VBSwcy1RbSU03nkDvBZJ-rwSYPnm5LHEKNb3buCRSK9Q5ao/s400/Picture+018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371508929639652066" /></a>Resourceful Sky chomps away on an abandonded caribou rack. She could survive a long time on small mammals and other treasures in the wild. The caribou had moved down out of the mountains to the coastal plain in preparation for calving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAiLaDrY68IOms41k6L4aznvbqutZcrmZO5Qvr2GDPj7-xM9W9FbArFlTBaWHf3P1B9oWiq6LBhDU6r-FxNWdhBuvevKdDw9Se17HMr4D1UbOQx7AOQMMiCCJyQDuKOldHc7paWx8XxLQ/s1600-h/IMG_7337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAiLaDrY68IOms41k6L4aznvbqutZcrmZO5Qvr2GDPj7-xM9W9FbArFlTBaWHf3P1B9oWiq6LBhDU6r-FxNWdhBuvevKdDw9Se17HMr4D1UbOQx7AOQMMiCCJyQDuKOldHc7paWx8XxLQ/s400/IMG_7337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363349318164605906" border="0"></a>The West Fork of the Atigun is pinched between the exposed bedrock. We portaged this significant drop. The remainder the river was primarily fun wave trains and navigating through partially submerged rocks.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/90dEVjNsDNE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/90dEVjNsDNE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Videography from the West Fork of the Atigun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6P2of7JP0H8Sl75G09ELid_GNYiJBKplk27yqgei7pjdt6QtFvonGGlBlyx4NWnxSm_bh0axtJcEjXiXmDHG8326MmNx3rmw-rbO3QMfWnX9-auTHbXtyCI9lXDwsQrzDBZGsCFWORrv/s1600-h/IMG_7359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6P2of7JP0H8Sl75G09ELid_GNYiJBKplk27yqgei7pjdt6QtFvonGGlBlyx4NWnxSm_bh0axtJcEjXiXmDHG8326MmNx3rmw-rbO3QMfWnX9-auTHbXtyCI9lXDwsQrzDBZGsCFWORrv/s400/IMG_7359.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371512070651144898" /></a>Preparing for the final leg: a cold rain and driving headwind forced us to vacate the boats when our waterway skirted the Alaska Pipeline and road. Mildly hypothermic we ran the last 15-miles to the truck along the muddy highway outfitted in all our clothes and life jackets with the hopes of getting a ride...no ride came.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-29438152792273087642009-06-08T23:11:00.037-08:002009-06-29T23:43:49.755-08:00Coffee and Pizza Traverse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyguwqzxzt8rirfRJ3E4_7s7fc1f8VrGBzk1u6_3vIySKzd1dQad0yNJU0ZY3u_J77yCRWghjfWshnIHNEuvwUH53bVvXFJyXZigdTbB6A9w8d5t_OY7qXn6IA8U0NdQZDFE2lludV6eR/s1600-h/IMG_7237-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyguwqzxzt8rirfRJ3E4_7s7fc1f8VrGBzk1u6_3vIySKzd1dQad0yNJU0ZY3u_J77yCRWghjfWshnIHNEuvwUH53bVvXFJyXZigdTbB6A9w8d5t_OY7qXn6IA8U0NdQZDFE2lludV6eR/s400/IMG_7237-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353019370977241506" /></a>Descending into the upper Nenana River drainage in the Alaska Range<br /><br />All I could focus on the last two hours of our float was shoving a giant piece of greasy pizza into my mouth. The pleasurable sensation of the melted cheese against my tongue and anticipation of the calories replenishing my body. Fortunately for me our weekend traverse in the Alaska Range would terminate at the same location we started at the day before - but this time there would be unlimited pizza fresh out of the oven waiting to be devoured.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5yDnor0dOEQIbEymGbthk5HVMlVlg_2Eq_H49vNzhvXCzn9vEW5FOp4Ka2QppxKQSe7l_PfkNiN3zg7Nr5F0W-6PhjyXvEk4eZpR78lptLaNvjEX7zMpI6b0aO6IAtcK7yR6YyNYxCGF/s1600-h/CarloNenanaTraverse.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348201354423599634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5yDnor0dOEQIbEymGbthk5HVMlVlg_2Eq_H49vNzhvXCzn9vEW5FOp4Ka2QppxKQSe7l_PfkNiN3zg7Nr5F0W-6PhjyXvEk4eZpR78lptLaNvjEX7zMpI6b0aO6IAtcK7yR6YyNYxCGF/s400/CarloNenanaTraverse.JPG" border="0" /></a>This most recent packrafting trip was aptly named the coffee-pizza traverse because it began and ended at the java shop and pizza joint which straddle the banks of Carlo Creek on the Parks Hwy. The entire loop consisted of about 15-miles of scenic alpine hiking followed by 16-miles floating the upper Nenana River.<br /><br /><a href="http://3..blogspot.com/_ozVC2U4WL_A/SjieLmyyC0I/AAAAAAAAIIo/vFlXwHFvEYw/s1600-h/IMG_7098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348198479731755842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o_u1ewhBSvQFngR92SSoURHbvH5dO6PBpiVVxiqZlnv2KX-mye8K5QZcPeV0bR34q4QkTk3lkeVFgPh3RLvTJctvA2tVcYak7XcnNrZ4pV_7Vb7kw0HBsUYyTFSMH7hnP6MhyphenhyphenotZuNwO/s400/IMG_7098.JPG" border="0" /></a>A conveniently placed 4-wheeler path exists from the Parks Hwy up through the brush to treeline and resulted in a bushwhack-free stroll to the tundra.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzNGIcBkObWt5lGoGgR8MjIiez2YK2ZJnZ0SWDy5Kxuz-Q45keoH-nI0NsgX8nKvd2Ks3HnonfDxYXj1yOeOhhAvkw45wl958NfkTVusWs0HvJj2SIRzMvy18e_vBXELBgw1Cm8w9bOZK/s1600-h/IMG_7134-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzNGIcBkObWt5lGoGgR8MjIiez2YK2ZJnZ0SWDy5Kxuz-Q45keoH-nI0NsgX8nKvd2Ks3HnonfDxYXj1yOeOhhAvkw45wl958NfkTVusWs0HvJj2SIRzMvy18e_vBXELBgw1Cm8w9bOZK/s400/IMG_7134-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353021595890813986" /></a>Ben admires the newly melted snow as it cascades through a narrow gully.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA74DvhJVe-HVp4l9voU0NyIZ0C4bgEBhtVi8Jp8pE4cRg5dESHvBVHmspEVdmDL2oOsJbmiEaZM_F968Tw8MQGrJVJyNLdrYlBP4MSk9hUutjAmkCuwv9e7DfDdvG1E2seMCxHOML377O/s1600-h/IMG_7137-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA74DvhJVe-HVp4l9voU0NyIZ0C4bgEBhtVi8Jp8pE4cRg5dESHvBVHmspEVdmDL2oOsJbmiEaZM_F968Tw8MQGrJVJyNLdrYlBP4MSk9hUutjAmkCuwv9e7DfDdvG1E2seMCxHOML377O/s400/IMG_7137-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353021600724084626" /></a>The walking was nearly effortless across a green blanket of tundra and through fields of wildflowers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V9XGgLRmblDXITzjn2Bph6VvFx1LeR33uGQTsD9i7k68ub0b8YnnvAlIFe6TnIOrxZ-auCmIgf2xq-4S7nhyphenhyphennuAX4yaTRbgQdXZJJyp0VltkdkKMI33lbuwlyP3jrmxDBECHVz4Ibj8T/s1600-h/IMG_7170-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V9XGgLRmblDXITzjn2Bph6VvFx1LeR33uGQTsD9i7k68ub0b8YnnvAlIFe6TnIOrxZ-auCmIgf2xq-4S7nhyphenhyphennuAX4yaTRbgQdXZJJyp0VltkdkKMI33lbuwlyP3jrmxDBECHVz4Ibj8T/s400/IMG_7170-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353021604967709106" /></a>Breaking a thin layer of ice on a small pond at our camping site near the headwaters of Carlo Creek.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOmLq63thcY6Ziz0LxD55cmdTHUaQPBymkJwRTRten3JRVrLwWDDuq6kDa9SizLjMSeIZGuU_1Y-QUE4Up3U7VRMq3MmfsLbelPgtBnTCZGLnohzbeOZOMmbXslSuIbQIROqBPOLiy8Yz/s1600-h/IMG_7179-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOmLq63thcY6Ziz0LxD55cmdTHUaQPBymkJwRTRten3JRVrLwWDDuq6kDa9SizLjMSeIZGuU_1Y-QUE4Up3U7VRMq3MmfsLbelPgtBnTCZGLnohzbeOZOMmbXslSuIbQIROqBPOLiy8Yz/s400/IMG_7179-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353021609898629074" /></a>Large snowfields still linger below the pass at the head of the Carlo Creek. The snow was firm enough to walk across with ease.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK3AXfxw4mqAyXOe8FzHtF6f3Up6yNYFehek4urffYjtioYvC6nPoOOELMaew_nMNQmP-LsD2BbxgY_YWoZCMXdfne3Gg_2KhMRg9V-fJhSBS-DuhyphenhyphenR01-o-yHvTgEB207WdpxzA83JcP/s1600-h/IMG_7196-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK3AXfxw4mqAyXOe8FzHtF6f3Up6yNYFehek4urffYjtioYvC6nPoOOELMaew_nMNQmP-LsD2BbxgY_YWoZCMXdfne3Gg_2KhMRg9V-fJhSBS-DuhyphenhyphenR01-o-yHvTgEB207WdpxzA83JcP/s400/IMG_7196-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353021610302082834" /></a>Ben begins the steep and rocky descent on the south side of the pass. This section required some serious scrambling over small ledges and over giant boulders. We would eventually drop into the far distant valley and plop ourselves into the cold, silty waters of the Nenana River.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XgSgVlQpgk64Q3PjLYZE98SXb-keAJepce2tjB7TAJIBycwSOXGfHezjWPtEZU0B4XOrxZUpOH7aQClwI3UMDCMn7_H2OVNBNPz7vB33VWYztg6JLYpJSdb0AWhc0bnTFILQamiULP-4/s1600-h/IMG_7218-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348562208946292946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XgSgVlQpgk64Q3PjLYZE98SXb-keAJepce2tjB7TAJIBycwSOXGfHezjWPtEZU0B4XOrxZUpOH7aQClwI3UMDCMn7_H2OVNBNPz7vB33VWYztg6JLYpJSdb0AWhc0bnTFILQamiULP-4/s400/IMG_7218-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Curious caribou circle around us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvPFbqb0cXZ9grrJ3cjw85CRs3uLOZ4uvEwQi1BLbVWohjHsfPLzAuaEG2MMXI9ptLvbSpfJ2jY2Baq9C-iV8gRX3ii13QPbHpSEuoQJqsJrVfOtOg3JLlKM0aeQWI_rQzAxwQJ76MDFU/s1600-h/IMG_7221-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348562202537407362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvPFbqb0cXZ9grrJ3cjw85CRs3uLOZ4uvEwQi1BLbVWohjHsfPLzAuaEG2MMXI9ptLvbSpfJ2jY2Baq9C-iV8gRX3ii13QPbHpSEuoQJqsJrVfOtOg3JLlKM0aeQWI_rQzAxwQJ76MDFU/s400/IMG_7221-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>The girls cross a beautiful alpine stream.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmzGViVkFj7j5LYrIy0fBRCTFqLaxY_eUJR9g_qc3YWWZERO2nfOVlvOrHaMHYGkNfYc1c_7uI4aP2Dp_64m9rMluwOEVDFpBa2HDCzOO8ajgtbZAqA_lcQMVEZ353oc8iktcLnMTSAYD/s1600-h/IMG_7230-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348557860690665922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmzGViVkFj7j5LYrIy0fBRCTFqLaxY_eUJR9g_qc3YWWZERO2nfOVlvOrHaMHYGkNfYc1c_7uI4aP2Dp_64m9rMluwOEVDFpBa2HDCzOO8ajgtbZAqA_lcQMVEZ353oc8iktcLnMTSAYD/s400/IMG_7230-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Making our way across a wide open expanse of tundra above the Nenana River.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ1ySxNxLf1kieYhbOuGDshORiUXZI1miHwH7glXwosQB5ZmRMpI_6QD4a7pJfr85NvanfQi14xcLXUxPWW5GurfR8YC1bIjvWXigA5B7Cob8DbMgLD1EI78JZFeWht4oG_0nwE6rTW_t/s1600-h/IMG_7241-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348559003852006178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ1ySxNxLf1kieYhbOuGDshORiUXZI1miHwH7glXwosQB5ZmRMpI_6QD4a7pJfr85NvanfQi14xcLXUxPWW5GurfR8YC1bIjvWXigA5B7Cob8DbMgLD1EI78JZFeWht4oG_0nwE6rTW_t/s400/IMG_7241-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Preparing to launch the boats. The final push down to the river was a steep descent through a brief stretch of moderately thick brush.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SS2B2-vhGFIrvYKLTLPgL799yXpLbWXi9duqPMxST_Rtnp1Q3j8SPQJraItVCLS67pHDVAT1JHx99NnS26fQV9qr8lOyYoP82_AGEvzMFqd2tz2W7oHbA-qjxDsN3IsLTeA5QQ8vlQMu/s1600-h/IMG_7261-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348557846529577666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SS2B2-vhGFIrvYKLTLPgL799yXpLbWXi9duqPMxST_Rtnp1Q3j8SPQJraItVCLS67pHDVAT1JHx99NnS26fQV9qr8lOyYoP82_AGEvzMFqd2tz2W7oHbA-qjxDsN3IsLTeA5QQ8vlQMu/s400/IMG_7261-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Nenana River upstream of the Parks Hwy bridge is a casual Class I float. The river picks up a bit below the bridge with a few short Class II+ sections that are relatively easy to portage.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvh81UFaVMipQOxSNa2ewF3YPkiMyZwaG-SUQztt9tpK6OWCLho_la6MmhWeWW0PpzkaCWo15vN_JQ2NtyRA_CS-tzHRdJT7pQHDKZTr-xi0GtlT1IDU_AKLkfSs_cHMpof3BcDtxy78h/s1600-h/IMG_7262-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348557844898010450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvh81UFaVMipQOxSNa2ewF3YPkiMyZwaG-SUQztt9tpK6OWCLho_la6MmhWeWW0PpzkaCWo15vN_JQ2NtyRA_CS-tzHRdJT7pQHDKZTr-xi0GtlT1IDU_AKLkfSs_cHMpof3BcDtxy78h/s400/IMG_7262-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>10 PM and back at the starting pt...fresh pizza...beer...live music...THE END.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-70299918278047625412009-05-26T22:51:00.020-08:002009-05-31T09:19:45.387-08:00Beaver Creek 360<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVzyGBFD2Wu_qpbbGdaBjaE6WIqL8ZxBsqx3x6MsBkLka61iWNR6pd6LEKG2sCY1HYWTbiBVYle2MZWJnWCct0gIF9xH-TYpyPqdaVcsEgnKbIfn2vG4BjOgS_8DijcGF_yEE8FlZbkFT/s1600-h/IMG_7021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341094979203890786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVzyGBFD2Wu_qpbbGdaBjaE6WIqL8ZxBsqx3x6MsBkLka61iWNR6pd6LEKG2sCY1HYWTbiBVYle2MZWJnWCct0gIF9xH-TYpyPqdaVcsEgnKbIfn2vG4BjOgS_8DijcGF_yEE8FlZbkFT/s400/IMG_7021.JPG" border="0" /></a>The tundra high above Beaver Cr has come to life with the arrival of summer.<br /><br />Ann quietly gazed down at the map as we drifted past a tall stand of spruce trees. Her concerned voice broke the silence as she slowly raised her head, "I think we have to go a lot farther than you expected." I looked back at her a little bit puzzled and muttered, "Hmmmm...really?" Exactly how far had I miscalculated our inaugural packraft trip of the season? Embarrassingly...a lot. This was already going to be an ambitious wilderness foray for a long weekend. I now realized that I had somehow underestimated the entire traverse by nearly 50 miles.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcZ1RI6wxAF4AD9Bun10buPYMsJEPXRLABVfW0EUQsxeK1kba_tn0fTf3sSXFq1X1zVz-Ysix6FiMLDeb1RbpwOMAFIjpF3-WwIAi3z1L1N_1S-bXH7dMiOiQWe4gfQoTnp7DhVudZVJm/s1600-h/BeaverCr360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341107679559885938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 343px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcZ1RI6wxAF4AD9Bun10buPYMsJEPXRLABVfW0EUQsxeK1kba_tn0fTf3sSXFq1X1zVz-Ysix6FiMLDeb1RbpwOMAFIjpF3-WwIAi3z1L1N_1S-bXH7dMiOiQWe4gfQoTnp7DhVudZVJm/s400/BeaverCr360.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our route began at the usual starting point for a float down Beaver Creek at the Nome Creek put-in. From there we paddled steadily for about 100 miles before rolling up our rafts and stashing them into our backpacks. Most Beaver Creek floaters continue downriver an additional 15 miles to a wide gravel bar where a small fixed-wing plane can touch down and pluck them from the wilderness. Instead...after climbing out of the creek we followed a series of interconnecting ridge lines that would eventually lead us 45 miles back to the gravel road we started on...and then climax with a 16 mile bike ride back to the truck. A complete 360 degree circuit that amounted to about 160 miles of travel by boat, foot, and bike.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR3pbl-f8hQosSykElb_IRTxllKLDHZRCKIfUiOXNEZxgY3su4JzRXp0h5f2kf0IQnmVkZkOY9nu3EIVJNvDYEQL5kc3mv0Ub5n5Tw9E5mXgMW3DwI93iu7D9KPsjpyM_yVWQjI1P_Vdi/s1600-h/IMG_6958.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341088570127360594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR3pbl-f8hQosSykElb_IRTxllKLDHZRCKIfUiOXNEZxgY3su4JzRXp0h5f2kf0IQnmVkZkOY9nu3EIVJNvDYEQL5kc3mv0Ub5n5Tw9E5mXgMW3DwI93iu7D9KPsjpyM_yVWQjI1P_Vdi/s400/IMG_6958.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ann absorbs the view as Beaver Creek winds its way past jagged limestone teeth of the White Mountains.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecozArsQISknWhFsXlo1erU_nSuce6iqRCBM_GncbtJVGY8zxhgo_WOey0Lbu63ghYPEz0cuc_0vMcL-Vzdj0LSeFZwcKhcuT8ZvB-GkZrUtXTseCUD2YFPiN_fTSvmBreGvzVQhQ8NIV/s1600-h/IMG_6967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341088574889160002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecozArsQISknWhFsXlo1erU_nSuce6iqRCBM_GncbtJVGY8zxhgo_WOey0Lbu63ghYPEz0cuc_0vMcL-Vzdj0LSeFZwcKhcuT8ZvB-GkZrUtXTseCUD2YFPiN_fTSvmBreGvzVQhQ8NIV/s400/IMG_6967.JPG" border="0" /></a>It appears that the river otter population will thrive this year by the way these two were going at it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRXAVzB1R-cdCOwWYCEUZh-u2-Br4Ujy3ejU5XBiOGCcM-n9TA6nv9wvxq10upmTYt_0zqn2UgU1cracrizvOCii3Z869Yx6Qd0QE1B7o6VQrgv9MQn2Tr2G2HJWrHTFKvhj4m-dSQIec/s1600-h/IMG_6993.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341088578771988018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRXAVzB1R-cdCOwWYCEUZh-u2-Br4Ujy3ejU5XBiOGCcM-n9TA6nv9wvxq10upmTYt_0zqn2UgU1cracrizvOCii3Z869Yx6Qd0QE1B7o6VQrgv9MQn2Tr2G2HJWrHTFKvhj4m-dSQIec/s400/IMG_6993.JPG" border="0" /></a>Beaver Creek is an easy Class I float with only a few small riffles and an occasional tree hanging into the water that can sweep over a boat. The water was flowing along at a casual 3 to 4 miles per hour.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1x3mSDCXMIKxEQ337a0-TsmppxDciwy7Q_O-VWoT1e7HBv6qmDm573I8Y2DAd68HBkcnOITOlpS3xZ_DLPzzbTwfIgBS4fjzExlzamzjWK53SjC_x_xo7y4fVM19Us9mtRAR82v8r1ucA/s1600-h/IMG_6999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341088581435501234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1x3mSDCXMIKxEQ337a0-TsmppxDciwy7Q_O-VWoT1e7HBv6qmDm573I8Y2DAd68HBkcnOITOlpS3xZ_DLPzzbTwfIgBS4fjzExlzamzjWK53SjC_x_xo7y4fVM19Us9mtRAR82v8r1ucA/s400/IMG_6999.JPG" border="0" /></a>Packing up the boat and remainder of gear in preparation for our cross country hike. I am still dumbfounded with the fact that it is possible to have my deflated boat disappear into the depths of my pack and then lug it across the countryside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oKatcqhq2PjUvuFjdJheFYu7UVKDKCLGx7jUz1-bHBwjJPSEripK31HZf4wbq9FfuUAtiHSSUiFCgzImAIbaDXiYpPnCYvsEEhUKLeDueJHyRI7zVF6fXDbPYMbMIEogI6Se7Odapsts/s1600-h/IMG_7003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341088584811492914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oKatcqhq2PjUvuFjdJheFYu7UVKDKCLGx7jUz1-bHBwjJPSEripK31HZf4wbq9FfuUAtiHSSUiFCgzImAIbaDXiYpPnCYvsEEhUKLeDueJHyRI7zVF6fXDbPYMbMIEogI6Se7Odapsts/s400/IMG_7003.JPG" border="0" /></a>We had a very steep ascent out of the Beaver Cr valley but there was very little bushwhacking. In the distance is Victoria Mtn...which is the last bit of terrain before the river spills out into the broad expansive lowlands of the Yukon Flats.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLcSYW8wufqJRPuxi9XekZC8lKUhzFHLBmIBw-_lulwU70LrwnyTdfamT198lyqroQqn9OR_tACkVyiEuNPvZsWG7m3j-mDcnzinua07IYeCyXtCCwfTY6nX-z9MXTCQ7efck5x374C5d/s1600-h/IMG_7008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341150331973005282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLcSYW8wufqJRPuxi9XekZC8lKUhzFHLBmIBw-_lulwU70LrwnyTdfamT198lyqroQqn9OR_tACkVyiEuNPvZsWG7m3j-mDcnzinua07IYeCyXtCCwfTY6nX-z9MXTCQ7efck5x374C5d/s400/IMG_7008.JPG" border="0" /></a>We encountered a series of game trails when we climbed above tree-line which made for very easy walking at times.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWvjgh6J1RXGNexyv3kuH3TUAa2dE12R-uatO5H6lzlmH5G7f1KMkrRSHkVmHnhuPhFYrwyj-O5BpnVYb8PTL2LZtJu8f77thuwRQKzh3Ow3rw50mI-p0lvvSHJBkOp-e5qv2WXCpJxxu/s1600-h/IMG_7029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341115021169299330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWvjgh6J1RXGNexyv3kuH3TUAa2dE12R-uatO5H6lzlmH5G7f1KMkrRSHkVmHnhuPhFYrwyj-O5BpnVYb8PTL2LZtJu8f77thuwRQKzh3Ow3rw50mI-p0lvvSHJBkOp-e5qv2WXCpJxxu/s400/IMG_7029.JPG" border="0" /></a>The majority of the hike was spent side sloping across precariously placed lichen-encrusted rocks, postholing through thigh deep snow fields, and stumbling across tufts of tussocky tundra.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ac9OhyzCLcWC-XpuhVRsQGLUMF-CLT07ifOulEikOmlYWHOM_HOG12-IWXp0QuIPkrEfkZghobeMCB_sbx2uYsizQZKZNBShLscPR4NEIQ-BJmJMhg-Tlz-8L6mhdAmpJLami6l4_bN0/s1600-h/IMG_7034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341115032564581298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ac9OhyzCLcWC-XpuhVRsQGLUMF-CLT07ifOulEikOmlYWHOM_HOG12-IWXp0QuIPkrEfkZghobeMCB_sbx2uYsizQZKZNBShLscPR4NEIQ-BJmJMhg-Tlz-8L6mhdAmpJLami6l4_bN0/s400/IMG_7034.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ann crosses one of the uncountable saddles in the high country. The terrain was brutal as we negotiated a never ending sequence of 1000 foot climbs followed by an equal amount of descents.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsIw3n1K594zPyLEbtDFXRtLq1svOQUMBgcxNytlVmxKooetfMckzKRmnr0lxXl2bRGC9d3MhkUA8uURxwpOFfadC62oFvmj3N-Msapyi-UDwzK_wn0sK2fWgKwyRtq6CJ7nQeCBXRnAI/s1600-h/IMG_7045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341149140846851426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsIw3n1K594zPyLEbtDFXRtLq1svOQUMBgcxNytlVmxKooetfMckzKRmnr0lxXl2bRGC9d3MhkUA8uURxwpOFfadC62oFvmj3N-Msapyi-UDwzK_wn0sK2fWgKwyRtq6CJ7nQeCBXRnAI/s400/IMG_7045.JPG" border="0" /></a>The avenue of tors--some of these environmentally sculpted spires of granite soared over 100 feet into the sky.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBg6zJEzDMzf1zgYi1vNhAnu35QA_LM5iJsXV8SyC8oz5uUJxz0HTv4YYUk-uXDSf5fSIDfwXrEc-iH8TjxEMdkLMxM1a2LQbnZOrOh_fv3xk5Q5e0KioZ6c_fWq1X6efxJjh5UJDOuPr/s1600-h/IMG_7054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341149144506062498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBg6zJEzDMzf1zgYi1vNhAnu35QA_LM5iJsXV8SyC8oz5uUJxz0HTv4YYUk-uXDSf5fSIDfwXrEc-iH8TjxEMdkLMxM1a2LQbnZOrOh_fv3xk5Q5e0KioZ6c_fWq1X6efxJjh5UJDOuPr/s400/IMG_7054.JPG" border="0" /></a>There were still plenty of depressions in the tundra with meltwater from the dwindling winters snowpack. Later in the summer it would be difficult to find any water this high above the river valleys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mli8cZVj9vV-B4yL1_PHZOt1RqixbpeaPklYMrGQJcPz4eRiPwgZo8ofyflztpIKek_ONpHbkBC5DzMZhDhGnAWZYFclgtHabUZ3alFcRe_BC5e-WnWwdmXnk2ClHkxGKG-0Btv0auGI/s1600-h/IMG_7039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341115043197934146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mli8cZVj9vV-B4yL1_PHZOt1RqixbpeaPklYMrGQJcPz4eRiPwgZo8ofyflztpIKek_ONpHbkBC5DzMZhDhGnAWZYFclgtHabUZ3alFcRe_BC5e-WnWwdmXnk2ClHkxGKG-0Btv0auGI/s400/IMG_7039.JPG" border="0" /></a>Even though we didn't see a trace of any other human being...we were not alone.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIOa9JUpvkd_FfMsNcdg4gkbAZ_PyILUWSdVI8Jby08jWrJ8sJVlZmJUWZYouunY7eV45GrBm8BhPFC2PtQ5wJE3S1bmhs2MVFo_QOhlUWlQpgQ2AKC35UMtA0bZrFvYrekjGjLr9s959/s1600-h/IMG_7069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341892861575309202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIOa9JUpvkd_FfMsNcdg4gkbAZ_PyILUWSdVI8Jby08jWrJ8sJVlZmJUWZYouunY7eV45GrBm8BhPFC2PtQ5wJE3S1bmhs2MVFo_QOhlUWlQpgQ2AKC35UMtA0bZrFvYrekjGjLr9s959/s400/IMG_7069.JPG" border="0" /></a>Liberally applying <a href="http://www.bodyglide.com/">Body Glide </a>to my feet in hopes of preventing blisters. This in combination with keeping my feet occasionally wet and cool seems to diminish the threat of incapacitating foot problems. The main side effect is flirting with the onslaught of trench foot after about 10 hours of damp feet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLohUcxTZWDbNOevKmjcCE6gKaBfa2a7qnSs6coLvRl2ZWG7V7z2N0cXFAuNMUAAWQS44yL3PkptSWMOlgGmmTlJICaMi5XvKoJAt7VWvsQClEWfksi2RkEfDMjVzAT0ojqSeAg76q_kEz/s1600-h/IMG_7070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341149148941166610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLohUcxTZWDbNOevKmjcCE6gKaBfa2a7qnSs6coLvRl2ZWG7V7z2N0cXFAuNMUAAWQS44yL3PkptSWMOlgGmmTlJICaMi5XvKoJAt7VWvsQClEWfksi2RkEfDMjVzAT0ojqSeAg76q_kEz/s400/IMG_7070.JPG" border="0" /></a>Dropping down into the Quartz Creek drainage. We hoped to find a 4-wheeler trail on the opposite side of the valley that would ease the last stretch of our hike.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hYPUUXNDF1iB0L8b-ErLJSVetAPl3PlLseZnTmd_cDfYF5G5R74d8ACVJARmCDvS6OUZty_p7vPVks7Do02RdXMUVUL863ijbFM6CyboOXQByPdRwVubkmsNwfbNf_hr8F4H-kDiGoMO/s1600-h/IMG_7083.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341146715574951378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hYPUUXNDF1iB0L8b-ErLJSVetAPl3PlLseZnTmd_cDfYF5G5R74d8ACVJARmCDvS6OUZty_p7vPVks7Do02RdXMUVUL863ijbFM6CyboOXQByPdRwVubkmsNwfbNf_hr8F4H-kDiGoMO/s400/IMG_7083.JPG" border="0" /></a>Towards the end of our hike we intersected the Quartz Creek trail. The trail had recently been improved and made for great walking. Its a great trail for accessing the dramatic granite spires around <a href="http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2008/06/mount-prindle-rocks.html">Mt Prindle</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L0P9fBXBlYKkKHotdHykst89ZMequwIZUbkN3ecMx6cdI_3fHBN8yWNLREUZymN-r7fCFUQuzxeQlP4RPwNbhyphenhyphenYNozridm04lknXdPmAY1QqeGXd0saIUnq5rJOCc2G-vfo5_c351ETH/s1600-h/IMG_7089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341146718551899234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L0P9fBXBlYKkKHotdHykst89ZMequwIZUbkN3ecMx6cdI_3fHBN8yWNLREUZymN-r7fCFUQuzxeQlP4RPwNbhyphenhyphenYNozridm04lknXdPmAY1QqeGXd0saIUnq5rJOCc2G-vfo5_c351ETH/s400/IMG_7089.JPG" border="0" /></a>The final leg on bike completed our 160 mile, 360 degree adventure.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-72527170831740826822009-05-05T22:30:00.007-08:002009-05-31T08:28:52.082-08:00Destruction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT_juQ9lU1XF0T-1M_uXq5pbzRVxUFcGCwVIEmhngBwz80yxHa8Kr-28XG06khDZfdIzV-PofOZi4duRgXm9pQfr2ElrWP4W4xTkSW8CB8tN9rwxxSEjrlSxf41dJWAkjgPMKR4RaKvf2/s1600-h/eagleice.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332604318579990658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT_juQ9lU1XF0T-1M_uXq5pbzRVxUFcGCwVIEmhngBwz80yxHa8Kr-28XG06khDZfdIzV-PofOZi4duRgXm9pQfr2ElrWP4W4xTkSW8CB8tN9rwxxSEjrlSxf41dJWAkjgPMKR4RaKvf2/s400/eagleice.jpg" border="0" /></a>The mighty Yukon is putting up a fight this spring. The river has taken its first casualties after only making a few sweeping bends after crossing the border into Alaska. Portions of the village of Eagle have been swallowed by a chaotic sea of moving water and ice. (<em>photo courtesy C.McElfresh</em>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGahTGEcp1K6q3vZ6j9dSURbE-zovdUQMKOvhAmV8HLUpuJhZ4lVafVUAeNeszubYnTEUd0C4noSnSdHaQBxXTd2oLPBTv5fjzwANQxPtVWo3RGqQ5n2GCoy7kqFrzFYEEyYIHYFdZoJ9T/s1600-h/050509_eagle_flood4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332604321432938674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGahTGEcp1K6q3vZ6j9dSURbE-zovdUQMKOvhAmV8HLUpuJhZ4lVafVUAeNeszubYnTEUd0C4noSnSdHaQBxXTd2oLPBTv5fjzwANQxPtVWo3RGqQ5n2GCoy7kqFrzFYEEyYIHYFdZoJ9T/s400/050509_eagle_flood4.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Old Native village is completely destroyed as massive blocks of ice smash the structures like match sticks and the river inundates the forest. (<em>NWS photo</em>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4l8Mt0ekSjo4BqEpahcMSILOawp5keg0cr9glHgVL7qQxiPX7XiUywdDcqhoQ5f0dAb_5eDe1Axpq9kKVqdO9h88R6fRnX1GjRVDAaQbpBTfRNz0Fb5mwkwhxurHOkTg0SQvvi0Jfxju-/s1600-h/050509_eagle3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332604325526774178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4l8Mt0ekSjo4BqEpahcMSILOawp5keg0cr9glHgVL7qQxiPX7XiUywdDcqhoQ5f0dAb_5eDe1Axpq9kKVqdO9h88R6fRnX1GjRVDAaQbpBTfRNz0Fb5mwkwhxurHOkTg0SQvvi0Jfxju-/s400/050509_eagle3.jpg" border="0" /></a>Floodwaters reached the highest levels ever recorded at the quaint village which has been perched above the Yukon River for over 100-years. Buildings were twisted or completely removed from their foundations. (<em>NPS photo</em>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP9KE6LgWPOfbZO0yJH5zXL23Zvu50haFfebOGGIoZML4I2xAwiOcWRTi3CNHq8T0XP97OvF1JhcpxowIoXCrgofcXS87a5W0T7Zw1c_fAMQM2LgRP8WhaTMTyCDhyMcMOtbk5Hclz1bI/s1600-h/050409_eagle_flood7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332604331509977890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP9KE6LgWPOfbZO0yJH5zXL23Zvu50haFfebOGGIoZML4I2xAwiOcWRTi3CNHq8T0XP97OvF1JhcpxowIoXCrgofcXS87a5W0T7Zw1c_fAMQM2LgRP8WhaTMTyCDhyMcMOtbk5Hclz1bI/s400/050409_eagle_flood7.JPG" border="0" /></a>Chunks of ice remain stranded as the water recedes. (<em>NPS photo</em>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla75WH1KL7AraSecVrQGcjmAWre_ysGhrI4mtY73aBo3wZj4DuHsOXytHosmrXpbwBRW7oCEn9MnpcZMh7JRR7MsB5vm23iNami7cn6jGA0P35PPm4oMoDAlGZywd-ic-nk3EgzGlYoMU/s1600-h/050509_eagle_flood13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332604312414108706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla75WH1KL7AraSecVrQGcjmAWre_ysGhrI4mtY73aBo3wZj4DuHsOXytHosmrXpbwBRW7oCEn9MnpcZMh7JRR7MsB5vm23iNami7cn6jGA0P35PPm4oMoDAlGZywd-ic-nk3EgzGlYoMU/s400/050509_eagle_flood13.JPG" border="0" /></a>The roofs of two cabins are barely visible as they are carried into the middle of the river and begin their 1000-mile journey towards the Bering Sea (<em>NPS photo</em>).Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-44276518969905986012009-05-02T18:40:00.015-08:002009-05-04T22:20:56.455-08:00Chasing Ice<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzV4BSEYoYzhm7ZxPHFm767DBG_Gtzrd3lDk8QACsCkCpKLLXd6UVCJI4_ivwMjHcDaMnd944_lz_EU6gyMdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I have been on the move this week. By air and by car chasing moving fragments of ice and floods. I captured the above video footage of a chaotic mess of ice and debris which completely clogged the Chantanika River north of Fairbanks. The entire river was sent rushing into the woods.<br /><br />The weather is warm...really warm. All time-record high temperatures for this time of year were broken the past several days. This put an abrupt end to winter. The big heat wave resulted in a rapid melting of the snowpack and pushed a large slug of water into the rivers. Sheets of river ice which have remained dormant all winter have been suddenly lifted up and set into motion. Over the next few weeks most of the ice will flush downriver on its journey to the coast...while some slabs will become stranded on the shore and meet their demise as summer takes over.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-61568421914989514942009-04-17T17:56:00.014-08:002009-05-03T18:47:15.437-08:00The Commute...I just stood in my driveway and listened to the foreign sound. It had been months since I had heard it -- the incessant dripping of water running down the rain gutter at the corner of my house. My first emotion was panic. This was it. An entire winters worth of snow was gradually beginning its demise. I wasn't ready for my early morning ritual of skiing to work to come an end. Or the the weekend trips gliding across the snow with my friends. But then I remained still and concentrated on the rhythmic nature of the sound. This was the prenatal voice of summer. At that point a very subtle ripple of excitement came over me as I thought about the endless daylight, birds singing through the night, tundra crunching under my feet, the rumble of thunder across the valley, the fragerance of wild roses in the warm June air.<br /><br />As I look back at the past 6 months, perhaps some of my fondest memories of the winter were collected during my daily commute to work. A simple trip on a network of groomed trails that extend from my neighborhood to the University. There were no big mountains to traverse or challenging terrain to contend with. Only the conical world that existed just within the beam of my headlamp, the crispness of the arctic air, the cold squeeky snow, the northern lights exploding across the sky, or the occasional moose that blocked my path.<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-da8738b077e1b76 height=266 width=320 contentId="da8738b077e1b76"></OBJECT><br />Music - "Litter Bin" by Grand NationalEd Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-3032753744012119142009-04-12T21:26:00.013-08:002009-05-03T18:45:45.906-08:00Spring on the Quest Trail<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacRf3q4hjko6HPvjUwCItB-SxUOfQGqRrqXgtf0Tju550Qb4KCrs_wVORzS4UC3gbvnoTagsqiwe02ZazGRVr8vAd81SiIg0UHtdtV2zDQi6F3n0DH7Xm9Wb-6paIm1zid7O-tHavoVss/s1600-h/IMG_6572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326120533805718978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacRf3q4hjko6HPvjUwCItB-SxUOfQGqRrqXgtf0Tju550Qb4KCrs_wVORzS4UC3gbvnoTagsqiwe02ZazGRVr8vAd81SiIg0UHtdtV2zDQi6F3n0DH7Xm9Wb-6paIm1zid7O-tHavoVss/s400/IMG_6572.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brian hauls ass down Rosebud Summit on the Yukon Quest trail<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.yukonquest.com/">Yukon Quest</a> sled dog race took place almost two months ago. Since then there have been several heavy snow and strong wind storms that slammed the portion of route just northeast of Fairbanks. I figured that any remnants of a trail may have been completely obliterated by the active weather back in March. Brian and I decided to gamble and attempt to ski the section that traverses across the uplands between the Steese Hwy and Chena Hot Springs. We found an absolutely stellar snowmachine trail linking the two roadways.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmggPaQOhn3GXKdbt3Hjb-k48d-c-Ue_8-5jg97lUlt2fbAQDN7ua8E2N6sAXQhrHFBwL3cfCZ3Ncc_kvLLiNz49gZRSdplEmWtQ0wB-fSRbC_PLhGKYu4flKfVoDupo7LvitHLE4zLwk/s1600-h/Steese2Chena.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326085545598012242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmggPaQOhn3GXKdbt3Hjb-k48d-c-Ue_8-5jg97lUlt2fbAQDN7ua8E2N6sAXQhrHFBwL3cfCZ3Ncc_kvLLiNz49gZRSdplEmWtQ0wB-fSRbC_PLhGKYu4flKfVoDupo7LvitHLE4zLwk/s400/Steese2Chena.JPG" border="0" /></a>The unassuming 35-mile stretch between the Steese Hwy and Chena Hot Springs Rd is often overshadowed by the treacherous conditions encountered over Eagle Summit. But this segement is also notoriously known for horrendous winds and snow conditions as the trail climbs Rosebud and Boulder summits. The trail has some gnarly descents and steep pitched climbs, ice patches, and wind scoured tundra - which all pose major challenges for a dog team.<br /><br /><a href="http://huffblog.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326118600672795138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyqLfOIBpsSHa6XqZ1HBYFqV7RQVDvI5Qcnkw8mIna1V7Ftl7D6dR29enHPcP410nEZT4mz8pP5HuU1MBkGAyE3qEhBiAqwcrVCmXtOCIURyg9lVcW74Qrtf7QFUfOLKZDZBkiiFLUxIE/s400/P4110576.JPG" border="0" />Dea</a> is back in action with her new kidney! She is peeing like crazy now and looks healthier than ever since she is no longer undergoing dialysis 3-times a week. She and Ben shuttled us out to the trailhead on the Steese Hwy. This gave her the opportunity to do her first out of town ski since the transplant.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bFdnW6ZIgoicvJKifC2GlNsj-XC1E_PI2B0o7KCjjru7_QUET2UHzIVP_bnkdC-icBUffSYfPwXvBEWbtuHftTbMcpn0pMOgHPCLimSI7bR7b9fYQt6H1PO7XGvf_5nIQsflsCmxB-ii/s1600-h/IMG_6564.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326118602415205698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bFdnW6ZIgoicvJKifC2GlNsj-XC1E_PI2B0o7KCjjru7_QUET2UHzIVP_bnkdC-icBUffSYfPwXvBEWbtuHftTbMcpn0pMOgHPCLimSI7bR7b9fYQt6H1PO7XGvf_5nIQsflsCmxB-ii/s400/IMG_6564.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brian and Jose ski down the Birch Creek valley.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rtmp_j7ZAsMrZW45Q98zXZAV3kk7IxpuVyiEn-BbAtABhg7wjGS7OuNR38GYjCJqlYKWx-LmCPyqHhzZZvani9q2dxXUKYgBM_aoYK-YVAGDHbYGOAiXk-o4fZ-QevqiDePKmjIQoEU_/s1600-h/edbrian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326157218751605922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rtmp_j7ZAsMrZW45Q98zXZAV3kk7IxpuVyiEn-BbAtABhg7wjGS7OuNR38GYjCJqlYKWx-LmCPyqHhzZZvani9q2dxXUKYgBM_aoYK-YVAGDHbYGOAiXk-o4fZ-QevqiDePKmjIQoEU_/s400/edbrian.jpg" border="0" /></a>Brian and I are all smiles. I forgot how easy skiing can be when the trail is nice and the weather is warm.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGF4BeSDTDwE8GcFhucEDPj7s9WsNbmyw1I26cjpz1Mg9Q6w427GXEwTWYCtmRAR2THfYqme8Rlt9qPSSg4kkuPqakx86GGWSoldCvEULKHaxSxqgiBvNODLWR6f8J10f28uAhQviAbt0/s1600-h/IMG_6576.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326120532058123842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGF4BeSDTDwE8GcFhucEDPj7s9WsNbmyw1I26cjpz1Mg9Q6w427GXEwTWYCtmRAR2THfYqme8Rlt9qPSSg4kkuPqakx86GGWSoldCvEULKHaxSxqgiBvNODLWR6f8J10f28uAhQviAbt0/s400/IMG_6576.JPG" border="0" /></a>Leftover patches of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sastrugi">sastrugi</a> on Boulder Summit are a reminder that this is a harsh, wind-swept environment for most of the winter. A lonely piece of lath marking the remains of the Yukon Quest trail is barely visible.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwIVgEfzPuZs9Ys0srbZkBcWBWy189Fi7fS-JQ4NrfaLVcb6T8erUorDLDL7gM6DtnlQ3FiQqHOBDi03XOokiWeD7Wb1kJm09sjk-K0rPcyrviGOT5XYcigpESjs9Z232Wgfh5hRshzMD/s1600-h/IMG_6574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326120532912336722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwIVgEfzPuZs9Ys0srbZkBcWBWy189Fi7fS-JQ4NrfaLVcb6T8erUorDLDL7gM6DtnlQ3FiQqHOBDi03XOokiWeD7Wb1kJm09sjk-K0rPcyrviGOT5XYcigpESjs9Z232Wgfh5hRshzMD/s400/IMG_6574.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brian descends into Boulder Cr...which form part of the headwaters of the Chena River.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYm9G4WtiYOZcvAoBUIuC_20RVsu4nSu6hKuw4qfzjeWGHatoqwiTj5P498JMoGowqwB5B6hIc8f0CBPPYRBoN7TNUfxF4NqpIPCSBWfuuWK1N5hgVuBf4jUFGMBCHobHri80Lqe07lvF/s1600-h/IMG_6580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326120524960611266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYm9G4WtiYOZcvAoBUIuC_20RVsu4nSu6hKuw4qfzjeWGHatoqwiTj5P498JMoGowqwB5B6hIc8f0CBPPYRBoN7TNUfxF4NqpIPCSBWfuuWK1N5hgVuBf4jUFGMBCHobHri80Lqe07lvF/s400/IMG_6580.JPG" border="0" /></a>A continuous accumulation of overflow ice during the winter had completely innundated portions of the Boulder Creek drainage. This made for bullet-fast skiing.</div>Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-57461581163243311022009-03-26T22:36:00.006-08:002009-05-03T18:45:24.692-08:00Mission Aborted...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichLH6fC28CDiYWo4TZLBXXjcbUSHOhratCB1jv0g38iKjdzrtGlipQvA25Ilt1eDETPWVZsDs0aY2c916zPfNi7xZyLd0RH9yPDUapFfr0kupMPe4OWCi-wrZcGzZmHZIFBv5y7cMKDLp/s1600-h/P3230521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318707675285354178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichLH6fC28CDiYWo4TZLBXXjcbUSHOhratCB1jv0g38iKjdzrtGlipQvA25Ilt1eDETPWVZsDs0aY2c916zPfNi7xZyLd0RH9yPDUapFfr0kupMPe4OWCi-wrZcGzZmHZIFBv5y7cMKDLp/s400/P3230521.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christie soaks up the sun on a peak in the Alaska Range<br /><br />The Plan: Traverse the Alaska Range on skis from east to west beginning at the Tok Cutoff and ending at the Richardson Highway. The entire distance is 80 to 100 miles depending on the route taken. We expected the trip to take approximately 7-8 days.<br /><br />The Problem: Difficult snow conditions combined with multiple channels of open water on the Tok River bogged us down the first few days. We anticipated some sort of packed snowmachine trail for the first 30-miles or so. Unfortunately no one had traveled in this area all winter and unusually heavy dumps of snow had fallen this spring. This resulted in slogging along from the beginning. We expected the first stretch to be our 'gravy' days with easy travel.<br /><br />Mission Aborted: We decided to retreat since we cashed in our buffer days from the start which we had allotted for potential bad weather and snow conditions later in the trip. Since we had extra time we spent a day climbing an un-named peak before trudging back to the road. We may try this traverse again next year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoJP50mOcEYDxDYFWOyxN2F0b0KGwO-HiSIFtK4pLS5HkvNFOBYWvOUkPUekmthqV2JksRfa9m_VJxJ-2WdC5hNPmSlS0rF0V4IFj2HchMucT5c-P5ABZ8TKanWjAMhTuxuc_Ln1-GI2-/s1600-h/tokrichroute.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318525206702231010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoJP50mOcEYDxDYFWOyxN2F0b0KGwO-HiSIFtK4pLS5HkvNFOBYWvOUkPUekmthqV2JksRfa9m_VJxJ-2WdC5hNPmSlS0rF0V4IFj2HchMucT5c-P5ABZ8TKanWjAMhTuxuc_Ln1-GI2-/s400/tokrichroute.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our planned route took us along the south side of the Alaska Range between the Tok Cutoff and the Richardson Hwy. If time allowed we intended to traverse several glaciers en route to our destination.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTBiFKxoklLqB4F8BNjj0D8P8FU5zVnK2NDHY9IA3y6gtlIoatAjJuoWkOH6R8MSVpOIBaskTY4s1EDjJ7BHWeFO6dS09teh7oDEYIo5T_pS4MPWseiSPRn49gcpNQO1cblRxj8U75FFa/s1600-h/IMG_6426.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318504352338250466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTBiFKxoklLqB4F8BNjj0D8P8FU5zVnK2NDHY9IA3y6gtlIoatAjJuoWkOH6R8MSVpOIBaskTY4s1EDjJ7BHWeFO6dS09teh7oDEYIo5T_pS4MPWseiSPRn49gcpNQO1cblRxj8U75FFa/s400/IMG_6426.JPG" border="0" /></a>I packed 7-days of food into gallon size ziplock bags. Each days ration of grub weighed about 2.5 lbs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJvyB0o0ZcSxgiEAn7cP6Yloz5UoXSe7h_cDCome5mN88csvhn0iJGFlMjmFHvbqAZrpKRqceZ4Fwxl5KfmD0MiYDwg867KQ0Fhq4gr5pDCjm155yhPsKEzXtuTKmt6l3xY7Z7qlgfLvL/s1600-h/IMG_6443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318707030941329842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJvyB0o0ZcSxgiEAn7cP6Yloz5UoXSe7h_cDCome5mN88csvhn0iJGFlMjmFHvbqAZrpKRqceZ4Fwxl5KfmD0MiYDwg867KQ0Fhq4gr5pDCjm155yhPsKEzXtuTKmt6l3xY7Z7qlgfLvL/s400/IMG_6443.JPG" border="0" /></a>An easy water crossing on a small creek near the start of our trip. The following day we had to navigate through a maze of deep, open channels on the Tok River.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyBmsZRq8DAB6vuElO-Gemas0h0rghxQXStVCwfBLaJflmlK5W9cKAsXe8HjF7IfSIRUgwL78snGMFB4_Pm00PA221YlQZ0qfPbr9eNloz1J4qN66FU32MBOIWCEB-Uoe1fPmRh2QJpeW/s1600-h/IMG_6444.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318707033831654914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyBmsZRq8DAB6vuElO-Gemas0h0rghxQXStVCwfBLaJflmlK5W9cKAsXe8HjF7IfSIRUgwL78snGMFB4_Pm00PA221YlQZ0qfPbr9eNloz1J4qN66FU32MBOIWCEB-Uoe1fPmRh2QJpeW/s400/IMG_6444.JPG" border="0" /></a>Any little bit of water that came in contact with our skis froze instantly and needed to be scraped off. This can be a time consuming chore...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62q_FhYOoWc91A0xI8S2a5RoV6uRssdAq-5BiYEx1IpTbJ3bIzgxd9uRH5Rn5zWPFgMgFcMQNpoSV48z5gDLl9R8DoCDACxHTPV0gTzDphfHKWA_fEccEnqlkOVtGtcR90kkSAqXLtbD5/s1600-h/IMG_6517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318730621924649650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62q_FhYOoWc91A0xI8S2a5RoV6uRssdAq-5BiYEx1IpTbJ3bIzgxd9uRH5Rn5zWPFgMgFcMQNpoSV48z5gDLl9R8DoCDACxHTPV0gTzDphfHKWA_fEccEnqlkOVtGtcR90kkSAqXLtbD5/s400/IMG_6517.JPG" border="0" /></a>Farther along in the trip we had to search around for ice bridges in order to cross the river...otherwise we would have to walk through water above our knees. This was tedious and also absorbed a lot of time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c8RpTXpE3TDd5TrmuaA73FIGRwmLRn0TvbFoNG0eDmIF0o483tUjCR5hcS1a0uc6izQwwooRQHh1_YhKaY_Q-HntdStIdkAanRoBeOu2mXRdU5qAkdOnFFjwaqZPubtYQldxQhS9UljF/s1600-h/IMG_6436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318730591881118834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c8RpTXpE3TDd5TrmuaA73FIGRwmLRn0TvbFoNG0eDmIF0o483tUjCR5hcS1a0uc6izQwwooRQHh1_YhKaY_Q-HntdStIdkAanRoBeOu2mXRdU5qAkdOnFFjwaqZPubtYQldxQhS9UljF/s400/IMG_6436.JPG" border="0" /></a>The remains of a snowshoe hare. As we approached...we unintentionally spooked the owl that had taken down this little guy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHEgL4YxfEH8uaVXCmROX6VyacinhqvtH-x5egO9BMYZcgM0lvwXHMtMn8T_dRhtECCxzi4z_4XwZkZNYPNBWKMBf6lYJoe3TyaiyGxQ3OgBJ2bJf2J1Bx5m0LWv056ExnlbeWQU3jk66/s1600-h/IMG_6455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318735076945820626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHEgL4YxfEH8uaVXCmROX6VyacinhqvtH-x5egO9BMYZcgM0lvwXHMtMn8T_dRhtECCxzi4z_4XwZkZNYPNBWKMBf6lYJoe3TyaiyGxQ3OgBJ2bJf2J1Bx5m0LWv056ExnlbeWQU3jk66/s400/IMG_6455.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our camp on the Tok River. It was a cold night as the temperature dropped to -25F (-32C) and a breeze blew down the valley.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBoyIHxlbNHId5ZpVVgm4uEkC9voQxVIpFNWxBQPbaQUffcEIYvj7iEwi7fncdpkV3nBxR52ma9ec0ng6aQ3P5FCyoTFDT1QSZ_2wdgv3kLhtc_v5u7zEQX2-V_5gL6gNU6K2EQPCRt7H/s1600-h/IMG_6452.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318730602524494562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBoyIHxlbNHId5ZpVVgm4uEkC9voQxVIpFNWxBQPbaQUffcEIYvj7iEwi7fncdpkV3nBxR52ma9ec0ng6aQ3P5FCyoTFDT1QSZ_2wdgv3kLhtc_v5u7zEQX2-V_5gL6gNU6K2EQPCRt7H/s400/IMG_6452.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christie and I trying to warm ourselves up with hot food and the first rays of morning sunlight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPQBZgiioZTqBVE52WmzqsR6brkZSe-KDe3gZsBvl2fI1qRJhkMuepn4b7CJrYzEQ6wYmA6l8VsMLTOPtLiWcyyxaD3UK6jJMWSUuj-crUQEKiTJ4j-KDPH_6zFyg9jtSWolFcjROUycM/s1600-h/IMG_6471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318728571280907426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPQBZgiioZTqBVE52WmzqsR6brkZSe-KDe3gZsBvl2fI1qRJhkMuepn4b7CJrYzEQ6wYmA6l8VsMLTOPtLiWcyyxaD3UK6jJMWSUuj-crUQEKiTJ4j-KDPH_6zFyg9jtSWolFcjROUycM/s400/IMG_6471.JPG" border="0" /></a>We attempted to dry out our sleeping bags while we packed up each morning. Significant frost would build up in our down feather bags overnight. We kept our ski boots and water bottles in our bags to keep them warm. We also would keep damp clothing in our bags in order to dry them out using the heat of our bodies. All this results in an accumulation of moisture in the bag over time and causes the bag to lose its insulating properties.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OwpkWfLsvxGYvje54e9jly8j_beR1TslfrzZmXIhAQdtlPqITMw6sfuzhCZVY5CNr5wjnis_loUFpVs-z30caX9h_lxCJ4u6N7wVVq09gP_njwcayNZaEh1nkSMSoU74OkyzmHlBuwmK/s1600-h/IMG_6459.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318728582836793362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OwpkWfLsvxGYvje54e9jly8j_beR1TslfrzZmXIhAQdtlPqITMw6sfuzhCZVY5CNr5wjnis_loUFpVs-z30caX9h_lxCJ4u6N7wVVq09gP_njwcayNZaEh1nkSMSoU74OkyzmHlBuwmK/s400/IMG_6459.JPG" border="0" /></a>Linda and Lowell have been living remotely on the Dry Tok River for about 14 yrs. Dan and I met them when we passed through this area last June (<a href="http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2008/06/gillette-pass-traverse.html">Gillette Pass Traverse</a>). They normally travel up/down this valley on snowmachine through the winter and we expected to have a good trail for the first part of our trip. This winter they stuck around the house and never snowmachined out to the road. Thus...no trail for us to cruise on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tjWW4Ed_MkV5IIpljBRUDBp6Pv-AZu0obHcLUgHmSIPAPczryGcJG9wIpkqfkRpqlgx-Nd4nneKDrsHWxdfH6HcWySQIUUhJ4COaDHQKI8A968KANrMg11b92ylHixpOWqz3aKBiUnyt/s1600-h/IMG_6515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318730609644319090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tjWW4Ed_MkV5IIpljBRUDBp6Pv-AZu0obHcLUgHmSIPAPczryGcJG9wIpkqfkRpqlgx-Nd4nneKDrsHWxdfH6HcWySQIUUhJ4COaDHQKI8A968KANrMg11b92ylHixpOWqz3aKBiUnyt/s400/IMG_6515.JPG" border="0" /></a>Visqueen Camp - we came across this hunting camp just before nightfall during our traverse. The structure has a frame constructed of spruce trees and walls/roof made of visqeen (plastic) house wrap.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYT-TtOZOr-_PXcbIKjLK5FpPoo1nqVz-4Nq2oYmJMaQAv6iZTKMAPUCnQ9coDM7gA-s7qqMuubR6KWA3EP4DhNMEJv-XKd57gJO8sPE4NtdEcK4or3tFY3Wcnd0aN8cLzFdeyCh2e8zz/s1600-h/IMG_6469.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318728567262594274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYT-TtOZOr-_PXcbIKjLK5FpPoo1nqVz-4Nq2oYmJMaQAv6iZTKMAPUCnQ9coDM7gA-s7qqMuubR6KWA3EP4DhNMEJv-XKd57gJO8sPE4NtdEcK4or3tFY3Wcnd0aN8cLzFdeyCh2e8zz/s400/IMG_6469.JPG" border="0" /></a>Visqueen camp was a welcome break from camping in the sub-zero temperatures. It even had a small wood stove.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuVPgz0lpSK_XQsyS4y0MFGCmWQUXiIOBHJ62aDJd2DZnyOZJAzGIv4IuHPu-telym1RBPvKimJxphAjGGZo7CqaIVG3WoyXOj-ni5Ofz52ztsSxIn7PzFS0v6nI3mzwchnvvy9qX5WIq/s1600-h/IMG_6466.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318728559798114162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuVPgz0lpSK_XQsyS4y0MFGCmWQUXiIOBHJ62aDJd2DZnyOZJAzGIv4IuHPu-telym1RBPvKimJxphAjGGZo7CqaIVG3WoyXOj-ni5Ofz52ztsSxIn7PzFS0v6nI3mzwchnvvy9qX5WIq/s400/IMG_6466.JPG" border="0" /></a>Visqueen camp was still cold after the stove puttered out during the night.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy4JHZ_LLbDONNLd8DQqAY0g9yvrsNZE5gDQqLAP55SJDlLVx4Lg2M7m76COsMY4hopsWnqkiE_bdfNUxTE6te_YYbV2XqVF63_PL6fsEB_40EdXEyTE6MCivTPiurrE_tSTkCLvUNj0q/s1600-h/IMG_6484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318707018140619362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy4JHZ_LLbDONNLd8DQqAY0g9yvrsNZE5gDQqLAP55SJDlLVx4Lg2M7m76COsMY4hopsWnqkiE_bdfNUxTE6te_YYbV2XqVF63_PL6fsEB_40EdXEyTE6MCivTPiurrE_tSTkCLvUNj0q/s400/IMG_6484.JPG" border="0" /></a>When we realized that it would be difficult to complete our traverse during our 8-day window - we decided to spend a day climbing Visqueen Peak before retracing our tracks back to our starting point.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-irlZ4CXVsgN3amH7JQ_dCEttqhQN4zkdZXsk3NzEJj6SdUN5PY3ZcqrS7KEant4dGTgY3oOk8WLNZwjr-KJtjDw6gP89OsArGDMoG7qY9ERB4Lc5MumcI7dc-BQ62MO_KmCw20F8YF_a/s1600-h/P3230517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318730613478751186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-irlZ4CXVsgN3amH7JQ_dCEttqhQN4zkdZXsk3NzEJj6SdUN5PY3ZcqrS7KEant4dGTgY3oOk8WLNZwjr-KJtjDw6gP89OsArGDMoG7qY9ERB4Lc5MumcI7dc-BQ62MO_KmCw20F8YF_a/s400/P3230517.JPG" border="0" /></a>Minnie me (Ed) and Christie climb up Visqueen peak.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lz2lXepu60AtU7tdE-Q7nAeNbUDO4PuJOiDmyOqfWcU5ddyMssIetN_EnwfiWkfKCeQ-ZBk10iSiP9-XF_eejBFdGpJ4qSNBtHskktrh7jLnB3JwzbT56t4nauYFUPDSLt0jY20RQ3ev/s1600-h/IMG_6482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318728578086940370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lz2lXepu60AtU7tdE-Q7nAeNbUDO4PuJOiDmyOqfWcU5ddyMssIetN_EnwfiWkfKCeQ-ZBk10iSiP9-XF_eejBFdGpJ4qSNBtHskktrh7jLnB3JwzbT56t4nauYFUPDSLt0jY20RQ3ev/s400/IMG_6482.JPG" border="0" /></a>Looking back down the Dry Tok River Valley.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6fYCH_Ynm01CEjp0zpGLOKn2CT0_ABPqbBXj_qEfwfWUQk2rwHA2yqKv2nwAtOQf2EkWWQ_ffpMfkM8IfPp8LV6pju8C8UufXuNqyIsONdXP7nvhAyrqAn_KTAzUrd2i0dA7oePdzmKv/s1600-h/IMG_6506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318707025625875042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6fYCH_Ynm01CEjp0zpGLOKn2CT0_ABPqbBXj_qEfwfWUQk2rwHA2yqKv2nwAtOQf2EkWWQ_ffpMfkM8IfPp8LV6pju8C8UufXuNqyIsONdXP7nvhAyrqAn_KTAzUrd2i0dA7oePdzmKv/s400/IMG_6506.JPG" border="0" /></a>We had to make our way on foot with crampons in order to reach the summit of Visqueen Peak.</div>Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-85314704963944164742009-02-28T12:56:00.005-09:002009-05-03T18:45:05.033-08:00Two friends...one kidney<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmoOF_v4sdPEmlXtMzOP0GorwYz4T-PU89FXYr2-27sbFH_Ab5RwmjaIc_4jCFJhcIqTq9emPJteyST-rlkqONXgC_jTZ-sce1eE8xjECV8U0-sDHjVEFi_KSMEBmur5z5aZG8L9xtuAP/s1600-h/dea_trev_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmoOF_v4sdPEmlXtMzOP0GorwYz4T-PU89FXYr2-27sbFH_Ab5RwmjaIc_4jCFJhcIqTq9emPJteyST-rlkqONXgC_jTZ-sce1eE8xjECV8U0-sDHjVEFi_KSMEBmur5z5aZG8L9xtuAP/s400/dea_trev_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312074919059150786" /></a>Trevor and Dea all geared up for the great kidney swap<br /><br />The transplant was a success. Two very close people in my life underwent what I consider a marvel of modern medicine. Trevor graciously donated one of his kidneys to Dea this past week. Dea is still on the road to recovery as her body gets pumped with anti-rejection drugs and bashed with needles to ensure that her body accepts the kidney. Everything looks good at the moment and Dea will once again be able to live a normal, dialysis-free life thanks to the generostiy of Trevor.<br /><br />Dea has facilitated many of my trips over the past couple of years by shuttling cars and offering pick-ups at remote trailheads. Now that her schedule will no longer be controlled by tri-weekly dialysis sessions she will be able to take part in excursions that span more than a 2-day time frame. This will definitely be a new sense of freedom for Dea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LWEyUvP8CLFqSbx3PtVUufnvRla1WNcee5R3AYqK79TCzQsNWrfCVYEIdKvm53Tlwlt_unsITnw4kYvI1dSoBFVIiqxJjmvx3JkSJEYfco1M0bMlmjQR7moxxJUPERu6ksWd0hiDf-wh/s1600-h/feb09_031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LWEyUvP8CLFqSbx3PtVUufnvRla1WNcee5R3AYqK79TCzQsNWrfCVYEIdKvm53Tlwlt_unsITnw4kYvI1dSoBFVIiqxJjmvx3JkSJEYfco1M0bMlmjQR7moxxJUPERu6ksWd0hiDf-wh/s400/feb09_031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312074923655242098" /></a>Post surgery coffee. Dea and Trevor are both recovering at the Mayo Clinic in Minnestota.<br /><br />Hats off to Trevor. His generosity to pass on one of his organs to Dea in order to improve the quality of her life is a gift of insurmountable proportions. Its difficult to express the happiness I have for Dea and the sincere gratitude I feel towards Trevor.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-1763419759724452872009-02-22T08:37:00.005-09:002009-02-23T23:46:06.691-09:00Prusik Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BChyZP_tyfaVBTrrQSdnRl_7gQMZDw7EPe-iE41qFmfqyLDntDw0125c7J9O0dkU4UE8RaH4VnWd8OJKGufgGAij5NYqO00ay-qLQQ2022r7snGnZjuJ_VgpXEq5z0wEc6EMdMXn_f2H/s1600-h/IMG_6316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306051479050486994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BChyZP_tyfaVBTrrQSdnRl_7gQMZDw7EPe-iE41qFmfqyLDntDw0125c7J9O0dkU4UE8RaH4VnWd8OJKGufgGAij5NYqO00ay-qLQQ2022r7snGnZjuJ_VgpXEq5z0wEc6EMdMXn_f2H/s400/IMG_6316.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christie dangles from a glacial ice bridge<br /><br />Ice, snow and sunshine - this was the world we found ourselves surrounded by over the weekend. Three of us ventured southward to the Castner Glacier in the Alaska Range to refresh and brush up on some safe glacial traveling skills. Near the tongue of the glacier is a playground of crevasses and ice walls that can be easily and safely accessed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ7Z1Qw7vHB0Ypw7m0bjNOiPDagTcU84ebjnb5TT4L8iCG_LRKg-tw5u5R06PdX31aHmsEXudvNOGfn7XgDl92U-juXFhEHlAwSJoknA8w_SYU_Pyq44LeVtfBkgRPOy6PbH2VOg2FCiR/s1600-h/IMG_6230.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306050040086242866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ7Z1Qw7vHB0Ypw7m0bjNOiPDagTcU84ebjnb5TT4L8iCG_LRKg-tw5u5R06PdX31aHmsEXudvNOGfn7XgDl92U-juXFhEHlAwSJoknA8w_SYU_Pyq44LeVtfBkgRPOy6PbH2VOg2FCiR/s400/IMG_6230.JPG" border="0" /></a>Skiing up to the terminus of the Castner Glacier.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSXF2-Vtl4kvSsSVLARK5imtlSqeeIfNkY0Fcs0A4PbUjYorKyw__yBtPQ9h_uLwH7phoxeOC2QGr1i_UaPavWWGYYscE7F4VS5yBGjyDcxOKyEW6_XOgyD-8xaJpQI6lUQhD9OxZ3_i3/s1600-h/IMG_6245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306050064793596722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSXF2-Vtl4kvSsSVLARK5imtlSqeeIfNkY0Fcs0A4PbUjYorKyw__yBtPQ9h_uLwH7phoxeOC2QGr1i_UaPavWWGYYscE7F4VS5yBGjyDcxOKyEW6_XOgyD-8xaJpQI6lUQhD9OxZ3_i3/s400/IMG_6245.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christie and Brian scope out the surrounding mountains of ice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVKY-J0XnGeZ20gEajXz_w5GCIXLPUzPNBMqvWGAQj19LTFqKrlgqEk9GKMf1Ibkc_47EhGzUu14v0MfS0Yp8np8Ktd6z21RXY7OxRx0xXieuwBEgUwj0EUIOcn66UJvBqX_xPr8dAeBL/s1600-h/IMG_6264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306050067960648034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVKY-J0XnGeZ20gEajXz_w5GCIXLPUzPNBMqvWGAQj19LTFqKrlgqEk9GKMf1Ibkc_47EhGzUu14v0MfS0Yp8np8Ktd6z21RXY7OxRx0xXieuwBEgUwj0EUIOcn66UJvBqX_xPr8dAeBL/s400/IMG_6264.JPG" border="0" /></a>We found what looked like a suitable spot to simulate a crevasse rescue. A small ice bridge that we could easily access from below as well as above. Christie probes her way across the bridge to verify that it was safe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCjrkcOE3lfVq9nREDzoa22xqnV1Hi0_eGGY3PR9lcdZ1iE89pLujN2hKoTPonqucbfrezD0YO9DEUK7XuKWGOdSr4mPGcy4HHCxapw5mjFlVAfFFKPnuyG2PzpnQ5_BFFiobHHScO-bx/s1600-h/IMG_6268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306056352943753202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCjrkcOE3lfVq9nREDzoa22xqnV1Hi0_eGGY3PR9lcdZ1iE89pLujN2hKoTPonqucbfrezD0YO9DEUK7XuKWGOdSr4mPGcy4HHCxapw5mjFlVAfFFKPnuyG2PzpnQ5_BFFiobHHScO-bx/s400/IMG_6268.JPG" border="0" /></a>Setting anchors on the ice bridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvtfEttEtPpX9lQtojghGu4mOWJ2rVE1tgqn_k-mzqUufA9Y0xxP3cmVEJxDVXSVJ0uOAzp-MW15dC1w6-HfYkTz_d6xViOHMMD8QjqZzCCXwowBnObDVT5d-V0UaW3xqoKRk0ZhDZCce/s1600-h/IMG_6283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306050066204036098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvtfEttEtPpX9lQtojghGu4mOWJ2rVE1tgqn_k-mzqUufA9Y0xxP3cmVEJxDVXSVJ0uOAzp-MW15dC1w6-HfYkTz_d6xViOHMMD8QjqZzCCXwowBnObDVT5d-V0UaW3xqoKRk0ZhDZCce/s400/IMG_6283.JPG" border="0" /></a>The dead man anchor will be buried and held in place by a couple feet of compacted snow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxkHntY0sLKY-5N-08aCJbgUHeWyC7kIAqpaKJPhjHYGUiXYskQT7GaUZIXXZDyRTtvPT-prf5_2dzHBIJDI74jrSHyU5HKshhc8W0biItHhlkqvKKH2Gikqyl_Qyn-lXLlqR_-zeyczE/s1600-h/IMG_6285.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306051442082913746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxkHntY0sLKY-5N-08aCJbgUHeWyC7kIAqpaKJPhjHYGUiXYskQT7GaUZIXXZDyRTtvPT-prf5_2dzHBIJDI74jrSHyU5HKshhc8W0biItHhlkqvKKH2Gikqyl_Qyn-lXLlqR_-zeyczE/s400/IMG_6285.JPG" border="0" /></a>Augering an ice screw into the glacial ice. This will be the second anchor to hold our load.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOVXnxHgb1jU2JwDsJyRMZ_PHApDvkLwHSjR921Lus2PDmx2CLJelYhqJ9CwJBDa163izo9PHhX_F0Lj0CLvVNERIvgc6w7knMF_5fOIlxTv-ogHAq4qyFzSkZsHg3JmM11CZxTw3JPVE/s1600-h/IMG_6294.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306051457052273474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOVXnxHgb1jU2JwDsJyRMZ_PHApDvkLwHSjR921Lus2PDmx2CLJelYhqJ9CwJBDa163izo9PHhX_F0Lj0CLvVNERIvgc6w7knMF_5fOIlxTv-ogHAq4qyFzSkZsHg3JmM11CZxTw3JPVE/s400/IMG_6294.JPG" border="0" /></a>Testing out the combined strength of the anchors.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8mNDJs-truzHVrM0unQ92Ib2LB9UUuBnGFKXSQ_fQnyP_uZerOs-ehQlgEJEweGWLqjZng43BAZOBjLBkkaDa5fz-vNmcwP7dIVrXozLlD8W5uDif6se7BLt-0IsaDPAts_-jCc01jq3/s1600-h/IMG_6274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306056353481346194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8mNDJs-truzHVrM0unQ92Ib2LB9UUuBnGFKXSQ_fQnyP_uZerOs-ehQlgEJEweGWLqjZng43BAZOBjLBkkaDa5fz-vNmcwP7dIVrXozLlD8W5uDif6se7BLt-0IsaDPAts_-jCc01jq3/s400/IMG_6274.JPG" border="0" /></a>Gazing up at the ice bridge from below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3JNBGrThh00oBDCDFcsxJPBAxW-2tW9fJQDyyy-vQS1riJp6HObLBAkB9b3YcgA-Ik2cvgxT2K873PcXu6q5JwNduBYET7Pa4KyoZNf1cQsBu_bEJ30kGIJtUUthcqRa7g_eFkyDOwVZ/s1600-h/IMG_6341.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306051491234615266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3JNBGrThh00oBDCDFcsxJPBAxW-2tW9fJQDyyy-vQS1riJp6HObLBAkB9b3YcgA-Ik2cvgxT2K873PcXu6q5JwNduBYET7Pa4KyoZNf1cQsBu_bEJ30kGIJtUUthcqRa7g_eFkyDOwVZ/s400/IMG_6341.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brian prusik's his way up the rope.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKM1GSZ92RiTJvJGKPYqaOog_7oyPYz8DdG40afkl15CU49ECWG2cI59MgFTyyGbRatbgZcz_jJrjqkdbxCyLi5txjOPI2BBp8km4GU6g__kQkYSfpZHM5hx1N81snOt57dno6eovP5vn/s1600-h/IMG_6334.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306077383737315810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKM1GSZ92RiTJvJGKPYqaOog_7oyPYz8DdG40afkl15CU49ECWG2cI59MgFTyyGbRatbgZcz_jJrjqkdbxCyLi5txjOPI2BBp8km4GU6g__kQkYSfpZHM5hx1N81snOt57dno6eovP5vn/s400/IMG_6334.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our site selection was not ideal because we were unable to easily prusik up over the lip of angled ice. But this is probably more realistic of what would be encountered during a real crevasse rescue situation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3w4Jmp6WygeNM1Z6ocZr8_JnkCqjY_KWdhT6uU9tyxaS0fZ1IZQrusgAxziagKpG5qXsM3Ji967-zn9HYKwV2904rn_wn5hGpf-4-nNhhYg9qZHUgyQyQ02qw38Iah7e40s_4OYnPHwK/s1600-h/IMG_6236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3w4Jmp6WygeNM1Z6ocZr8_JnkCqjY_KWdhT6uU9tyxaS0fZ1IZQrusgAxziagKpG5qXsM3Ji967-zn9HYKwV2904rn_wn5hGpf-4-nNhhYg9qZHUgyQyQ02qw38Iah7e40s_4OYnPHwK/s400/IMG_6236.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306080214834595138" /></a>Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-90537766151389364782009-02-16T15:56:00.011-09:002009-02-26T00:47:11.336-09:00Winter H2O<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROtg39_vbhoX-CnDK-bHcY1FROOdsbKwNUesKlMqhIdnITxRUJsEbp2PlU0wiZg9pAnoUK5Mhw-YrU1MpyR3LY1I3t1J-PZOcWA9ngzdOaG3Ov_02Ka-f8JQeVdzQz__EU30fOMMhnE_n/s1600-h/IMG_6136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305339722867511346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROtg39_vbhoX-CnDK-bHcY1FROOdsbKwNUesKlMqhIdnITxRUJsEbp2PlU0wiZg9pAnoUK5Mhw-YrU1MpyR3LY1I3t1J-PZOcWA9ngzdOaG3Ov_02Ka-f8JQeVdzQz__EU30fOMMhnE_n/s400/IMG_6136.JPG" border="0" /></a>Overflow on Fossil Creek sloshes over my skis.<br /><br />It seems inevitable that during at least a few ski trips I will have to deal with liquid H2O. This year has been no exception even though much of the winter has been quite cold. Overflow is common on many creeks in the interior as water under pressure flowing beneath the ice surface is squeezed skyward up through cracks. As the water reaches the surface it typically spreads out laterally across the channel. The most dreaded situation is where water collects under the surrounding snow pack and is insulated from the cold air above. An unsuspecting traveler can cross a pristine surface of snow and without warning immediately drop into water hidden just out of view.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJhxc11MfnQf6KX79ROTdINqfGMYPjYFXuQKpnrz_lazhIJXRX_0HkTa94PzLPiqs3V37GAcNI2D3EyKqbK9rPRuNseEcYu-_UD1sekSkXX6X4n0ErPJViFNYR2gxp9_VpPCgFmq52xZs/s1600-h/IMG_6176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305333575094182354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJhxc11MfnQf6KX79ROTdINqfGMYPjYFXuQKpnrz_lazhIJXRX_0HkTa94PzLPiqs3V37GAcNI2D3EyKqbK9rPRuNseEcYu-_UD1sekSkXX6X4n0ErPJViFNYR2gxp9_VpPCgFmq52xZs/s400/IMG_6176.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here is a spot that was difficult to negotiate without metal edged skis. I decided to walk just along the edge of the angled ice where there was a bit more traction but making sure to avoid the adjacent snow pack where liquid water might be lingering. <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=kaplunk">Kaplunk</a>!!!-- the crust collapsed and I found myself in an icy water slurry up to my knees. No surprise - I knew I was flirting with a soaking. I was too lazy to put cat track spikes over my soles and walk across the ice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJyT_DqdSq8EHK7cd6b0suz-9O-ixLv3kPL1WPDZwbBZfslqSo_v3h7tKnXylrc66bWLK-EhbtFnarlncAsJ99AZPZZjyJHdCNwVMXghrBai4Sk8VwiZzKsrMXybIb0ZZ5XSgjRj1E4_S/s1600-h/IMG_6180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305333579098594130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJyT_DqdSq8EHK7cd6b0suz-9O-ixLv3kPL1WPDZwbBZfslqSo_v3h7tKnXylrc66bWLK-EhbtFnarlncAsJ99AZPZZjyJHdCNwVMXghrBai4Sk8VwiZzKsrMXybIb0ZZ5XSgjRj1E4_S/s400/IMG_6180.JPG" border="0" /></a>Water and below freezing temperatures are an unfortunate combination. My saturated boot and pant leg immediately froze-up when they came in contact with the cold air. So I quickly chiseled the ice out, clamped my skis back on, and daintily maneuvered myself across the ice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi2Nx2OqcmGV4i45r2GCdGBo7lCyX0NHedG4xi8AIgeV1C35JRApN-cVRA04hpepFCyUL5DLiBQ8Xf-6DP3CIx4rpyLrpC2Stbb3E75EhhuPb-ilH0SnktjuEqT6zYRJPo8Au7iSZxbcc/s1600-h/IMG_6100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305331484083923730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi2Nx2OqcmGV4i45r2GCdGBo7lCyX0NHedG4xi8AIgeV1C35JRApN-cVRA04hpepFCyUL5DLiBQ8Xf-6DP3CIx4rpyLrpC2Stbb3E75EhhuPb-ilH0SnktjuEqT6zYRJPo8Au7iSZxbcc/s400/IMG_6100.JPG" border="0" /></a>Another stretch of overflow or glare ice. This was much easier to negotiate because it was solid with a few windblown patches of snow to ski between. On metal edged skis this is easy travel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2YWSu69uNZuVWdKB8b5Jw-mHIitNEyIZs9fyz0SWmP0aWCYWl6E8wKWSOtyrdqnlresImPo0JLgFObrdvFhEQ28r229K4NnaqxcjrvRQlvwf72w2uRs2GnWXlxbMFIx4OFFonDD3SMzA/s1600-h/IMG_6171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305332959420270130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2YWSu69uNZuVWdKB8b5Jw-mHIitNEyIZs9fyz0SWmP0aWCYWl6E8wKWSOtyrdqnlresImPo0JLgFObrdvFhEQ28r229K4NnaqxcjrvRQlvwf72w2uRs2GnWXlxbMFIx4OFFonDD3SMzA/s400/IMG_6171.JPG" border="0" /></a>Jeff has similar issues to contend with while traveling over ice and through water: crashing, breaking through the ice surface, and ice build-up on his wheels.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqg3OV1CQYsrhdOBJqm1B4klZS9wbaw3usLgwVyANCnOWA4SEPruc_MesMxMRbHbViOX4NfpdcNscoLUtyhykaSXB8faoRqVR00WCzikQC0AtYqjhsgvPHSzuRdmB9pHkd0JN9JLKn4A2/s1600-h/IMG_6150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305331471073161458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqg3OV1CQYsrhdOBJqm1B4klZS9wbaw3usLgwVyANCnOWA4SEPruc_MesMxMRbHbViOX4NfpdcNscoLUtyhykaSXB8faoRqVR00WCzikQC0AtYqjhsgvPHSzuRdmB9pHkd0JN9JLKn4A2/s400/IMG_6150.JPG" border="0" /></a>On this trip Jeff's bigger frustration was patiently waiting for a portion of trail that was firm enough to ride.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODT35B8YYYXlAS_o5Ve0uw0GwhD9aiyRQiaZGxKcUmfxDwDIabZvEEbgJEEi2bbZJ-RifYmak9gnlcYdSI4mG9qxMxpeU271pQf-HGZX4PC8v3Rm_54rtMFvMdn2QDIsxojJBr4rwDzz5/s1600-h/IMG_6163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305332952723592402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODT35B8YYYXlAS_o5Ve0uw0GwhD9aiyRQiaZGxKcUmfxDwDIabZvEEbgJEEi2bbZJ-RifYmak9gnlcYdSI4mG9qxMxpeU271pQf-HGZX4PC8v3Rm_54rtMFvMdn2QDIsxojJBr4rwDzz5/s400/IMG_6163.JPG" border="0" /></a>Some sheep wandering around the hillside were a nice distraction from all the wrestling I did to remove ice from my boots.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwriqpaC0bAhY5m33Hs7-7Xtc-HF56cCeJATpfSiswfCDHiCVzAAiuUGWNnIT2AppmkUhe9mJe39UdM_mFQLY7Xd4rZ79NduxmhX9GiDY-U5B65OfOm_YSaONNhazePQnN8xbaDG3HI9u/s1600-h/IMG_6092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305331478239111346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwriqpaC0bAhY5m33Hs7-7Xtc-HF56cCeJATpfSiswfCDHiCVzAAiuUGWNnIT2AppmkUhe9mJe39UdM_mFQLY7Xd4rZ79NduxmhX9GiDY-U5B65OfOm_YSaONNhazePQnN8xbaDG3HI9u/s400/IMG_6092.JPG" border="0" /></a>My lone ski tracks coming down from Cache Mountain divide.Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9078600280033055880.post-73919841156606036112009-01-25T21:48:00.004-09:002009-02-03T00:49:53.290-09:00Caribou Bluff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpzWfPaYezlhR2oA2-KY7lRFwU2XoLiZtIczI5ExC6eBpBvJ1S1CN6gKOP81-wPFIkHPFczUCN4_u25-p2agECLddz1v61xswdz9ZO0ZtwoUd2aPdOTvrhJwb04JsVBoD8DhwsAUVUlr5/s1600-h/IMG_6067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298464448106415362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpzWfPaYezlhR2oA2-KY7lRFwU2XoLiZtIczI5ExC6eBpBvJ1S1CN6gKOP81-wPFIkHPFczUCN4_u25-p2agECLddz1v61xswdz9ZO0ZtwoUd2aPdOTvrhJwb04JsVBoD8DhwsAUVUlr5/s400/IMG_6067.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Caribou Bluff cabin sits alone on a ridge above Fossil Creek<br /><br />I think the Caribou Bluff cabin is one of my favorites. The petite log shelter radiates a very cozy and welcoming aura immediately when the front door is swung open. I can't quite place my finger on why the cabin conveys this feeling. Maybe it's because the simple layout is how I would have created such a place. The space is tight but very neatly and efficiently laid out. A narrow table is straddled on either side by two nicely sized bunk beds. This makes it possible to sit comfortably while eating a warm meal and then immediately roll over on to the softness of my down sleeping bag...and watch the northern lights dance across the night sky through the modest picture window.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A3W1tSvNvtbpZjlSZGS73CZfD45Ab3ItjpQuMASVjH2jtx6vO6-ure1RZLMkvRkJlR6D9fViacFsYB_M2PVNrO9YGrAAO-LlGyEwqVbgNr9F7xR9L08N6Eg5iVvhnccPMMrL33WTHIVW/s1600-h/IMG_6026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298464435890516002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A3W1tSvNvtbpZjlSZGS73CZfD45Ab3ItjpQuMASVjH2jtx6vO6-ure1RZLMkvRkJlR6D9fViacFsYB_M2PVNrO9YGrAAO-LlGyEwqVbgNr9F7xR9L08N6Eg5iVvhnccPMMrL33WTHIVW/s400/IMG_6026.JPG" border="0" /></a>Christie escorted me on this overnight trip out to Caribou Bluff. Sky "the wonder dog" happily assisted her almost the entire 30-miles out to the cabin. We didn't see any caribou but there were many fresh wolf tracks meandering on the creek in the valley below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsKHS-A-KPBBfdyo8R9jWZHtx9LER0ACogfBDPPIF71YMjs72oi7GeCIyekTjlI1aAcFGFgQY-ka2EADiaJfjynLh2VVJsmKDrJY79cCT_-a79Ojd4y5Hm7o8CSyjkui4QNWT5o6Zr6-F/s1600-h/IMG_6050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298464434058271922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsKHS-A-KPBBfdyo8R9jWZHtx9LER0ACogfBDPPIF71YMjs72oi7GeCIyekTjlI1aAcFGFgQY-ka2EADiaJfjynLh2VVJsmKDrJY79cCT_-a79Ojd4y5Hm7o8CSyjkui4QNWT5o6Zr6-F/s400/IMG_6050.JPG" border="0" /></a>Tales of the north from Robert Service keep us entertained.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lN8kZNg6JuzSERncFM4jrbLpNckJdbhysxCrVKYFriCSyVL0HhHXH8bCVH5JgvnGtRQwMzJuPYOKDuGyJ0hNAZkf_hyUxSGlf-gW077-EJc5nySd4VY7UJFIxTHncLnFQnG69fzCGpQ4/s1600-h/IMG_6064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298464442731581234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lN8kZNg6JuzSERncFM4jrbLpNckJdbhysxCrVKYFriCSyVL0HhHXH8bCVH5JgvnGtRQwMzJuPYOKDuGyJ0hNAZkf_hyUxSGlf-gW077-EJc5nySd4VY7UJFIxTHncLnFQnG69fzCGpQ4/s400/IMG_6064.JPG" border="0" /></a>Inscribing a few poetic phrases in the log book before heading back to the truck and our lives in Fairbanks. We will return one day and briefly relive this trip as we scroll back through the tattered pages...Ed Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05254144658674113218noreply@blogger.com1