tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533799295802170462024-03-21T15:24:17.395-08:00BASECAMP NIKISKIWallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-4515185126937919682023-12-04T01:24:00.070-09:002023-12-06T06:22:34.951-09:00GLOBAL FAT BIKE DAY 2023, EXIT GLACIER, KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, DECEMBER 2-4<p>GLOBAL FAT BIKE DAY 2023, WILLOW PUBLIC USE CABIN, EXIT GLACIER, KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, DECEMBER 2-4, 2023</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJYolS0QQhUmFa2UBTtSF_bJksWL-7XGLrTNxPwUg3-VzYUkgJtEoNoT8rmiErybmbPPuDauzF2UTpjsY0QWs7tfSgyoxZygtjb76K-6PQtbkW_TV_goZBJd66yZsW7PrKDu2t6TVgnpFn4BXXoyuAFkq8DFHh_sf1YsUkrybnbHT4gOQvPGzvTZ4k-c/s4032/0F7EACD7-49B0-4052-A8D3-D16879A0CF1E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJYolS0QQhUmFa2UBTtSF_bJksWL-7XGLrTNxPwUg3-VzYUkgJtEoNoT8rmiErybmbPPuDauzF2UTpjsY0QWs7tfSgyoxZygtjb76K-6PQtbkW_TV_goZBJd66yZsW7PrKDu2t6TVgnpFn4BXXoyuAFkq8DFHh_sf1YsUkrybnbHT4gOQvPGzvTZ4k-c/s320/0F7EACD7-49B0-4052-A8D3-D16879A0CF1E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kenai Fjords National Park sign near the Exit Glacier Cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>For the second year in a row we celebrated Global Fat Bike Day by pedaling our fat bikes to the Willow Public Use Cabin at Exit Glacier. This year we stayed for two nights. The posse included myself, Jim Bennett, and Doug Armstrong.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Sz2JJwNH_k78VvObNKQocKj8pESO2_0SCnpDjHo04JeGJlallBl0TynDANAMwoNmdoM52UKbg6aEePEqiMoAllGJeP3NEJijesadRYMMRHQNIUf9AQrbkKH5sZIO2-sMp70nIodVcf_W4OmIlTLAme2z_c-mIkizHWcqK8c_EN8YRLejlscuYqvo0MI/s4032/9FE35DB5-9565-4AA3-B745-BF700E096BAE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Sz2JJwNH_k78VvObNKQocKj8pESO2_0SCnpDjHo04JeGJlallBl0TynDANAMwoNmdoM52UKbg6aEePEqiMoAllGJeP3NEJijesadRYMMRHQNIUf9AQrbkKH5sZIO2-sMp70nIodVcf_W4OmIlTLAme2z_c-mIkizHWcqK8c_EN8YRLejlscuYqvo0MI/s320/9FE35DB5-9565-4AA3-B745-BF700E096BAE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Doug ready to ride fat bikes to the cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Doug and I met Jim at the gate crossing Exit Glacier Road. After loading the bikes and sleds with gear we began pedaling toward the cabin. The ground was barren of snow, but the road had a glaze of ice on it so our sleds could glide along. Once we got closer to the cabin there was more snow on the ground. Although it wasn't very deep, it was frozen solid as concrete and we were able to easily pedal over the surface without sinking.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoJoa9KyHhE7fhhyphenhyphenaBqH0h0eZm_NuySQpWNfTt3RVN_DZPn67pETnAAS2jzjz5OJ_4_y_kZMzISA3Te3dlysXpURRacl5nW9To2wtjbRHrPbvCTwwvH_OeBPedPZAgorf7EaH907QpGYMHJxuE63LX7ghlDcdnxbmFMcd9W680Zw8c4K3EMeyx7xPLto/s2778/480E1625-3581-49E7-A8F3-17B43118D884.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2778" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoJoa9KyHhE7fhhyphenhyphenaBqH0h0eZm_NuySQpWNfTt3RVN_DZPn67pETnAAS2jzjz5OJ_4_y_kZMzISA3Te3dlysXpURRacl5nW9To2wtjbRHrPbvCTwwvH_OeBPedPZAgorf7EaH907QpGYMHJxuE63LX7ghlDcdnxbmFMcd9W680Zw8c4K3EMeyx7xPLto/s320/480E1625-3581-49E7-A8F3-17B43118D884.png" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim riding his fat bike and pulling a sled toward the cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It took us about an hour-and-a-half to pedal the seven miles to the cabin. That included several rest stops along the way where we took many photos and enjoyed the views of the mountains.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VsjTuysNU6Jg-gMVQDH4iA7L6A6ODf4QJZqV-G8JlotY7j-8VxbmRoCjJTIwMBIk78H5ys1bebtmMgI3S5WhyphenhyphenR7cHexa6IB7DHVLDwazGaOJI3YupF695qj5nKN2WqzR-BBU4CU_ynXVxdlFzKAuwwy_bFiqKDz_PeOl6e5Lx6clNR23VlzjsJKfl2Q/s4032/E6E0AB03-305E-49FE-9299-FEBB71DB952E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VsjTuysNU6Jg-gMVQDH4iA7L6A6ODf4QJZqV-G8JlotY7j-8VxbmRoCjJTIwMBIk78H5ys1bebtmMgI3S5WhyphenhyphenR7cHexa6IB7DHVLDwazGaOJI3YupF695qj5nKN2WqzR-BBU4CU_ynXVxdlFzKAuwwy_bFiqKDz_PeOl6e5Lx6clNR23VlzjsJKfl2Q/s320/E6E0AB03-305E-49FE-9299-FEBB71DB952E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Public Use Cabin at Exit Glacier with fat bikes on the porch.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Upon our arrival we took our gear inside and parked our bikes on the porch. The cabin has a propane heating system that keeps everything toasty. The lights are powered by a solar panel (look closely just</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">below the peak of the roof and you can see it) which kept things nice and bright.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jim had a small stereo speaker and a playlist of really good music that we listened to for most of the afternoon and evening. We also held an Andy Griffith Trivia challenge and chose topics of conversation which kept us awake until 10:00 PM. Which is way past old man bedtime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzNi8BETupx15WlMd6lflghbYf5bb9_fCsTZ9WnjLjpc2C9OtS1se2aE_8ThsgV_WNp6UPwzS31ThKUnWXxRqaKulClW_2dSFZLPHfnC8bnvagfU415MHVoxHiAKEMQh3YTCVL2aQwyR-S3UP1opMFWT-DkUNqXZtqUS9BWXZTxCPLs3Opl5LRtZqIbI/s4032/B8B037C1-3D8B-4CA5-83B3-5B54160522A9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzNi8BETupx15WlMd6lflghbYf5bb9_fCsTZ9WnjLjpc2C9OtS1se2aE_8ThsgV_WNp6UPwzS31ThKUnWXxRqaKulClW_2dSFZLPHfnC8bnvagfU415MHVoxHiAKEMQh3YTCVL2aQwyR-S3UP1opMFWT-DkUNqXZtqUS9BWXZTxCPLs3Opl5LRtZqIbI/s320/B8B037C1-3D8B-4CA5-83B3-5B54160522A9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning in the cabin meant puzzle time on the cell phones.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>In the morning we got up and made breakfast while working daily puzzles which had been downloaded on our phones. There isn't any cell service at the cabin so Doug was bummed that his <i>Wordle</i> streak was broken. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8eoUrURdDdZVCnBBSakdebpKaVlEQt0A4RK2ORl3ufAzSz4kPRJvrl71shnryDtjciqODTOywUe5cc1E_izDGEQ4WjAsCENUFncg4hSKNBH30XambcbVkSUvG9ehypASfuKE0IEv4hcQpjsS2ZIFG4d-T0fUx2LY-AsEF33RL5q5PtRcRoEW_GA19S0/s4032/B2805AFB-B94B-49BD-9AEF-C1EAD36AABF5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8eoUrURdDdZVCnBBSakdebpKaVlEQt0A4RK2ORl3ufAzSz4kPRJvrl71shnryDtjciqODTOywUe5cc1E_izDGEQ4WjAsCENUFncg4hSKNBH30XambcbVkSUvG9ehypASfuKE0IEv4hcQpjsS2ZIFG4d-T0fUx2LY-AsEF33RL5q5PtRcRoEW_GA19S0/s320/B2805AFB-B94B-49BD-9AEF-C1EAD36AABF5.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling water containers.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Even though the cabin has heat and lights, there isn't any running water. Instead, we took several containers to a nearby stream where we filled them with ice cold water and took them back to the cabin.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1CuTQinsT3dKivvm_jjnjv3f3jjAaLJeEV_RLViyl5u33lrImNfDYc-iHnNICOcsGMHnDaSO8fJM-ECpHTyc1o8rI79zd93m2lwXAyNDI1w3mxmMHYh74SgkssTAe6B1iSVX2PPC6YsRXUA9Z27xvh6kFaxt6rIj60OgLjkJRoVKwqI-mxkDNk1e2fI/s2778/78D97E05-58C6-4EC4-BBBB-296A88878497.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2778" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1CuTQinsT3dKivvm_jjnjv3f3jjAaLJeEV_RLViyl5u33lrImNfDYc-iHnNICOcsGMHnDaSO8fJM-ECpHTyc1o8rI79zd93m2lwXAyNDI1w3mxmMHYh74SgkssTAe6B1iSVX2PPC6YsRXUA9Z27xvh6kFaxt6rIj60OgLjkJRoVKwqI-mxkDNk1e2fI/s320/78D97E05-58C6-4EC4-BBBB-296A88878497.png" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling a sled of full water containers back to the cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms3xYIN1NP8P_Z2VhkrrS6xzcaCW8wINFQRRO5wv05Po26iZbU0aSg-md2p3I5nZFxaPAI3xbSdFC1ISd4IhXkXGl6PT17nYI2Xev6p8kvnDxaE0aT89Ewm2L4cW8zg5pT9uRUxV_Wt6v2Jd9dyizr0KaPYPGS7d0gS5Cvvgwy1xxrneq0gCl5-e_oJA/s4032/AAF3C312-0AB3-41AD-A0A3-C79E00B1B7F4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms3xYIN1NP8P_Z2VhkrrS6xzcaCW8wINFQRRO5wv05Po26iZbU0aSg-md2p3I5nZFxaPAI3xbSdFC1ISd4IhXkXGl6PT17nYI2Xev6p8kvnDxaE0aT89Ewm2L4cW8zg5pT9uRUxV_Wt6v2Jd9dyizr0KaPYPGS7d0gS5Cvvgwy1xxrneq0gCl5-e_oJA/s320/AAF3C312-0AB3-41AD-A0A3-C79E00B1B7F4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good supply of water.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01U0W7x0oMaTa3sf0q2QXLtCpEo6_wi_CCPkGpXny3-LnzFRjgQbgGwn6nherUW1btHNjK0bezmBvPZIQGpxz0UGDR9kbnJKFaOUMzUG5Sp7H7h1gJcIq5Z0R5F0q6xVkJVufc0PjbAOvggxb5xYJ-sj-ghel5eyipSReepphIOWaAN9Fvv9l2YuESvg/s4032/5A1EB8AF-C670-45DD-A6F0-1050356ADD8B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01U0W7x0oMaTa3sf0q2QXLtCpEo6_wi_CCPkGpXny3-LnzFRjgQbgGwn6nherUW1btHNjK0bezmBvPZIQGpxz0UGDR9kbnJKFaOUMzUG5Sp7H7h1gJcIq5Z0R5F0q6xVkJVufc0PjbAOvggxb5xYJ-sj-ghel5eyipSReepphIOWaAN9Fvv9l2YuESvg/s320/5A1EB8AF-C670-45DD-A6F0-1050356ADD8B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stove/oven in the cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>After procuring water we decided to spend the remainder of the day hiking to the Exit Glacier Overlook and the then back down the road to the bridge over the Resurrection River. The weather was gorgeous and although the sun never hit the lower parts of the valley it lit up the peaks and ridges almost making them glow. It was really beautiful.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-jq6pGay_jsPwE13KTN0bUhHMnKQg3e3G2MkkFuIAXTOK1NAH5kL1ySXcjINXZyWAspFJOuBU2OEZApr_gcUSeKzV0d_nbfUvkc9FD8yCs3-Ly3UQbaAP33oQ993Ya0k4CHQ7E_XvKmp6fxM4to3jiEKFjtI1CU_YlRl7sB6sSOKssJkh1FhiX_PD5M/s4032/4D3C8A20-B454-454E-9064-0B365FE63485.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-jq6pGay_jsPwE13KTN0bUhHMnKQg3e3G2MkkFuIAXTOK1NAH5kL1ySXcjINXZyWAspFJOuBU2OEZApr_gcUSeKzV0d_nbfUvkc9FD8yCs3-Ly3UQbaAP33oQ993Ya0k4CHQ7E_XvKmp6fxM4to3jiEKFjtI1CU_YlRl7sB6sSOKssJkh1FhiX_PD5M/s320/4D3C8A20-B454-454E-9064-0B365FE63485.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlit mountain.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM2VcCNOR-1dc6VjOAuX1ccdji8bI9GbiRbxsOtil8rRTvOSCiyPcPN8uWdJfg2muVjzCdoPg8riV6bRsSrj9neZbQ_u4-fN7vLTg9rNigOfTV3v4Akm6BPqh1KrPBgtPnOraR7d-6F3otpUNsURgFZl6GPBlgqxasSlgvFTXTcdTYbWn0GD6lEl4NJk/s4032/E5A61994-3A92-4802-9489-10A02AAABB2C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM2VcCNOR-1dc6VjOAuX1ccdji8bI9GbiRbxsOtil8rRTvOSCiyPcPN8uWdJfg2muVjzCdoPg8riV6bRsSrj9neZbQ_u4-fN7vLTg9rNigOfTV3v4Akm6BPqh1KrPBgtPnOraR7d-6F3otpUNsURgFZl6GPBlgqxasSlgvFTXTcdTYbWn0GD6lEl4NJk/s320/E5A61994-3A92-4802-9489-10A02AAABB2C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sunlit mountain.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We woke up early on Monday morning and ate breakfast. Then we packed our gear for the ride back to the vehicles. The conditions were the same as when we rode in so it was a fast trip due to the downhill gradient of the road. We arrived at the vehicles, loaded our bikes and gear, then drove back home. It was a great adventure and we're already making plans to return for Global Fat Bike Day 2024!</div>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-84356887795276562912023-09-10T18:30:00.973-08:002023-09-24T10:23:07.930-08:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, SEPTEMBER 6-10, 2023<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8XELwAMAk-1A0OPn9UTROXO6JO1WU4NxU8zNDTg4ziHCg8f7bg3wY0u1dypvZ5Kl5uNfkt3JlBj5qkm5kaa-QJazklxzhTasHaqWJdZIXQfyg6J_t-pgatDBXGJFjcPrmKAtOQ3oBLncXdn0x5049eUdj4Z0YsP_i3yNBNiXy-bBM2mbnZIZFO4YuDs/s4032/D3914A20-A601-418D-9D2C-EDD3C7413900.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8XELwAMAk-1A0OPn9UTROXO6JO1WU4NxU8zNDTg4ziHCg8f7bg3wY0u1dypvZ5Kl5uNfkt3JlBj5qkm5kaa-QJazklxzhTasHaqWJdZIXQfyg6J_t-pgatDBXGJFjcPrmKAtOQ3oBLncXdn0x5049eUdj4Z0YsP_i3yNBNiXy-bBM2mbnZIZFO4YuDs/w400-h300/D3914A20-A601-418D-9D2C-EDD3C7413900.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denali didn't make an appearance until the morning we left. Then it was strikingly majestic.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, SEPTEMBER 6-10, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ATHABASCAN (DENE') LAND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">LOGISTICS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We left Nikiski and drove to Eagle River where we spent the night. The next morning we stopped at the Eagle River Fred Meyer store on the way out of town and shopped for the supplies we would need for the trip. Then we made the drive to Grizzly Bear Cabins which is where we stay during our annual foray to Denali National Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsDBZC_KRRnPwQCH3d71eMjYj7o_Lt4L1UQL4hTZrpZg71Re1dEkcKMGFkPXs6MB6oV2_KXIXD6mu4jSysQN413oehor5G2tDc72j4OnIbBvnFN5SPI5OSKY1ZL-uLJ2WYlF6J-GN1yCI8HVkrWvIPS2XsjkoZ5Gi_DN6Dsjfpn06i_yoDHblwM9EJHw/s4032/EEF89E66-B733-41BF-BDAA-2B7CDC8868E8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsDBZC_KRRnPwQCH3d71eMjYj7o_Lt4L1UQL4hTZrpZg71Re1dEkcKMGFkPXs6MB6oV2_KXIXD6mu4jSysQN413oehor5G2tDc72j4OnIbBvnFN5SPI5OSKY1ZL-uLJ2WYlF6J-GN1yCI8HVkrWvIPS2XsjkoZ5Gi_DN6Dsjfpn06i_yoDHblwM9EJHw/s320/EEF89E66-B733-41BF-BDAA-2B7CDC8868E8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scenery was so beautiful Mrs. Huffy couldn't take her eyes off it. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 1: (9/6/23)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The week after Labor Day is traditionally the time we go to Denali National Park. We've made this little trip enough times now that it's routine when we head out the door and up the road. It has become customary to drive from our house in Nikiski to Eagle River where we spend the night before driving to the park. We did just that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>And, while we were in Eagle River we decided to visit a restaurant called <i>Jalapeños Mexican Restaurant and Cantina</i> because we had seen its many ads on TV. We also knew it was a spot where we could get a margarita in remembrance of Jimmy Buffet's passing. Margaritaville was a good place to be on a rainy evening in Eagle River, Alaska.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>The next morning we stopped at Fred Meyer on our way out of town to pick up some supplies for the trip. It was the typical fare of convenient breakfast foods and some sandwich makings for our lunches. I honestly think we could keep the same shopping list from year-to-year because we always get the same thing. Actually we probably don't even need a shopping list. We've done it so often we have the items we need memorized.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>After shopping we got in the car and poured some juice in the carburetor. We were bound for Denali National Park. Listening to <i>Elton John</i> and <i>The Tragically Hip</i> we cruised down the road making the typical stops for fuel and rest breaks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>In no time we were turning onto the park road and headed for Savage River. Motoring along we gained elevation as the remnants of the previous night's snowstorm crept down the mountainsides, closer and closer to the edge of the road. Near the Vista Parking area the snow was on the road. The bushes were weighed down and bent over with the weight of the snow. We walked down Vista trail a short way and had to turn back due to a deep puddle covering the trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We made the drive back toward Grizzly Bear Cabins and checked in at the front desk. It only took a few minutes to stow our gear in the Cheechako cabin (our favorite) and that was when we realized we'd forgotten to pack the cribbage board. Which was kind of embarrassing. Because we had never left it behind. These trips are known for the cribbage tournaments we play. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Mrs. Huffy immediately commented she had the New York Times crossword puzzle downloaded on her phone and we could use them in lieu of playing cribbage. It was all we could do. The string of traditional Denali National Park cribbage tournaments was broken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Once we got over the disappointment of the missing cribbage board and had eaten dinner it was time for the evening moose patrol. We put binoculars, cameras, and some warm clothing in the car and drove toward Savage River once again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Moose patrol is the primary reason we go to Denali at this time of year. The moose are rutting and they are often very close to the road. So we drive back and forth waiting and hoping for a moose or two to make themselves visible. None did on this evening. But it was just the first moose patrol of several evenings. We knew things could only get better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbIDFr21i-0RQ5sf7euexKRxsp0S2pjIk5MKAhr9H5L1SbbfNJ211SFy8lfcbFykIr4F_KorKYXYvQ-SRbqswUO8nbd3oHQ2RRMNfDuxs4g2udtI3CFKkUGRyQUzDUDtUORP93SyRMN1E4Nu6a79ZY02KQnPjiLUaaJnUapx4qd3G6GV30xz7nkptOuI/s4032/B2254F80-E7D9-4A2C-86C5-B0233CAB19D6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbIDFr21i-0RQ5sf7euexKRxsp0S2pjIk5MKAhr9H5L1SbbfNJ211SFy8lfcbFykIr4F_KorKYXYvQ-SRbqswUO8nbd3oHQ2RRMNfDuxs4g2udtI3CFKkUGRyQUzDUDtUORP93SyRMN1E4Nu6a79ZY02KQnPjiLUaaJnUapx4qd3G6GV30xz7nkptOuI/s320/B2254F80-E7D9-4A2C-86C5-B0233CAB19D6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scenery is vibrant this time of the year.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZfYaAy8nH03PkcOYo3PWlXzh-cesdQATjaOBR4KvLAgx310HxImEUhHc3K3GvXXxvc8LZfJWGpW0Yq2pf2J-zbW1GolHbyVoSPKXfiouzISfjy0DO_t0KeNayH5-j3FAsNDhg_m-RB6qdN6QwNZGXouyLEiYQBL40JoUYmXo5YpKjbCsPml0nPmJdcw/s4032/E203EA7C-D2F3-493B-8C0B-AFB350D012A1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZfYaAy8nH03PkcOYo3PWlXzh-cesdQATjaOBR4KvLAgx310HxImEUhHc3K3GvXXxvc8LZfJWGpW0Yq2pf2J-zbW1GolHbyVoSPKXfiouzISfjy0DO_t0KeNayH5-j3FAsNDhg_m-RB6qdN6QwNZGXouyLEiYQBL40JoUYmXo5YpKjbCsPml0nPmJdcw/s320/E203EA7C-D2F3-493B-8C0B-AFB350D012A1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright colors with a snowy background.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 2: (9/7/23)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We ate breakfast while working on the New York Times crossword puzzle. As we heated up some water for coffee, tea, and oatmeal, we tried to figure what words would fit in the puzzle spaces. Following breakfast we drove out to Savage River once again hoping to spot some moose along the road. But, we didn't expect much because it was a little late in the day. We didn't see any moose, but we appreciated the spectacular scenery and returned to our cabin for lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>That afternoon we took a hike along the Triple Lakes trail. Conveniently it's just across the bridge over the Nenana River from Grizzly Bear Cabins. We hiked along as the clouds were breaking up and the sun began to appear. About a quarter mile from the trailhead we looked up to see a person standing stationary in the middle of the trail. He didn't move out of the path and it was obvious he wanted to to talk. We soon found out that his name was Micheal and he was from Bulgaria. He had spent the summer working at one of the local hotels but hadn't gotten out hiking very much. He said he had difficulty finding people to hike with and was terrified of having an encounter with a bear. So, safety in numbers, so to speak, we took off down the trail as a group of three. It was fun and our conversation covered topics ranging from Lambourghinis to Bulgarian politics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Liz and I had decided that our destination would be a lake where we would turn around and go back to our cabin. Micheal was unsure about going further by himself, but we assured him that it would be just fine and he took off down the trail on his own. After parting ways we walked back to the cabin under big puffy clouds and sunshine that actually felt warm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_rVGKefnfSB8PnCpjwaGxwG6fKwyqJbv9vf03K2mn_ujjadUBr5F_BFSSf4CFmtMDbUwBAmbzhYr7dumq5vygBk_dCoZ-KGvuMOLOEv1_1zrokwOkFIsyRD0IVURWfd-WQ6-vhTp8_Aemi6xliB9W2TWP7Z7GCHSeL7dNVeLN74Q9pmHhpwufeJ2kbo/s4032/5072279B-4AF7-4691-99E8-789A64E70F5E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_rVGKefnfSB8PnCpjwaGxwG6fKwyqJbv9vf03K2mn_ujjadUBr5F_BFSSf4CFmtMDbUwBAmbzhYr7dumq5vygBk_dCoZ-KGvuMOLOEv1_1zrokwOkFIsyRD0IVURWfd-WQ6-vhTp8_Aemi6xliB9W2TWP7Z7GCHSeL7dNVeLN74Q9pmHhpwufeJ2kbo/s320/5072279B-4AF7-4691-99E8-789A64E70F5E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy and the New York Times crossword puzzle on her phone.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Once back at the cabin we straightened everything up because we were having company. Things had to look presentable because our dear friends Dave and Sharon were joining us for dinner and moose patrol. They were visiting from Virginia and on a commercial hiking tour of Alaska. We were extremely happy they had a free evening and we could get together. We ordered some Red Curry and Drunken Noodles from a Thai food truck in the Grizzly Bear Cabins parking lot which we complimented with Yellow Eye IPA's. All this happened while sitting around the tiny table in the Cheechako Cabin sharing conversation, laughs, and memories. It really was nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>After we finished eating we prepped for the nightly moose patrol. I think it was the first one Dave and Sharon had ever been on. Loading our binoculars and cameras in the car we were all set for the evening ritual of driving back and forth on the Park road hoping a moose would show up and make it all worth the effort. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>As we drove along we had just passed the rutting moose sign when a cow moose appeared at the side of the road. Looking up the road further a young, gangly, bull crossed the pavement and walked into the bushes. We pulled up and got a good look at him even though he was partially hidden by vegetation. It was a good start to the evening, but we knew there could be more ahead so we drove onward.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>The road was noticeably quiet and we began to speculate there must be a moose somewhere that had all the vehicles stopped. This turned out to be true, because it wasn't long before we found a cluster of cars, trucks, and busses, in what could only be a moose jam. We got closer and parked on the edge of the road. Ahead we saw a crowd of people so we walked toward them. They had huge camera lenses, spotting scopes, binoculars, and other moose watching paraphernalia all pointing out into the taiga. Suddenly, there he was...and he had some very large antlers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Looking out a couple hundred yards we saw a large bull moose just standing there. It seemed like he was just appreciatively lingering in the cool evening air. Every once in a while he would take a couple steps and alter the direction of his interest. Although we couldn't see them it was obvious there were some cows around and he was monitoring their movements. We took a good long while watching that moose through our binoculars and taking photos with our phones. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>It was just as fun to watch all the people with their expensive optic gear maneuver and adjust for the best viewing/photographing positions. Everyone's attention was riveted to that moose and every move it made. It was quite the phenomenon. After a half hour or so we decided to get back in the car and see what else we could find. We drove out to Vista before turning around and passing through the moose jam again on the return trip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We kept driving and before long we spotted the young bull moose we had seen earlier. He was unabashedly attempting to gain the attention of a cow, although she was pretty much ignoring him. He chased all round the area making a big scene. He would run back and forth, then suddenly stop and stand at attention. The cow, on the other hand, was singularly focused on eating</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Best of all, though, when we rolled down the car windows we could hear all the moose sounds that were being made. We could even hear the sound of the cow as she ate the vegetation along the edge of the road. It was dang awesome. The bull eventually disappeared and we decided it was time to head back to the cabins. I think we all agreed it was a very successful evening moose patrol.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaMc32i_OOKietFyALiuGvpVpcmatVmzrJXg0roAqCsu8mBqTzXiMxHOwDsti0NPzQUcL6DtzNCYw61495InzTzY3kixyqMqxJZDCXLzDhsZBMJFCYi9fys1Spp5XtDLEMgOk2bGa6eNUXVcl86amC4LVVgZI7vqcZM-ATtjNn-0pNPm7DTZN4lSNbUo/s3006/E86E0135-3DBF-48B4-A8A5-A93B7A159FF7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3006" data-original-width="2819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaMc32i_OOKietFyALiuGvpVpcmatVmzrJXg0roAqCsu8mBqTzXiMxHOwDsti0NPzQUcL6DtzNCYw61495InzTzY3kixyqMqxJZDCXLzDhsZBMJFCYi9fys1Spp5XtDLEMgOk2bGa6eNUXVcl86amC4LVVgZI7vqcZM-ATtjNn-0pNPm7DTZN4lSNbUo/s320/E86E0135-3DBF-48B4-A8A5-A93B7A159FF7.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We encountered a young bull moose trying to impress a cow just a few hundred yards beyond this sign.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2F5ZBD-25sTN0AUel3gBoUlz2X_SM-TNubBigLNqOLhyKbeW1brREozCr5xM3fvwiQw8tCTuZckiMU8ZQLslk-7u3tMDqeu4lxENhHGBSzuGPGUdwepY9Z8_NWncyNwKOgNMN74X9lOIDiuzmeL1G5noLDEHXzaUr5PCV8QelHz64UPM9njiiCz21wM/s4032/3F23A207-FD1D-468C-921D-7D93606AD8C0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2F5ZBD-25sTN0AUel3gBoUlz2X_SM-TNubBigLNqOLhyKbeW1brREozCr5xM3fvwiQw8tCTuZckiMU8ZQLslk-7u3tMDqeu4lxENhHGBSzuGPGUdwepY9Z8_NWncyNwKOgNMN74X9lOIDiuzmeL1G5noLDEHXzaUr5PCV8QelHz64UPM9njiiCz21wM/s320/3F23A207-FD1D-468C-921D-7D93606AD8C0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the young guy right here.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJflTM0Sr0Iw0GqbCc3Vkwb0AOgiUeHHUaClhl9fiufL-HAn-wvxRVReA3DV_VTkmydN9QFOuJr7SLchiSNvR2sdQd3slOUYzRaijesXD6qRF7ZxJdx54EP5iJEgfGMZlnjdsk3mqyKQFAkpgL9xIu_YlxCdZBD-6ARdYNTNfxXAmoHQUy-oZXYIOAIIc/s1697/E51D8DF2-A66E-489C-B142-0B9D6CE700FE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1697" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJflTM0Sr0Iw0GqbCc3Vkwb0AOgiUeHHUaClhl9fiufL-HAn-wvxRVReA3DV_VTkmydN9QFOuJr7SLchiSNvR2sdQd3slOUYzRaijesXD6qRF7ZxJdx54EP5iJEgfGMZlnjdsk3mqyKQFAkpgL9xIu_YlxCdZBD-6ARdYNTNfxXAmoHQUy-oZXYIOAIIc/s320/E51D8DF2-A66E-489C-B142-0B9D6CE700FE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A short while later we saw this fellow.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 3 (9/8/23):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>This was the day we had reservations to ride the bus to East Fork in hopes of spotting some wildlife and appreciating the fall colors. We also planned to hike in Igloo Canyon. The ride was excellent and we made it to the East Fork, which is as far as the busses go these days due to the construction at Pretty Rocks. This is where we turned around and headed back to Igloo Canyon. That's where we got off at Tattler Creek. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We basically spent a couple hours walking down the road and had a picnic while sitting along the edge of Igloo Creek. Looking around at the colorful sides of the canyon, the clouds, and the sky, I felt like I could've stayed there forever. Every thing was perfect. I know these kinds of places are permanent, but our time in them is temporary. So, grudgingly we flagged down a bus that had room for us and hopped on. In a couple hours we were back at the bus depot. The only wildlife we saw were two caribou on a hillside near the Sanctuary River. They were so far away I didn't even bother to take pictures of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Upon returning to our cabin we found a bag of gifts from the Reisling Family, owners of Grizzly Bear Cabins. We were totally surprised and appreciative of the card with kind words and the hats they gave us. They said they appreciated the fact that we had stayed with them for so many years. Liz and I both thought it was a very charming gesture and we appreciated it very much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>That evening we went on moose patrol again and were we ever in for a whopping good show! Just like the evening before the road was very quiet which meant there was a moose jam somewhere. We drove along and found it in the same general area it had been in the night before. We pulled our car off the road and parked before walking toward the crowd of people gathered along the edge of the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>As we got closer a huge bull moose stepped out of the bushes and nearly straight into some people. It crossed the road passing within inches of vehicles and made its way to the other side. Taking a few steps into the brush it stopped and put its antlers into a rather large bush. Then it shredded that bush into nothingness in 28 seconds. It was honestly one of those times when you are so focused that you're kind of transfixed with astonishment and unaware of anything else. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>A few seconds later the bull began walking away from the bush and disappeared into the landscape. Our timing couldn't have been better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudj3xZL3PMNH0ShSSNo8BKCPYutyVuhSMuQZmu10kUTmdgBwmMdasrcK8nliQE2S9DthahIJzffcDaKXXkCaGwoU_aZ2JsmnjbXi-zFNgriYbD5XvgEIUkkmOYb-C2r-Ylr_VLsypIcOYlEQ2oEeHQxGPRNdXr1OlQRHghrv-hwPRcTdndGJD1-5g0yw/s2778/5D6DCFAA-41A5-4EBB-AD04-E42E829EDD6E.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2778" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudj3xZL3PMNH0ShSSNo8BKCPYutyVuhSMuQZmu10kUTmdgBwmMdasrcK8nliQE2S9DthahIJzffcDaKXXkCaGwoU_aZ2JsmnjbXi-zFNgriYbD5XvgEIUkkmOYb-C2r-Ylr_VLsypIcOYlEQ2oEeHQxGPRNdXr1OlQRHghrv-hwPRcTdndGJD1-5g0yw/s320/5D6DCFAA-41A5-4EBB-AD04-E42E829EDD6E.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This moose came out of nowhere and was suddenly right on the road near a group of people.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAWVIOhChHK8XqeQyiBeAsNsa84ZIfKR7CTwPxfo8pLOoVdx9VhyvLC46q1R2GqOI2aU2R8rLs-tkLR7Jvv5OXdAW3-LtknefQWGtptCsXKPIjvIFLxJ-O2AfDWDOInNsfaSBqE4rxcI8P-mQ59U8cIQle55Q8VMZKhjAkDD7JwB1j5LaXTUXvS1LF8E/s4032/3AB790F1-F43B-430C-A008-109ADC41256D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAWVIOhChHK8XqeQyiBeAsNsa84ZIfKR7CTwPxfo8pLOoVdx9VhyvLC46q1R2GqOI2aU2R8rLs-tkLR7Jvv5OXdAW3-LtknefQWGtptCsXKPIjvIFLxJ-O2AfDWDOInNsfaSBqE4rxcI8P-mQ59U8cIQle55Q8VMZKhjAkDD7JwB1j5LaXTUXvS1LF8E/s320/3AB790F1-F43B-430C-A008-109ADC41256D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After shredding a bush to smithereens he took a look around to survey the scene.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGQOpcDQLSXlMM3lXYdyhuMsqSaNtMQ7XjZbYSIkqol868R92Tqan9Znj6Mu4pt6NnbO67T2lTD9ysaRHLwyLsrP3t17FPVBwIsbY1qPVvmDEY2xFlh7KPBoBNxCyUWTgrGK-7MKsUTUnbRXUaZKJf51CqTDfOH3tJmuve5oYi9WAcGODyGmz4YLgVAc/s4032/B505A005-1345-4F64-84BF-6AE68455164B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGQOpcDQLSXlMM3lXYdyhuMsqSaNtMQ7XjZbYSIkqol868R92Tqan9Znj6Mu4pt6NnbO67T2lTD9ysaRHLwyLsrP3t17FPVBwIsbY1qPVvmDEY2xFlh7KPBoBNxCyUWTgrGK-7MKsUTUnbRXUaZKJf51CqTDfOH3tJmuve5oYi9WAcGODyGmz4YLgVAc/s320/B505A005-1345-4F64-84BF-6AE68455164B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then he swaggered into the brush.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1qWX5rsERgM4odGkCwuMYp4wGzCf5ZlUGF1JzxV1zBgN5itO0ZZqYMKS-ve5TSfMu19ORh4e8RlKQWZYqn82zxZtjfG5qDtiBF8YUfRoJGfvpyTg9IhbOyep9JSOeHQzCaR3MRRLf35WbYpNurCfxYdLPL-8trH0lRmZ0IqGJbyC7pOY8iIyNIb0fC8/s4032/CADEE951-CE47-4366-AD7E-058B89B76794.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1qWX5rsERgM4odGkCwuMYp4wGzCf5ZlUGF1JzxV1zBgN5itO0ZZqYMKS-ve5TSfMu19ORh4e8RlKQWZYqn82zxZtjfG5qDtiBF8YUfRoJGfvpyTg9IhbOyep9JSOeHQzCaR3MRRLf35WbYpNurCfxYdLPL-8trH0lRmZ0IqGJbyC7pOY8iIyNIb0fC8/s320/CADEE951-CE47-4366-AD7E-058B89B76794.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This person had built moose viewing platform on the top of his rig.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCLrAOg_M1LDqv_EZqYrDQ0XN2wezVt0uvfdfjUW2N8FzAM8iekZSLpqJW90ibgcxNg4U0vWtBGqUMT04e1eBSUQIC5EuMCV7kR-jzIUVnF-i3gc3Bsvw_Sca2kWy7OgmXWjcZzVLOKP5dJOpfNI0MqeaxQ_pUpxObRqYWh73MJ8Cv24ztaU5T03jjUM/s4032/BE1BDD66-21F2-4B0D-B04A-510D81E6993F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCLrAOg_M1LDqv_EZqYrDQ0XN2wezVt0uvfdfjUW2N8FzAM8iekZSLpqJW90ibgcxNg4U0vWtBGqUMT04e1eBSUQIC5EuMCV7kR-jzIUVnF-i3gc3Bsvw_Sca2kWy7OgmXWjcZzVLOKP5dJOpfNI0MqeaxQ_pUpxObRqYWh73MJ8Cv24ztaU5T03jjUM/s320/BE1BDD66-21F2-4B0D-B04A-510D81E6993F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy poses aside the bus we rode into the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP7SegRO2GIR_EAqYPog6Xt26QRNd1-iYP_XDhsfy3wmamElHtmJ8SnHWp3LvGn5GYnpJ3x34yZzLLGzFwlZcNUAzTS2e0YCvkpoHElIQI_RY5boweX5RnXypMbhQAkhhmWJZHvwaIB_okv-GiCuaW4nbO3WXdDRfphckx3np9ZMhscJHVYAqilc5saE/s4032/A648B9DD-6736-4C13-BF9D-BE5307E9A6F0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP7SegRO2GIR_EAqYPog6Xt26QRNd1-iYP_XDhsfy3wmamElHtmJ8SnHWp3LvGn5GYnpJ3x34yZzLLGzFwlZcNUAzTS2e0YCvkpoHElIQI_RY5boweX5RnXypMbhQAkhhmWJZHvwaIB_okv-GiCuaW4nbO3WXdDRfphckx3np9ZMhscJHVYAqilc5saE/s320/A648B9DD-6736-4C13-BF9D-BE5307E9A6F0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the East Fork where the busses turn around and go back to the park entrance.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Ci4tfToxwzeW0Por9dUVSU11MiK5bBh5zNw-4a2cua1zjf4gU0dCklszGnys0Leqb304579QamNBA5BUfl3kfRyRgXfNxLGP4uIqCv_ofIqMpwXYJMKJOQ46Wj6QrJRcOt3CfIrY1hHKWwQU8FgWatPweNEydDrU6oemQyE52PPhikHQLAwyt9fdhM/s4032/0BED616F-47AB-4142-8D17-F429B832724B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Ci4tfToxwzeW0Por9dUVSU11MiK5bBh5zNw-4a2cua1zjf4gU0dCklszGnys0Leqb304579QamNBA5BUfl3kfRyRgXfNxLGP4uIqCv_ofIqMpwXYJMKJOQ46Wj6QrJRcOt3CfIrY1hHKWwQU8FgWatPweNEydDrU6oemQyE52PPhikHQLAwyt9fdhM/s320/0BED616F-47AB-4142-8D17-F429B832724B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water, rocks, and snow of the East Fork.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzn0BWsg4Z7tYO73l1p62Zu2jAT2O0Ib1tgvtZYsM34pSE2BIRPNf2N5u6GZYqMDeRi_wMFvrMFdJSkkq0AmXXK4FqzUoivqqqy9o7Tqgmk_ONYr-c7PjF5dvf9IUAOXoh2NSBAXFujBlnjnuU2HuI02KFu3T6iM6-90currHqev0dT9cvIuzleOM3kQ/s4032/645A8152-684E-4A92-AF8E-6690C908F4D2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzn0BWsg4Z7tYO73l1p62Zu2jAT2O0Ib1tgvtZYsM34pSE2BIRPNf2N5u6GZYqMDeRi_wMFvrMFdJSkkq0AmXXK4FqzUoivqqqy9o7Tqgmk_ONYr-c7PjF5dvf9IUAOXoh2NSBAXFujBlnjnuU2HuI02KFu3T6iM6-90currHqev0dT9cvIuzleOM3kQ/s320/645A8152-684E-4A92-AF8E-6690C908F4D2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy and the fall colors in Igloo Canyon.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM47IU_AVJIC3RZLZRKQGydganMqvPjk1BGexE1LCGCgoohH5pcPKOcua_cW-4BITVZxtdqQFSPgbp2IjtcOFmzg-S5NLj0V3m5i7BcEt1_YwLfConijD1w7dMOb8VFy305FvEESBnWSHmZgP2HfqqIr41GFPkHQQrXoulV_kSwyX76GIZ9hVi73URmLA/s4032/F9370BFC-0832-4747-A705-BDD735E35865.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM47IU_AVJIC3RZLZRKQGydganMqvPjk1BGexE1LCGCgoohH5pcPKOcua_cW-4BITVZxtdqQFSPgbp2IjtcOFmzg-S5NLj0V3m5i7BcEt1_YwLfConijD1w7dMOb8VFy305FvEESBnWSHmZgP2HfqqIr41GFPkHQQrXoulV_kSwyX76GIZ9hVi73URmLA/s320/F9370BFC-0832-4747-A705-BDD735E35865.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grizzly Bear Cabins sign. We have stayed here for many years when we visit Denali National Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 4: (9/8/23)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>The morning started with breakfast and a drive to Healy for fuel and a stop at the Three Bears store where we picked up some bananas. Returning to the cabin we packed a lunch and got things ready for a trip on the Savage River Shuttle bus. We planned to ride it to Savage River and hike the Savage River Trail which would be a new experience for us. Just as we were about to board the bus Liz got a call on her cell phone. Her mom was in the Emergency Room. After a flurry of phone calls and several hours later everything was fine and we were back at the cabin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We made a trip to a local restaurant where we had some delicious meatloaf and key lime pie for dinner before heading out for the final evening of moose patrol. We drove back and forth on the road several times before it got too dark to see. We didn't find any moose, but that was alright because we had already had several very successful evenings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>We woke up early the next morning and called Liz's mom to check in. Everything had returned to normal so we packed up and hit the road. The drive home was straightforward and along the way we stopped in Anchorage to take Emily grocery shopping before completing the trip to Nikiski.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>That was it. Our post-Labor Day trip to Denali was complete and another summer was history. But, of course, we'll be back after Labor Day next year. Of course we will.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEYF8BoC4Tf72S80kRJAQ6gsA12_8XiV7pDM3YrKYD-dYqtRt0UzgUWUWaDiT-MG9iwOEa_4KN5KJm7rKfVZBzHTPuLbtTGFazAF_WyKKH50SQ_FHGvDML_DlRbOrTfpMN7CTRLGg4dWkKkCW_Xuxtg-FlSIFPSwA3PLhSP1BCe8fLPNz1iwqZQKEXIE/s4032/0313089B-82ED-428D-8D4A-6DDACF5C46AE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEYF8BoC4Tf72S80kRJAQ6gsA12_8XiV7pDM3YrKYD-dYqtRt0UzgUWUWaDiT-MG9iwOEa_4KN5KJm7rKfVZBzHTPuLbtTGFazAF_WyKKH50SQ_FHGvDML_DlRbOrTfpMN7CTRLGg4dWkKkCW_Xuxtg-FlSIFPSwA3PLhSP1BCe8fLPNz1iwqZQKEXIE/s320/0313089B-82ED-428D-8D4A-6DDACF5C46AE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many colors of fall in Denali National Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-D73G0SzFHqmhFC7zc3xuoNZbDWzxriP1Znz6r9UYjk6SXrcbTWDZaFkgoJwaUo6g_v87O4s5-Pm63PGZGcSblWsI80_k9mHFie4WH6trzTm_R7AowFI-V4PaFGJfbUhV2ddxO3bvBDXTRisv7SkEvg05On_ojUNqqcxoRkQ_VenoHEIicBm57975oE/s4031/20148B97-5E99-4377-86A4-E52BA5839A34.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="4031" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-D73G0SzFHqmhFC7zc3xuoNZbDWzxriP1Znz6r9UYjk6SXrcbTWDZaFkgoJwaUo6g_v87O4s5-Pm63PGZGcSblWsI80_k9mHFie4WH6trzTm_R7AowFI-V4PaFGJfbUhV2ddxO3bvBDXTRisv7SkEvg05On_ojUNqqcxoRkQ_VenoHEIicBm57975oE/s320/20148B97-5E99-4377-86A4-E52BA5839A34.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rainbow over Denali country.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span></div><p></p>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-46617506832696284302023-03-04T03:41:00.004-09:002023-03-07T01:34:30.939-09:00ENGINEER LAKE CABIN TRIP, KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ALASKA, MARCH 2-3, 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ENGINEER LAKE CABIN TRIP, KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ALASKA, MARCH 2-3, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THE TEAM:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Austin Baumeister</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elizabeth Hufford</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wally Hufford</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">LOGISTICS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We met Austin at the West Entrance of Skilak Loop Road just before noon. The road hadn't been plowed and the snow was deep so it was an adventurous drive to the Engineer Lake parking area. Once we were there we loaded our backpacks and sleds before snowshoeing across the lake to the cabin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4NuMyjsbTLZ6zJiJEQH9O3DD9foCFwUHJOVVPJ9j-_O0IJPcP5cKevw9tHeKqa2R_nbau-CZiy7hgBURC4TJnFgr_u_mCnh4sECcaecavTL_Bh5PEK7dpPpTUXUQOIeFXHgw4MLrHjCwISi0p7y0IqNcLidfkXZL0A74D3h9Ew4-Qm3LoCa3geZU/s2828/5EAD3F4B-CB1D-45E8-8EE3-82FDB3C326BF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="2507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4NuMyjsbTLZ6zJiJEQH9O3DD9foCFwUHJOVVPJ9j-_O0IJPcP5cKevw9tHeKqa2R_nbau-CZiy7hgBURC4TJnFgr_u_mCnh4sECcaecavTL_Bh5PEK7dpPpTUXUQOIeFXHgw4MLrHjCwISi0p7y0IqNcLidfkXZL0A74D3h9Ew4-Qm3LoCa3geZU/s320/5EAD3F4B-CB1D-45E8-8EE3-82FDB3C326BF.jpeg" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Engineer Lake cabin with food and gear. (photo courtesy of Austin Baumeister).</td></tr></tbody></table> <div>We have visited the Engineer Lake Public Use cabin on a number of occasions. Mostly just stopping in to check the cabin and read the journal entries that have been made by various occupants. Each time we are there we comment on how it would be such a nice place to stay and promise ourselves that we will make reservations for a visit very soon. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, after umpteen years of saying that we finally did it. Early March would be a good time to go as the daylight has extended itself by then and the mid-winter temperatures should have moderated enough for us to stay thawed out. Besides, our friend Austin was keenly interested in making the trip and he had that week off, so reservations were made and preparations began.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CsYqozcV09O7cCtPCV891mqApfrDyH2n8yd1zhXQrn0X7jxshqllxwycjzw8JmZnLmy14zZx5QdeG_XhwKbXU60sSo6l8G0m26_sKyjv_ZTQWa3BYuNv7-DJ7ED6jKksafiLinlz9atF7znqIAi9RmYdl9pJIxn8HgxvhyFRskK-JhHisMIqkJmW/s4032/F7CC2C27-844C-4147-BFEC-D75F8153813D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CsYqozcV09O7cCtPCV891mqApfrDyH2n8yd1zhXQrn0X7jxshqllxwycjzw8JmZnLmy14zZx5QdeG_XhwKbXU60sSo6l8G0m26_sKyjv_ZTQWa3BYuNv7-DJ7ED6jKksafiLinlz9atF7znqIAi9RmYdl9pJIxn8HgxvhyFRskK-JhHisMIqkJmW/s320/F7CC2C27-844C-4147-BFEC-D75F8153813D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very warm and hospitable cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It didn't take long for us to snowshoe across the lake and arrive at the cabin. We immediately got a fire going in the wood stove to get the structure warmed up as quickly as possible. Then we unloaded our excessive amount of gear and food. Even though we were spending just one night the counter was piled high with enough food for a week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With everything stowed away we decided to do some ice fishing. Austin and I marched out on the lake and found a place where it looked like someone had fished before. We briefly discussed how this must be a good spot and Austin used his ice auger to drill two holes. He made it look easy, but the ice was thick. It was a massive effort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bKb2fLP1NlWqAeBJVSH2ioLbbe0PmKiz2txf_MiIjbafiRqfT0uEHvOJ3sE1Lfb0s3N13fG16zsKcgnFobCyGGDL9vNMOhHXDSKUs-3NGe5FJ9YskAQnuqFCOq18ybj6URVQtsRpTZawQkgqsdYYpNwq8hFa6MjyPwp8TiOOrAIL4slLevUeY_ef/s4032/C84835BA-22DB-44F9-8113-2515F1755977.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bKb2fLP1NlWqAeBJVSH2ioLbbe0PmKiz2txf_MiIjbafiRqfT0uEHvOJ3sE1Lfb0s3N13fG16zsKcgnFobCyGGDL9vNMOhHXDSKUs-3NGe5FJ9YskAQnuqFCOq18ybj6URVQtsRpTZawQkgqsdYYpNwq8hFa6MjyPwp8TiOOrAIL4slLevUeY_ef/s320/C84835BA-22DB-44F9-8113-2515F1755977.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin used an ice auger to drill a couple of holes through the ice so we could try our luck at catching a fish.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stood around for a couple hours, or longer, waiting for a fish to bite. We were about to give up when suddenly out of nowhere Austin hooked into a substantial fish! He reeled it to the top of the ice, we took a couple photos, and released back through the hole into Engineer Lake. Of course, we couldn't stop while the fish were biting and about 10 minutes later Austin caught another one. We must've been happy with two fish because not long after we decided it was time to return to the cabin for dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ko7i4EzVqW8gFR5OjZkjAV7e1eH8NN-3gBCzfPZjPF00P4wNIkkLPi-XKK3BH2DheaBFwESFHLJyFu1mU4vEyQUD7mW98DRlp2fU3kxtzVufk_EFEgzErywAEzkqhQ0w0v8T2CEo7Yl1yBUCWyUg9EpGMyxerxi3qR3bVKAdaWqDyFeEvnStcfiR/s4032/4A502F5E-744C-4ED3-8985-81ECDDF9623A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ko7i4EzVqW8gFR5OjZkjAV7e1eH8NN-3gBCzfPZjPF00P4wNIkkLPi-XKK3BH2DheaBFwESFHLJyFu1mU4vEyQUD7mW98DRlp2fU3kxtzVufk_EFEgzErywAEzkqhQ0w0v8T2CEo7Yl1yBUCWyUg9EpGMyxerxi3qR3bVKAdaWqDyFeEvnStcfiR/s320/4A502F5E-744C-4ED3-8985-81ECDDF9623A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin and an Engineer Lake fish.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div>We had some prepared some taco meat at home using some Sitka Black Tail deer meat a friend had given me. So, we warmed it up in a pan on the flat surface of the wood stove. Once it was ready we piled it and all the taco fixings on our plates and dug in. All of that was followed up with cookies for dessert and then the games began.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9Q92NaiZBEnh0aUKyKXYwPwV53NU_O-MLZ8gwWenR4iimiz7tcvaJXHvVIY2bZ-BoIlW8pXGkbCMnoXLeNOBd3rFtI5gdRzjZqZZkIOfhhU9h5myl8BGQbeREoXqvgRKOc1nPGTpdGefodqjOa5SKhcNX7C5_BlmnDcoaN1BdCU_nTGH3hwhMVm6/s4032/61FFC9E7-1B29-4128-87CF-F2C544E5AB61.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9Q92NaiZBEnh0aUKyKXYwPwV53NU_O-MLZ8gwWenR4iimiz7tcvaJXHvVIY2bZ-BoIlW8pXGkbCMnoXLeNOBd3rFtI5gdRzjZqZZkIOfhhU9h5myl8BGQbeREoXqvgRKOc1nPGTpdGefodqjOa5SKhcNX7C5_BlmnDcoaN1BdCU_nTGH3hwhMVm6/s320/61FFC9E7-1B29-4128-87CF-F2C544E5AB61.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner consisted of Sitka Black Tail deer tacos. They were delicious.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Austin had the youngest eyes in the group so he ultimately had to read the finely printed directions for a game called <i>Bananagrams.</i> We all tried to follow the rules as best we could while sitting under the light of a headlamp hanging from a hook in the rafter. We also played several games of cribbage, although we never crowned a tournament champion because the brackets were too difficult to figure out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWL5OCAkSGESFaTJPSi9KwfiL6mnVbSFnJOnaDxz0kuiKODhp_vERw0wOaa84j9VSGqwnQDFq7UBoQL9KYgFs1k6y6M-2RrieKlYPuv-u0r-1-QStIrtnJyDSFXp7kBY1y9FYQwoT-tCQ5PNZA5Xp1AX1O_tFaASrCjJL0R89-r3hqjaOtOxlV0zK/s4032/CE37689F-F721-4B3F-8E55-7C54342F0F4E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWL5OCAkSGESFaTJPSi9KwfiL6mnVbSFnJOnaDxz0kuiKODhp_vERw0wOaa84j9VSGqwnQDFq7UBoQL9KYgFs1k6y6M-2RrieKlYPuv-u0r-1-QStIrtnJyDSFXp7kBY1y9FYQwoT-tCQ5PNZA5Xp1AX1O_tFaASrCjJL0R89-r3hqjaOtOxlV0zK/s320/CE37689F-F721-4B3F-8E55-7C54342F0F4E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course there was a cribbage tournament.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div>Once the games were over it was time for an evening stroll on Engineer Lake. We put on our boots and headlamps before stepping outside. Looking up we gazed at one of the most gorgeous winter skies you could ever imagine. It was crystal clear and the constellations were in perfect position. We could even identify and name many of them. After marvelling at all of it we began walking. Every once in a while we would stop to re-stare up at the stars and planets. <div><br /></div><div>It was one of those moments when you felt like everything was the way it has always been. We could have been standing on that frozen lake thousands of years ago looking up to see the exact same thing. It ties a person to time and the cosmos.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwIkJRP1M20na_olRFHVIa1byUbdVMK5pC8gl8RJd7WBcEx1z1PcIeXc5znK1AWMhZyOOB5Gl8ngjXFoHZ_NUg0d2xNVvTBa8OdV4ModiMns4TRKPBjgSoEzdyihIw-aIJHLtGsMu_TxIndlBjCvVxKfpm87RFJctl44Tgk9ljswmXStbJqemTEB8/s4032/E04152B3-2AE0-4FF8-9EEF-7D4DA1BDB879.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwIkJRP1M20na_olRFHVIa1byUbdVMK5pC8gl8RJd7WBcEx1z1PcIeXc5znK1AWMhZyOOB5Gl8ngjXFoHZ_NUg0d2xNVvTBa8OdV4ModiMns4TRKPBjgSoEzdyihIw-aIJHLtGsMu_TxIndlBjCvVxKfpm87RFJctl44Tgk9ljswmXStbJqemTEB8/s320/E04152B3-2AE0-4FF8-9EEF-7D4DA1BDB879.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star gazing at Engineer Lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After walking on the lake we returned to the cabin and got everything ready for a night of slumber. We filled the wood stove with wood and let it work up to a good blaze. Then right before getting into our sleeping bags we turned the damper down so it would burn as slowly as possible, hopefully providing heat long into the night. All of that worked because the cabin stayed warm the entire night and I didn't even turn the Buddy heater on until 5:30 AM, and that was just for fun because we really didn't need the extra warmth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we got up I checked the outdoor thermometer located outside the back window of the cabin. It read -4 degrees Fahrenheit. A chilly morning by most standards. But, all was good inside the cabin where we prepared for the admittedly unimaginative breakfast of oatmeal, banana chips, and coffee (next time I'm bringing bacon and eggs). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we were done eating the sun was shining full force on the lake and we decided to go out for another round of ice fishing. The holes Austin drilled the day before had frozen over and we had to use an axe to open them up enough to make them fishable. After an hour or so with no luck we decided to pack it in. We headed back to the cabin and began the process of loading up and getting ready to leave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufuR2sMoYrgofLM6FImDdlEjWYcXSh7KHKtS-kE-pa2M7AnmeSwlNXFISFgkIzlsQre4pMSq3NNc_2zGNNqEL4pa5BdddxDdIIAX0WQLPfb1bWnu_GZaoHuUH_hHMbhyAikieG7YHRuz3O-bL8msESG7zqLRvTOOQw8_Lp-9aiGm5VuomKtGJ3WX9/s4032/C4AC5222-CACF-4FF1-AFE5-4608C78D219B.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufuR2sMoYrgofLM6FImDdlEjWYcXSh7KHKtS-kE-pa2M7AnmeSwlNXFISFgkIzlsQre4pMSq3NNc_2zGNNqEL4pa5BdddxDdIIAX0WQLPfb1bWnu_GZaoHuUH_hHMbhyAikieG7YHRuz3O-bL8msESG7zqLRvTOOQw8_Lp-9aiGm5VuomKtGJ3WX9/s320/C4AC5222-CACF-4FF1-AFE5-4608C78D219B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>A last look at the cabin before we left. We made certain the fire in the wood stove was out before we departed.</div></div><div><br /></div>This trip was flawless (the exception being not having any bacon and eggs). From the moment we met Austin at the West Entrance of Skilak Loop Road we fell into an easygoing rhythm that led from one activity and topic of discussion to the next. <div><br /></div><div>Of course, the cabin and the setting had something to do with it. Staying in a basic structure heated by wood brings the most important and elemental aspects of life into clear focus. Then walking out onto the frozen lake in the dark and looking up at all creation can be profound and humbling. It's quite the juxtaposition if you think about it. I can't explain it any better than that.<div><br /></div><div>But I do know this--I have a feeling we will be returning to the cabin at Engineer Lake very soon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-33944618314780315312022-12-04T18:00:00.001-09:002022-12-08T10:30:08.143-09:00GLOBAL FAT BIKE DAY 2022, EXIT GLACIER, KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, DECEMBER 3-4<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">GLOBAL FAT BIKE DAY 2022, WILLOW PUBLIC USE CABIN, EXIT GLACIER, KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, DECEMBER 3-4</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>THE POSSE:</p><p>Wally Hufford</p><p>Elizabeth Hufford</p><p>Laura Hufford</p><p>Doug Armstrong</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaTjViBYW8RVIdiXzag-6QslhzW1Zwl3eEi8y_kfgyLwUK-Yw-qPRIp6n94gXs7lyZG_-EWRWQAwA8uyBBcvkDdxRm4yAtNIkKeGOd6AMQlmyZ4i05zakK5Pv0vXENqMWxUyo55-_Uwc6EpRlxc42fqp25I-qXft5qWXKSRPOW6fc5db_WZjxhiAd/s2778/CAA10C82-5774-493D-A5B4-CEEB282A90E3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2778" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaTjViBYW8RVIdiXzag-6QslhzW1Zwl3eEi8y_kfgyLwUK-Yw-qPRIp6n94gXs7lyZG_-EWRWQAwA8uyBBcvkDdxRm4yAtNIkKeGOd6AMQlmyZ4i05zakK5Pv0vXENqMWxUyo55-_Uwc6EpRlxc42fqp25I-qXft5qWXKSRPOW6fc5db_WZjxhiAd/w400-h185/CAA10C82-5774-493D-A5B4-CEEB282A90E3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with fat bikes at the entrance sign to Kenai Fjords National Park. (photo credit: Doug Armstrong)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>LOGISTICS:<div>We drove from Nikiski to Seward, Alaska with our fat bikes where we met up with Laura and Doug at the gate across Exit Glacier Road (the road is closed to automobile traffic in the winter). Once all our gear was loaded on our fat bikes we rode the ~7.5 miles out to the Willow Public Use Cabin which is near the Exit Glacier Visitor Center. After spending the night at the cabin we rode back to our vehicles and drove home.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cMTHjfG-y2kAej7Hc73UWsK-XTrVU4ln7wEpxmzRd3GfQHHi9EjDxrf-rC2WxtOsMWFcJ_9LiyrTxQKgEEy9Ne_qE03zjztHl_gB2Jmx_piLsNsYQ2ier40iy_nppBghIYXiR1Uhzua5BsRMo7mG9nDvQ8694PatErGg2r_lkAyRrp0cqsLODY0b/s4032/9376F11E-0AC3-4037-8CD5-BC9C8B2A1FC1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cMTHjfG-y2kAej7Hc73UWsK-XTrVU4ln7wEpxmzRd3GfQHHi9EjDxrf-rC2WxtOsMWFcJ_9LiyrTxQKgEEy9Ne_qE03zjztHl_gB2Jmx_piLsNsYQ2ier40iy_nppBghIYXiR1Uhzua5BsRMo7mG9nDvQ8694PatErGg2r_lkAyRrp0cqsLODY0b/s320/9376F11E-0AC3-4037-8CD5-BC9C8B2A1FC1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Willow Public Use Cabin at Exit Glacier.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This trip had been in the planning stages for several years. I knew of the Willow Public Use Cabin and had been thinking of renting it for a while. In October I thought we should rent it for Global Fat Bike Day and make a big celebration out of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The cabin is in a beautiful setting and a gem itself. It has propane heat, refrigeration, and a cooking stove/oven. The lights are powered by a battery that is solar charged. We had the lights on most of the evening and the next morning without any loss of brightness. That's pretty good for the middle of winter in Alaska if you ask me.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIio_pptfdcozahyGKkddRLbf5t4c8RVqOX2oGDU4X43KD-kTUOO4yL0ycQ4v0M2aQTCrWTVoZDdmu0CVbqE17k20VfgQEjJr6XGvrez5hrsnXIwx4iQg5C9eiFj9JOboVJK6F8KLfePE_egQ2LANVLX95ii1METGjArjqdUqtyZPgorwYysZ9lYdc/s4032/54A519AF-DBDC-4362-81BF-4BB5F59000BB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIio_pptfdcozahyGKkddRLbf5t4c8RVqOX2oGDU4X43KD-kTUOO4yL0ycQ4v0M2aQTCrWTVoZDdmu0CVbqE17k20VfgQEjJr6XGvrez5hrsnXIwx4iQg5C9eiFj9JOboVJK6F8KLfePE_egQ2LANVLX95ii1METGjArjqdUqtyZPgorwYysZ9lYdc/s320/54A519AF-DBDC-4362-81BF-4BB5F59000BB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth, Doug, and Laura pedal fat bikes toward the cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>On our way out the riding conditions couldn't have been more perfect for a fat bike. The snow was packed down and frozen hard. It was almost like riding frozen pavement all the way to the cabin. Our tires had studs in case of ice, but they weren't really needed. Along the way we passed a number of other users on the road including hikers, skiers, and mushers. Everyone was happy and enjoying the superb winter day surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. We made excellent time arriving at the cabin about two hours after we left the parking area.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDcYhEidU440Uf17oxrky8O_g5bwp2WWUNWQw6vDxrVWQ6UuD3zZaz8xO8npiV6SidYv3zIP2x1vVjwrCEbgjT9RW52EsAaF45XldrGBi7_1MQCPrxp90vvhd6PDUuQF24sCFgrvnQQm2SuWjw-O3lGsmvNuIJNOdWpf7l_m1UOHJEjvmU4X5Iz6m/s4032/9ED2BDFD-FA6E-4613-B21E-86EED746A602.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDcYhEidU440Uf17oxrky8O_g5bwp2WWUNWQw6vDxrVWQ6UuD3zZaz8xO8npiV6SidYv3zIP2x1vVjwrCEbgjT9RW52EsAaF45XldrGBi7_1MQCPrxp90vvhd6PDUuQF24sCFgrvnQQm2SuWjw-O3lGsmvNuIJNOdWpf7l_m1UOHJEjvmU4X5Iz6m/s320/9ED2BDFD-FA6E-4613-B21E-86EED746A602.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dog was named Wren She was very energetic and had run about seven miles when this photo was taken. Her owner is the skier in the photo.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62RKQp1uOICCBYJtn5ZCzY8b43r8_tR7KGGUIOYEkG0uX2xYaNGwgEYBRNLtsOAO16YnACLJV14yq5EDEDicE2NL3aRSS6aFq9x1HgSBl1Xb0ljNuKJgsppLT0Xuk0txpXjAWZXWXD79bA5OGKLPcgyMpzq-f4gVcdX3-mwzCtfMsWzZiLdprCUEw/s4032/84EEFC07-FF46-4676-BC4E-6AD5895BA4D7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62RKQp1uOICCBYJtn5ZCzY8b43r8_tR7KGGUIOYEkG0uX2xYaNGwgEYBRNLtsOAO16YnACLJV14yq5EDEDicE2NL3aRSS6aFq9x1HgSBl1Xb0ljNuKJgsppLT0Xuk0txpXjAWZXWXD79bA5OGKLPcgyMpzq-f4gVcdX3-mwzCtfMsWzZiLdprCUEw/s320/84EEFC07-FF46-4676-BC4E-6AD5895BA4D7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This musher was training/conditioning his dogs by having them tow a four-wheeler down the road.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As we pedaled along we took our time stopping regularly for photos and to take in the exquisite scenery. The low angle winter sun lit the mountains with vibrant color on one side while the other side remained in shadow. The light was dramatic for sure and a benefit of living in northern latitudes in the winter.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSavme3b2AaBq8cYmgb3wqTwnJZjIP4BRimiJ5O8biOUHoBosBNlWgJratyPJV6dlWGy0-Wh7bVrK0gAsJivNDzKrUO87reI95FzpYUmu8PpfgUJxlpSCsA-lDflLTMNB4NS39TB--8E1c3RhjrYiRfTns-IHG5lcAZNr52Wn2eZUl1QtKt_Sc-kf/s4032/7E551736-B48B-443E-94F4-2E2FB6900813.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSavme3b2AaBq8cYmgb3wqTwnJZjIP4BRimiJ5O8biOUHoBosBNlWgJratyPJV6dlWGy0-Wh7bVrK0gAsJivNDzKrUO87reI95FzpYUmu8PpfgUJxlpSCsA-lDflLTMNB4NS39TB--8E1c3RhjrYiRfTns-IHG5lcAZNr52Wn2eZUl1QtKt_Sc-kf/s320/7E551736-B48B-443E-94F4-2E2FB6900813.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura on a bridge with sunlit mountains behind her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Once we arrived at the cabin we turned up the heat and actually marveled at the deluxe accommodations. In the summer months the cabin is used to house seasonal hires for the National Park Service, so all the amenities are right there with the exception of running water. Instead there are several containers filled with water for drinking and cooking. There were also two bedrooms with two bunks each. It was as close to fat bike glamping as I could ever imagine. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYEk6-MdCSz3Js8PIngtTABGUbqhaeJ1AdPHvvVSNa5srkTQatnObyQpdsidK_nuRzQXfjTD5WGVcw0Mmof4FlqlUPyTeesqIJ4HjBonQ6SSMoorF5VdD0Gw-8ginVyH2SvHQkfbgw-XhtQy4vsseFaqtN4zcuoxvNWrzsrTDSv6586SWZWGwjDYY/s320/5457E53B-BECF-450C-B218-85E319D1870B.jpeg" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upon arrival at the cabin Laura warmed her toes on the heater.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zom4EPhVeQ0RnRNVipOQSH69-u91V6UxRaKt-cmB4Zt9UXng_f7iV2bLoYB5q_GpN-cv6USBfmhvMLsNgK4gB965KgcT-2NMGLOBPF6psxFUV6oNNtA8z8QIqIs_9pDFQ6UsUQqrmIwZ5Ym_jytNtmMjeDpMhyrFmxn_ekJ8FXzKAoi5eTMIpjcr/s4032/E605715E-B937-4485-849F-94703B78CCBD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zom4EPhVeQ0RnRNVipOQSH69-u91V6UxRaKt-cmB4Zt9UXng_f7iV2bLoYB5q_GpN-cv6USBfmhvMLsNgK4gB965KgcT-2NMGLOBPF6psxFUV6oNNtA8z8QIqIs_9pDFQ6UsUQqrmIwZ5Ym_jytNtmMjeDpMhyrFmxn_ekJ8FXzKAoi5eTMIpjcr/s320/E605715E-B937-4485-849F-94703B78CCBD.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played a game of Hearts in the evening. I got the most points. That's not a good thing when you're playing Hearts.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2778" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjHstOW43nV-P2B8E5rV3Xp3FQ8-BVT5-pxB4CbqA2FsC1TcP5XGeMzi-CPOcV1-DwdDjWLmmIaJ2Fa4MtBG55iJ7FYZERl5zKdU0sTugWiEB8Mdu9P2XlTVSJaWGnah_pd9zTS9ybU02Ef4MfgOyW0FlozMwMqcP7IBVnXXhOAo_iP6ItZX6t7MP/s320/6738CD33-FED8-4B1F-AE58-F86A6D0A1989.jpeg" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ride back to the vehicles was exquisite. The road conditions were perfect, the weather superb, and it was downhill the entire way. (photo credit: Doug Armstrong)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a restful night I woke up at 6:00 AM. Of course, it was still dark outside when I opened the door and stepped onto the porch. But, looking upward I couldn't believe my eyes. From horizon to horizon a dazzling number of twinkling stars filled the sky. It was so beautiful that I stood there staring up in total disbelief and appreciation. There were many constellations that I recognized, even though I couldn't recall their names, and the utter silence of the wilderness setting added to the perfect stargazing station on that porch. I stood there for a good long while before I got cold and went back inside for breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The others slowly roused as the morning moved at a leisurely pace. We made oatmeal, drank coffee by the mugful, and talked about a number of topics pertinent to the day. Nobody was in a hurry and the sun wouldn't come up until after 10:00 AM anyway, so we took our time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once it was light enough we slowly packed our gear and loaded the fat bikes. The ride out was sublime and we enjoyed watching the sunlight slowly illuminate the mountain peaks all around us. It was just so beautiful. I don't think any of us wanted to arrive back at the vehicles where we knew the trip would end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pulling into the parking area we took one last look around. Mountains, sky, sunshine, and friends. Everything was just right. The trip had been a wonderful success and before long everything was packed up and ready to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a post-trip celebration we drove the short few miles to Seward for hamburgers at the Mermaid Grotto restaurant. After that it was a simple drive back to Nikiski where we sorted and cleaned gear. Of course, we also began making plans for our next trip to the Willow Public Use Cabin, which we hope will be very soon. Who knows, it might even become an annual Global Fat Bike Day tradition. That would be something great.</div></div><p></p></div>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-40170014963856773972022-09-08T09:05:00.027-08:002022-09-19T10:16:51.868-08:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, SEPTEMBER 4-8, 2022<p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjBdQDZsXT0rnCJKH-Qe8l6ao4LW5mcl-AnzF3-o3G5xNSZHS3KcJ3ZeOwl2M_0K6yqsJdJPTb6TEy3UKDa6fmn8yiNxMnJYsexJj742qj66VAO4dEIwmWoqXuScvLBGGAiLD0fMjlzYb7M2bpQ0Oj1RVSc_-H08F2XmuO_a2iO6zu3d4LVlE_WtR/s4032/6571C858-CD7D-46B0-90C1-386498E6280B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjBdQDZsXT0rnCJKH-Qe8l6ao4LW5mcl-AnzF3-o3G5xNSZHS3KcJ3ZeOwl2M_0K6yqsJdJPTb6TEy3UKDa6fmn8yiNxMnJYsexJj742qj66VAO4dEIwmWoqXuScvLBGGAiLD0fMjlzYb7M2bpQ0Oj1RVSc_-H08F2XmuO_a2iO6zu3d4LVlE_WtR/w480-h640/6571C858-CD7D-46B0-90C1-386498E6280B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cow and bull moose meander through the brush in Denali National Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, SEPTEMBER 4-8, 2022</div><div><br /></div><div>PARTICIPANTS:</div><div>Wally Hufford</div><div>Elizabeth Hufford</div><div>Laura Hufford</div><div><br /></div><div>LOGISTICS:</div><div>We drove from Nikiski to Eagle River, Alaska where we spent the night. The next morning we went to Fred Meyer in Wasilla to stock up on groceries for the trip. Then we drove to the Hunter Public Use Cabin at the K'esugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park. Laura joined us there. Around noon the next day we began our drive to Grizzly Bear Cabins which is not far from the entrance to Denali National Park. That was our basecamp for the remainder of the trip. We stayed there three nights. Just as a delineation, we stayed at Denali <u>State</u> Park the first night and Denali <u>National</u> Park the remaining nights. They are two separate entities and a good number of miles away from each other.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHdioIlhNr24JhuKLgqTmJApIEROX145pbFf2o3mnK7uZRFIpy-crXHeFLCo2fmpwF7wJtsTSzRa9fcyzjEt7gTfwm4m9tJaz79OIDsxiEK4BeJu3lzlcGQSFBtkOrVcrwCvxhmfRNvJajZZl0uibBNyjB5C3l3keTJQt4JgT_3tMQ34ReYJ-BXD5/s3800/EF7F67A2-52B8-4989-9656-1AFD37C178EF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3800" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHdioIlhNr24JhuKLgqTmJApIEROX145pbFf2o3mnK7uZRFIpy-crXHeFLCo2fmpwF7wJtsTSzRa9fcyzjEt7gTfwm4m9tJaz79OIDsxiEK4BeJu3lzlcGQSFBtkOrVcrwCvxhmfRNvJajZZl0uibBNyjB5C3l3keTJQt4JgT_3tMQ34ReYJ-BXD5/s320/EF7F67A2-52B8-4989-9656-1AFD37C178EF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was much to see at Denali National Park!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Day 1: (9/4/22)</div><div>After a quick stop for supplies at the Fred Meyer Store in Wasilla we hit the open road for K'esugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park. Mrs. Huffy was in charge of selecting the music for the drive, so we listened to <i>Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,</i> by Elton John as we careened down the highway. We had reserved a public use cabin (the Hunter) and intended to stay there for the night. Laura would be joining us later for this portion of the trip. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuPc1KqHM13aL52UPCOQCOIgdDLOr18TZ4WvqeXUb5rSybJYtyRXdXnzxkJxamIArWt3XW2V7QX6MSrZvwt5m4lLODOEN6HYoXGiLsV_JFBjfHyb1AHtqXHv4sZ82MXw87oY9oO-moH2YDAcqOCdJk9aE3YHl4FUcrqnkeCAXTbOcrszB7qjK_xJp/s4032/F3ECE334-5816-4928-ABAF-4BD7A897FB6E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuPc1KqHM13aL52UPCOQCOIgdDLOr18TZ4WvqeXUb5rSybJYtyRXdXnzxkJxamIArWt3XW2V7QX6MSrZvwt5m4lLODOEN6HYoXGiLsV_JFBjfHyb1AHtqXHv4sZ82MXw87oY9oO-moH2YDAcqOCdJk9aE3YHl4FUcrqnkeCAXTbOcrszB7qjK_xJp/s320/F3ECE334-5816-4928-ABAF-4BD7A897FB6E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy driving down the Parks Highway in tune with Elton John.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Upon arrival we stowed our gear in the cabin and checked out the area while waiting for Laura to arrive. Once Laura got there we headed for the Upper Troublesome Creek Trailhead and took off down the trail. It was great to be walking through the woods as they turned colors from summer green to fall yellow. </div><div><br /></div><div>The trail parallels Upper Troublesome Creek and eventually the two meet up where it is easy to access the water's edge. We spent some time there experimenting with our iPhone cameras trying to blur the moving water in our images. After walking a little further we turned around retracing our steps back to the car. By the time we got back to the trailhead we had hiked a little over four miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once back at the cabin the cribbage games ensued. We didn't play enough games for an actual tournament, but everyone got in on the action. I skunked Laura...if I remember correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7v8LHAxR88zUeWhlIBIOXxUYeNz3c6VI1G3NI9aq2QaLd8zzA6Z8cp-PfKkyviHbev23_QHc48HFMrLZyqgfWgA8SXtr7nLHaYBKb6Qwx5IGGTvFVI4-6EUYtOzb5RcVOBKUvsr809rKcQ-YZTPrz7O-7czEWzWFWdL0LEYPkxQSFztjgwp2OynE/s4032/47628A91-F864-4432-A25F-F3FCB7B5A41C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7v8LHAxR88zUeWhlIBIOXxUYeNz3c6VI1G3NI9aq2QaLd8zzA6Z8cp-PfKkyviHbev23_QHc48HFMrLZyqgfWgA8SXtr7nLHaYBKb6Qwx5IGGTvFVI4-6EUYtOzb5RcVOBKUvsr809rKcQ-YZTPrz7O-7czEWzWFWdL0LEYPkxQSFztjgwp2OynE/s320/47628A91-F864-4432-A25F-F3FCB7B5A41C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior view of the Hunter Cabin in Denali State Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ak67esC5selg0AgQrSOpQKGPTpeywV5Fii9p9QnP7HqyeDjj3s-4cg7VqB9H70a5UpZhWlVOcyChC8ysnKiJW_zckn3GhfJlZ-m85eMFEQ0mJaai6JCnjUsO0LMJRIfs6O5z1NpZ6yjjl9HUQSW-n84VkcqovcJXnF-z2FRdZt_-7FH_O8MXD9WN/s4032/CEAEB31A-6D5E-4339-BC8A-A375FB73899F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ak67esC5selg0AgQrSOpQKGPTpeywV5Fii9p9QnP7HqyeDjj3s-4cg7VqB9H70a5UpZhWlVOcyChC8ysnKiJW_zckn3GhfJlZ-m85eMFEQ0mJaai6JCnjUsO0LMJRIfs6O5z1NpZ6yjjl9HUQSW-n84VkcqovcJXnF-z2FRdZt_-7FH_O8MXD9WN/s320/CEAEB31A-6D5E-4339-BC8A-A375FB73899F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior view of the Hunter Cabin in Denali State Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92VtgbmNMOjSDYTcvScs89wyUFGEWf7EdRHLTmJVpAUlxGZ05zWLzOXWn2hRr_2FLOv2pAiMhOtNNUJba0U7wFddOpLjkT-iTHWvIoWra5fSgb3-gHgHmFQsp5R8YIAN4nZU9RVwx0jkhMrCZaAoK4E7r2Io5HTndh1082BE0zQ9s6zZdsGXLtEHi/s4032/1E446FAC-E724-45E5-A78B-7B496B74DABB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92VtgbmNMOjSDYTcvScs89wyUFGEWf7EdRHLTmJVpAUlxGZ05zWLzOXWn2hRr_2FLOv2pAiMhOtNNUJba0U7wFddOpLjkT-iTHWvIoWra5fSgb3-gHgHmFQsp5R8YIAN4nZU9RVwx0jkhMrCZaAoK4E7r2Io5HTndh1082BE0zQ9s6zZdsGXLtEHi/s320/1E446FAC-E724-45E5-A78B-7B496B74DABB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy and Laura at the Upper Troublesome Creek trailhead sign.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjQI3IqqpC8_FQAmdSyOxj0FXZOc7T6MW6u17FPVns90-OFSxYDAHSihpF1BBPnmFLeP-TtSfLBmiKZioFEVjPM69qWGqBy702WE9vsmPiYtIvOqNlKe5jq-jqrZSeEJEHByJLVT8_AgArs-5BO_TO03CSgR0_Nzf4ZG7oDMrR5s9jN5rXKLWT-bY/s3582/5BC1B3D4-A816-4529-BB53-C3B3B1FE07B1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3582" data-original-width="2688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjQI3IqqpC8_FQAmdSyOxj0FXZOc7T6MW6u17FPVns90-OFSxYDAHSihpF1BBPnmFLeP-TtSfLBmiKZioFEVjPM69qWGqBy702WE9vsmPiYtIvOqNlKe5jq-jqrZSeEJEHByJLVT8_AgArs-5BO_TO03CSgR0_Nzf4ZG7oDMrR5s9jN5rXKLWT-bY/s320/5BC1B3D4-A816-4529-BB53-C3B3B1FE07B1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempt to blur the water movement with the camera on my iPhone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxpBkPXFcc5WcFMqmNTenyuGAH7p1GpPA7p3CaEE2LfW2bwdxKhp597mUdAWblQlc_Zmv13l6TJfT-_XjYXnhfAcXRTxfxx1TVxrPEaymJKShX0Sty3KfB8xCvCCK4QVwQFbGFPqM_sae-LXCbnqOkZt2koWQPfonHBbh0dz_KYIUOV50tuSts0is/s4032/A86FEC23-46D8-4B45-A138-B6FE917B1FDF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxpBkPXFcc5WcFMqmNTenyuGAH7p1GpPA7p3CaEE2LfW2bwdxKhp597mUdAWblQlc_Zmv13l6TJfT-_XjYXnhfAcXRTxfxx1TVxrPEaymJKShX0Sty3KfB8xCvCCK4QVwQFbGFPqM_sae-LXCbnqOkZt2koWQPfonHBbh0dz_KYIUOV50tuSts0is/s320/A86FEC23-46D8-4B45-A138-B6FE917B1FDF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spirited game of cribbage.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>DAY 2: (9/5/22)</div><div>We started the day with a relaxed morning enjoying the warmth of the wood stove as it kept the cabin warm as toast. Breakfast was eaten slowly while we drank coffee and worked as a team to complete several crossword puzzles. When the sun had burned off some of the clouds we went for a short hike around the campground hiking loops. Then we loaded our gear in the cars, swept the cabin floor, and said our goodbyes as Laura had to return to Anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE8LSMszgMejxsQlYkbESKME33AfQdcunWb2Mpq45AdwUJLHoGflLV8syLDg98bHkNBIgEqI-GwLLyDLzHVaOCky1MEdf4ca-zxR9uz_sYbOtbQwwtzHyaON4qGEsKmroyYFcGfy9iBqEljwt7NDrXWsMnZpdKH4gHHrK9THH2sCC51uRyHq6UFDt/s4032/F1B0B20D-DA47-4A5A-9F6F-E977F9B58C38.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE8LSMszgMejxsQlYkbESKME33AfQdcunWb2Mpq45AdwUJLHoGflLV8syLDg98bHkNBIgEqI-GwLLyDLzHVaOCky1MEdf4ca-zxR9uz_sYbOtbQwwtzHyaON4qGEsKmroyYFcGfy9iBqEljwt7NDrXWsMnZpdKH4gHHrK9THH2sCC51uRyHq6UFDt/s320/F1B0B20D-DA47-4A5A-9F6F-E977F9B58C38.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura sips coffee and works on a crossword puzzle in the Hunter cabin early in the morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Liz and I turned north toward Denali National Park. We passed many Labor Day travelers and lots of caribou hunters along the way. Arriving at Grizzly Bear Cabins we checked in and took an early afternoon drive out to Savage River. The fall colors were mind blowing. Everywhere you looked there was orange, yellow, red, and purple just as vibrant as could be. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDNMQXgAUrADlb3cIMrcoTUzzvSeNuKr24UCnDi39oTOfViLCJvhnrk2zzV5BWTCAPMzunN0Tg6XOsFDJnSEip_W1yBRhUNsjV6QG714EfnNJYClLO9Y1A6pW1cIVCWUGzMciyPHbn32qKciXa82llS1f7iCVdLodJ-D-2Cck9EB6m8jHRWflyFzf/s4032/C5E0B434-EF51-4690-B291-038F1844B453.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDNMQXgAUrADlb3cIMrcoTUzzvSeNuKr24UCnDi39oTOfViLCJvhnrk2zzV5BWTCAPMzunN0Tg6XOsFDJnSEip_W1yBRhUNsjV6QG714EfnNJYClLO9Y1A6pW1cIVCWUGzMciyPHbn32qKciXa82llS1f7iCVdLodJ-D-2Cck9EB6m8jHRWflyFzf/s320/C5E0B434-EF51-4690-B291-038F1844B453.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spectacle of color in every direction!</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ciPM0ijbW4cHDDOtN_3iHUUaUbmfZhne9lDzvdp5WYFCgvVIPxspNsViFcjEWqNjXROpVKu4XTajf6NMxFQNFW2R9ocFPZiI0OMDS1d22jIDtkQGImyzJl-U6R9qKkICK25oGPBWqAlXyQ4pMKKGPi5fk9OZJtkTTBITbcY08JdhlruMMLEwIa_y/s4032/786E0A2E-3DF7-4169-8501-19238D6B1E71.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ciPM0ijbW4cHDDOtN_3iHUUaUbmfZhne9lDzvdp5WYFCgvVIPxspNsViFcjEWqNjXROpVKu4XTajf6NMxFQNFW2R9ocFPZiI0OMDS1d22jIDtkQGImyzJl-U6R9qKkICK25oGPBWqAlXyQ4pMKKGPi5fk9OZJtkTTBITbcY08JdhlruMMLEwIa_y/s320/786E0A2E-3DF7-4169-8501-19238D6B1E71.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tundra, mountains, clouds, and sky.</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfjs7PqKizQfQru6asue0A-WT6XfURjGN2eHScXulEMAdvPNvUfGM3nJ6DFqCzxv6rcs2AGtR5py5EUue_C9m-PD5m5yiUoF0HSG1MPetIBxs5PxXodbvn7bT6iSl5L1cfK2izy3S63M36Z-j2cEEgcL3XNlWV-DczSZ8IztREBuUfzrkLxAWUNhM/s4032/621E2702-7410-4251-BADA-7B0EA97755B7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfjs7PqKizQfQru6asue0A-WT6XfURjGN2eHScXulEMAdvPNvUfGM3nJ6DFqCzxv6rcs2AGtR5py5EUue_C9m-PD5m5yiUoF0HSG1MPetIBxs5PxXodbvn7bT6iSl5L1cfK2izy3S63M36Z-j2cEEgcL3XNlWV-DczSZ8IztREBuUfzrkLxAWUNhM/s320/621E2702-7410-4251-BADA-7B0EA97755B7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers of color.</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8NMkF7LZQwVXYSugDdJq_M1_nMWX8JIdqzAfj-5inHfdMS50pkF39ULaK79rgH4evF7xLDsugVSUKcKPesbc2hJQQY6eeQ1L-MwvvEXQlShmCl_lAHhrJFNw_l0mvNLdYwXN5TcWMxCoAbSxe-2nJeWzM1cavh5tqQ8AJLKse0_hBg8no_FZht_P/s4032/79643B21-6201-49BC-B856-B0417D8357C8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8NMkF7LZQwVXYSugDdJq_M1_nMWX8JIdqzAfj-5inHfdMS50pkF39ULaK79rgH4evF7xLDsugVSUKcKPesbc2hJQQY6eeQ1L-MwvvEXQlShmCl_lAHhrJFNw_l0mvNLdYwXN5TcWMxCoAbSxe-2nJeWzM1cavh5tqQ8AJLKse0_hBg8no_FZht_P/s320/79643B21-6201-49BC-B856-B0417D8357C8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful sweeping vistas.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>We returned to the cabin for a dinner of cinnamon rolls and salad which was followed by another drive out to the Savage River for evening moose patrol. It didn't take long to find what we were looking for.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP6v4ELoPfC21Ok2-yfYVcZM0vZQAatbSB9hcJ8KHzxVbBSUGI1xhl3poMNQX3xJKh2qRqPkmncsJCEvCnbM-ZIaLouS4yH6xW4okhwOwtaL6dFyLZFJgZnxHw47rAk7XbDPTbuancV-B6R8FMxHfzNdj0yP1b9xF6_Y9_t7CqEw3QmYw04Dj1vpN/s4032/F3095927-23DD-4974-AF39-1FC008572973.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP6v4ELoPfC21Ok2-yfYVcZM0vZQAatbSB9hcJ8KHzxVbBSUGI1xhl3poMNQX3xJKh2qRqPkmncsJCEvCnbM-ZIaLouS4yH6xW4okhwOwtaL6dFyLZFJgZnxHw47rAk7XbDPTbuancV-B6R8FMxHfzNdj0yP1b9xF6_Y9_t7CqEw3QmYw04Dj1vpN/s320/F3095927-23DD-4974-AF39-1FC008572973.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage along the Denali Park Road.</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Just off the edge of the road there were four cows and a very large bull moose. The bull was following one of the cows in particular. As the bull swaggered along it made all sorts of moose noises, curled its lips, and thrashed some trees with its antlers. Of course, the spectacle created a huge moose jam on the road as people with cell phones, fancy cameras, binoculars, and spotting scopes all positioned themselves for a good view of the evening's drama. They soon got it because the cow and bull crossed the road right in front of everyone. The cow looked up and down the road seemingly wondering what all the ruckus was about. The bull was oblivious to all of it. He was singularly focused on the cow.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbfJgTxT2q3H4QkQ5rVWubuM0qJucGVVq0XAWGhFkgFw9M9leuMYNZxFlOm-v7vOq6CHpVec4xy58ODFDGfYs8kHWGT1T6xVEKA-EBZGBmQwY8a411qPZ-K3BZddM9rBQzACH1TvhCouK9GUx8IDbCpDZrd3UnycE_9MiNUKm8gHnoHy-Ns_63iD9/s4032/E549BB73-70B5-4F1D-A45D-868092DB1A8E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbfJgTxT2q3H4QkQ5rVWubuM0qJucGVVq0XAWGhFkgFw9M9leuMYNZxFlOm-v7vOq6CHpVec4xy58ODFDGfYs8kHWGT1T6xVEKA-EBZGBmQwY8a411qPZ-K3BZddM9rBQzACH1TvhCouK9GUx8IDbCpDZrd3UnycE_9MiNUKm8gHnoHy-Ns_63iD9/s320/E549BB73-70B5-4F1D-A45D-868092DB1A8E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cow and bull moose.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27seVEMxlQkVMCRXTAGwUPFl3Qq1AIEYZTLJWYkobHdxcjcQ56wbk9xH-SfUc8lM3OhBk7LPSyPZ5w_lVgWamI-DioWMM6FUrGzThav5Hvth0XHSnv7gvAatKUBs6W52NRo6FpbLizOEc8drk0Q6wKN9zQD0PWySn2tukfqvgBvyRg7OdTuIYVTTy/s4032/7AC004A8-B5E6-4867-9FAE-A34FC504377D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27seVEMxlQkVMCRXTAGwUPFl3Qq1AIEYZTLJWYkobHdxcjcQ56wbk9xH-SfUc8lM3OhBk7LPSyPZ5w_lVgWamI-DioWMM6FUrGzThav5Hvth0XHSnv7gvAatKUBs6W52NRo6FpbLizOEc8drk0Q6wKN9zQD0PWySn2tukfqvgBvyRg7OdTuIYVTTy/s320/7AC004A8-B5E6-4867-9FAE-A34FC504377D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antlers and lip curling.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvxYUVi7VUODK-M3SVBkX63nWVRgaAnFvUY1uEpNT1CzKO6oEjNm-wRWysmTenfSLWw6erBAhjhUfrEcLd0JYnn7we9Xb-8vJtseNPPaHYKb5ttZnysPNaCQ5dDstT-DrJrwMDxAk9mrpXLvmmVmMr1LCzm1bC7zllZm4lQLf2yLfrjnZo0Uab4Tt/s4032/4408BF55-DA7A-4970-924C-C0187FDBA6CD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvxYUVi7VUODK-M3SVBkX63nWVRgaAnFvUY1uEpNT1CzKO6oEjNm-wRWysmTenfSLWw6erBAhjhUfrEcLd0JYnn7we9Xb-8vJtseNPPaHYKb5ttZnysPNaCQ5dDstT-DrJrwMDxAk9mrpXLvmmVmMr1LCzm1bC7zllZm4lQLf2yLfrjnZo0Uab4Tt/s320/4408BF55-DA7A-4970-924C-C0187FDBA6CD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evening moose jam along the Denali Park Road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />DAY 3: (9/6/22)<br /><p>The next morning we hopped on the 10:00 AM bus bound for the East Fork. The busses only go as far as the East Fork this year due to erosion at Pretty Rocks. That's where a section of the road has disappeared down the hill making it impassable. Construction crews are working on repairing the situation, but that will take several years. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBLarsausc_BtNh_nwm_LZYhDFTiTGmiu33oewOdefbvjiNzRgmafGyYUlE8lFO9oaExeagvwJxEd4Kap15_K9HOjxh_XGYCdZ61c02zMUMTiewlUGVuZ_3YeeJFM1RXobkroC5n6txac1N_2Qvxj0n1OUiIwLhG6vCxHHOKoATrZp0TBvCltwowD/s4032/D7BE558C-0A8B-4391-9A07-FDF25E9639D2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBLarsausc_BtNh_nwm_LZYhDFTiTGmiu33oewOdefbvjiNzRgmafGyYUlE8lFO9oaExeagvwJxEd4Kap15_K9HOjxh_XGYCdZ61c02zMUMTiewlUGVuZ_3YeeJFM1RXobkroC5n6txac1N_2Qvxj0n1OUiIwLhG6vCxHHOKoATrZp0TBvCltwowD/s320/D7BE558C-0A8B-4391-9A07-FDF25E9639D2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hopped on a bus bound for the East Fork River.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Getting on the bus is always a delight because you hear different languages being spoken and lots of excitement for what is to come. Everyone is is filled with the anticipation of seeing wild animals and the spectacular scenery that Denali National Park is famous for. We saw all those things. In spades.</p><p>Arriving at the East Fork we walked across the bridge and down some stairs to the riverbed. As we hiked along we stopped every few steps to take in the magnificent panorama of mountains. It was also easy to appreciate the weather as the sun warmed the air. It was spectacular. I could've stayed there all day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6o6h_0k88s3OwTVIuCT70zbaFAC8cUod-7mh2XOP62Mb_BW50za8OAqd1wOjNa6KhgMogxwx-nF1DjuE2hmVar7T2ru2Yqe5WzWzDE2xGkEuq0r5kTFkguJNvmZQl3kgogPi5rAr-2jjcZYpepA3UrmdOmO7Z3x4X7236IzIXr9ZveRRbYEzzxKY/s4032/910656E3-C28E-4943-8017-E49F090C756B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6o6h_0k88s3OwTVIuCT70zbaFAC8cUod-7mh2XOP62Mb_BW50za8OAqd1wOjNa6KhgMogxwx-nF1DjuE2hmVar7T2ru2Yqe5WzWzDE2xGkEuq0r5kTFkguJNvmZQl3kgogPi5rAr-2jjcZYpepA3UrmdOmO7Z3x4X7236IzIXr9ZveRRbYEzzxKY/s320/910656E3-C28E-4943-8017-E49F090C756B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking along the East Fork in the sunshine.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXbmBfZfJrgn8rMeIRZRbQekEeoVZ2bx0-FylyMJQV9UNXD0VT1MhnwIOpzENCB0Hqve7reoAbZqvlyqjDIr7DeQsyKw25yPV6ksEsM5qHyuft0Y3ZXAcEeNBUTtRGwWR3MyiFtAAV9mSQUTPRTMZrsT8Wu9NLRSxIep_zfMTxhs17dBVWHp0LtKV/s4032/9692CA2F-ED6B-40C7-B317-EADA4132EB5F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXbmBfZfJrgn8rMeIRZRbQekEeoVZ2bx0-FylyMJQV9UNXD0VT1MhnwIOpzENCB0Hqve7reoAbZqvlyqjDIr7DeQsyKw25yPV6ksEsM5qHyuft0Y3ZXAcEeNBUTtRGwWR3MyiFtAAV9mSQUTPRTMZrsT8Wu9NLRSxIep_zfMTxhs17dBVWHp0LtKV/s320/9692CA2F-ED6B-40C7-B317-EADA4132EB5F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy and the scenery along the East Fork.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But, we did have to go back. So we caught a return bus to the entrance of the park. We took our seats and quickly settled in for traveling in reverse the trip we had taken earlier in the day. It was just as wonderful as we spotted a grizzly on the Teklanika River bed and a nice caribou strolling across the landscape near Primrose Ridge.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaeHcSBwTbX2ULp889VJAQxz4-7M_wEBGPLsODoKDf4yI53MOPA4t_Rae8cA-5zoKocYqk0cc75FE9Ntf_JLaaoLuw-wABvDOjtK6RJG2Tv_JjcXl1fMf3g7ogujxFrswq6yx4j_Shvi5P4j5x6kCjzrIX8EVC3sJw-K2ajylXN5GpBMM2_bGxhLF/s4032/91A88886-38EE-4226-B0F7-7B7821AD7EA0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaeHcSBwTbX2ULp889VJAQxz4-7M_wEBGPLsODoKDf4yI53MOPA4t_Rae8cA-5zoKocYqk0cc75FE9Ntf_JLaaoLuw-wABvDOjtK6RJG2Tv_JjcXl1fMf3g7ogujxFrswq6yx4j_Shvi5P4j5x6kCjzrIX8EVC3sJw-K2ajylXN5GpBMM2_bGxhLF/s320/91A88886-38EE-4226-B0F7-7B7821AD7EA0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grizzly bear on the Teklanika River bed.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1zX9LF8AWROKyisHvMjRjsGXGzziTwB8BYyBhn-yH-B9vxS8Q9BLYar7qjgZ1OhYPz6JwWNrkTbcTyA68CzAsUGgwQffQ_viU7qxAP_iXWnJfURgdkqBrNv2I3inuEHE9lN0hTNB4QwvLdqzRUqBOVihqBfmaQ3kRHnFOgONhzuGXh5hPpHLes0B/s4032/A279623D-CD15-4A94-A127-6BD812AD2B02.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1zX9LF8AWROKyisHvMjRjsGXGzziTwB8BYyBhn-yH-B9vxS8Q9BLYar7qjgZ1OhYPz6JwWNrkTbcTyA68CzAsUGgwQffQ_viU7qxAP_iXWnJfURgdkqBrNv2I3inuEHE9lN0hTNB4QwvLdqzRUqBOVihqBfmaQ3kRHnFOgONhzuGXh5hPpHLes0B/s320/A279623D-CD15-4A94-A127-6BD812AD2B02.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bull caribou cruising through the fall colors near Primrose Ridge.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>In the evening we once again drove to the Savage River on another evening moose patrol. In short order we found a lone bull at the edge of the road eating and minding his own business. This, of course, attracted a large number of cars and people. Soon a small crowd was standing on the edge of the pavement. And, the moose seemed as interested in the people as the people were in it. I think if that moose had an iPhone it would have taken a whole bunch of photos of the crowd. It eventually crossed the road to the amazement of many and disappeared into the landscape. The people and vehicles disappeared just as quickly.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8RsMUsrzhFuSyAHZHR9-vMQc0qo0KIG1qARuGkQvfbCZIVlcBhFrr9FfxxB-2bpgqEO5jUXrSQ7K_Gqo5_kqfkLH1y8y_1M6FUMiKYJfUmVwHSuwERmAHa6DosbxIUOWOijP-ZkcL1mjKWN4NJ0AIqwN7ISEVeBQDiKbHCrezJhOBDl4MjQP9Y1U/s4032/30D1D3A8-14EC-41C5-96B0-1F086A934A5B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8RsMUsrzhFuSyAHZHR9-vMQc0qo0KIG1qARuGkQvfbCZIVlcBhFrr9FfxxB-2bpgqEO5jUXrSQ7K_Gqo5_kqfkLH1y8y_1M6FUMiKYJfUmVwHSuwERmAHa6DosbxIUOWOijP-ZkcL1mjKWN4NJ0AIqwN7ISEVeBQDiKbHCrezJhOBDl4MjQP9Y1U/s320/30D1D3A8-14EC-41C5-96B0-1F086A934A5B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone bull moose in the brush.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMXAkgmNYyg6QNj5KJktcMMoBcBTQDk1Dc2jArbz47DekU4KrWOWKK7nU5ycqVWRUF09oZu42uUvTM-6ODXbKCquB6aIoUWgGsDfODojOUczZlQ4b5OJtU8caoKzUEvwcgWEuflyiH8uanDe4qlB1oCLvftqf0PbhxKydBmZFF6IrNqrnMn_awq9B/s4032/2F3A6C92-1FC9-4F1D-ABE0-E7CD90D79F70.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMXAkgmNYyg6QNj5KJktcMMoBcBTQDk1Dc2jArbz47DekU4KrWOWKK7nU5ycqVWRUF09oZu42uUvTM-6ODXbKCquB6aIoUWgGsDfODojOUczZlQ4b5OJtU8caoKzUEvwcgWEuflyiH8uanDe4qlB1oCLvftqf0PbhxKydBmZFF6IrNqrnMn_awq9B/s320/2F3A6C92-1FC9-4F1D-ABE0-E7CD90D79F70.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the road and all the commotion of people and vehicles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOxtzksVqDPh2ICq05AAuJl2XpCSS8wogat1E-LoAia2VjiZKi6aK2-kGcbL0qZjP4WJ-9p7M3gcsxGZVHDjCdktlq76INbsQ1yLq36Z8UmUHOvKf4bXQF_vpKTkk6KXMOQVqTaE2CIe52Sg3rbyRI1mGk99QD4nk-VM8MZ8M_SVB6OovuT_Yp9Zl/s4032/F09F13B2-7298-4DC3-948A-87912234ADC9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOxtzksVqDPh2ICq05AAuJl2XpCSS8wogat1E-LoAia2VjiZKi6aK2-kGcbL0qZjP4WJ-9p7M3gcsxGZVHDjCdktlq76INbsQ1yLq36Z8UmUHOvKf4bXQF_vpKTkk6KXMOQVqTaE2CIe52Sg3rbyRI1mGk99QD4nk-VM8MZ8M_SVB6OovuT_Yp9Zl/s320/F09F13B2-7298-4DC3-948A-87912234ADC9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the second bull we saw cross the road.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>DAY 4: (9/7/22)</div><div>The weather was tolerable so we couldn't really think of a good reason to head home. After checking with the office we found the Cheechako was available for another night and without thinking even twice we took it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since it was still early in the day we decided to check out the Three Bears store in Healy. After making the drive we ended up buying some trash bags and filling our tank at one of the Healy gas stations.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the afternoon we took another drive out to the Mountain Vista area to walk down a gravel bed to the Savage River and back around to the parking area. That really made us tired, so we returned to the Cheechako for a short nap. Then it was out for dinner at <i>The Prospector</i> restaurant followed by the final evening drive to the Savage River on moose patrol. We saw lots of scenery, but, alas, no moose. Still, it was hard to complain because we had had such great moose encounters the previous two nights. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning we woke up and got on the road for the drive home in the rain. Suddenly a period had been put on the end of summer. All of the things we had planned had happened and the color of the foliage told us it was time to move on to the next season. It's time for fall and the inherent chill in the air. That will be well and good, but, I have a suspicion that at the end of next summer we'll be back on moose patrol in Denali National Park.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoWjFoDSdwoyFU81O1kfezct80YR35d6LT6SaAYj33eunOagAYRIbneoY1JkX_yBtqz5O6e6s9nJSGFqsGH3c0bW50rzif82TQKr_chJRYq3n6fGgL_-htXnudGYWlbMEc8ccVHdvCBRElLzkHW1h0WbCCarngBch8algVPtHrN3TFR-grtzG7JNx/s4032/758A733F-1B3E-4332-8FB8-17DF74762E86.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoWjFoDSdwoyFU81O1kfezct80YR35d6LT6SaAYj33eunOagAYRIbneoY1JkX_yBtqz5O6e6s9nJSGFqsGH3c0bW50rzif82TQKr_chJRYq3n6fGgL_-htXnudGYWlbMEc8ccVHdvCBRElLzkHW1h0WbCCarngBch8algVPtHrN3TFR-grtzG7JNx/s320/758A733F-1B3E-4332-8FB8-17DF74762E86.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy on the porch of the Cheechako Cabin. It was a great basecamp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-40286211211034092692022-08-29T09:23:00.000-08:002022-08-29T09:23:09.418-08:00BRIDGER WILDERNESS AREA, WIND RIVER RANGE, WYOMING, BACKPACK TRIP 2022<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbfGdWqy6hjlQjcqOKeasRx8-7n1KvOvkIdO6IOI85pHGYv536PHdJygSS4KM-LLcBi42_9dG18skK7z46StbWxNKGLH2h89GSKiPpGPFN82gqadmyOUqkofW3KoP47eG77JGQuK46xP9bhniGz4XU2CmQ4KgAqx_d-vFKs0GpcT03i00vn4CySc4/s1691/WINDS2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1691" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbfGdWqy6hjlQjcqOKeasRx8-7n1KvOvkIdO6IOI85pHGYv536PHdJygSS4KM-LLcBi42_9dG18skK7z46StbWxNKGLH2h89GSKiPpGPFN82gqadmyOUqkofW3KoP47eG77JGQuK46xP9bhniGz4XU2CmQ4KgAqx_d-vFKs0GpcT03i00vn4CySc4/w400-h303/WINDS2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruggedly beautiful Wind River Range in Wyoming. <br /><i>(photo credit: Cari Martin)</i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>BRIDGER WILDERNESS AREA, WIND RIVER RANGE, WYOMING, BACKPACK TRIP, AUGUST 18-20, 2022</p><p><br /></p><p>PARTICIPANTS:</p><p>Wally Hufford</p><p>Cari Martin</p><p><br /></p><p>LOGISTICS:</p><p>We flew into Billings, Montana where we rented a car and drove to the Big Sandy Trailhead in the Wind River Range of Wyoming.</p><p><br /></p><p>BACKGROUND:</p><p>I grew up near the Wind River Range in Wyoming where I spent most of my free time hiking, fishing, and backpacking in the mountains. I always look forward to my trips back to this area and decided it was time for a backpacking adventure in my old stomping grounds. My cousin, Cari, is just as adventurous so we started making plans for a backpacking trip...and then COVID hit. </p><p>So, after a several years delay we finally made it to the Big Sandy trailhead where we started hiking and were totally awestruck by the spectacular mountain vistas. We spent three days amongst the mountains hiking fantastic trails and appreciating the Wyoming wilderness. If ever you are able you should go there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyQF17ideFxyByko5-YQOjGDwBBToNHS7JMR-R03y5X5NVCLGOP_sHd7vdqPHeSP9umdi2iXyM4MYop3TMb2F8aZHHdvjXzJVjkw2VQipUK1HfpVSBNr9Ad7V2VQSgo-sln570tWpjela-qtxJ7n-XbC_4t3UuZuGFOUBQvH4CtlftKmrfpEoYCBM/s1381/WYOMING2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyQF17ideFxyByko5-YQOjGDwBBToNHS7JMR-R03y5X5NVCLGOP_sHd7vdqPHeSP9umdi2iXyM4MYop3TMb2F8aZHHdvjXzJVjkw2VQipUK1HfpVSBNr9Ad7V2VQSgo-sln570tWpjela-qtxJ7n-XbC_4t3UuZuGFOUBQvH4CtlftKmrfpEoYCBM/s320/WYOMING2.jpeg" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to wonderful Wyoming!<br /><i>(photo credit: Cari Martin)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>DAY 1: (6/18/22)</p><p>We had spent the previous night in Lander, Wyoming visiting relatives so our drive to the trailhead began from there. We stocked up on some last minute provisions, got some coffee and began the drive. After turning off the highway there is approximately 37 miles of dirt road which slowly deteriorates toward the end. When we got there we found an extremely crowded parking lot. Fortunately someone had just pulled out of a parking space near the trailhead sign so we pulled the rental car into it and started prepping for the hike.</p><p>Once on the trail we passed many other hikers which was not surprising since there were so many cars in the parking lot. We saw every type of hiker you could imagine. There were trail runners, family groups, solo hikers, young hikers, old hikers, ultralight backpackers, extra heavy backpackers, horse packers, and many doggos. Everyone was friendly, courteous, and happy. We even enjoyed several pleasant trailside chats as we made our way up the trail. One guy we spoke with was 70-years-old and had been hiking in the area for many years. He told us the best campsites could be found at Dad's Lake, so that became our first night's destination.</p><p>Upon our arrival we set up camp and I began to notice I wasn't feeling quite right. As the evening progressed it became worse and I wasn't able to eat much of my freeze dried meal. My condition worsened over the evening and I felt terrible when it was time to go to sleep.</p><p>The next morning I felt better but knew I shouldn't push things. We packed up and headed for Marm's Lake which would only be a two mile hike.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_Fgz4jluyodWGEiWP9sstPtYG2TD39sCZ-s3h5cfGb6xxD06Ai4hAEfHuR3Tc23tpGVz_Di1XHZGDtn1RbtM5rULUOHzWbWhs7_0vVfDyw9AJWwtl4uYvr5gemKCD8kuJHDpp-kbzWYuECQJjFzRSiU2T-nzaJvZMNMFZ0Hfcg4AhPEbMe_rekhF/s4032/CARISIGN.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_Fgz4jluyodWGEiWP9sstPtYG2TD39sCZ-s3h5cfGb6xxD06Ai4hAEfHuR3Tc23tpGVz_Di1XHZGDtn1RbtM5rULUOHzWbWhs7_0vVfDyw9AJWwtl4uYvr5gemKCD8kuJHDpp-kbzWYuECQJjFzRSiU2T-nzaJvZMNMFZ0Hfcg4AhPEbMe_rekhF/s320/CARISIGN.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally on the trail in the Wind River Range.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed9Dm-Deciz7E0Vu7BehJkZy_rYXGoMj79XY8Wyi4fJfs39a1YLCUUfXYtNWKOgRct9tFOPCSzX_fOiN2xV1vF9TIwej1v3MXTIjXOtSXqD25SbTKLMmqfE0RVazuYy_HUikn6RimTXje9nuoVJo2sujf450JWe8rlmHZ_N5Bah6pgq7UyWSfG_2W/s4032/CDT.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed9Dm-Deciz7E0Vu7BehJkZy_rYXGoMj79XY8Wyi4fJfs39a1YLCUUfXYtNWKOgRct9tFOPCSzX_fOiN2xV1vF9TIwej1v3MXTIjXOtSXqD25SbTKLMmqfE0RVazuYy_HUikn6RimTXje9nuoVJo2sujf450JWe8rlmHZ_N5Bah6pgq7UyWSfG_2W/s320/CDT.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portion of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) passes through this area.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNGM_nJESjSl7Z27DsblAS9swkIiY_sv8rA86GWtQZdDyFjnOc9yNfjknMjQ5Vog_P_7TFmkX5a5fky_hLYRYVX4e9_q8XjO47VGOKBTqnrqkwo7aD7Gd8dl-z7BcY7mO3zmhkUmEESapykTBdoSlS8TLOwO9FgDEXxK-u2jTSs4s7dHKBGGbwKPW/s4032/LAKEHIKER.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNGM_nJESjSl7Z27DsblAS9swkIiY_sv8rA86GWtQZdDyFjnOc9yNfjknMjQ5Vog_P_7TFmkX5a5fky_hLYRYVX4e9_q8XjO47VGOKBTqnrqkwo7aD7Gd8dl-z7BcY7mO3zmhkUmEESapykTBdoSlS8TLOwO9FgDEXxK-u2jTSs4s7dHKBGGbwKPW/s320/LAKEHIKER.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cari on the trail in the Wind River Range.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3APvHVVOysOUPpEB6Ee1UxS_94JhPhkWHQYqqNVTwGIaRAw8dBsaU6bS3XdT_UPjYdb3nUfHNG0bEjDSQ2uF-rVa2DfaLaox_LUeE_dIUimXjLnDTfPidr_w7R0WCrEfe12BsWKbLOZ7tqf2S9p4yhhnlyGj743m4_hgDF_93RAklS7ouFSaF10cK/s4032/CARI%20DINNER.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3APvHVVOysOUPpEB6Ee1UxS_94JhPhkWHQYqqNVTwGIaRAw8dBsaU6bS3XdT_UPjYdb3nUfHNG0bEjDSQ2uF-rVa2DfaLaox_LUeE_dIUimXjLnDTfPidr_w7R0WCrEfe12BsWKbLOZ7tqf2S9p4yhhnlyGj743m4_hgDF_93RAklS7ouFSaF10cK/s320/CARI%20DINNER.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cari prepares her dinner in camp at Dad's Lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeRpuADrEolpwjerVyu5npB9lfaFZg1yxgKeKPHUPe-nsgWCYjWFB83sgziDsIWBHx4CPfFMCX860MpIAU83926kQa0nrZInO5zpYDA2COZhIGczjC6X8SvDC8U10FJJ4kmepj6Ndb2xRxFqHqKb2Tevz1eZkeYePEFnunxJIg8EZVVTSrrluOCKe/s4032/MSRTENT.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeRpuADrEolpwjerVyu5npB9lfaFZg1yxgKeKPHUPe-nsgWCYjWFB83sgziDsIWBHx4CPfFMCX860MpIAU83926kQa0nrZInO5zpYDA2COZhIGczjC6X8SvDC8U10FJJ4kmepj6Ndb2xRxFqHqKb2Tevz1eZkeYePEFnunxJIg8EZVVTSrrluOCKe/s320/MSRTENT.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My one-person tent has been on many adventures. Now it's been to the Wind River Range in Wyoming!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKlGTfhaNHjis6gY9dAfaLxAxka-YEAShunx7vgFyVgXDCnyeGPvQz8Joc7EhFRiFcv9-vezklFcRCLAqaAD7AqmK1MjLA4A1xCpEqI-L0OelkP_dfBoKlquaMsLv4qTL0MqenkZHhDQs9I7hSWuKOa3UeJtRy-aYIA0GRZvV1T5ayZEDi8Zqh43o/s4032/CROSSING.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKlGTfhaNHjis6gY9dAfaLxAxka-YEAShunx7vgFyVgXDCnyeGPvQz8Joc7EhFRiFcv9-vezklFcRCLAqaAD7AqmK1MjLA4A1xCpEqI-L0OelkP_dfBoKlquaMsLv4qTL0MqenkZHhDQs9I7hSWuKOa3UeJtRy-aYIA0GRZvV1T5ayZEDi8Zqh43o/s320/CROSSING.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cari negotiates a stream crossing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />DAY 2: (6/19/22)<div><br /></div><div>Arriving at Marm's Lake we found a beautiful campsite and plans for the remainder the day were made. I would stay at camp with the gear and try to recuperate from my ailments. Cari would take a small pack and dayhike toward Texas Pass in hopes of getting a view of the Cirque of the Towers. Cari is an experienced mountain runner and we knew she wouldn't be alone as there were plentiful backpackers on the trail. She departed around 11:30 AM just as clouds began to roll in along with thunder and occasional light rain. In camp I enjoyed the scenery and watched the multitude of backpackers pass by and sometimes engaged in conversations with them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Around 4:30 PM Cari returned after hiking for nearly 13.5 miles RT. She told a wonderful story of hiking to an "otherworldly" place which was mostly rocks and heavy weather including rain, wind, hail, thunder, and lightening. She said the weather was formidable and threatening when she decided to turn back after getting a view of Texas Pass.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we ate dinner I listened to her stories and wished I had been there. Her descriptions of the trail gave me plenty of good reasons to return. Then out of nowhere a Bald Eagle soared over our campsite which we both considered to be a good omen.</div><div><br /></div><div>And it was, because I felt much better the next day.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGsYy-rV0wLF7K9PHTP8x9_5pBDX3H-ByCQxyKbDJ4KSK_OSUxWcbAuPjhu2pOBYgj4PCEjDeBNl9GfQgdYCgsX8hWk6lXIh8SFh0DfnDbK0B3FN3Rf6kFcz6SiQ_9vNdrVOopNKLTHIkjzGMd_RBgsNFbYNSDBkwd-C9HtxHeAQ4YH3ZnNUmdG9Z/s3149/FIREWEED.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGsYy-rV0wLF7K9PHTP8x9_5pBDX3H-ByCQxyKbDJ4KSK_OSUxWcbAuPjhu2pOBYgj4PCEjDeBNl9GfQgdYCgsX8hWk6lXIh8SFh0DfnDbK0B3FN3Rf6kFcz6SiQ_9vNdrVOopNKLTHIkjzGMd_RBgsNFbYNSDBkwd-C9HtxHeAQ4YH3ZnNUmdG9Z/s320/FIREWEED.jpeg" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireweed growing out of a crack in a rock near Marm's Lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeQfbpsTZGOGs-gagJcStWRqyY-Nr2fKLHuQoOT21PsugHWgf4OaeYOrBKa9q-FtmhXpulCJsefIz_cGF_3L8xN4KSySAJnZFXR30Bhj2SGfJk9PMcFCvzRMUtWlcRQc5Ld5XRSNCcOx7DR5iz-Cx68gRnjoD6rSlSMHoZ6RIk2E4oGEtZsZqlIaN/s4032/GEARDRY.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeQfbpsTZGOGs-gagJcStWRqyY-Nr2fKLHuQoOT21PsugHWgf4OaeYOrBKa9q-FtmhXpulCJsefIz_cGF_3L8xN4KSySAJnZFXR30Bhj2SGfJk9PMcFCvzRMUtWlcRQc5Ld5XRSNCcOx7DR5iz-Cx68gRnjoD6rSlSMHoZ6RIk2E4oGEtZsZqlIaN/s320/GEARDRY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy condensation required that gear be dried in the sun each morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O6wAsED7xSWAHDONxMwS0NwvnBxsk7ohnTuSlVU2babiZeBnBURYGfZ30lBOu5cQxJy9zy76THBaG69uEB0QtFafhxTpvqFrzOSblgvWPGgztXF9whQAtM0aEkVDyrL6Iga0M62Xm4_6tr4fkl4rrt-iBNK0oAcoTwEM53Nf0_xFu8OXTpxpUQYM/s4032/HORSES.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O6wAsED7xSWAHDONxMwS0NwvnBxsk7ohnTuSlVU2babiZeBnBURYGfZ30lBOu5cQxJy9zy76THBaG69uEB0QtFafhxTpvqFrzOSblgvWPGgztXF9whQAtM0aEkVDyrL6Iga0M62Xm4_6tr4fkl4rrt-iBNK0oAcoTwEM53Nf0_xFu8OXTpxpUQYM/s320/HORSES.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This group of cowboys/girls and their horses passed us as we hiked along the trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y-6lBSBuZcIaC1fz6BbvZfKyC4cqgm_Q--fRje7kyR25OTtiJsnrzq4BvCoRTjyg5fK67rYsFW-rCjWQQoC6Xnw7Od2YCBkDEgmggQcHP3QOcR2w8gzrfvOA3pTOSeKPkC4uWP0p_sLnbsqgwG2EW9CxV_4t5Mjb9AtYcvVKL-toe-6lo5nUWTvx/s4032/LAKEVIEW.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y-6lBSBuZcIaC1fz6BbvZfKyC4cqgm_Q--fRje7kyR25OTtiJsnrzq4BvCoRTjyg5fK67rYsFW-rCjWQQoC6Xnw7Od2YCBkDEgmggQcHP3QOcR2w8gzrfvOA3pTOSeKPkC4uWP0p_sLnbsqgwG2EW9CxV_4t5Mjb9AtYcvVKL-toe-6lo5nUWTvx/s320/LAKEVIEW.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cari appreciates the view while hiking in the Wind River Range.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi552WDHNVsJbMOf6vt55_dNFDYYjwkIVrdL6xlcEnMV3XRXlZ_P-F42NczNatFxhYrrbnZLP2whCYGpA-LmH8n9HavZbCU5klaGbflfdYlSd-XREuKleau961SE1AkHkd8IBY3QY5vHHTI6ImLIMAOtD0uCwtOTaRydsTKqLoRA886po7BfdAH6hzg/s1696/ORANGECLOUD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1696" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi552WDHNVsJbMOf6vt55_dNFDYYjwkIVrdL6xlcEnMV3XRXlZ_P-F42NczNatFxhYrrbnZLP2whCYGpA-LmH8n9HavZbCU5klaGbflfdYlSd-XREuKleau961SE1AkHkd8IBY3QY5vHHTI6ImLIMAOtD0uCwtOTaRydsTKqLoRA886po7BfdAH6hzg/s320/ORANGECLOUD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise reflections in the Wind River Range.<br /><i>(photo credit: Cari Martin)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>DAY 3: (6/20/22)</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather had improved overnight and the morning brought clear skies and warm sunshine. That was good because my tent fly and other gear was heavy with condensation and needed to be dried before it could be packed up. After breakfast we loaded our backpacks and turned back toward the trailhead at Big Sandy which was eight miles away. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once again we passed many different types of trail users along the way. Some of them even had stereo speakers going so we could 'enjoy' their podcasts/music (I don't like to complain or get sarcastic in these posts, but using loud speakers in a wilderness area is thoughtless and intrusive. Please, at least, use an earbud. You'll receive fewer sideways glances from me and others on the trail...end of rant)</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, the hike back to the car was a breeze and I enjoyed the walk out immensely. Since we were taking airplanes back to our respective homes and couldn't bring our fuel canisters with us, we offered them to the first person that walked past us in the parking lot. She was an outdoorsy attorney from Bozeman, Montana and said she could definitely put the fuel to good use.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then it was a long drive back to pavement and on to Lander, Wyoming, then ultimately Billings, Montana. </div><div><br /></div><div>Already I can't wait to go back.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06XZxnXPGf6ggg_snIucqqX3Cz_WD7XwoiqwHIgRM8ynvGJCrgJjOsaBA8lKBKEWVxxVpmh-kDQ25y0p5TQsCyoMJKuKdR_8AianvyBGu792xsBoiBG2eXveVDjmM4Ye-KS49tea0RVzK2ziDykuyyVFU0A-BYWXkCV96THiAhb9TQOxu64E7yKdX/s1945/COUSINS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06XZxnXPGf6ggg_snIucqqX3Cz_WD7XwoiqwHIgRM8ynvGJCrgJjOsaBA8lKBKEWVxxVpmh-kDQ25y0p5TQsCyoMJKuKdR_8AianvyBGu792xsBoiBG2eXveVDjmM4Ye-KS49tea0RVzK2ziDykuyyVFU0A-BYWXkCV96THiAhb9TQOxu64E7yKdX/s320/COUSINS.jpeg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adventure cousins in the Wind River Range, Wyoming.<br /><i>(photo credit: Cari Martin)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p></div>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-60889620181390518792022-06-28T20:00:00.023-08:002022-07-17T07:20:47.922-08:00SHUYAK ISLAND PACKRAFT TRIP 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GUf_I4HZ1wvFff4kWiCJofKvE_ZdtReizMf8Q91cQJiUjvM1NjFgOwn6Py8pREPckV557CsJhKQG3ObdsS9a2TdkdQiO1qooz3kmm5D96xJwq7kV7Ob6KCp0_DIGeP_9tL2IKr-ptp9WbK53erMvf5f3N2z7wX6YcLw7z09y3_Erz0LVq7URsTNO/s2048/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GUf_I4HZ1wvFff4kWiCJofKvE_ZdtReizMf8Q91cQJiUjvM1NjFgOwn6Py8pREPckV557CsJhKQG3ObdsS9a2TdkdQiO1qooz3kmm5D96xJwq7kV7Ob6KCp0_DIGeP_9tL2IKr-ptp9WbK53erMvf5f3N2z7wX6YcLw7z09y3_Erz0LVq7URsTNO/w300-h400/image1.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling packafts in from Eagle Cape on the Big Bay Neketa Bay Loop. Shelikof Strait is in the background. (photo credit Trevor Davis)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p>SHUYAK ISLAND, KODIAK ARCHIPELAGO, ALASKA, JUNE 21-28, 2022</p><p><br /></p><p>THE CREW:</p><p>Doug Armstrong</p><p>Jim Bennett</p><p>Kristin Davis</p><p>Trevor Davis</p><p>Steve Ford</p><p>Wally Hufford</p><p>Julie Stephens</p><p><br /></p><p>LOGISTICS:</p><p>We flew to and from Shuyak Island via Northwind Aviation's floatplane based in Homer, Alaska.</p><p><br /></p><p>ABOUT SHUYAK ISLAND:</p><p>Shuyak Island is an island in the northern part of the Kodiak Archipelago located just north of Afognak Island. It covers an area of 65 square miles and has only one tree species-the Sitka Spruce. Shuyak was designated a state park after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. It has miles of rugged coastline, beaches, and protected waterways. "The Shuyak experience is one of wilderness."</p><p>Source: Wikipedia</p><p><br /></p><p>DAY 1: (6/21/22)</p><p>At 9:30 AM we departed Homer, Alaska on Northwind Aviation's floatplane bound for Shuyak Island. The weather was exquisite and would remain so for the duration of our trip. The flight was fantastic as we watched the mountains of the southern Kenai Peninsula pass under the plane. Open water was next and shortly thereafter we flew over the Barren Islands. Just minutes later we caught our first glimpse of Shuyak. We landed at Deer Haven Cabin and unloaded gear onto the beach then moved into the cabin.</p><p>After lunch we inflated our packrafts and paddled around Carry Inlet. Along the way we saw Black Oyster Catchers and curious sea otters. Later in the evening we held a slingshot competition.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayxgAV8IUyJyseqbL0UnFPPUensg1Bhg2ZMQqdExQPxg27p2z3PeqHd0DWjHmfaapg61gI918rJ-93Wu5F8p4oBk5g4vIFppuIy4va8vKliYCKprKR_28P9gSktmnb6IjOMEL1sPGTJoAFuMgcpH93bWdgalvO__S37J4y2amh4qNiWnSQej0MqXz/s4032/image2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayxgAV8IUyJyseqbL0UnFPPUensg1Bhg2ZMQqdExQPxg27p2z3PeqHd0DWjHmfaapg61gI918rJ-93Wu5F8p4oBk5g4vIFppuIy4va8vKliYCKprKR_28P9gSktmnb6IjOMEL1sPGTJoAFuMgcpH93bWdgalvO__S37J4y2amh4qNiWnSQej0MqXz/s320/image2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northwind Aviation's Otter. Our transportation from Homer to Shuyak Island. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR2Rs4uVZGZHoTarMX-hs3KAUvA1erJ2JZ4vL-v4ngOcxzjoYJVYh4_aB7xeA59wYnD-c-waquLLDZ4oEeqoxxpjlG19eNV3RQ2ym6vXVg2wdQJbxVt0vMF-0aJs7vYXAYYdI8mGz_ZJnuRxW0aVS59l4H_hxQnxHTorNTeI1ZRhY92IW8oASicb_/s4032/image3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR2Rs4uVZGZHoTarMX-hs3KAUvA1erJ2JZ4vL-v4ngOcxzjoYJVYh4_aB7xeA59wYnD-c-waquLLDZ4oEeqoxxpjlG19eNV3RQ2ym6vXVg2wdQJbxVt0vMF-0aJs7vYXAYYdI8mGz_ZJnuRxW0aVS59l4H_hxQnxHTorNTeI1ZRhY92IW8oASicb_/s320/image3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gear and people (that's Trevor in the photo) loaded and bound for Shuyak.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF8FU_OVknTU4auopijFRW1FXxPhUAx_HzgTQ5gzaqObZc0i6R1hG0CsZ05D8dAI7zbv3Qp_y-d1b6347yn8i4pk0qgrOwIsQsDusNCoGKd8RO28Drrkv8DpHICZHgDrtXAkAFIZB-t90mguO_wAV0ikVKQtSuayhTZDSGLxfpzEjrADddweIpYFV/s4032/image4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF8FU_OVknTU4auopijFRW1FXxPhUAx_HzgTQ5gzaqObZc0i6R1hG0CsZ05D8dAI7zbv3Qp_y-d1b6347yn8i4pk0qgrOwIsQsDusNCoGKd8RO28Drrkv8DpHICZHgDrtXAkAFIZB-t90mguO_wAV0ikVKQtSuayhTZDSGLxfpzEjrADddweIpYFV/s320/image4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Bennett takes aim during the evening slingshot competition.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>DAY 2: (6/22/22)</p><p>Most of the group spent the day exploring the trails around Deer Haven Cabin. We walked a good portion of Skiff Passage and took several side trips with "Side Trip Steve." Along the way Jim lost his 'Adventure Croc' in the mud while crossing a plank. After several minutes of searching in the muck up to his elbows he found it! Trevor and Kristin took off on a beach camping adventure while the rest of us returned to the cabin. </p><p>Later in the afternoon we decided to pack up our gear and head for a beach at Big Bay where we would spend the night in tents. Julie sprained her ankle as we were making the move and spent a good portion of time soaking it in cold water in efforts of making the swelling go down.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51p8TGzvx1UYt3-aXFOn5vsoS3sBiKUo8j9t3Q6g-JuPTJcSHYgEjns80YUh4xLIvYU2BILI57knV4KyYqgH1tAtOnO-ywIDEynmvb6Cw64tYrkG4ml9ghitnb8gtuo9yGjzGppeikRq8yEANIar_5nMiYQFG_4Ruh5oL4-97wMEsIB2AWYPuVSPL/s2794/IMG_4189.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2794" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51p8TGzvx1UYt3-aXFOn5vsoS3sBiKUo8j9t3Q6g-JuPTJcSHYgEjns80YUh4xLIvYU2BILI57knV4KyYqgH1tAtOnO-ywIDEynmvb6Cw64tYrkG4ml9ghitnb8gtuo9yGjzGppeikRq8yEANIar_5nMiYQFG_4Ruh5oL4-97wMEsIB2AWYPuVSPL/s320/IMG_4189.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the cabins we used during our trip. They were all essentially the same size, design, etc.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gu12XeslnzAHxGuIkct_zogWTnhgzrRLzyE9ekHrA7NTEKyi7-tUDR5_Wn7TE_4u_dDVB8aLfqmh05cICm-eRPDAEae4KxYj93iv4HXEMvuLaegHWBV0goq1oyeH2EHXt4B2kLDiaCzDx91J0s9e-HntJWx--354PJcW5tYlAwckkuY9lVRsuo_L/s3232/image5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3232" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gu12XeslnzAHxGuIkct_zogWTnhgzrRLzyE9ekHrA7NTEKyi7-tUDR5_Wn7TE_4u_dDVB8aLfqmh05cICm-eRPDAEae4KxYj93iv4HXEMvuLaegHWBV0goq1oyeH2EHXt4B2kLDiaCzDx91J0s9e-HntJWx--354PJcW5tYlAwckkuY9lVRsuo_L/s320/image5.jpeg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Armstrong and Julie Stephens plan the day while looking at maps on Doug's iPhone.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpSYH5AA-niX7B9F6C_Z5iMFgn6Dsr7j8V906cchlhyU4jkdwdFFBQZB6eWeBK6iffAy88baj8jOn87l5m_P-WtVNDTXPUNXelYR-AH35wYejlvB28ZzQm0pDzptRIJpDtKyuk21qzyyc_Ku-324su-9jee-5VxbP5k0sL1PbOIP-FzISvfPihMmz/s4032/image22%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpSYH5AA-niX7B9F6C_Z5iMFgn6Dsr7j8V906cchlhyU4jkdwdFFBQZB6eWeBK6iffAy88baj8jOn87l5m_P-WtVNDTXPUNXelYR-AH35wYejlvB28ZzQm0pDzptRIJpDtKyuk21qzyyc_Ku-324su-9jee-5VxbP5k0sL1PbOIP-FzISvfPihMmz/s320/image22%202.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim displays his 'Adventure Croc' after it had disappeared in the muck and mire.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>DAY 3: (6/23/22)<p></p><p>After breakfast we packed our gear and left Skiff Passage bound for the Eagle's Nest Cabin. As we paddled along we saw a hole in a rock so we stopped for photos. We arrived at Eagle's Nest cabin just as a group of State Park Interns were anchoring their boat and heading into the woods to place new signage along one of the established trails. Shortly thereafter Trevor and Kristin arrived and the group was together again. </p><p>Later that afternoon we took a hike to 503, which is evidently the tallest location on the island. Some of us turned around before the steep climb, but Trevor, Kristin, and Doug made it to the top and said the views were spectacular.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_BfUo4TW5zNb_qqTLP2O1EVNsJofNcyGClEEALY0nEbM5K8L2r_0_zCFXXhGQhFg17aoYFrE4-5W7Oc9OdWTWuu0-8B76srSIQ3JPtyk4rdwEq6MLUi_yjDNi-X60Fzfw_F7JQHw4r6OVfFAYay5PmBdXd2NO5mQe3ZDfporfsyD5v3IA90r6Xd4/s4032/image23%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_BfUo4TW5zNb_qqTLP2O1EVNsJofNcyGClEEALY0nEbM5K8L2r_0_zCFXXhGQhFg17aoYFrE4-5W7Oc9OdWTWuu0-8B76srSIQ3JPtyk4rdwEq6MLUi_yjDNi-X60Fzfw_F7JQHw4r6OVfFAYay5PmBdXd2NO5mQe3ZDfporfsyD5v3IA90r6Xd4/s320/image23%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beach camp at Skiff Passage near Big Bay.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlwp5gwLVO95Ushy9wYQuIeWPbJlWJmM7YX0bOGu7yM57LlVeNkJunLvMv_u8kbU1hm8C5Cn4f9BVh-vU-C-5IOKwEMze3EbzUS1hVqfat2Ovnajo7GOBRwCCgCNqSCqbpuEcijmTDavekKFlvP7BcpfUDZES3LMiHsVFGKsu5JIFGJW6kieBYRrP/s4032/image21%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlwp5gwLVO95Ushy9wYQuIeWPbJlWJmM7YX0bOGu7yM57LlVeNkJunLvMv_u8kbU1hm8C5Cn4f9BVh-vU-C-5IOKwEMze3EbzUS1hVqfat2Ovnajo7GOBRwCCgCNqSCqbpuEcijmTDavekKFlvP7BcpfUDZES3LMiHsVFGKsu5JIFGJW6kieBYRrP/s320/image21%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packrafters paddling past a hole in a rock.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />DAY 4: (6/24/22)<br /><p>We were all looking forward to this day because we planned to paddle the Big Bay Neketa Bay Loop in our packrafts. It was exciting because we would be traveling along the outer coast of the island into the open water of Shelikof Strait. The weather was perfect for it as the skies were clear and the winds calm. So we set off from Eagle's Nest Cabin looking forward to an invigorating paddle. It took about an hour to get to the open water and we found it glorious! There was a slight ocean swell, kelp beds all around, and sea life everywhere. Sea otters, seals, sea lions, and birds of all sorts were in great abundance. </p><p>As we rounded Eagle Cape we ran into Julie coming from the opposite direction and a few minutes later we looked up to see Trevor and Kristin atop the bluffs taking photos. They had hiked out on the Eagle Cape Trail from the Ranger Station and timed it perfectly to see us from above. We paddled to a small cove where we all met up for lunch and conversation.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfj7od0F-IFiYLRwVuhzT-Joy77PTnr6gAev0KURXyJkkA_ZQyowYtodJbHbPWXZjCZdr0AE80JCpLt2sx-5Oy8ch3OBT8s2rpu7HXaCqmUyZ8J7uhl8vV5u-EiAmz3CYJwCh7GUsQZ0L9w-xCrbzwaszLB55gR0AiDKDe68kUA45fv_oKyZPBXVS/s2048/image0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfj7od0F-IFiYLRwVuhzT-Joy77PTnr6gAev0KURXyJkkA_ZQyowYtodJbHbPWXZjCZdr0AE80JCpLt2sx-5Oy8ch3OBT8s2rpu7HXaCqmUyZ8J7uhl8vV5u-EiAmz3CYJwCh7GUsQZ0L9w-xCrbzwaszLB55gR0AiDKDe68kUA45fv_oKyZPBXVS/s320/image0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packrafters in the ocean and hikers on the bluff at Eagle Cape. (photo credit Doug Armstrong).</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEfYi4KfLV0f-mN6qn5PzscMW6qyBrNaQ82Y8iESXe41rJLj_-UV2EqM6IsR5Efu4yqrRk8F7xJxGqqWxIwCPp0BZX9i63pNqoTIt1bO2hMFB7csEdfMxP4Bdr8ACfYPiHzfY6BofETYeBsfawpVpKrVRRuM1XpHXaymhkgj16oqsIx1dbsXuuRiI/s2048/image15%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEfYi4KfLV0f-mN6qn5PzscMW6qyBrNaQ82Y8iESXe41rJLj_-UV2EqM6IsR5Efu4yqrRk8F7xJxGqqWxIwCPp0BZX9i63pNqoTIt1bO2hMFB7csEdfMxP4Bdr8ACfYPiHzfY6BofETYeBsfawpVpKrVRRuM1XpHXaymhkgj16oqsIx1dbsXuuRiI/s320/image15%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from a packraft looking out toward Shelikof Strait. (photo credit Doug Armstrong).</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVb7uQ_pk3VN14Lssmou4z6g22NmIz36ipcuj0Dhld61vUtgQPHNsRSoRYUyedi_nlYq7Th5w5w48DJq1hoOLmhl0E2rufO2zXO66VkQ2PuGDdtcXymQ5OGUNYLf6C-LSoj07dYGQaB4YCxxCDeSmIaP70vXJhjsWQ0ft7QUX01X8QvNJ0kW2XZ2E/s4032/IMG_4206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVb7uQ_pk3VN14Lssmou4z6g22NmIz36ipcuj0Dhld61vUtgQPHNsRSoRYUyedi_nlYq7Th5w5w48DJq1hoOLmhl0E2rufO2zXO66VkQ2PuGDdtcXymQ5OGUNYLf6C-LSoj07dYGQaB4YCxxCDeSmIaP70vXJhjsWQ0ft7QUX01X8QvNJ0kW2XZ2E/s320/IMG_4206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen Ford packrafts the Big Bay Neketa Bay Loop.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ76mPHaJBcIHCi5hdOKk-s8oRkhTY0WmXq3a9OQLG6XsWf1sBJn3NzsW1YKkWu57KpoPpODSzzKMsmLLDaZFlRBjDOyh6v1sLXgqWI1nHyU5fsH_i10rIC_gnt13EMq3gj_RBWsRci5lpkZW2t8C4-tWyApyj2HCAeBVealDgJ76MsrErrfSvFDL/s4032/IMG_4212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ76mPHaJBcIHCi5hdOKk-s8oRkhTY0WmXq3a9OQLG6XsWf1sBJn3NzsW1YKkWu57KpoPpODSzzKMsmLLDaZFlRBjDOyh6v1sLXgqWI1nHyU5fsH_i10rIC_gnt13EMq3gj_RBWsRci5lpkZW2t8C4-tWyApyj2HCAeBVealDgJ76MsrErrfSvFDL/s320/IMG_4212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch break during the Big Bay Neketa Bay Loop packraft paddle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>DAY 5: (6/25/22)</p><p>Different objectives led the group in three different directions on this day. Wally and Jim hiked the Eagle Cape Trail while Doug, Julie, and Steve paddled packrafts around the Big Bay Western Inlet Loop. Trevor and Kristin departed for some paddling around the area and another night of tent camping on the beach. </p><p>The trail to Eagle Cape was awesome and followed the edge of land along a bluff above the water. During the hike we could hear loud noises like an explosion every once in a while. As we neared Eagle Cape we saw a whale in the distance slapping the water with its tail and we knew where the sounds came from. The destination was an overlook at Eagle Cape which provided splendid views of Shelikof Strait, Afognak Island, and part of Kodiak Island. In the water we could see seals, sea otters, and all types of bird life. It was a unique perspective to see everything we had seen the day before, only this time it was from land.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL8CC1NfYCkRb_T9sNIblxniWqaQXJM604EkpLj_SEV_mZ3MmDOBk1x1tYbFvHBlXe8WtJpiSCpaN8_E0k-cw5uWsB-S9yebO-BSZkqnvjvBVcownYbS-GOn8wDRldirTK2QQWtHpv4tlwqmxbnDfjpYIcFUBj8i18ta6xm_uPRkDEs8zfMk1WDvz/s4032/image102.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL8CC1NfYCkRb_T9sNIblxniWqaQXJM604EkpLj_SEV_mZ3MmDOBk1x1tYbFvHBlXe8WtJpiSCpaN8_E0k-cw5uWsB-S9yebO-BSZkqnvjvBVcownYbS-GOn8wDRldirTK2QQWtHpv4tlwqmxbnDfjpYIcFUBj8i18ta6xm_uPRkDEs8zfMk1WDvz/s320/image102.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These markers helped identify established trails. Animal trails crisscrossed all over the place and it was easy to inadvertently start following one of them. These markers helped keep us on the right track.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>DAY 6: (6/26/22)</p><p>For a change of scenery Wally and Jim moved to the Salmon Cove Cabin while Doug, Julie, and Steve remained at Eagle's Nest and spent the day hiking the Eagle Cape Trail. Trevor and Kristin were still out camping, so we all kept in contact with each others whereabouts by using our inReach devices. </p><p>The hikers had a wonderful afternoon and stayed at Eagle Cape for three hours enjoying the scenery and watching the wildlife. On their way back they saw a sow and cub brown bear near the Big Bay Ranger Station. The bears were evidently a common sight around the station and the rangers had seen them often. Trevor and Kristin arrived at the Salmon Cove Cabin later in the afternoon and spent the remainder of the evening there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p1Z91HH_-V4yAuX0OKc05Ak8pJdElJPrlP-qmiNOGyypZz5_BHt4tld4QuPyk8KFY7BjWBfByPXDhHGkhFRDeJs0hBfoakUE5XOrlUpKg383pe3B1TyV9UY_f6A604ojJwRe6PIXyIwo2s0HPeUooi3LBfO0hzkOlRkdgwXG_G56p7kV_gujvBfU/s4032/image12%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p1Z91HH_-V4yAuX0OKc05Ak8pJdElJPrlP-qmiNOGyypZz5_BHt4tld4QuPyk8KFY7BjWBfByPXDhHGkhFRDeJs0hBfoakUE5XOrlUpKg383pe3B1TyV9UY_f6A604ojJwRe6PIXyIwo2s0HPeUooi3LBfO0hzkOlRkdgwXG_G56p7kV_gujvBfU/s320/image12%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevor and Kristin making a breakfast cake on a camp stove.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthgIVpY03kHo8wofQns9oBRyQqB_ESwHelQC-FVBJL-UFBsTBG7zRJ2BTeoKsQx_mN80_uwnCHEUXYqxVByoWVdwEUTku_m9BLYmdrIWxj80h86C8PoytGvE6j2rLhIOYsZpVBYpdspZFguTTbWuT6qUiwpLu8jHhjpfjsxD4xhyla6b4V4NT9qMW/s4032/image7%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthgIVpY03kHo8wofQns9oBRyQqB_ESwHelQC-FVBJL-UFBsTBG7zRJ2BTeoKsQx_mN80_uwnCHEUXYqxVByoWVdwEUTku_m9BLYmdrIWxj80h86C8PoytGvE6j2rLhIOYsZpVBYpdspZFguTTbWuT6qUiwpLu8jHhjpfjsxD4xhyla6b4V4NT9qMW/s320/image7%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bay Ranger Station. There is a small Visitor Center in the front of the structure which has some good information about Shuyak Island.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkU_z5HLv9vqLdzDhfoI1VT5YBQV4ZJHp6O_9tVGeNdfjITQ_FhSZkyv1kGcLRIXjrME0AwSXourJkCEpxM2l0K2inbdqLtb5-2YwSZzgHqzTNlfr7IBWBZCHgCRK99RvO9sqx6C__WcAi5fJ1i2cuZUsCpJH01X_7wz7qRXF5sZz0YOJ4JywQ_Jc/s562/image16%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="562" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkU_z5HLv9vqLdzDhfoI1VT5YBQV4ZJHp6O_9tVGeNdfjITQ_FhSZkyv1kGcLRIXjrME0AwSXourJkCEpxM2l0K2inbdqLtb5-2YwSZzgHqzTNlfr7IBWBZCHgCRK99RvO9sqx6C__WcAi5fJ1i2cuZUsCpJH01X_7wz7qRXF5sZz0YOJ4JywQ_Jc/s320/image16%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sow and cub brown bear. They had been hanging out near the Big Bay Ranger Station. (photo credit Julie Stephens).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>DAY 7: (6/27/22)</p><p>The group from the Eagle's Nest Cabin, Wally and Jim reunited on the water between the Salmon Cove and Eagle's Nest cabins and began the paddle back to Skiff Passage where we would portage our gear back to Deer Haven Cabin. Trevor and Kristin portaged their gear from Salmon Cove Cabin to Deer Haven Cabin via the Deer Haven Trail. </p><p>The paddlers took it nice and easy because the tide had to fill the cove with water before we could enter with packrafts. Once the paddle and portage(s) were complete we spent the remainder of the afternoon drying and packing gear for the floatplane trip back to Homer. </p><p>Later in the evening Trevor received a message on his inReach from Northwind Aviation saying they would be there at 8:00 AM the next morning to pick us up.</p><p><br /></p><p>DAY 8: (6/28/22)</p><p>Everyone got up bright and early this morning so we could be ready for our pickup. Right on schedule the floatplane taxied up to the shore and we began loading our gear. Then, as we were going across the lake Trevor said, "There's a bear on the shore." We looked over and sure enough there was a bear. Once aloft Jim and I saw a deer running down the beach. It was a great send off. An hour later we were in Homer.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06UU8qF8X0Ji171fUUZkxsIix58jaiqfec6hxjOkRvvts77MyW-lJjI4R3K2sCKaHx5d2SFfm__46Do8sbtCuwoi4dh79-rZS6e4U6iSJManZCfq-aa8wpYroG6_bjlmWI1vi26RHkJFT4zZJe3hNZ02ipMB6GOZCFhlHSrZexCX6PAi3K9KtV9pi/s4032/IMG_4271.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06UU8qF8X0Ji171fUUZkxsIix58jaiqfec6hxjOkRvvts77MyW-lJjI4R3K2sCKaHx5d2SFfm__46Do8sbtCuwoi4dh79-rZS6e4U6iSJManZCfq-aa8wpYroG6_bjlmWI1vi26RHkJFT4zZJe3hNZ02ipMB6GOZCFhlHSrZexCX6PAi3K9KtV9pi/s320/IMG_4271.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading the Otter for departure from Shuyak Island.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tMl-S4Y38hpisSnEuokvAsCVPOgg-49aW7q0DdBdQ3WPxEEdDl9xmEhJxcIAy-GH8iS9upIxlYyxSNEXneRV0vHmo629b2HE7W0SK1PJEoEJmFntDGwPjyQ34ac_hVEn56bK8GP0z_gL_kfeKEY5GKkE_Ce-tNYIzyUUmMvzQjsAxDYOznl8yB0x/s4032/IMG_4279.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tMl-S4Y38hpisSnEuokvAsCVPOgg-49aW7q0DdBdQ3WPxEEdDl9xmEhJxcIAy-GH8iS9upIxlYyxSNEXneRV0vHmo629b2HE7W0SK1PJEoEJmFntDGwPjyQ34ac_hVEn56bK8GP0z_gL_kfeKEY5GKkE_Ce-tNYIzyUUmMvzQjsAxDYOznl8yB0x/s320/IMG_4279.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shuyak Island under the wing of our departing floatplane.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjQo2zpBiFD3n78i4Ao_hjjcaTcL-pX-C2wmaVoZA3EKDs2ssHxpGJa7YM4JGJs_eCDp3qH8PX3qHkMGaBnYO4x6fWyU8Sc413IuK_WkG_jG-oeKhqdQPvq_3eklOWKsChnopNhqgq8b2IH6xl20TLsXrhlCClqMOUMmv8o9CUr0EyJMWZuII2_nZ/s1236/IMG_4304.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjQo2zpBiFD3n78i4Ao_hjjcaTcL-pX-C2wmaVoZA3EKDs2ssHxpGJa7YM4JGJs_eCDp3qH8PX3qHkMGaBnYO4x6fWyU8Sc413IuK_WkG_jG-oeKhqdQPvq_3eklOWKsChnopNhqgq8b2IH6xl20TLsXrhlCClqMOUMmv8o9CUr0EyJMWZuII2_nZ/s320/IMG_4304.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The official map we used to plan and follow our packraft routes and hiking trails. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-76402434517260455132021-09-19T10:02:00.000-08:002021-09-19T10:02:32.001-08:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, SEPTEMBER 8-11, 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the first time since 1984 we had no reason to stay in Nikiski following the Labor Day Weekend. Retired from our jobs and kids all graduated from high school, Denali National Park seemed like a good destination. So, off we went. Astoundingly we were able to see it all--rutting moose, the mountain, fall colors, termination dust, and interesting people. We stayed at the Grizzly Bear Cabins for three nights and had a spirited cribbage game each evening. Elizabeth was crowned champ of the tournament. Here are a few photos:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1qbzUyBNjvzvWmRHts5boO9L65XL7nZJZHCVdq3ieYVV8orWbZSj2AAYTlUR8Ccd3NmtcdOz4POae1K_8UHzBKzllyTUO3KVjykrL6hCrLKd7ZmhEgf4373kj5GYSQDPNAOt7Vam3JI/s1600/IMG_5249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1qbzUyBNjvzvWmRHts5boO9L65XL7nZJZHCVdq3ieYVV8orWbZSj2AAYTlUR8Ccd3NmtcdOz4POae1K_8UHzBKzllyTUO3KVjykrL6hCrLKd7ZmhEgf4373kj5GYSQDPNAOt7Vam3JI/s320/IMG_5249.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bull moose was strutting, prancing, and pawing the ground one evening near Savage River Campground. His antlers were impressive.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ1ZseGlDYKNfTdQbofuhXaTE9TcvYNei2mSuR7R-y5ug3amQjNDeeIwVNZFEfn9ETE7DCoRPEU0ZrNroQSYlkRDRONwha45UwrMGoK9J82-Eti8HcABC0gdnk1oJYC3Mb8xRvyjAtac/s2048/IMG_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ1ZseGlDYKNfTdQbofuhXaTE9TcvYNei2mSuR7R-y5ug3amQjNDeeIwVNZFEfn9ETE7DCoRPEU0ZrNroQSYlkRDRONwha45UwrMGoK9J82-Eti8HcABC0gdnk1oJYC3Mb8xRvyjAtac/s320/IMG_2242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moose rutting is taken seriously in Denali National Park.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyNWYWDbIUlbMCbXgo1thpIEjp33lMygyF6nYmTvmpFGsi0fQ6XMOSaSaMGLWpqj_KnToDGO8bKez9K_hsUUo26Y24kQhH2O4A6i7JAuHR96p_YaWRGfl0dtxL3y0nvKWUrR8L9gslbA/s2048/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyNWYWDbIUlbMCbXgo1thpIEjp33lMygyF6nYmTvmpFGsi0fQ6XMOSaSaMGLWpqj_KnToDGO8bKez9K_hsUUo26Y24kQhH2O4A6i7JAuHR96p_YaWRGfl0dtxL3y0nvKWUrR8L9gslbA/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a moose jam. It happens when a moose is visible from the road. Lots of vehicles, people, cameras, and spotting scopes converge upon the scene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkBMpvJRQwvOxPUmuRDNAF2RecGn-_KnCIKt7ByiguPH0FBJyb0PAQUtWBRFQbuYuCrypLa3lcbi9IrGTgSq2jbhp9HDf0-6fZj3LUAxVTpsV1KqnVzXCET06vzedZi7l8GDO2hsYWSU/s2048/IMG_2279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="2048" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkBMpvJRQwvOxPUmuRDNAF2RecGn-_KnCIKt7ByiguPH0FBJyb0PAQUtWBRFQbuYuCrypLa3lcbi9IrGTgSq2jbhp9HDf0-6fZj3LUAxVTpsV1KqnVzXCET06vzedZi7l8GDO2hsYWSU/s320/IMG_2279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy had a ladder attached to the roof of his camper shell with ratchet straps. He would climb to the top of the it whenever he spotted some wildlife, to get a better view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEhLz602rhz5Evisxe7MXX3DAuFbpla64F08sUSGjphGAJOeXIYuJdJh1waAf4XMCrFPL0dm7r_DBfn4ULl1V1SzsXgf28P2XTOidg2Qy32DTt_3Vl5clI5yEkCRh2qToYP_07MAyfWI/s480/IMG_8472.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEhLz602rhz5Evisxe7MXX3DAuFbpla64F08sUSGjphGAJOeXIYuJdJh1waAf4XMCrFPL0dm7r_DBfn4ULl1V1SzsXgf28P2XTOidg2Qy32DTt_3Vl5clI5yEkCRh2qToYP_07MAyfWI/s320/IMG_8472.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Posing in front of the sign at the entrance of Denali National Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvTAwDbQSGNoNUANcGPEhdjchkP44F20hkKip1wtcYOIpnXO7LmLWNU0CTFBnQGVOTaonkgDay4UFztAp9RdSQ5ZhbVSIR3pwSgBHF7ieHrboCC8xbFHJbxACTzxMJK5DYAJcFlbhm20/s640/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvTAwDbQSGNoNUANcGPEhdjchkP44F20hkKip1wtcYOIpnXO7LmLWNU0CTFBnQGVOTaonkgDay4UFztAp9RdSQ5ZhbVSIR3pwSgBHF7ieHrboCC8xbFHJbxACTzxMJK5DYAJcFlbhm20/s320/IMG_2244.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Denali was out in full view much of the time we were visiting the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8A6G9D4kC07OLxsKom4Knjw15_BQq_Xh3zw2Tsf1oxaYJLHFwHkfC_a7s6z_zqJWtucotW0f2I7FRSV2RNObAHLgI_hJpzmN-MMXLomPxLWG_fVHTQUcZOJmFKP9pH7LLJb-WwEUY3s/s1600/IMG_5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8A6G9D4kC07OLxsKom4Knjw15_BQq_Xh3zw2Tsf1oxaYJLHFwHkfC_a7s6z_zqJWtucotW0f2I7FRSV2RNObAHLgI_hJpzmN-MMXLomPxLWG_fVHTQUcZOJmFKP9pH7LLJb-WwEUY3s/s320/IMG_5186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fall colors were in full force, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEplGB9ugHAurOKufjlznFYJx7NRKWTPaGI12Ui3FZYfy-SsB9rA1bbhXsEJ5sYRGaucU6o06Q65a9djWE3HakF-COjYsMVaa14KNizqifgKrWVf7dcYK2mtiaNyXH0YC9kZHoihKvBc/s1600/IMG_5267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEplGB9ugHAurOKufjlznFYJx7NRKWTPaGI12Ui3FZYfy-SsB9rA1bbhXsEJ5sYRGaucU6o06Q65a9djWE3HakF-COjYsMVaa14KNizqifgKrWVf7dcYK2mtiaNyXH0YC9kZHoihKvBc/s320/IMG_5267.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fall colors and termination dust atop the hills in the distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u-D49XGL8XMzI63e18P8bNmzZq6fIC2CcioB9KnfLFpizqAYiMxNO-_DexAP-oW4tXigN9QnHHJscoFxfJJnhI7ChpgvVW3PiNjBymWwr76rN4u7kAMeIrhmSamnwfdSeR-DPXlGnTY/s1600/IMG_5273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u-D49XGL8XMzI63e18P8bNmzZq6fIC2CcioB9KnfLFpizqAYiMxNO-_DexAP-oW4tXigN9QnHHJscoFxfJJnhI7ChpgvVW3PiNjBymWwr76rN4u7kAMeIrhmSamnwfdSeR-DPXlGnTY/s320/IMG_5273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Termination dust up close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DmW1QohKnXA20s9cB2ceAz3XtOr26kayZsPsRZj7jP658Ol4kRLcZBbFpdCbfn1XD3zRDQgcYqjaUM3j52iT9mOsO-x383T4TjWITfqfn40FNRiATua8DgdUVmkKAttPmmc5otSXVYg/s1600/IMG_5234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DmW1QohKnXA20s9cB2ceAz3XtOr26kayZsPsRZj7jP658Ol4kRLcZBbFpdCbfn1XD3zRDQgcYqjaUM3j52iT9mOsO-x383T4TjWITfqfn40FNRiATua8DgdUVmkKAttPmmc5otSXVYg/s320/IMG_5234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rock at the Savage River parking area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnB3fdh1brsV6SCknldwo-Dw2XbXXx6yrOXmDbqodT0pkbXyksBUNqy6EsN3dCU9QQERVvZmuKc9TNMXLKUXMRU_CWXApW9QIT3zD7vzJFO2Gaz4_GE-vLnkUh8BXeH075YYg4lRKzBA/s1600/IMG_5222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnB3fdh1brsV6SCknldwo-Dw2XbXXx6yrOXmDbqodT0pkbXyksBUNqy6EsN3dCU9QQERVvZmuKc9TNMXLKUXMRU_CWXApW9QIT3zD7vzJFO2Gaz4_GE-vLnkUh8BXeH075YYg4lRKzBA/s320/IMG_5222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Northern-hawk owl perched in a tree along the Denali Park Road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-49498977809167369672021-07-02T07:57:00.002-08:002021-07-02T15:40:00.144-08:00TLIKAKILA RIVER PACKRAFT TRIP 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHWqtFz6SRT6NyOMnf1OAAGJC59h5rkKKpq8oloo_XHNdtJtXBpp3s1GVuBDEs5D8Ab3rrtzChmeU-HcuzZDRmCUBuwRa0igwUZrBatmG-njk7MsPGRNxz0U6wGBFUmw7Q-3WgDAdIHg/s960/IMG_2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHWqtFz6SRT6NyOMnf1OAAGJC59h5rkKKpq8oloo_XHNdtJtXBpp3s1GVuBDEs5D8Ab3rrtzChmeU-HcuzZDRmCUBuwRa0igwUZrBatmG-njk7MsPGRNxz0U6wGBFUmw7Q-3WgDAdIHg/w400-h300/IMG_2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TLIKAKILA RIVER PACKRAFT TRIP, LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, JUNE 20-26, 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Liq'a Qilanhtnu-'stream where the salmon are' (Dena'ina Athabascan)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"The Tlikakila offers a beautiful but all-to-short wilderness float for intermediate boaters with good wilderness skills in a splendid mountain setting in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><i>-Karen Jettmar</i></p><p><i><u>The Alaska River Guide</u> (2008)</i></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THE CREW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doug Armstrong</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jim Bennett</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Trevor Davis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rick Green</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dylan Hooper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heather Hooper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wally Hufford</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Julie Stephens</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">LOGISTICS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We flew from Nikiski across Cook Inlet to Summit Lake via Alaska West Air. At the end of the trip we were picked up at Lake Clark and returned to Nikiski.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ABOUT THE TLIKAKILA:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This river has a very difficult name to pronounce. In English it is the <i>Tleekak-keela River, </i>and is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. At about 51 miles in length it has even been featured on a United State postage stamp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Landing at Summit Lake there is a portage to floatable water that requires some work to find the best route. Once on the water the river soon becomes swift and braided. Below the confluence of the North Fork there are some class III rapids. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sky above the Tlikakila is very busy with airplanes as this is the main route between Anchorage and Southwest Alaska.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHI66B9o9g78BH42EScaY6ySAjEtQMQBBC4S5PIx1bb7xcxdDng1A7HCNufMpMLJqZetz0We1eu39PcGflUuMtbDbP-hH10_2y4dBhwMfm4KkJgHfWHf7kaDjLd5dICPvL9miV9M-s58/s2048/IMG_1757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHI66B9o9g78BH42EScaY6ySAjEtQMQBBC4S5PIx1bb7xcxdDng1A7HCNufMpMLJqZetz0We1eu39PcGflUuMtbDbP-hH10_2y4dBhwMfm4KkJgHfWHf7kaDjLd5dICPvL9miV9M-s58/w400-h300/IMG_1757.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landing at Summit Lake we unloaded our gear to begin our adventure.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><br /></p><p>DAY 1: (6/20/21)</p><p>Portaging/floating</p><p>Departing Nikiski we took a short flight across Cook Inlet ultimately landing at Summit Lake. After unloading our gear onto the shore the plane left. </p><p>You're in a moment when the plane flies away. Suddenly you realize you're really out there. For a minute you wonder what you've gotten yourself into. Then, slowly, reality begins to unfold and you remember there is gear to organize and make ready to haul. River travel begins soon and there are miles to be made. The plane is gone. It's time to get on with it.</p><p>Lugging our 50+ pound packs to our backs we started the portage in search of the Tlikakila River. Staying on the north side of things we eventually found a path that led us to floatable water. Once our boats were inflated we negotiated three beaver dams, hoisting our packrafts over them and then floating to the next. We caught up with Trevor later in the afternoon where he had already set up his tent. He reported that he had seen a black bear sow and cub as he was floating through the beaver dam section of the river. </p><p>Rain began falling as we constructed camp. So, we set up Doug's tarp and sat under it while we ate dinner and held our nightly talent competition. The rain was here to stay for a while, so we met it with smiles of cheerfulness and resignation. Well, mostly we did that, because there wasn't much else we could do about it. </p><p>As we were enjoying the evening a couple from Seattle paddled up in an inflatable kayak and stopped to chat. We shared stories and info before they went on their way. It turned out that we would leapfrog each other several times as we traveled down the river.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx7W24LBvE5Zf71eN0uZCmrY86-xFLsS4h6Mn08RGGbxxElIHVssu9z8uLPi5LPSLCCnPmotJjDfYYcVTJ9e9iJrqUnRVjsB0ms9F34xLlyGDVSfTyiUsg9Hnk_GWS0FCQ_jdX9oH-xY/s2048/IMG_1763.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx7W24LBvE5Zf71eN0uZCmrY86-xFLsS4h6Mn08RGGbxxElIHVssu9z8uLPi5LPSLCCnPmotJjDfYYcVTJ9e9iJrqUnRVjsB0ms9F34xLlyGDVSfTyiUsg9Hnk_GWS0FCQ_jdX9oH-xY/w300-h400/IMG_1763.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a stream at the beginning of the portage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u8qaYwKhe4XkZISQ_p3CpWi2YTwD2i7xrBGtF6BGuZsKdLiDz9ZE84Hts9iSbMESSh_fhGgD5Wo81SkT3aigt1POyA3Opo7StOZ3GOOAlLTO7tuioxS-paGGOxnEnLcHWn2zwnirGpU/s2048/IMG_1765.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u8qaYwKhe4XkZISQ_p3CpWi2YTwD2i7xrBGtF6BGuZsKdLiDz9ZE84Hts9iSbMESSh_fhGgD5Wo81SkT3aigt1POyA3Opo7StOZ3GOOAlLTO7tuioxS-paGGOxnEnLcHWn2zwnirGpU/w300-h400/IMG_1765.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather found an antler shed by a moose.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP-mA7RHe4cmqWFQ8y_77RMewhJ_sufYOCi-vYrBw33KR99uqJsj0GzMD4GmK6urV_WQtDZNWW4NchRX4e5Kazwhh0SNA0uzLhYNlgTKzyaCF8NuECeN_QwamC0MyGyb_Rj09eoRhazw/s2048/IMG_1766.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP-mA7RHe4cmqWFQ8y_77RMewhJ_sufYOCi-vYrBw33KR99uqJsj0GzMD4GmK6urV_WQtDZNWW4NchRX4e5Kazwhh0SNA0uzLhYNlgTKzyaCF8NuECeN_QwamC0MyGyb_Rj09eoRhazw/w400-h300/IMG_1766.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first water of the Tlikakila.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoAED7VItqSCZe0XXZ4KJV3rM5r8YeIDZToTBXdJf2SEP-Lsc_Icf0OSKJFZNLcQHChQHBiD7DNaejOunt7iXJOcX5lQixiJyzww3XNjl6srHLhzeIfMmMyJL7ralsDnlrpAQq4A5Wvc/s2048/IMG_1769.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoAED7VItqSCZe0XXZ4KJV3rM5r8YeIDZToTBXdJf2SEP-Lsc_Icf0OSKJFZNLcQHChQHBiD7DNaejOunt7iXJOcX5lQixiJyzww3XNjl6srHLhzeIfMmMyJL7ralsDnlrpAQq4A5Wvc/w300-h400/IMG_1769.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan and Rick maneuver a packraft over a beaver dam.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j5WNCHFxsZJJis7X6klsINaByvKi8nXLlEa-VsBjcC8QQ5Rzw6kWwL26ACL6oXsKPqmCLvHHuja_yhI-UOHbQb9AiBuUxEFHy_jzvmqoEYRsSX0mP2p5h2wmW15zKT73AOP8X4Y4g6Q/s2048/IMG_1775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j5WNCHFxsZJJis7X6klsINaByvKi8nXLlEa-VsBjcC8QQ5Rzw6kWwL26ACL6oXsKPqmCLvHHuja_yhI-UOHbQb9AiBuUxEFHy_jzvmqoEYRsSX0mP2p5h2wmW15zKT73AOP8X4Y4g6Q/w400-h300/IMG_1775.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evening under the tarp due to rain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnpGWCQttslauIdkRUMMOb2gg335ERMRrfifv-3TTcLwyxn71Mm3meCDPhkLdxplHCxhM_JJBDI3xMllQ08qxugJJOZnpwouN0KeWwaTvdFE_engUK30eRJRES-jSxLiDdWRz9J2X_ig/s2048/IMG_1784.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnpGWCQttslauIdkRUMMOb2gg335ERMRrfifv-3TTcLwyxn71Mm3meCDPhkLdxplHCxhM_JJBDI3xMllQ08qxugJJOZnpwouN0KeWwaTvdFE_engUK30eRJRES-jSxLiDdWRz9J2X_ig/w400-h300/IMG_1784.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We held nightly talent contests. This night's event was the <i>Lady Gaga Lyric Interpretation Competition</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table> Dylan was the winner.<p><br /></p>DAY 2; (6/21/21)<p></p><p>14.4 miles packrafting</p><p>After packing up and getting on the river we paddled about a mile to the point where Glacier Creek empties into the Tlikakila. The sun had come out in full force when we came upon the Seattlites as they were breaking camp. We spent some more time visiting with them. </p><p>Then it was back to the packrafts and more floating. </p><p>For a little ways. </p><p>About a mile further down the river we came to the confluence with Glacier Creek. As we were planning our trip we had looked at the map and hoped to spend some time hiking up the Glacier Creek Valley. However, after taking a short walk we found that it would require many stream crossings in deep water to make any distance. </p><p>So, we got back in our packrafts and continued down the Tlikakila. Along the way Jim uncharacteristically capsized twice. He later discovered that it was due to the load strapped to his bow, which would shift whenever he was in big enough waves. This would throw off the balance of his raft causing him to flip. Once the load was secured all was good. </p><p>Arriving at the confluence of the North Fork we decided to stop and set up camp. That evening we held the <i>Pose Like a Famous Statue</i> contest in radiant sunshine. Even though the rain had subsided the wind continued to blow like a banshee. Fortunately we were in a semi protected space and the wind was mostly just a part of the background.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZgUCLopb1sjPYHV5kwQShoCzA6ZbGj9NojMli1aoD8dGwql_uedqryUVG46jaM5EpuY51eShT_iskI0k81GxesHXpUkeCQPwwl6Kl0a3Rd1oAZvLSnLB84oR6M2_zosb6GxENf_rHMA/s2048/IMG_1815.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZgUCLopb1sjPYHV5kwQShoCzA6ZbGj9NojMli1aoD8dGwql_uedqryUVG46jaM5EpuY51eShT_iskI0k81GxesHXpUkeCQPwwl6Kl0a3Rd1oAZvLSnLB84oR6M2_zosb6GxENf_rHMA/w400-h300/IMG_1815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevor floats in some very cold water wearing his dry suit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF7Fx7X3og65rXZC9tBlAQfs7KhB0eGWEZfXaj3RLVpUyRyuE1EROQqu8phus7WNwHkbk390EaboORqK-NPzxzhiC7MP8zBNxAgoV9qGL8RFPblUhe6NdLvH8C2UJ3rXJG1PWS1srKBk/s2048/IMG_1824.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF7Fx7X3og65rXZC9tBlAQfs7KhB0eGWEZfXaj3RLVpUyRyuE1EROQqu8phus7WNwHkbk390EaboORqK-NPzxzhiC7MP8zBNxAgoV9qGL8RFPblUhe6NdLvH8C2UJ3rXJG1PWS1srKBk/w400-h300/IMG_1824.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather waits for her dinner to hydrate.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Day 3: (6/22/21)<div><br /></div><div>0 miles, rest day at North Fork Camp </div><div><br /></div><div>This day was spent lounging at the North Fork Camp. We did make an attempt to hike up the valley, but once again our efforts were foiled by deep water and brush. Trevor was able to make it about two miles up the valley before he turned around. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back at camp we essentially spent the time visiting and enjoying each others company. Then we conducted the mother-of-all-slingshot-competitions. It was a huge event. Taking turns with the slingshot we ultimately got 15 shots each. Every time the thwack of the target was heard there were cheers and applause from the others in the group. It was a rousing contest indeed.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sun was out. The wind was constant. Many airplanes passed overhead. We counted a total of 58.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMch_EjyphWNodPlhxB6AVB4SYuXrN1OFlsDklIysKFlVh_0GSpkIe3neaALnfC_l8LyolG-KQqYNDxq83jeyC-0uzInuKMlHGPVqJkV5EFDxaAZljsunAtd4q4q5fw2FBbRqigNNb94/s2048/IMG_1832.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMch_EjyphWNodPlhxB6AVB4SYuXrN1OFlsDklIysKFlVh_0GSpkIe3neaALnfC_l8LyolG-KQqYNDxq83jeyC-0uzInuKMlHGPVqJkV5EFDxaAZljsunAtd4q4q5fw2FBbRqigNNb94/w300-h400/IMG_1832.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie participating in the slingshot contest.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>DAY 4: (6/23/21)</div><div><br /></div><div>12.1 miles packrafting</div><div><br /></div><div>When I woke up I tried to turn on my inReach so I could send out the daily update to family and friends at home. However, after repeatedly pressing the power button nothing happened. Making numerous and creative attempts to turn it on, I became resigned to the fact that it had failed. It wouldn't work. Luckily we had two other inReach devices with us on the trip. We ended up being very happy for the redundancy of bringing them along. I put my inReach in the bottom of a bag where it stayed for the remainder of the trip. </div><div><br /></div><div>With all the inReach drama settled, we readied our packrafts and attitudes for the paddle through the class III rapids we had read about. They were just below the North Fork and we took it easy making the approach. At one point we stopped in an eddy where Dylan and Heather made the decision to portage. The remainder of the group paddled to the end of the rapids and waited for them. Turns out the portage was extremely difficult due to the bushwhacking. Dylan and Heather decided to go back to the the river where they inflated their boats so they could float the remaining water to catch up with the rest of the team. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime the remainder of the group once again crossed paths with the Seattleites. They had been making several trips along the edge of the river to portage their gear around the rapids. It was a surprise for all of us to bump into each other in the dense brush along the river. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once reunited with Dylan and Heather, our group continued to paddle down the river to our next campsite where we experienced more wind and rain. We set up tarps and actually went to our tents early to get out of the weather. There were no contests or fabulous prizes on this evening. Julie got a weather forecast on her inReach which called for even more wind and rain.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxoXE1FuFZLvl4GDpeBYh3GtxGwOD0aVF2zEUqdMO4MJpFImFaR03AquzJC_mOIq6AD2uX2dVQKLWn-cXpmhNbm1l_Om5Iunf0FsVZ3AUpv1_dbYYHJJWWqBLshFZuEQ5S7nm44RCQiE/s2048/IMG_1866.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxoXE1FuFZLvl4GDpeBYh3GtxGwOD0aVF2zEUqdMO4MJpFImFaR03AquzJC_mOIq6AD2uX2dVQKLWn-cXpmhNbm1l_Om5Iunf0FsVZ3AUpv1_dbYYHJJWWqBLshFZuEQ5S7nm44RCQiE/w300-h400/IMG_1866.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim juggles some stones along the edge of the Tlikakila River.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxirWyYYnfgnLz_X-74xdpu6VJaR74JWRAhyphenhyphenQoqiPpSzcfBBUQ_sIuT_ZSvCrfwGYaVBKYaYNS0jjur_l0-B27URmKCDXVcD_fJHNlXxcEcqHQvxKPGyvAMIFuf1MNt5plZJs3ZeUmymg/s2048/IMG_6584.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="2048" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxirWyYYnfgnLz_X-74xdpu6VJaR74JWRAhyphenhyphenQoqiPpSzcfBBUQ_sIuT_ZSvCrfwGYaVBKYaYNS0jjur_l0-B27URmKCDXVcD_fJHNlXxcEcqHQvxKPGyvAMIFuf1MNt5plZJs3ZeUmymg/w400-h249/IMG_6584.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Float on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>DAY 5; (6/24/21)</div><div><br /></div><div>21.0 miles packrafting</div><div><br /></div><div>Rain continued as we prepped for another day on the river. We travelled a good long way before finding a campsite where we set up the tarp once again due to the wet weather. This evening we conducted the <i>Tlikakila River Poetry Slam</i>. The poems were very good! Here are a couple of examples:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>The river with the name, </i></div><div><i>no one can say.</i></div><div><i>The origins are small, </i></div><div><i>all tough to find.</i></div><div><i>As the miles go, the river grows.</i></div><div><i>As the rapids peak,</i></div><div><i>don't be deterred.</i></div><div><i>The portage is heinous, </i></div><div><i>and is better avoided.</i></div><div><i>The water mellows and joy follows.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>~</i>Dylan Hooper</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Worthies gathered to discuss trips.</i></div><div><i>The name Tlikakila was on peoples lips.</i></div><div><i>Mr. Hufford was the one who discovered the scene,</i></div><div><i>and made plans to gather people that mattered from hither and yon.</i></div><div><i>They humped their loads faster than toads (just barely), the first day.</i></div><div><i>On the second day they rallied in the sun-so much fun.</i></div><div><i>They pursued to aspire memories,</i></div><div><i>acquired in beauty,</i></div><div><i>friendship to admire together.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>~</i>Rick Green</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At the edge of the river we placed a couple of paddles in an X for the Seattleites to see if they passed by. Late in the evening Jim had a chat with them before they continued to the shore of Lake Clark.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, just before bedtime the clouds parted and the sun came out. It was so glorious that we had an impromptu slingshot contest and ended up trying to see who could propel a stone to the other side of the river. It was a very pleasant way to end a rainy and windy day.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT8MX2oF0VMcxGXxB-AQVGjSKinmCA6uzTdRxNm0n1MFma89CTBX2lEpcmLj3xtmm4X6LCgc_-mvh59gaCD_ZKoRtBg7-6sve6M_4lvGQkGpu2SruKTAoB8mJAijcgh5HiJTGjNW3iqU/s2048/IMG_1878.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT8MX2oF0VMcxGXxB-AQVGjSKinmCA6uzTdRxNm0n1MFma89CTBX2lEpcmLj3xtmm4X6LCgc_-mvh59gaCD_ZKoRtBg7-6sve6M_4lvGQkGpu2SruKTAoB8mJAijcgh5HiJTGjNW3iqU/w300-h400/IMG_1878.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura and Danny-an adventurous couple from Seattle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>DAY 6: (6/25/21)</div><div><br /></div><div>9.1 miles packrafting </div><div><br /></div><div>We broke camp and paddled toward Lake Clark. We happened to meet the Seattleites at the lake where we learned it was Laura's birthday. So, of course, we sang '<i>Happy Birthday'</i> to her! </div><div><br /></div><div>We then paddled around the corner to our final campsite where we set up the tents in sunshine as the wind kept the bugs away. The Seattleites showed up not too much later and told us they decided not to paddle across the lake to Port Alsworth. We all thought that was a great decision. We used Julie's inReach to a arrange a water taxi ride for them, but the boat was not able to make it that afternoon due to high winds and waves on the lake. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, the Seattleites merrily joined our group and we spent the evening sharing stories and participating in a <i>Name That Tune</i> contest. The Seattleites won the Fabulous Prize of a package of Rolos, which they shared with everyone. They fit right in.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mvtaOfR7L_SxXu06LWDEIanHSyvdKk1xbmtbjHHqjJBTdhP4Z6oRTtX2KV59blffjfQQSep88W6iPQMOLRnst7i7Y_ui-t7JWAGw9KDr69fyVMro12tCt4nXkG8Q3ARXwGWj71Aa_Ow/s2048/IMG_1880.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mvtaOfR7L_SxXu06LWDEIanHSyvdKk1xbmtbjHHqjJBTdhP4Z6oRTtX2KV59blffjfQQSep88W6iPQMOLRnst7i7Y_ui-t7JWAGw9KDr69fyVMro12tCt4nXkG8Q3ARXwGWj71Aa_Ow/w400-h300/IMG_1880.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the maps.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsRouElyqrugrvhZoWHhFPz_MiqU5Kp4PB_rAONfV6pKaLgikfB85DkkgbY_aixFgp6iMWoEzDVqkE-lbLe1DW_hXaWCwXjWgvRLlHDDSQV1sB22QJemjuSP38SLzwYTSCD7LspZZGYo/s960/IMG_2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsRouElyqrugrvhZoWHhFPz_MiqU5Kp4PB_rAONfV6pKaLgikfB85DkkgbY_aixFgp6iMWoEzDVqkE-lbLe1DW_hXaWCwXjWgvRLlHDDSQV1sB22QJemjuSP38SLzwYTSCD7LspZZGYo/w400-h300/IMG_2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adjusting gear along the Tlikakila River.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt7ixwAyw9x2dFn7Umy_dhpoXIEc2S-UkRcOOK8M7_OTMQfXCdLoTT4T-EN_pi7lX5SSy89ceKQFffo27WZiyb-dS6zuosfK9OAr-RE2-Ccp83ffwW2OtO9mbF8bRdk3PIIgkx5TEvYw/s614/IMG_2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="614" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt7ixwAyw9x2dFn7Umy_dhpoXIEc2S-UkRcOOK8M7_OTMQfXCdLoTT4T-EN_pi7lX5SSy89ceKQFffo27WZiyb-dS6zuosfK9OAr-RE2-Ccp83ffwW2OtO9mbF8bRdk3PIIgkx5TEvYw/w400-h331/IMG_2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling the Tlikakila River.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>DAY 7: (6/26/21)</div><div><br /></div><div>Return to Nikiski via floatplane.</div><div><br /></div><div>We awoke around 7:00 AM and had a message from Alaska West Air on Trevor's inReach to be ready for pickup at 9:00 AM. We had a casual breakfast and readied our gear for departure. Flying above the Tlikakila River on the return trip we caught glimpses of the route we had traveled by packraft just days before. By 10:00 AM we were back in Nikiski.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Seattleites would be picked up via water taxi later that morning and arrive in Port Alsworth in time to catch their flight back to Anchorage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back in Nikiski we reconvened at the Hoopers for an afternoon barbecue to celebrate the end of another successful trip. Dylan even cooked some of his bear brats for us which a special treat indeed and a fitting way to end a special trip.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNiYne3gROTgpV0iYXyjsp0aEapUzVhtW8ORmfH7EKHPGo77ZddF7EGu3r5eh1O3vaNEIEPuNwAUxPwnIXeEBwbw2t1Q7PBPilOfrmrpx5-x4lc8eTkTHyIOD1HqMgRRXz8qz_NSNmFE/s640/IMG_2019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNiYne3gROTgpV0iYXyjsp0aEapUzVhtW8ORmfH7EKHPGo77ZddF7EGu3r5eh1O3vaNEIEPuNwAUxPwnIXeEBwbw2t1Q7PBPilOfrmrpx5-x4lc8eTkTHyIOD1HqMgRRXz8qz_NSNmFE/w400-h300/IMG_2019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading the floatplane for our flight back to Nikiski. (photo courtesy Laura)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrvT_1K7nclM8RZGsbO4If5X5L-K9IxGOhecSE46QQzZDdVwQehj62L38HHAJ6i1MSxIQ-xkijMNpuUoHGMVzP5sRevD-fgwSgEQMSn-VL87eUTRMrV0W-O5h3DZcPrVTB0C17FVs9TQ/s2048/IMG_6656.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrvT_1K7nclM8RZGsbO4If5X5L-K9IxGOhecSE46QQzZDdVwQehj62L38HHAJ6i1MSxIQ-xkijMNpuUoHGMVzP5sRevD-fgwSgEQMSn-VL87eUTRMrV0W-O5h3DZcPrVTB0C17FVs9TQ/w400-h300/IMG_6656.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo: (L to R) Heather Hooper, Rick Green, Trevor Davis, Jim Bennett, Wally Hufford, Dylan Hooper, Julie Stephens, and Doug Armstrong. (photo courtesy Laura)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JyCuduwp8i8UgU9I8LjIb6zMPjWs3M2FGDZmYgZnzujCzbx6twIkmkEtWnpIyr49jeueO1fU_XmP4niXMQTu7VUYbM5olPoO7jYsAD_MMQz_bVm9bfpjEKbWNcIn7mqUnFfQyeEqHh4/s1576/IMG_2011.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1576" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JyCuduwp8i8UgU9I8LjIb6zMPjWs3M2FGDZmYgZnzujCzbx6twIkmkEtWnpIyr49jeueO1fU_XmP4niXMQTu7VUYbM5olPoO7jYsAD_MMQz_bVm9bfpjEKbWNcIn7mqUnFfQyeEqHh4/w400-h351/IMG_2011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GPS track of our trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p></div>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-59833637592463975672021-06-08T06:32:00.254-08:002021-08-03T13:43:11.969-08:00SPENCER GLACIER/PLACER RIVER PACKRAFT TRIP<p><b>SPENCER GLACIER/PLACER RIVER PACKRAFT TRIP, CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST, ALASKA, JUNE 7-8, 2021:</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW1-lRg5_8cS4AlRqHj4StTi83J6hmmggFhfEalSI6_nL2JPw_l93SWNs8DXsIaBkyTHXlJG3B90qjtHvDlcUesJt-sohU11zxCT7uHdtQ5B7wK4rmqABc6bpkivPZ35eeTIbN1QXp-I/s2048/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW1-lRg5_8cS4AlRqHj4StTi83J6hmmggFhfEalSI6_nL2JPw_l93SWNs8DXsIaBkyTHXlJG3B90qjtHvDlcUesJt-sohU11zxCT7uHdtQ5B7wK4rmqABc6bpkivPZ35eeTIbN1QXp-I/s320/image1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>THE CREW:</b></p><p>Doug Armstrong</p><p>Jim Bennett</p><p>Wally Hufford</p><p>Troy Zimmerman</p><p><br /></p><p><b>LOGISTICS:</b></p><p>We hopped aboard the Alaska Railroad Chugach Explorer at Portage and took the short ride to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. Hiked to the camp area and set up tents for the night. The next morning we paddled around the glacier bergs at Spencer Lake before floating down the Placer River back to Jim's vehicle which we had parked at the Seward Highway.</p><p><br /></p><p>DAY 1: (6/7/21)</p><p>(Train ride/short hike to camp)</p><p>Jim had sent out a text. The weather forecast was good. Was anybody interested in the Spencer Glacier/Placer River packraft trip? The responses came in quick and affirmative. We all went online and got our one-way train ticket to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and packed our gear. Before we new it we were assembled as a group at the Portage Train station waiting for the train to arrive so we could hop aboard.</p><p><br /></p><p>The train ride is splendid in its own right and we enjoyed the scenery as we chugged along the rails. Arriving at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop we waited for our gear to be unloaded before shouldering our packs and making the short hike to the camp area. On a packraft trip it's funny how an overnight trip requires almost the same amount of gear as a week(s) long trip. The only difference really is the amount of food needed.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, we shouldered our packs and made our way to camp, which was near Spencer Lake. The evening was spent hiking around the area, telling stories, and participating in a spicy slingshot competition. While we were at the lake we watched as the guides rowed against the howling wind and through the glacier bergs with their clients. They really had to strain at pulling oars and maneuvering the rafts. We watched carefully to see how far away they stayed from the bergs because we wanted to keep that same distance during our float.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOTszd1YoKthFjWh4NPDhpMWAKPmTfD5lioaFLC-AOcG0YZg6DLD5V4b3ziFxiig2zuRaRvzKPVFdxHDbI7o1em3eUIsvj4fgcURp4HYSvM0eip3kd2M_xM72JoKBQJ-Ze1OC45xbORQ/s2048/image1+copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOTszd1YoKthFjWh4NPDhpMWAKPmTfD5lioaFLC-AOcG0YZg6DLD5V4b3ziFxiig2zuRaRvzKPVFdxHDbI7o1em3eUIsvj4fgcURp4HYSvM0eip3kd2M_xM72JoKBQJ-Ze1OC45xbORQ/s320/image1+copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Bennett readies gear to be loaded onto the train at the beginning of our trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYjbtDgup2Gqtn7eR27fek9F8hPW0zwNqE1kPehobz3DT7Tj7w9P2YrVp2ks0j7ZidVskJhAsyKFKpA0RFmcJzOSG224QVTiGDfUuKHSoyKly7bAXAL86pZlyi1iR0dea8zO0YJ348pg/s2048/image3+copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYjbtDgup2Gqtn7eR27fek9F8hPW0zwNqE1kPehobz3DT7Tj7w9P2YrVp2ks0j7ZidVskJhAsyKFKpA0RFmcJzOSG224QVTiGDfUuKHSoyKly7bAXAL86pZlyi1iR0dea8zO0YJ348pg/s320/image3+copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train arriving in Portage.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHf5xmsq5yI2XdXr_vJ1ZkLj43lIJRsOBGJ90xHkpcL93eYc55LZ4uD-MUKNzEqpFefUti_wnJG02JDBJmSDb_TQqlJ-Ph7HcA4cRl9UanGC1evnBrz4MpU3OKJ_ZxF4TCcj08cDIAg8/s2048/image4+copy+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHf5xmsq5yI2XdXr_vJ1ZkLj43lIJRsOBGJ90xHkpcL93eYc55LZ4uD-MUKNzEqpFefUti_wnJG02JDBJmSDb_TQqlJ-Ph7HcA4cRl9UanGC1evnBrz4MpU3OKJ_ZxF4TCcj08cDIAg8/s320/image4+copy+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Armstrong and Troy Zimmerman aboard the Alaska Railroad...pandemic style.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHrYqUK8SEJfLIuOPZRtlMrsXeadc76lfD2JMA-GE1O_vbZYxxNLGgst4lJjUQdezx4rhLyC8COl_PIwjoGbSzZj6WcEilwKxGvn6YSacLPparPga3fNo32rpHOFC9oneAVygY0Yo7UY/s2048/image5+copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHrYqUK8SEJfLIuOPZRtlMrsXeadc76lfD2JMA-GE1O_vbZYxxNLGgst4lJjUQdezx4rhLyC8COl_PIwjoGbSzZj6WcEilwKxGvn6YSacLPparPga3fNo32rpHOFC9oneAVygY0Yo7UY/s320/image5+copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds359iH_jNNXzdcL123yO_JEeOuN2yEBxmazbn6aBa1IoBGanrHaxmGxvBslOt_2FZ9eppGYUfzBvNzCIc3m9ybAOcRFQPhhMj984JXz81eFy01Tly5BLnlfz3kSot-93wQfeL_RVYcg/s2048/image6+copy+3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds359iH_jNNXzdcL123yO_JEeOuN2yEBxmazbn6aBa1IoBGanrHaxmGxvBslOt_2FZ9eppGYUfzBvNzCIc3m9ybAOcRFQPhhMj984JXz81eFy01Tly5BLnlfz3kSot-93wQfeL_RVYcg/s320/image6+copy+3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy participates in the evening slingshot competition.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">DAY 2: (6/8/21)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Float on Spencer Lake/packraft Placer River back to Seward Highway)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By morning the wind had diminished significantly, so we ate a quick breakfast and readied our gear for a float on Spencer Lake and the trip down the Placer River. It was magical to float amongst the massive glacier bergs that had run aground in the shallow water near the edge of the lake. We actually paddled around Spencer Lake for a couple hours before heading down the river.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are just a couple rapids and the remnants of a wrecked train car to avoid as you begin floating the Placer River. After that it's an easy paddle back to the Seward Highway on calm water. But, the scenery is unbeatable and definitely holds a paddlers interest. Arriving at the highway we deflated our rafts and waited for Jim and Doug to shuttle the vehicles. Then it was just a ride home. The trip was over.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now we just wait for another good weather window and a text from Jim for the next adventure.</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNyZF7d46jzQ_tRkP1uvqr9TvJfliuvii2GiT3ay3nQcTz23EGInybiXXgGFpej6AoNNhhW9Ntqmus0jPs9Ya4s16XOoYa8xINOFaFWv79cHkXod_aZLQohhTDCmMOOoAg2z5Y4HHRiE/s2048/image8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNyZF7d46jzQ_tRkP1uvqr9TvJfliuvii2GiT3ay3nQcTz23EGInybiXXgGFpej6AoNNhhW9Ntqmus0jPs9Ya4s16XOoYa8xINOFaFWv79cHkXod_aZLQohhTDCmMOOoAg2z5Y4HHRiE/s320/image8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning paddling amongst the glacier bergs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4F4Rsq79vkoMGkI0XgStnhFBDinNVaPrQNd_5XZ_vwIP85Rvgp2F2e3qxdX2mmVJZVwR85ZvDRruSnNqWsMmxY0Sk40qiqEvv8jGWLmofe0amXf7bVpMvv3horMQAHIKqeW-uN23jgg/s2048/image11+copy+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4F4Rsq79vkoMGkI0XgStnhFBDinNVaPrQNd_5XZ_vwIP85Rvgp2F2e3qxdX2mmVJZVwR85ZvDRruSnNqWsMmxY0Sk40qiqEvv8jGWLmofe0amXf7bVpMvv3horMQAHIKqeW-uN23jgg/s320/image11+copy+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim takes a photo of the face of Spencer Glacier.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeZL53xzi4QG-tnLB-5gyWKfEX66oJSvcaElsxyWoXPw00WV_xWLRXJ5qrjJTZ1yN0PS1BDt38ATmHtWhtEIdIbiFU-Y_2whTOl8QQ_cKbJkkroYfQnDsLpS7zovuaJVtw2iY7XoLy1o/s2048/image12+copy+5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeZL53xzi4QG-tnLB-5gyWKfEX66oJSvcaElsxyWoXPw00WV_xWLRXJ5qrjJTZ1yN0PS1BDt38ATmHtWhtEIdIbiFU-Y_2whTOl8QQ_cKbJkkroYfQnDsLpS7zovuaJVtw2iY7XoLy1o/s320/image12+copy+5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug floating down the Placer River back to the Seward Highway.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO17vSH4tC04b5Rkd88HztOsg1rX859CKim5IJMwwuBRkxeahl5uJ63lMi-AYHGe3dSHGZkwFjGb94siDED9OVaz4haPxui3uZlbduSEdc8VORaCLFImn3KP_jz5rGX0xqFbcuBjzdXA/s2048/image13+copy+3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO17vSH4tC04b5Rkd88HztOsg1rX859CKim5IJMwwuBRkxeahl5uJ63lMi-AYHGe3dSHGZkwFjGb94siDED9OVaz4haPxui3uZlbduSEdc8VORaCLFImn3KP_jz5rGX0xqFbcuBjzdXA/s320/image13+copy+3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packrafters on the Placer River headed back to the Seward Highway.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-82998015054840661462020-07-28T10:50:00.064-08:002020-08-10T08:23:10.352-08:00HESKETH ISLAND 2020<p>The Hufford family loves a good adventure. That's how we found ourselves aboard the <i>DREAMCHASER</i> and on our way to Hesketh Island which is located in Kachemak Bay, near Homer, Alaska. As we left the Homer Small Boat Harbor a huge flock of gulls took to the air. It seemed as though the sky was filled with birds as we passed under them.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zEWuOhtHXJ6GeMrQheClP2xpCv5of-cSghtpJioUsotr_2pUUmYT44G9tFI9qijsFUl-hpFmntWLPM08ikebAj3zyZGzb_Hf3z4urLN0IhNcz6_h37qWvgGUq24bWizpAEKXJqdnoaA/s2048/IMG_9767.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Laura watches a flock of gulls as we leave the Homer Small Boat Harbor." border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zEWuOhtHXJ6GeMrQheClP2xpCv5of-cSghtpJioUsotr_2pUUmYT44G9tFI9qijsFUl-hpFmntWLPM08ikebAj3zyZGzb_Hf3z4urLN0IhNcz6_h37qWvgGUq24bWizpAEKXJqdnoaA/w410-h308/IMG_9767.jpg" width="410" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Laura aboard the DREAMCHASER passing under a flock of gulls as we depart the Homer Small Boat Harbor.</i></div><div><br /></div>Captain Zach was at the helm and told us to be on the lookout for orcas which had been seen regularly in the area for the past few weeks. Right on cue as we motored through Eldred Passage the whales appeared. Zach slowed the boat and let us get a very good look at them as they surfaced in regular intervals. It was an excellent start to an excellent trip.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3J4IykBkaLj_RetSMTv61U2zuqk1axFrfN3WpzbrKWIApC8HBAiiY02iIh3BsAyxjQgnq2O0U5IXrIgDiqrpD5EMwbw3quSYOFqkhSmnC-XdBB_HaVvjhNQ_m4PAjEZjfC-PSdnZoGQ/s1731/IMG_9790.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1731" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3J4IykBkaLj_RetSMTv61U2zuqk1axFrfN3WpzbrKWIApC8HBAiiY02iIh3BsAyxjQgnq2O0U5IXrIgDiqrpD5EMwbw3quSYOFqkhSmnC-XdBB_HaVvjhNQ_m4PAjEZjfC-PSdnZoGQ/w410-h330/IMG_9790.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i> An orca surfaces as we make our way to Hesketh Island.</i></p><p>As we arrived at the island Zach gave us some useful advice about how things work. He told us about the catchment water system, the sauna, and some the activities we might pursue while we were there. Zach and his wife Becky own and operate <i>Porter's Alaskan Adventures</i> and they are awesome. We have known them for many years and they are solid folks who know how to make their dreams come true and live them. </p><p>We moved our gear into the cabin and immediately went back outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. We took a short walk down the beach to the sauna and checked things out. We met Zach and Becky there and had a good chat about our families and Hesketh Island. Back at the cabin we all sat on the porch and soaked up the sun and view of Tutka Bay, which was directly across from our cabin. I could have sat on that porch for a solid two days. </p><p>But, we had some exploring to do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgUuJ1Y9Mk-VuTzW-BTxhwRkvS5WgN_oqhdKy8b6PEEEO242qEu5RW3S42bPEgfNMx_xmRVsrr6xJf14q5tZ4yrY4vkMNyept_WO1Vu6zDF9FnS4ih3lMIIstcnh9gpbmIw4H990bWJE/s2048/IMG_9794.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgUuJ1Y9Mk-VuTzW-BTxhwRkvS5WgN_oqhdKy8b6PEEEO242qEu5RW3S42bPEgfNMx_xmRVsrr6xJf14q5tZ4yrY4vkMNyept_WO1Vu6zDF9FnS4ih3lMIIstcnh9gpbmIw4H990bWJE/w410-h307/IMG_9794.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The DREAMCHASER and Hufford family at Hesketh Island.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJKtGgmhyphenhyphenGgEgFK5O7K0yJSttfoNW_HNDfq7Ytwe3RBoAkhpu0f2RZ_aclz_G61qeUlEurhTzC2JU91VmtbzPAviJvTOy_EHS8Hd8aRUbFqQPtnhgOz69V_yD4CQL0-fix6IO9z0NNLA/s1280/IMG_9795.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJKtGgmhyphenhyphenGgEgFK5O7K0yJSttfoNW_HNDfq7Ytwe3RBoAkhpu0f2RZ_aclz_G61qeUlEurhTzC2JU91VmtbzPAviJvTOy_EHS8Hd8aRUbFqQPtnhgOz69V_yD4CQL0-fix6IO9z0NNLA/w410-h307/IMG_9795.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><p>The cabins were built about 20 years ago and they remain as solid as can be. Ours had sleeping arrangements for six and a galley with every utensil and cooking implement you could ever need. The view out the front window is spectacular and can be enjoyed while eating meals or during rambunctious cribbage tournaments.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu6c3KtNqvrtu-E0IS1UzzpGGakWWeJ_ltkQqukyodnB4nMoIp2ZcFWzfnQFh1jtgPVA5WQxtXvD1Eve36nWNlc80JukjCoth8uZ8HbVaQ1ZHUvE0NILI7WJEQCxs-E1zpN-XxBogKcM/s2048/IMG_9803.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu6c3KtNqvrtu-E0IS1UzzpGGakWWeJ_ltkQqukyodnB4nMoIp2ZcFWzfnQFh1jtgPVA5WQxtXvD1Eve36nWNlc80JukjCoth8uZ8HbVaQ1ZHUvE0NILI7WJEQCxs-E1zpN-XxBogKcM/w410-h307/IMG_9803.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The cabin at Hesketh Island.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ER49tCeL2GiWY3JwRRS0w_41I6nCbgir6iEofoeSaZnHmQZUUdjiH9EVjDRukMM2q3f_2fCw50_2WeHqfoORSQOfkwKz4zpJakTZdNM8FdIsAPPyLh38PMs7vkSwyDtk7AqwWJHZvxc/s2048/IMG_9831.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ER49tCeL2GiWY3JwRRS0w_41I6nCbgir6iEofoeSaZnHmQZUUdjiH9EVjDRukMM2q3f_2fCw50_2WeHqfoORSQOfkwKz4zpJakTZdNM8FdIsAPPyLh38PMs7vkSwyDtk7AqwWJHZvxc/w410-h307/IMG_9831.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The well equipped galley area.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUNMX-1QjyTS9FH3m3balEbSSJH2aCK7WqXuCIGALiBPGKoorv8QPMUzC1TSqd4MhiN5dVHaGjjOGhDqvkWkjb1YAqff6-n2Aek3O5uNNeZ0WbaB3c0YsK36pY8DdxBZasekwhiXPqME/s2048/IMG_9801.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUNMX-1QjyTS9FH3m3balEbSSJH2aCK7WqXuCIGALiBPGKoorv8QPMUzC1TSqd4MhiN5dVHaGjjOGhDqvkWkjb1YAqff6-n2Aek3O5uNNeZ0WbaB3c0YsK36pY8DdxBZasekwhiXPqME/w410-h307/IMG_9801.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i> The view through the cabin windows.</i></p><p>In order to explore the nearby water we rented a double kayak from <i>True North.</i> They delivered it to the island where it was waiting for us upon our arrival. We were eager to launch just before high tide and paddle toward Elephant Rock. We hoped to be able to kayak under the elephant's trunk and our timing was perfect! Laura and I kayaked back and forth under the trunk trying to get good photos of our efforts. </p><p>The next day Mrs. Huffy and I went for a ride, but she was unable to hold a paddle due to the thumb surgery she had earlier in the summer. So, I paddled us to Elephant Rock and back from the stern position while she enjoyed the ride. </p><p>We also took several additional kayak trips during our stay at the island to check out Grass Island and Kayak Beach. There is no shortage of destinations for a paddler!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal_8sz00KvLVBKXR3syMgTU0z9JfKD_Hl0s4GOWPovUVLJyoJnaLlyeG12Ng3T4frpNtebLg0TJoP0hYExpzhCoUjJPL-mD_G9UTk7nfSInm_rCmr_tRrjpHTYWhIaYzuGK2Ln-1SoEs/s2048/IMG_9856.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal_8sz00KvLVBKXR3syMgTU0z9JfKD_Hl0s4GOWPovUVLJyoJnaLlyeG12Ng3T4frpNtebLg0TJoP0hYExpzhCoUjJPL-mD_G9UTk7nfSInm_rCmr_tRrjpHTYWhIaYzuGK2Ln-1SoEs/w410-h307/IMG_9856.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Emily and Mrs. Huffy in front of the cabin beside our double kayak.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPyKTxpHwUerW8DAS__ip3JBZw70Uz-XkjD9cF-FT0RZemr6o_WQ5Jwe_MRSLvecp3jgCD5EFiWVb8fB7PgM_F3XKHdgkljNFSpEqzr7ybe57MpKTHP9m0R3v5gAA5RRhI-UpChW0SpM/s2048/IMG_9819.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPyKTxpHwUerW8DAS__ip3JBZw70Uz-XkjD9cF-FT0RZemr6o_WQ5Jwe_MRSLvecp3jgCD5EFiWVb8fB7PgM_F3XKHdgkljNFSpEqzr7ybe57MpKTHP9m0R3v5gAA5RRhI-UpChW0SpM/w410-h307/IMG_9819.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Passing under the elephant's trunk at Elephant Rock.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMAYAWK8-VnvL4Ituyb3T9fKYespnUH3QBbFiKbb9oVRjrZ8remfy6zGre96yNL9WlAptPUqmz5fPlUGRMb1zkNsJZmEPxeCk7MPHnZPHwwGjQPXap7ykTG5u3bc4eM58rZuE-kZW9ss/s2048/IMG_9804.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMAYAWK8-VnvL4Ituyb3T9fKYespnUH3QBbFiKbb9oVRjrZ8remfy6zGre96yNL9WlAptPUqmz5fPlUGRMb1zkNsJZmEPxeCk7MPHnZPHwwGjQPXap7ykTG5u3bc4eM58rZuE-kZW9ss/w410-h307/IMG_9804.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Laura sea kayaking near our cabin on Hesketh Island.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbdrTjT-eRr9hETcFPTvajTeLNiZ-FZLhfRWxEHQBf-4t1T4O97ZrIzNc4CXJCSZB47UNONISaCrORxyEOMmBZNIKICjMRIMhWqEFmvMg1VQtdmDDV6dyvjk8Mw5OK9Y4B-Wr0dONUv0/s2048/IMG_9850.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="2048" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbdrTjT-eRr9hETcFPTvajTeLNiZ-FZLhfRWxEHQBf-4t1T4O97ZrIzNc4CXJCSZB47UNONISaCrORxyEOMmBZNIKICjMRIMhWqEFmvMg1VQtdmDDV6dyvjk8Mw5OK9Y4B-Wr0dONUv0/w410-h264/IMG_9850.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A group of kayakers near Elephant Rock. The tide was too low to kayak under the trunk at this time.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3erSuICNAkUUjnInJfLmhwgYQnrAEpRIeXJuZ6tu31uBxtfmWCEG-z3zGCtGCrvm8_IsAH8x1Z-_Sz__1Wz0TLFRMIAHunJwVndrIy8f2wkF3obWQLg92DlKv0CKAPWy2GJ7EH4qj3g4/s1505/IMG_9941.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1241" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3erSuICNAkUUjnInJfLmhwgYQnrAEpRIeXJuZ6tu31uBxtfmWCEG-z3zGCtGCrvm8_IsAH8x1Z-_Sz__1Wz0TLFRMIAHunJwVndrIy8f2wkF3obWQLg92DlKv0CKAPWy2GJ7EH4qj3g4/w338-h410/IMG_9941.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Our sea kayak cruising the waters near Hesketh Island.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>(photo courtesy Laura Hufford)</i></p><p>As mentioned, we played a major cribbage tournament during our stay at the island. Some of the games were louder than others as we worked our way through an extensive winners and losers bracket system. All the results were kept on a chart and Emily was the ultimate champion. She seems to win lots of cribbage tournaments.</p><p>We also spent some time using the binoculars to watch the wildlife and boat activity in front of the cabin. Seals and sea otters passed by and we watched as several fishermen hauled in halibut while their boats were anchored not far offshore. In the evenings, Laura and Elizabeth enjoyed the sauna and jumping into the ocean afterward. We also found time to walk along the beach and look at the tide pools when the tide was low.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3AxGncxZIBG3t3bQHujUKINyPuUWjCcPx2IigIJ_Ag6FPENOkjknhoeThz8UujN97QYyNMG1Mrb4YHktBlLYLnlDRtguqdtzR5S2MBHFejDXwQ4qTLyQf7EZ3JZACT82slkvuVLTXhQ/s2048/IMG_9875.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3AxGncxZIBG3t3bQHujUKINyPuUWjCcPx2IigIJ_Ag6FPENOkjknhoeThz8UujN97QYyNMG1Mrb4YHktBlLYLnlDRtguqdtzR5S2MBHFejDXwQ4qTLyQf7EZ3JZACT82slkvuVLTXhQ/w307-h410/IMG_9875.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Emily...the Hesketh Island Cribbage Tournament Champion!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PYb6VMasqDxUkkkXGNOiLPZUYjxkS47OSp4AoWyLCZFYdpTiXPwv0XCGqx9t5pOtHnXF8hOO-TYZStTGDsNiT2WdsTR_ex4umx_91fSr_o99KlJOdTlsVPSrJiPenOGV8549ptoaPfM/s2048/IMG_9824.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PYb6VMasqDxUkkkXGNOiLPZUYjxkS47OSp4AoWyLCZFYdpTiXPwv0XCGqx9t5pOtHnXF8hOO-TYZStTGDsNiT2WdsTR_ex4umx_91fSr_o99KlJOdTlsVPSrJiPenOGV8549ptoaPfM/w307-h410/IMG_9824.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cribbage concentration.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vH4G6gVymQPUfYwX1Li740cvm4X2sJ6X-zOB8XWs-stQd6EBKVyqqNABZwcXckeEjJD-SzH-sFTNcGgwby0_R05wRga6i5sEWlgQNmDp6BnthcpdoHxsgJelrALUsmSEXTQWnz-F0Hw/s2048/IMG_9834.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vH4G6gVymQPUfYwX1Li740cvm4X2sJ6X-zOB8XWs-stQd6EBKVyqqNABZwcXckeEjJD-SzH-sFTNcGgwby0_R05wRga6i5sEWlgQNmDp6BnthcpdoHxsgJelrALUsmSEXTQWnz-F0Hw/w410-h307/IMG_9834.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Using binoculars to watch the wildlife.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGupmLvOMVB8G78PvLwsD-s3k6yRYn26_EfkoS3jGCQl4Um64HDVb4Yqy1QPJDDNgeceg129uoog3CZuHjyActMN0Q5lQVAsmKAV1L8QsJcwzh0sdVAy3A6ahrOYDlNonLKW5poYq-gLg/s2048/IMG_9870.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGupmLvOMVB8G78PvLwsD-s3k6yRYn26_EfkoS3jGCQl4Um64HDVb4Yqy1QPJDDNgeceg129uoog3CZuHjyActMN0Q5lQVAsmKAV1L8QsJcwzh0sdVAy3A6ahrOYDlNonLKW5poYq-gLg/w410-h307/IMG_9870.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The sauna.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOABru4pTtHvYbwZS18s6Bpx6lAWfGX0T3hPz3JgaiTjslaGSLba1YULQ2SsGRd0puOZqWvx9CT-1IIB_B5PRcuI2ZBGnzExknzlX9Zyjv0VTJSTQ1WMdxA7gmIQozbxsRCyY-wC7sbA/s2048/IMG_9871.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOABru4pTtHvYbwZS18s6Bpx6lAWfGX0T3hPz3JgaiTjslaGSLba1YULQ2SsGRd0puOZqWvx9CT-1IIB_B5PRcuI2ZBGnzExknzlX9Zyjv0VTJSTQ1WMdxA7gmIQozbxsRCyY-wC7sbA/w410-h307/IMG_9871.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sisters walking together along the Hesketh Island beach.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;">Two nights and three days passed quickly and the time to leave came too soon. We slowly packed our gear and hauled it to the water's edge where Zach would pick us up and give us a ride back to Homer. The adventure was nearly over, but we had a wonderful time on Hesketh Island, and I have a feeling we will be</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;">returning in the very near future!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Below: A sea otter watched us as we kayaked around Grass Island.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(photo courtesy Laura Hufford)</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pQDvaZFyHIl0UaHS4lfEswwwiLktxAdjs1DZtuOuL7S8V8AOHFkoer95Ig0Nbd-JHv089z4YdDmqiTWJx1zuF5ewXJNotoWdJR4SIAJC4dQuyRW8w32kzQoXngLSNE2GsD_uFDariTg/s1504/IMG_9942.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="mmm" border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1232" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pQDvaZFyHIl0UaHS4lfEswwwiLktxAdjs1DZtuOuL7S8V8AOHFkoer95Ig0Nbd-JHv089z4YdDmqiTWJx1zuF5ewXJNotoWdJR4SIAJC4dQuyRW8w32kzQoXngLSNE2GsD_uFDariTg/w335-h410/IMG_9942.jpg" width="335" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pQDvaZFyHIl0UaHS4lfEswwwiLktxAdjs1DZtuOuL7S8V8AOHFkoer95Ig0Nbd-JHv089z4YdDmqiTWJx1zuF5ewXJNotoWdJR4SIAJC4dQuyRW8w32kzQoXngLSNE2GsD_uFDariTg/s1504/IMG_9942.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-38587052412443673212020-07-22T14:20:00.001-08:002020-07-22T14:20:18.859-08:00TUTKA BACKDOOR TRAIL 2020<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRFMuS_B-2RFlvmc4GfmGJ0xtDUgMPfXU_9Vk1aNCYTE1xTnE7VapGp4J1zqRAbS-qptR-_tV8DhErSytElX8edFiJh_d6BkL2vxq_Tw785A_AjRH-AphOh9VEqRfmeogaeZJHuJEpn4/s1600/5C2BD882-036F-4070-B9B1-F62399CFEFC5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRFMuS_B-2RFlvmc4GfmGJ0xtDUgMPfXU_9Vk1aNCYTE1xTnE7VapGp4J1zqRAbS-qptR-_tV8DhErSytElX8edFiJh_d6BkL2vxq_Tw785A_AjRH-AphOh9VEqRfmeogaeZJHuJEpn4/s320/5C2BD882-036F-4070-B9B1-F62399CFEFC5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie, Dan, Mandy, Doug, Heather, Dylan, Wally, ready to board the floatplane for the flight to Taylor Bay.</td></tr>
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<br />
THE CREW:<br />
Dan Adair<br />
Mandy Adair<br />
Doug Armstrong<br />
Dylan Hooper<br />
Heather Hooper<br />
Wally Hufford<br />
Julie Stephens<br />
<br />
LOGISTICS:<br />
We drove to Homer, Alaska where we caught a floatplane via Northwind Air to Taylor Bay. At the end of the hike we were picked up by water taxi at the head of Tutka Bay and returned to homer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvOwz37hsRrAre_vMAthuZzLniRvAj0NXKi75HeH2gglAzSNJqjlXXJX7PV8kO8SjFcfCS2PlXSGBEwE7ZZxDIE8FdFNtVFJY7MWUryyyDhnMdlKEhyphenhyphen4qIIO4Tbll63T43-zYOvmfXJ8/s1600/03F5F200-9FBD-4C71-B2DD-5A4C11C07AF8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvOwz37hsRrAre_vMAthuZzLniRvAj0NXKi75HeH2gglAzSNJqjlXXJX7PV8kO8SjFcfCS2PlXSGBEwE7ZZxDIE8FdFNtVFJY7MWUryyyDhnMdlKEhyphenhyphen4qIIO4Tbll63T43-zYOvmfXJ8/s320/03F5F200-9FBD-4C71-B2DD-5A4C11C07AF8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to land at Taylor Bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq3WMrQXcLS8isXj7sq8fUl8ISnOWRmcEGrOUFTnF2Z2pWgT0KFWf67csJ5ylzOsixh8_1TO04Jgo2iQDU2NU8KQyro4FvFFU8EYpI9VWT1Ui62giTZ8nNDNsrZKA4cxu2jH2mMhdTZc/s1600/5FFEB317-8FA2-409F-8160-A9C3EACFF80F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq3WMrQXcLS8isXj7sq8fUl8ISnOWRmcEGrOUFTnF2Z2pWgT0KFWf67csJ5ylzOsixh8_1TO04Jgo2iQDU2NU8KQyro4FvFFU8EYpI9VWT1Ui62giTZ8nNDNsrZKA4cxu2jH2mMhdTZc/s320/5FFEB317-8FA2-409F-8160-A9C3EACFF80F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie watches the floatplane depart Taylor Bay.</td></tr>
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DAY 1: (7/5/2020)<br />
6.5 miles backpack<br />
<br />
Once you step off the floatplane in Taylor Bay the Tutka Backdoor Trail goes straight up. In fact, you spend the next several hours climbing straight up for nearly 1600 feet. It will probably be the most demanding backpacking you have ever done. Moving through forests and eventually breaking out above tree line into the alpine is the reward that awaits you. In the alpine navigation is done by following strategically placed cairns. But, fog and mist made them extremely difficult to find. Our group depended on Dylan and his cell phone upon which he had downloaded a GPS track of the trail. So, with the help of Dylan's phone we stayed within a few feet of the "trail" as we walked through the clouds. And, it was cloudy. On one occasion a pond appeared right next to us as the fog lifted. It was just a few feet away from us, but we hadn't known it was there due to the fog. By the time we reached to top we were ready for lunch which we ate in a small protected area out of the wind. Full of food we happily stood up and set off for the Taylor River. We crossed more alpine and eventually made our way back down into the forest. Along the way we saw a black bear about 45 yards off the trail. It hardly paid us any attention and we tried not to disrupt it as we walked along. Arriving at the Taylor River we were relieved to see the water level was very low and knew crossing it would be easy. We waded through the water and happily dropped our packs on the other side and set up camp for the night. We were in a celebratory mood as we stood around a small campfire talking before going to bed at 8:00 PM.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather and Mandy in the alpine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLArycHMCmwAj9aTCsmIefLcNBnpFZlye_mxLMHDG7B_7cZbq6k_gPKvjAqCF5sfQdzID5Y8OlVhLxeuKsqOvvDX7NtzMmA7EzHeotU0CkCnL0jeWoiOYre9KABEd5OJEdyKp9lfXha8/s1600/IMG_9630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLArycHMCmwAj9aTCsmIefLcNBnpFZlye_mxLMHDG7B_7cZbq6k_gPKvjAqCF5sfQdzID5Y8OlVhLxeuKsqOvvDX7NtzMmA7EzHeotU0CkCnL0jeWoiOYre9KABEd5OJEdyKp9lfXha8/s320/IMG_9630.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backpackers in the fog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52BFY4IRErFeSM63qoC1RLTT_byD__evaiqNFEfF_afuSeZkV6Z78lKvVyjFaJ8Vkbx1QoB26gKE-n0lvHju9HE_6G_TpWol5QNqBxRCP0ioi2w7WiPVzgIRau_sFGU7sRCNqO8MdlyA/s1600/IMG_9632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52BFY4IRErFeSM63qoC1RLTT_byD__evaiqNFEfF_afuSeZkV6Z78lKvVyjFaJ8Vkbx1QoB26gKE-n0lvHju9HE_6G_TpWol5QNqBxRCP0ioi2w7WiPVzgIRau_sFGU7sRCNqO8MdlyA/s320/IMG_9632.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating lunch in the alpine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandy and Doug above the Taylor River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yRnMAlNvPZseUa9p79boWQoO7zZ-BN1GGwlyKPzSuD-rjkjAnYapF22Ety239kOnh074HhWIbhEDmZ4KIC8BAjpiYhHXFKGhbqDKXRQpruu3Qswp896S32UCFiisHOAms7stgz4PXQc/s1600/IMG_9641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yRnMAlNvPZseUa9p79boWQoO7zZ-BN1GGwlyKPzSuD-rjkjAnYapF22Ety239kOnh074HhWIbhEDmZ4KIC8BAjpiYhHXFKGhbqDKXRQpruu3Qswp896S32UCFiisHOAms7stgz4PXQc/s320/IMG_9641.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baackpackers in the fog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniZfLav6DNNaMlYpLpmavf0h4cht8nLr6HDRZezhwGp__uRQLcN63To0ED48MYnE8HCYVgqnho1bCb3MXXp-XcqsE3KaPwU51Qfb1_yDmQ_2DaMmsUQLojhecSkWNPBVJ1JUJFsu8oXA/s1600/IMG_9647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniZfLav6DNNaMlYpLpmavf0h4cht8nLr6HDRZezhwGp__uRQLcN63To0ED48MYnE8HCYVgqnho1bCb3MXXp-XcqsE3KaPwU51Qfb1_yDmQ_2DaMmsUQLojhecSkWNPBVJ1JUJFsu8oXA/s320/IMG_9647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking cairn to cairn in the fog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyzJ4gzfBClw2K7p4SyNmvI6uwvidnxY_ir2mXi7Iv89K-pbk6VhWiPaIoEzYR8MOYIFPxX0MzT4D8t1sy7MF_tirYI5zESX8Se7V_A6OoU4IMis0z4fTvDhkghVm2bhwTlVeYhD8yEk/s1600/IMG_9649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyzJ4gzfBClw2K7p4SyNmvI6uwvidnxY_ir2mXi7Iv89K-pbk6VhWiPaIoEzYR8MOYIFPxX0MzT4D8t1sy7MF_tirYI5zESX8Se7V_A6OoU4IMis0z4fTvDhkghVm2bhwTlVeYhD8yEk/s320/IMG_9649.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backpackers passing through a ravine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIIv5NTiYBVZmrznEer10updmY-oAVpnw3qYWrorJHa47i8DTAC-VvbLdgHtmCX8sA4E1WsR0E33VEE4XMW-dVrd7jo1ft1DTQdNNkJOnzyPmlDNJOxS2lX1PvYRZcnDALYRsHN2QQ5Y/s1600/IMG_9654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIIv5NTiYBVZmrznEer10updmY-oAVpnw3qYWrorJHa47i8DTAC-VvbLdgHtmCX8sA4E1WsR0E33VEE4XMW-dVrd7jo1ft1DTQdNNkJOnzyPmlDNJOxS2lX1PvYRZcnDALYRsHN2QQ5Y/s320/IMG_9654.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backpackers conference.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVzYmI_dUY_nfuEjnHvL5pReNSG_Uf58Y7DVcGqtyt_nYPfJYN57DfKxxhNADLyjrkp-gjDjKdHGKRH1WrSBYuDr5TDgJA37_k1ikHnOny6EYBh3K2IoyIR4U46iJraAP0PhjQGsEgPI/s1600/IMG_9655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVzYmI_dUY_nfuEjnHvL5pReNSG_Uf58Y7DVcGqtyt_nYPfJYN57DfKxxhNADLyjrkp-gjDjKdHGKRH1WrSBYuDr5TDgJA37_k1ikHnOny6EYBh3K2IoyIR4U46iJraAP0PhjQGsEgPI/s320/IMG_9655.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a stream high on a mountainside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dmIwpa5uzzgFcIzzuwjVRQdfIEDPBY1mm6k-zgjoYMFVnpEQmozdCQj7q2ov9dp3aPgyRCdtx-oJ8nh1ybwKTCtIpvzKCU0r1prVdR0anqJKpN66JfaiKpF9VmBmwiZAW3IoTdz3ctY/s1600/IMG_9637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dmIwpa5uzzgFcIzzuwjVRQdfIEDPBY1mm6k-zgjoYMFVnpEQmozdCQj7q2ov9dp3aPgyRCdtx-oJ8nh1ybwKTCtIpvzKCU0r1prVdR0anqJKpN66JfaiKpF9VmBmwiZAW3IoTdz3ctY/s320/IMG_9637.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Taylor River.</td></tr>
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DAY 2: (7/6/2020)<br />
unknown miles, backpack (miles are unknown due to batteries in GPS running out of power)<br />
<br />
It started to rain in the middle of the night while we slept at the edge of the Taylor River. We awoke to wet tents and a soaking drizzle. However, after eating breakfast and moving around for an hour or so the rain subsided and we readied our backpacks for the coming day. It was pretty much a repeat of day one--we started straight up another mountain right from the get go. It was at least another 1600 feet of elevation gain. Again the fog and mist created navigational difficulties but Dylan continued to keep us on course with his phone. Then, just as we were about to cross the High Traverse we ran into another group of hikers. It was none other than Hig, Erin, Lituya, Katmai, and Steve--the creators and maintainers of the trail. They were out doing some trail maintenance. We had a wonderful conversation about the trail and they gave us some helpful hints about what was to come. Then we took off across the High Traverse which is high and on the steep side of a mountain. Unfortunately, we couldn't see down very far due to the fog, but there was easily a thousand feet of nothing but air below our footsteps. We eventually made it to a wide open plain where we set up camp. We could tell there were tall mountains all around us when the fog would thin, but had no idea of their grandeur because the tops were encased in clouds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHCvwjzr843Zr8BAS6nP03iyf-P_U9Jhxtxbm_tEkd4CoW6tkKtGeTRMLvpFKdLoC21Wqb1E_phvgD_cmGtFs7ccDFkRU2MBWXfHVZ84q_e2l33XGLkj4mM3LeSPclnYgb2JGbEQ4_Vg/s1600/IMG_9644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHCvwjzr843Zr8BAS6nP03iyf-P_U9Jhxtxbm_tEkd4CoW6tkKtGeTRMLvpFKdLoC21Wqb1E_phvgD_cmGtFs7ccDFkRU2MBWXfHVZ84q_e2l33XGLkj4mM3LeSPclnYgb2JGbEQ4_Vg/s320/IMG_9644.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Erin, Hig, Lituya, Katmai, and Steve near the High Traverse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQzkeVhxYkvZ0SGzrbwMi1s6IJfO7gHvo2UKJU3rAXhJdoRgeXwLRhKvIOaMxajPF7bZmE5JR_pqoXHxFmPoRQ9xCaipMPtZBj4UPALnDlVXoMKcqsr45J71xLIRWRtFEFZ8p1a_g9PI/s1600/IMG_9661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQzkeVhxYkvZ0SGzrbwMi1s6IJfO7gHvo2UKJU3rAXhJdoRgeXwLRhKvIOaMxajPF7bZmE5JR_pqoXHxFmPoRQ9xCaipMPtZBj4UPALnDlVXoMKcqsr45J71xLIRWRtFEFZ8p1a_g9PI/s320/IMG_9661.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp 2 after the pinch and before Tutka Pass.</td></tr>
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DAY 3: (7/7/2020)<br />
6.2 miles, backpack<br />
<br />
We woke to much better weather and the views were spectacular! Sharp jagged mountains reached up all around us. We ate a leisurely breakfast while enjoying the view. After breaking camp we made our way to the bottom of Tutka Pass which we knew would be another grind. After a couple of hours we made it to the top and had lunch. Looking down the other side of Tutka Pass we could tell we were in for some glorious hiking. The valley we would be walking along stretched far into the distance and appeared to have a very gentle grade. We took off walking from cairn to cairn and eventually found a tread which made for easy walking through the boulders. We did have to leave the trail for a short distance in order to cross a sketchy segment of snow in an avalanche trough. We could see numerous openings in the snow field where the trail appeared to go and decided it would be much safer to go down the ravine where the surface of the snow looked to be solid. After crossing we hiked further down the valley. We made two stream crossings and arrived at a meadow area where we made camp. This would make a wonderful place to stay for two nights as we planned to explore the nearby Infinity Pools area the next day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPU3zUa52DrOgC9SU5JRG29IUvVsZZ6zSBQBO87emQxFLgg7peudl2YTvwkpycpkjKhioFw0n3iZhIpVVWRLOAY9U3fqXfYXysT3WnbNVGllThwxbdDJSZNZBpd-WP88zFEhbc2IQv2I/s1600/IMG_9662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPU3zUa52DrOgC9SU5JRG29IUvVsZZ6zSBQBO87emQxFLgg7peudl2YTvwkpycpkjKhioFw0n3iZhIpVVWRLOAY9U3fqXfYXysT3WnbNVGllThwxbdDJSZNZBpd-WP88zFEhbc2IQv2I/s320/IMG_9662.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp 3/4 near the Infinity Pools.</td></tr>
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<br />
DAY 4: (7/8/2020)<br />
Day hike from camp to Infinity Pools<br />
<br />
The big item on this day's agenda was a hike to the Infinity Pools. They weren't far away so we took our time eating breakfast. Then we climbed a small ridge and hiked to the pools. Everyone went their own speed taking in the surroundings along the way. A sow and cub black bear scrambled up the hillside as we walked along. We lingered at the pools for a long time everyone going different directions and then gathering at a high point where we ate lunch and took in the views. It was a beautiful place. We returned to camp where we spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting and eating dinner. Later in the evening we watched a black bear forage high on the ridges above us and spotted a mountain goat as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZjNoYq1rtvmYAxSMcbqCDo69zFnzTXxm3kaRoD3fvlXckPJ_uqJfCl1LRJ5ISr4TZuqbAEADlrvc1-t3GJnqF7JlUmQSgxp0SBrhUblsp3z1GaqSnQisjq-U06RMIdbq2mnKtT8FTRg/s1600/IMG_9665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZjNoYq1rtvmYAxSMcbqCDo69zFnzTXxm3kaRoD3fvlXckPJ_uqJfCl1LRJ5ISr4TZuqbAEADlrvc1-t3GJnqF7JlUmQSgxp0SBrhUblsp3z1GaqSnQisjq-U06RMIdbq2mnKtT8FTRg/s320/IMG_9665.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This place made me very happy.</td></tr>
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DAY 5: (7/9/2020)<br />
5.3 miles, backpack<br />
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It rained for a good part of the night and it was still damp as we packed our gear and readied for the hike to the Tutka River. Once again we followed cairns along the valley and ultimately came to a well established trail which we hiked along to Lunch Mountain. The views from there were awesome. We could see from Tutka Bay all the way across Cook Inlet to Mt. Illiamna. We stopped to eat at Lunch Mountain and continued to enjoy the views. Then it was down a steep descent to the Tutka River where we set up our tents for the evening. We had lots of fun with a stone throwing contest at the edge of the river. I used the inReach to contact our water taxi and arranged to be picked up at the head of Tutka Bay the next afternoon.<br />
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<br />
DAY 6: (7/10/2020)<br />
2.9 miles, backpack<br />
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We enjoyed a very leisurely morning and started hiking at noon. It wouldn't take long to go the ~2.9 miles to the trailhead at Tutka Bay where the water taxi would pick us up and take us to Homer. We made a quick stop at Fat Olive's for a celebratory pizza and we were on our way home. Thoughts of a fantastic trip and plans for future adventures swirling in our heads.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfCK3BhK5PKC2jmxP25C9cq5PXQKCZimj01zI1y0A-8WP6COaUGqRopdfL55pGElAafkEknfhMKgQ7KpF_lqhcVVpiNk_fytTX6d-lWeHSHcL6KyBC8o_xX9t1_asPTFZpbmyHpthg6c/s1600/IMG_9679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfCK3BhK5PKC2jmxP25C9cq5PXQKCZimj01zI1y0A-8WP6COaUGqRopdfL55pGElAafkEknfhMKgQ7KpF_lqhcVVpiNk_fytTX6d-lWeHSHcL6KyBC8o_xX9t1_asPTFZpbmyHpthg6c/s320/IMG_9679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aboard the water taxi headed for Homer.</td></tr>
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WILDLIFE:<br />
Black bear-5<br />
Mountain goat-2<br />
Sea otter-1<br />
Hummingbirds-many<br />
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KUDOS:<br />
Erin, Hig, Lituya, Katmai and their maintenance teams deserve a huge thank you for all they have done to make this trail possible. Their efforts have made this incredible landscape available to all of us.<br />
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<br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-19336788409577094932018-07-24T10:47:00.000-08:002018-07-27T08:28:09.561-08:00WRANGELL/ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK BASECAMP TRIP 2018THE CREW:<br />
Doug Armstrong<br />
Rick Green<br />
Dylan Hooper<br />
Wally Hufford<br />
Cari Martin<br />
Julie Stephens<br />
<br />
LOGISTICS:<br />
We drove to McCarthy, Alaska in two vehicles. Upon arrival we set up camp at the National Park Service Meadow Camping area. We checked in with Wrangell Mountain Air that evening and had dinner at The Potato. The next morning it was raining and snowing at the higher elevations. We were supposed to fly to Iceberg Lake at 8:30 AM. However, weather conditions prevented us from getting there and we ended up going to Hubert's Landing at 4:30 PM.<br />
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THE STORY:<br />
Our original plan was to fly to Skolai Pass and hike the Goat Trail to Glacier Creek where we would have packrafts delivered and essentially float back to McCarthy with a hike thrown in at the end. We had spent months planning and prepping for this trip. However, in a phone call with the Wrangell Mountain Air folks we learned that our desired route was impassable. The high passes were filled with snow and the stream crossings were torrents of melt water. Conditions were dangerous. In fact, two people drowned attempting to cross a stream in the Park while we were there, and we later read accounts of several individuals being washed down streams as they attempted to make crossings. <br />
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All Alaska backcountry travelers know that sometimes you are at the mercy of weather and circumstance. Commonly referred to as "The Alaska Factor," any adventure is best approached with an open mind. The ability to alter plans and objectives in accordance with unforeseeable changes in weather, flight times, abilities, and so on, makes being flexible an imperative trait. The lingering late Spring and the current weather conditions were just another exercise in humility. Nature's bold power was showing us who was boss. So, we came up with an alternate plan deciding to fly to Iceberg Lake and take day hikes around that area instead. <br />
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We were all set to go when we arrived at McCarthy and set up camp the night before we were scheduled to fly out. About 2:00 AM it began to rain and we awoke to wet, soggy, sagging tents. Everyone scrambled toward the Wrangell Mountain Air office where we knew it would be dry under the porch of the building. Just a little more chaos to add to the fun. <br />
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Following breakfast at The Potato, probably the finest eatery in McCarthy, we loaded our backpacks into a van and rode to the airstrip. The rain continued as we transferred our gear from the van to a small plane with huge Tundra Tires. Then we stood around waiting to hear the final assessment of the weather from our pilot. After looking at the current conditions on an iPhone and getting a report from another pilot we were informed that visibility was not good enough to fly. Back to the office we went for another cup of coffee and more food at The Potato.<br />
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The day was spent drying gear, eating more food at The Potato, napping, and rearranging our plans. There was 8-10 inches of snow at Iceberg Lake. We weren't going there. The Wrangell Mountain Air folks suggested a place called Hubert's Landing and we collectively shook our heads in agreement. It was lower in elevation and there was a cabin we could utilize. At 4:30 PM we were on our way back to the airstrip and loading our gear into a plane for the second time that day. <br />
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The flight to Hubert's was nothing short of spectacular. We flew over the braided Chitina River with mountains rising on either side and valleys, often filled with glacial ice and debris, winding their way miles into the distance. We had a hard time deciding which direction to point our cameras as every square inch of the place was photo worthy. <br />
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And, here's the best part, just as we landed on a gravel bar in the middle of nowhere, the weather began to clear.<br />
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Once camp was established it was obvious that we were in a stunning, wild place that none of us had ever been before. Beautiful, jagged mountains ran to the horizon in all directions and the wide Chitina River flowed into the distance beyond our ability to see. There were several drainages we could explore and it didn't hurt that the weather was improving with a forecast including more of the same. Civilization was several days walking away, but that really didn't matter because we had everything we needed--plus some.<br />
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Over the years we have made many trips to extremely wild locations. It is difficult to share a sense of these places. Granted there was a cabin at Hubert's Landing, but it was surrounded by miles of nothing. It is a nothing that touches your heart and calls to your soul. Places of wilderness are that way. They provide inspiration and purpose...a reason to keep your mind and body strong. That's why we go there. It is also a silent place with the exception of the wind and water. You can hear yourself think.<br />
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Days were passed with combinations of hiking, playing cards, and eating. The first day we enjoyed--ahem--a 7 1/2 hour bushwhack which left us tired and hungry. We celebrated with freeze dried meals and adult beverages upon our return. The next morning we took a 5+ mile RT hike up a drainage to a narrow canyon where we turned around after the canyon walls closed in tight against the creek flowing out from its depths. The remainder of the afternoon was spent washing clothes and tending gear in bright sunshine. The following days were spent in similar fashion as we also photographed plants and the prints wolves, coyotes, bears, and bison had left on the sand. Even though we weren't lucky enough to see any wildlife it was good to know the area was home to a variety of creatures. I'm certain they knew we were there.<br />
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As for the weather during the remainder of our stay, it was making nice. After all the turbulence and tumult it caused prior to our landing on that gravel strip, it couldn't have been minding its manners more perfectly. Glorious sun drenched days followed each other and we soon took for granted the warm and dry air as we lived amid the raw beauty of a 'place that's always been.'<br />
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On July 4th two of us flew back to McCarthy. The evening flight was remarkable and upon our arrival we passed a large group of people dancing to live music as we made our way to the Wrangell Mountain Air office. Our pilot accompanied us to The Potato where we ordered food while watching revelers celebrate Independence Day only as they are able in McCarthy. It didn't go without notice that there was a barrage of the sounds of civilization from a live band, four-wheelers, a motorcycle, people talking, and shuttle vans driving back and forth. There were even fireworks exploding in the Alaskan dusk at midnight. It was a stark contrast to the serenity and solitude of Hubert's Landing.<br />
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Several members of our party remained at Hubert's Landing to extend the trip a few more days. The weather remained pleasant for them and they continued the daily hiking routine making it up a ravine and near the glacier terminus. <br />
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In the end, even though our original plans were thwarted, we were able to spend time in a place that has no roads, trails, or hint of civilization (with the exception of an ancient, abandoned cabin), miles and miles from the nearest outpost, in the largest National Park in the nation. We would embrace all those things and appreciate the wilderness experience swooning at the views and listening to the silence. We created a sense of appreciation of the landscape that can only be built by soaking it in at a walking pace. It didn't hurt that the finest weather of the season was bestowed upon us during our stay either. Sometimes things work out just the way they are supposed to.<br />
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Here are some photos:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J4Wl6Phj6noVFV83R_HEUH7iYDrjcso_CYxYy8X7oYGKYKZ5alLuBwh0WZIb-wPGaWAjmAV2I86wnDWhfaWvk0qhA3N9NwsrY3mzvrxXn0xpAUdyi6bqBY7os_y8byXkTLwg907ky-M/s1600/IMG_4888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J4Wl6Phj6noVFV83R_HEUH7iYDrjcso_CYxYy8X7oYGKYKZ5alLuBwh0WZIb-wPGaWAjmAV2I86wnDWhfaWvk0qhA3N9NwsrY3mzvrxXn0xpAUdyi6bqBY7os_y8byXkTLwg907ky-M/s320/IMG_4888.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the airstrip early in the morning. It was a false alarm. The weather wasn't conducive to flying so we went back to the Wrangell Mountain Air office.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8hF0t4ptfhVdPR-K8YYSMd4QwTumWisQQixOdaOxZnVikxdjQgJilsizxkL2YI3hTy0BsxhlAwPZbNwdLQrxC9cfNS3ohdE-DVKT9HMygyafTuLAmsHFti0Tu8iCPeakvZJSeTidKfY/s1600/IMG_4893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8hF0t4ptfhVdPR-K8YYSMd4QwTumWisQQixOdaOxZnVikxdjQgJilsizxkL2YI3hTy0BsxhlAwPZbNwdLQrxC9cfNS3ohdE-DVKT9HMygyafTuLAmsHFti0Tu8iCPeakvZJSeTidKfY/s320/IMG_4893.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting around the Wrangell Mountain Air office.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtwdjx1IvzKmKafnIPVShV4nQpLzXSe8WHodqZr58X_PlPs7r8sQJNXVMaEFZRWU_wvwHC0aF23ZQs9lwFeLyp5RuDerI3W3BdyeG4aZJdgEmgqNUKByqBVze7Xw8TXSkV5JfNX5NHOI/s1600/IMG_4894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtwdjx1IvzKmKafnIPVShV4nQpLzXSe8WHodqZr58X_PlPs7r8sQJNXVMaEFZRWU_wvwHC0aF23ZQs9lwFeLyp5RuDerI3W3BdyeG4aZJdgEmgqNUKByqBVze7Xw8TXSkV5JfNX5NHOI/s320/IMG_4894.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick grabbed a few naps while we were waiting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqvcWrMqFTxJhCuMtA6T3Zi267tH7bbMFCGC2KcTxLNUT14qH2d9VBBLvxNPjdem17M8enTWV6gLihhI1yxp90Ove5POZfkAfL_aMVffoXdt-AqZH-coXJYE2ZBvYtt7-MHRMohEHa00/s1600/IMG_4901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqvcWrMqFTxJhCuMtA6T3Zi267tH7bbMFCGC2KcTxLNUT14qH2d9VBBLvxNPjdem17M8enTWV6gLihhI1yxp90Ove5POZfkAfL_aMVffoXdt-AqZH-coXJYE2ZBvYtt7-MHRMohEHa00/s320/IMG_4901.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee and food at The Potato was a popular pastime while waiting for the weather to improve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIRNQkIzl4qK-szTVWB5w39jtBZtEuLed32_hi0BdGw1JyHCj4TJk4zwqyaw4i-UnRcVdZfDGRnVkX4_2rNONTwHqPQZ25XnCFDsIEw-QSfHcO2ux523Hd8tnNgZzeAIkhGXIPihKfCU/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIRNQkIzl4qK-szTVWB5w39jtBZtEuLed32_hi0BdGw1JyHCj4TJk4zwqyaw4i-UnRcVdZfDGRnVkX4_2rNONTwHqPQZ25XnCFDsIEw-QSfHcO2ux523Hd8tnNgZzeAIkhGXIPihKfCU/s320/IMG_4907.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tundra tires. Great for landing on gravel bars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CW2v1npWmhr4E9DQA_hDBv6cgo_GZ6lRZSlDq_uu9fBGjRnAZHtVXBbM45fBr-zvp_lpCwQdKGwGb-0LfyiMsV9_f35w-5dSZVIDiuhbtHSu_eLiGnQKJEoB_TuekuUSifIR0pndeLY/s1600/IMG_4911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CW2v1npWmhr4E9DQA_hDBv6cgo_GZ6lRZSlDq_uu9fBGjRnAZHtVXBbM45fBr-zvp_lpCwQdKGwGb-0LfyiMsV9_f35w-5dSZVIDiuhbtHSu_eLiGnQKJEoB_TuekuUSifIR0pndeLY/s320/IMG_4911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally loading up to fly out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRnyz3V0d4Q6aNU2hkg87cxKk-Vs1AYWwFcteQFbEuY09cjZN00jt2ToS8DzfA8jmlvrEriATSkJU4f5qyWILbEWcZGirgSbHnLUVLUwGgRDRU525V4Ca4-Ej0xMHCRFvPR3HsQ0q-l4/s1600/IMG_4909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRnyz3V0d4Q6aNU2hkg87cxKk-Vs1AYWwFcteQFbEuY09cjZN00jt2ToS8DzfA8jmlvrEriATSkJU4f5qyWILbEWcZGirgSbHnLUVLUwGgRDRU525V4Ca4-Ej0xMHCRFvPR3HsQ0q-l4/s320/IMG_4909.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear spray canisters aren't allowed inside the plane. They are duct taped to the strut for transport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSSbJLWxwDD0wnxS8in0kYBr_WrbJsO5DOk8Lj16z86iW_I84pxEVAz8roZ3jnPwaLkGyhI2P3UBSfSZrWGa-OTiCG737yauqhED-Zl-IH5hfhZdg8bma8lks0ELIpjvMCKjer6M6DmE/s1600/IMG_4913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSSbJLWxwDD0wnxS8in0kYBr_WrbJsO5DOk8Lj16z86iW_I84pxEVAz8roZ3jnPwaLkGyhI2P3UBSfSZrWGa-OTiCG737yauqhED-Zl-IH5hfhZdg8bma8lks0ELIpjvMCKjer6M6DmE/s320/IMG_4913.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to fly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM4Un-HdI0fp7_1mYJzfJzQqM73aJlM4xhRGqhPHzRnPJaUx48-GlYLR3Dr2kWr414yhHKARcXbp_qJu5nxi3VNl7LalptQTXwB8FwTRODm3mQcRqmrAfQ5FQhOuC3hkrIiJoZXNwnB8/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM4Un-HdI0fp7_1mYJzfJzQqM73aJlM4xhRGqhPHzRnPJaUx48-GlYLR3Dr2kWr414yhHKARcXbp_qJu5nxi3VNl7LalptQTXwB8FwTRODm3mQcRqmrAfQ5FQhOuC3hkrIiJoZXNwnB8/s320/IMG_4915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pilot using an iPhone to navigate thru the Alaskan wilderness.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHKp0GoVUbCoOTngA7LCn_r6SKYfRCitJiT2JPc0BAcOuPSt5WVZr6OD0Uu3hKkhZnmnpvFlGF2AIQ9Iaxlws518sHetJFox9FhyoyGnh8p8AaazFUlkUwSZZ8OmJGDi240u4nkiD9ww/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHKp0GoVUbCoOTngA7LCn_r6SKYfRCitJiT2JPc0BAcOuPSt5WVZr6OD0Uu3hKkhZnmnpvFlGF2AIQ9Iaxlws518sHetJFox9FhyoyGnh8p8AaazFUlkUwSZZ8OmJGDi240u4nkiD9ww/s320/IMG_4916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A braided river.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the crew upon landing at our destination. Two more members arrived later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cabin at Hubert's Landing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72XWS5jHdbQaEA_l0xI5G6bkqb5xbJopVUqRLQMMJX5H7ieqtGRfTVbXonqZHu_8QQuuifaRjDghyphenhypheniCmY4svYpB52X6RB9OuM2geHU07oe4MXSVC33PcfRY42JLvNOFnThFwJ_7mJDgA/s1600/IMG_4938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72XWS5jHdbQaEA_l0xI5G6bkqb5xbJopVUqRLQMMJX5H7ieqtGRfTVbXonqZHu_8QQuuifaRjDghyphenhypheniCmY4svYpB52X6RB9OuM2geHU07oe4MXSVC33PcfRY42JLvNOFnThFwJ_7mJDgA/s320/IMG_4938.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finely appointed dining area at the cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2txV-owRtIf4mBzQxQOEmPZBGKuSrfr_7rC-EVIpJzLoz8FlCvdanfP5Xg1AOo7phEErQt1gKSWwNDfZqHCWISYmpR01Qx12fgIfTru157jcorq6yVAL1uf8Xituvs_nNob7WmCteHdg/s1600/IMG_4947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2txV-owRtIf4mBzQxQOEmPZBGKuSrfr_7rC-EVIpJzLoz8FlCvdanfP5Xg1AOo7phEErQt1gKSWwNDfZqHCWISYmpR01Qx12fgIfTru157jcorq6yVAL1uf8Xituvs_nNob7WmCteHdg/s320/IMG_4947.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out on a day hike.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc60RRcHKSxT7k6ZqGRCGTKO74UoIKEMMpgAWHYyLlJV1f1VW5advwPvBvKISatqj_6jnj_qsurk927C8zXP25IkKVWNCEp04bqOC4eA19zWVywv7kBaJv25Ap08Stu-K0p1yn8QHw-A/s1600/IMG_4950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc60RRcHKSxT7k6ZqGRCGTKO74UoIKEMMpgAWHYyLlJV1f1VW5advwPvBvKISatqj_6jnj_qsurk927C8zXP25IkKVWNCEp04bqOC4eA19zWVywv7kBaJv25Ap08Stu-K0p1yn8QHw-A/s320/IMG_4950.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group consultation using a cell phone for navigation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE3OG3ob0LwQVzz9QRBQgWpGUW1xu0g0Y84RTPNx-LAS-d8k66c6KSHAERlRBjWMr9mXImXs7SZ4Hw3XfoBeVj9CIu0kl8pcw3Y2foePqBzPDV2gCB5Tcz4llGE8L7RQ1A0oRSiPZRaU/s1600/IMG_4954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE3OG3ob0LwQVzz9QRBQgWpGUW1xu0g0Y84RTPNx-LAS-d8k66c6KSHAERlRBjWMr9mXImXs7SZ4Hw3XfoBeVj9CIu0kl8pcw3Y2foePqBzPDV2gCB5Tcz4llGE8L7RQ1A0oRSiPZRaU/s320/IMG_4954.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushwhacking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FNZIpw5rvPjLm54f7XH_fUuKyitFMGPjHwqSilhQt5wcSmBuh9pXRsnbbWZt5tqDNVbtgI_Qb84I4K7AhUrSGEHlkdRXtlpZXhHdKdD4nx6gQ2ww26XRS4psw1t502ugZYb7HllL8FA/s1600/IMG_4964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FNZIpw5rvPjLm54f7XH_fUuKyitFMGPjHwqSilhQt5wcSmBuh9pXRsnbbWZt5tqDNVbtgI_Qb84I4K7AhUrSGEHlkdRXtlpZXhHdKdD4nx6gQ2ww26XRS4psw1t502ugZYb7HllL8FA/s320/IMG_4964.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwoZXmZDR6fYJnz4RcxnvIrTWNfyFDgshlk0VZxnX4KERbqyZrCJTrpOwXe5aECp4uEMimO9d1jb5nFlg_bFW-YjRx2pp_zertrHIo7Oa9rUiG0g7CDGEWx-kvGLTSG1NjwclA-PWGys/s1600/IMG_4981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwoZXmZDR6fYJnz4RcxnvIrTWNfyFDgshlk0VZxnX4KERbqyZrCJTrpOwXe5aECp4uEMimO9d1jb5nFlg_bFW-YjRx2pp_zertrHIo7Oa9rUiG0g7CDGEWx-kvGLTSG1NjwclA-PWGys/s320/IMG_4981.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up a drainage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24__Eo__SfVp-R91GrTaLaJc-COqWqwa-NhP0tEdL5Dixy6vPgjHmwkUwbcavMG2lxlcUdB5cWPZE5VjkuPFpnwbhbvXq5m9i8WzVXv_-AxNEqn3AaNUn2jJdlyqFRj98iRywi9IDTtM/s1600/IMG_5023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24__Eo__SfVp-R91GrTaLaJc-COqWqwa-NhP0tEdL5Dixy6vPgjHmwkUwbcavMG2lxlcUdB5cWPZE5VjkuPFpnwbhbvXq5m9i8WzVXv_-AxNEqn3AaNUn2jJdlyqFRj98iRywi9IDTtM/s320/IMG_5023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing cards in the warm sunshine.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvg4ksCfHjWZ0o_ItK8Ym04hhJLz9y7JsKoH-tjz-jrlG984uPLFHrX03lrKDXZWUA9l456J7pSZHWIUonLJbVftbf4jB-ZQPtYpwMV9NvUXxhFu10m8t2KwdSOxVffY4-bMKRIeWAWM/s1600/IMG_5046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvg4ksCfHjWZ0o_ItK8Ym04hhJLz9y7JsKoH-tjz-jrlG984uPLFHrX03lrKDXZWUA9l456J7pSZHWIUonLJbVftbf4jB-ZQPtYpwMV9NvUXxhFu10m8t2KwdSOxVffY4-bMKRIeWAWM/s320/IMG_5046.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear track and mountains.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdsO7qUh9GsTI1tTJ6YKf1v6ZZ6yrNfKeorRd5o5xz_hiMH5hYcFuF2N2tu6J48VqbD7tWmTHrTP91R_3-vg5Ru9W9mKFAd9L7UoaiS3LFYbDemaotfKOaTcL1MAooYXI51-RO-aCQcE/s1600/IMG_5053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdsO7qUh9GsTI1tTJ6YKf1v6ZZ6yrNfKeorRd5o5xz_hiMH5hYcFuF2N2tu6J48VqbD7tWmTHrTP91R_3-vg5Ru9W9mKFAd9L7UoaiS3LFYbDemaotfKOaTcL1MAooYXI51-RO-aCQcE/s320/IMG_5053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dryas (also known as Mountain Avens)</td></tr>
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<br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-3826826184764697722017-09-11T06:21:00.001-08:002017-09-11T06:21:24.650-08:00ALATNA RIVER PACKRAFT/ARRIGETCH PEAKS BACKPACK TRIP 2017<b>The Crew:</b><br />
<br />
Doug Armstrong<br />
Jim Bennett<br />
Wally Hufford<br />
Julie Stephens<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYSUG4I7MGX3WAzCLIW4q9HUrS0htoUqtAMH12iu3gawZpO4hl1U4LrHcdALj851wy7HKeUaFE61iv5h2zA6olR6eBozDOnEo0STUGvzx7SUno0ufXtQs8BftELuyjFKYIrjvvrmw4P8/s1600/IMG_4323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYSUG4I7MGX3WAzCLIW4q9HUrS0htoUqtAMH12iu3gawZpO4hl1U4LrHcdALj851wy7HKeUaFE61iv5h2zA6olR6eBozDOnEo0STUGvzx7SUno0ufXtQs8BftELuyjFKYIrjvvrmw4P8/s320/IMG_4323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew at Gaedeke Lake. Ready to start our adventure on the Alatna River.</td></tr>
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LOGISTICS:<br />
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We flew from Fairbanks to Bettles, Alaska on Wright Air Service. After spending the night in Bettles, we flew on a Brooks Range Aviation floatplane to Gaedeke Lake. Following our float on the Alatna River and backpack to the Arrigetch Peaks we were picked up by floatplane at Takahula Lake. We returned to Bettles, where we spent the night once again, and flew to Fairbanks the following morning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXqVtw3XiNje5vL8RIinL0H4RlFjAsikdl8Ud2EzrcUmCwWCK4Q2IX4k_PXGKRWbKZ8Z09FYLVKifTSxrXcBxibfBsnmWvc44Xdb42nUv07H08Ck8AlZaFCWcKrRUHn9aCn2zHfdoIuM/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXqVtw3XiNje5vL8RIinL0H4RlFjAsikdl8Ud2EzrcUmCwWCK4Q2IX4k_PXGKRWbKZ8Z09FYLVKifTSxrXcBxibfBsnmWvc44Xdb42nUv07H08Ck8AlZaFCWcKrRUHn9aCn2zHfdoIuM/s320/IMG_3089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the floatplane on the way to Gaedeke Lake. (photo courtesy Jim Bennett)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThIsiAJP5Rnsmp02j_uLgoLJm54QxFPDKMv4tLS74MQmRRAQJjjoduqx8lBWrKK5VavC0Me4C02YcI5CVr69gnYq5qdYIcRmp2xe3lliUTkHqd_yBrhUuZdX8-s37gso_Y9x3IMCzn94/s1600/ALATNA-ARRIGETCH+2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThIsiAJP5Rnsmp02j_uLgoLJm54QxFPDKMv4tLS74MQmRRAQJjjoduqx8lBWrKK5VavC0Me4C02YcI5CVr69gnYq5qdYIcRmp2xe3lliUTkHqd_yBrhUuZdX8-s37gso_Y9x3IMCzn94/s320/ALATNA-ARRIGETCH+2017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GPS track of the Alatna River packrat/Arrigetch Peaks backpack trip. Waypoints indicate our campsite locations.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">DAY 1: (7/14/17)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">6.7 miles pack</span><span style="font-size: small;">rafting. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Following breakfast at the Bettles Lodge, we were driven to the floatplane basin where we met our pilot and loaded our gear for departure. Then we enjoyed an exquisite flight through the Brooks Range on our way to Gaedeke Lake. Along the way we got a glimpse of the Arrigetch Peaks as the twisting Alatna River flowed below us. The sky was hazy due to fires burning to the east in Canada. Landing at Gaedeke Lake was exciting because we knew our adventure was about to begin. We unloaded our gear and our pilot wished us luck before he returned to Bettles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When the plane leaves you realize just how immersed in the wilderness you are. I really like that feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Along the edge of the lake we found some caribou antlers which we photographed before packing our gear onto the packrafts. The weather was beautiful as we paddled across the flat calm water toward the outlet and the Alatna River. We were underway.</span></div>
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After paddling for an hour or so the water started to move and we were on the river, which quickly became shallow and very fast. We floated for a while, then lined our boats for a while, then floated, then lined. Our bear canisters were inside the tubes of our packrafts which we later discovered was a mistake. Hearing them hit against the rocks as we floated along should have alerted us to the damage that was being done. Unfortunately, we didn't realize what was happening until we noticed our boats were slowly losing air. Each of us had developed pinhole leaks in our rafts. It was a good thing we had plenty of Tyvek and Tenacious Tape to repair things. We moved our bear canisters from inside the packraft tubes to our backpacks which were lashed to the bow of the packraft to prevent further damage. Lesson learned.<br />
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Eventually we arrived at our first campsite which was in a beautiful valley. It was also very buggy. After dinner we fell fast asleep to the rushing sounds of the Alatna flowing just a few feet away. In the middle of the night I awoke and saw only one sock on the drying cord at the top of my tent. Searching through everything multiple times to try and find the other one was fruitless. The errant sock was nowhere to be found. I even went outside and retraced my steps of the previous evening. Nothing. I finally gave up and laid my head back down. That's when I felt a lump. The sock had fallen into my hoodie earlier in the night and was there the whole time. I had carried it around during the entire search.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3AS7zL9Z8xhiL3Au1kWr8974W8VesHHa2poah60oxjuduGy9wU_4E13lT9H0fNtkWzmXzFuZB99-htpock80QQrYZ0fNp94UFXxVIpVHZHSDGlCz8zNo_CHI1OQdO59ThwVtM6wSZIo/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3AS7zL9Z8xhiL3Au1kWr8974W8VesHHa2poah60oxjuduGy9wU_4E13lT9H0fNtkWzmXzFuZB99-htpock80QQrYZ0fNp94UFXxVIpVHZHSDGlCz8zNo_CHI1OQdO59ThwVtM6wSZIo/s320/IMG_4334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Armstrong prepares breakfast at Camp 1.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO4XYVTpaePqMvv9GjzJk5694nTm5TxLUXmE7EGtoarkNVHrlspS6sHfTiP_aWRvbDdiGkPNP_I4Lj2OBI6_t92I-krAwxOTCfVVJKlpWxXKVWhQNAQHLIQb8dPUC-mxDLTyX1WJ9ThY/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO4XYVTpaePqMvv9GjzJk5694nTm5TxLUXmE7EGtoarkNVHrlspS6sHfTiP_aWRvbDdiGkPNP_I4Lj2OBI6_t92I-krAwxOTCfVVJKlpWxXKVWhQNAQHLIQb8dPUC-mxDLTyX1WJ9ThY/s320/IMG_4336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp 1 at the edge of the Alatna River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79mNq9ShUiDtZfVjvTFC_Xk9A0rpIIzfxfIJ-MV8NdgRFP8x3JfB85OdeuArzuR6D-SxUzz68bgOveulkc3pJBW1rZ59aRQIXVyOj4St7JatS2Vgj7DnvEQBOU5SiNOGCd5JKwOGMemc/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79mNq9ShUiDtZfVjvTFC_Xk9A0rpIIzfxfIJ-MV8NdgRFP8x3JfB85OdeuArzuR6D-SxUzz68bgOveulkc3pJBW1rZ59aRQIXVyOj4St7JatS2Vgj7DnvEQBOU5SiNOGCd5JKwOGMemc/s320/IMG_4343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosquitoes meet their demise as they buzz over a steaming hot bowl of Cream-O-Wheat.</td></tr>
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DAY 2: (7/15/17)<br />
11 miles packrafting. <br />
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Our second day on the Alatna involved more lining and some rapid running. Along the way Jim lost his paddling gloves and sunglasses. We also engineered a narrow passage at one point by pulling a sweeper back and tying it to the shore so we could get past it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTfxk3AROTMp_khOtz9k7G0rtF8yHpeVDfQm9vbcsOn7ykzNS_J1t-rOuqKiYdSji-MvajhhlyHMTqT-LPlVgAq1Hl8_R5tGfS34jTVZYGuUY5238K3Q2fwoAodgdlbYZ7f4aRGaoMRU/s1600/IMG_4359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTfxk3AROTMp_khOtz9k7G0rtF8yHpeVDfQm9vbcsOn7ykzNS_J1t-rOuqKiYdSji-MvajhhlyHMTqT-LPlVgAq1Hl8_R5tGfS34jTVZYGuUY5238K3Q2fwoAodgdlbYZ7f4aRGaoMRU/s320/IMG_4359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineering a sweeper for safe passage. (photo courtesy Julie Stephens)</td></tr>
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It was extremely windy when we stopped to set up camp. In fact, it was so windy that Doug's raft flew up in the air during a particularly strong gust. Fortunately, he caught it before it got too far away. A little while later Julie said, "My tent, my tent!" I looked over to see her chasing after her tent which had blown into the water and was floating down the river. Jim grabbed his camera and gave it to me to take some photos before he went to help her They recovered it easily and brought it back to our campsite where it was immediately staked down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpLC-GtbIFTpxsD3V_xBQL4WP6HkctRyfIpMFJDPm-hqZabefn4CsLOcsmpnLSil67t9CHxfZGL0YvPo9n7n7kU_ooxqrHLfD3zvRiY6sWTgcIRoECw1mvfUwngmD40P_U7lOJHiNefw/s1600/IMG_3088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpLC-GtbIFTpxsD3V_xBQL4WP6HkctRyfIpMFJDPm-hqZabefn4CsLOcsmpnLSil67t9CHxfZGL0YvPo9n7n7kU_ooxqrHLfD3zvRiY6sWTgcIRoECw1mvfUwngmD40P_U7lOJHiNefw/s320/IMG_3088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Julie carry the tent back to shore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82H5jEY2wutx7Ib-jmclNqUDEvQsq4UySrJVkSNLjDDV-CkTlW65ZZ262Dta9WE4uQbhFkHj4FQYrtQhSYCLx27xAjexns89LmWhdRBkN2lfBjxUsNwLvLwzKRFeBBlbgxUOWPvXCQ3I/s1600/IMG_4361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82H5jEY2wutx7Ib-jmclNqUDEvQsq4UySrJVkSNLjDDV-CkTlW65ZZ262Dta9WE4uQbhFkHj4FQYrtQhSYCLx27xAjexns89LmWhdRBkN2lfBjxUsNwLvLwzKRFeBBlbgxUOWPvXCQ3I/s320/IMG_4361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp 2</td></tr>
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We noticed the air was clearing and the haze was gone. Later it rained heavily for about an hour in the middle of the night, but we all reported our tents had remained dry. The next morning we watched as the river went from crystal clear to chocolate milk muddy in about 45 minutes due to the previous night's rain storm.<br />
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DAY 3: (7/16/17)<br />
17.7 miles pack rafting. <br />
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Shoving off we rocketed downstream in fast water right away. The river was fun splashiness and we were cruising. Things were going great as we followed each other enjoying an effortless ride down the Alatna. All of that lasted for a little while anyway. <br />
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Suddenly Jim had a mishap with his paddle as the shaft cracked and the blade fell off. It all happened right before a sweeper caught his boat sending him for a swim. Holding onto his raft Jim was pulled under the sweeper. Luckily he came to the surface on the other side and made it to shore. He was yelling and waving his broken paddle in the air while Julie and I stopped upstream trying to figure out what he was saying. We couldn't exactly hear his words, but from the tone of his voice and frantic waving we knew it wasn't good. We slowly paddled downstream managing to avoid the sweeper and pulled into shore where Jim stood dripping wet. He related what had happened while Julie and I stood there not knowing what to say. We knew we were fortunate things had turned out like they had. Even so, Jim lost his headnet, raincoat, and lunch. He did recover his water bottle in a downstream eddy. Fortunately Doug had a spare paddle and once we gathered our wits we were able to continue paddling down the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWoFO_ZPU9zooDIi9rfduTvcjEdm0qV1Ty3u5stdrPsUAx3yyyzUOELHm51WzMKQtqQOWfEejP7GsCo_-ham3AYdEEHL6_DotYr6G6F1PRIUIUlSHDbP2F3AO9gh7ZtNIwOhmqjGGXZA/s1600/IMG_4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWoFO_ZPU9zooDIi9rfduTvcjEdm0qV1Ty3u5stdrPsUAx3yyyzUOELHm51WzMKQtqQOWfEejP7GsCo_-ham3AYdEEHL6_DotYr6G6F1PRIUIUlSHDbP2F3AO9gh7ZtNIwOhmqjGGXZA/s320/IMG_4366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim continues down the Alatna River using Doug's spare paddle.</td></tr>
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DAY 4: (7/17/17) <br />
15 miles pack rafting. <br />
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Before the rest of us woke up, Jim saw a young bull moose from camp while he was drinking his morning coffee. We got our earliest start of the trip and paddled through infrequent rapids and increasingly tranquil water. The topography was changing and we began to see birch trees along the shore. We decided to camp at the confluence of Awlinyak Creek and the Alatna. It was a great campsite on a flat plain with plenty of space and awesome views of the surrounding mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1i4PzGaECyeoy28L_m0WzGfXjympy-0kabXowb1bxKF3z7eIpNpBvnjNT1f-uChNGNZaz2HVP3bypSdvaGfcjnp-J6XVHAhBJDl-bXKhkBnDxBzqmf8YGOAkGNfFnWSYO5RnaCvzAZs/s1600/IMG_4370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1i4PzGaECyeoy28L_m0WzGfXjympy-0kabXowb1bxKF3z7eIpNpBvnjNT1f-uChNGNZaz2HVP3bypSdvaGfcjnp-J6XVHAhBJDl-bXKhkBnDxBzqmf8YGOAkGNfFnWSYO5RnaCvzAZs/s320/IMG_4370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Alatna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp.</td></tr>
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DAY 5: (7/18/17) <br />
9.8 miles packrafting. <br />
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Not having far to go before reaching Arrigetch Creek so we took our time eating breakfast and packing for the float. Once on the river we drifted with the current and stayed close enough to each other so we could chat. The swift water, rapids, and shallowness were gone. The packrafting had become a casual float. We passed a cabin with a cache and waved at the occupant. It would have been nice to stop and visit but there wasn't anyplace we could pull out due to the brush along the river's edge. We would later meet the cabin's owner while we were in Bettles. <br />
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We caught our first glimpse of the Arrigetch Peaks as we looked up the Arrigetch Creek valley. Pulling into shore we found an excellent camp area along the river. It was early in the day when we set up our tents and the weather was beautiful, so we spent the remainder of the afternoon lounging in the sun and cleaning gear. Looking downriver we saw two people about a half mile away. They waved and we waved back. Later in the afternoon a plane flew directly over us and landed on what we assumed was Circle Lake. We began prepping for the backpack portion of the trip to the Arrigetch Peaks and spent a good deal of time discussing theories of how to find the social trail which we were certain was on the left side of Arrigetch Creek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDXE-dftN8POhOBaOM6w8rd2QAuyJjF1HxDelipeE9BjV9o-tnXiil8TqQ1ziaPxvQRlSENN63HR9llNAleXBUJkEc-1eBgmW5_D-IfOPoa0vvo1n_UIEUxZqxL9H8N6fBUbMFpGjLyc/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDXE-dftN8POhOBaOM6w8rd2QAuyJjF1HxDelipeE9BjV9o-tnXiil8TqQ1ziaPxvQRlSENN63HR9llNAleXBUJkEc-1eBgmW5_D-IfOPoa0vvo1n_UIEUxZqxL9H8N6fBUbMFpGjLyc/s320/IMG_4416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awlinyak Creek camp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie and her packraft. Contemplating the Alatna River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfRu10hj3iDqR4KkcrY5CfTVKGtGi2yZU6eXTySfgSOtS6CHEncnEv3pVdIAmPWLHK1zTK3UWX6Tre_MZ-Lt1S5bujQ9jf4yZ0ew5jnM6UCdH6wMhMsR1LT1gMldIIx-lEzovzjibj70/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfRu10hj3iDqR4KkcrY5CfTVKGtGi2yZU6eXTySfgSOtS6CHEncnEv3pVdIAmPWLHK1zTK3UWX6Tre_MZ-Lt1S5bujQ9jf4yZ0ew5jnM6UCdH6wMhMsR1LT1gMldIIx-lEzovzjibj70/s320/IMG_4424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim is ready to float.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEqXQWup3r1FQp4_6Z3Y5DBht53LfuPXfVjroyZxiHcnbpi0OmILAbaIoRDIFjaFlHiFkFg0m5fsfeLs4YM2_Y0cWj0dL2bUYUffqp8u_nNNkaH0rbyNSlN2Xluhj_OZF0iEofCYrO-4/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEqXQWup3r1FQp4_6Z3Y5DBht53LfuPXfVjroyZxiHcnbpi0OmILAbaIoRDIFjaFlHiFkFg0m5fsfeLs4YM2_Y0cWj0dL2bUYUffqp8u_nNNkaH0rbyNSlN2Xluhj_OZF0iEofCYrO-4/s320/IMG_4426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy drifting on the Alatna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6Cx0dMpIjZSA_UNUSMsk0uQvhf6qfmAs8ErYeLi2GxxPv6VGVb21J6iC13GcuzChCCJpOLECmfbfAczb2w3gm89hZnxb3Dz369jJe4pW6LsLwp-zYn0yg1qQxzDFkYA0nQQ0cxs9ZLM/s1600/IMG_4433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6Cx0dMpIjZSA_UNUSMsk0uQvhf6qfmAs8ErYeLi2GxxPv6VGVb21J6iC13GcuzChCCJpOLECmfbfAczb2w3gm89hZnxb3Dz369jJe4pW6LsLwp-zYn0yg1qQxzDFkYA0nQQ0cxs9ZLM/s320/IMG_4433.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using maps downloaded on a cell phone to check our location. A great way to navigate above the Arctic Circle.</td></tr>
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<div>
DAY 6: (7/19/17) <br />
5.4 miles backpacking. <br />
<br />
We stashed our packrafts and river gear in the woods tying everything to trees so the wind and animals wouldn't be able to carry any of it away. Then we stowed the bear canisters with our extra food in another location a short distance away. Using the GPS we marked waypoints of where everything was located so it would be easy to find upon our return. <br />
<br />
The day was warming up as we set off with loaded backpacks for the Arrigetch Peaks. After following intersecting game trails for over a mile we found the social trail for the hike up Arrigetch Creek. The trail was on the left side of the creek just as we assumed. It was quite well established and easy to follow. After a few miles we made it to a perch overlooking the creek where we ate a snack and drank the last of our water. Leaving the perch we made a mistake and went uphill into a boulder field which seemed to have no end. Eventually we decided to go downhill to find the social trail again. We found it after a short descent and continued to follow it up the valley. The heat was intense making it difficult to believe we were above the Arctic Circle. We decided to go until we found a site suitable for camping and stop for the day. We were lucky to find an excellent spot on the edge of Arrigetch Creek. The remainder of the day was spent recuperating and resting from the warm weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX9-8nod0hJvMK3JXQ-2R8elUYRDIQMH1rJ6G0Pb2y-kvRMCYCRCNlJV1jEyKcrC7QHSb92PFI7Wu933JmrNMaMV45thYcWSN7M3RlKXPyPgdtNPWzURU7uc1VPGVasQOhaNtYLEXQG0/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX9-8nod0hJvMK3JXQ-2R8elUYRDIQMH1rJ6G0Pb2y-kvRMCYCRCNlJV1jEyKcrC7QHSb92PFI7Wu933JmrNMaMV45thYcWSN7M3RlKXPyPgdtNPWzURU7uc1VPGVasQOhaNtYLEXQG0/s320/IMG_4453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug and Julie following the social trail through the Arrigetch valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7oXLb8iSgtxr9SLjaho_CphCEdtoKgxPd-LQn7Sb3U1VBGPlZv0gm9g2yY_bsyT1ICSMBTMgOmuS80q5E101_NExXWl_XUEBhILvv_sUKnYeWtExdfCGXRGOCUtjSeJc6vHniC039FU/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7oXLb8iSgtxr9SLjaho_CphCEdtoKgxPd-LQn7Sb3U1VBGPlZv0gm9g2yY_bsyT1ICSMBTMgOmuS80q5E101_NExXWl_XUEBhILvv_sUKnYeWtExdfCGXRGOCUtjSeJc6vHniC039FU/s320/IMG_4451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was some bushwhacking involved.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYqgqNlQSFb5NCDmcbUF45l0D2b07gMwY1BqBNyADaCQGt2s38O9LtfqoIHiBlpNwEHLUv4vSpslZfkfOenMYGl5fs4HSLmSzTZiz6Pt4LewRj6NQlnj8Syn_EILcZdcji4HsshTG2lo/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYqgqNlQSFb5NCDmcbUF45l0D2b07gMwY1BqBNyADaCQGt2s38O9LtfqoIHiBlpNwEHLUv4vSpslZfkfOenMYGl5fs4HSLmSzTZiz6Pt4LewRj6NQlnj8Syn_EILcZdcji4HsshTG2lo/s320/IMG_4455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Doug with the Arrigetch Peaks in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n996Yq4NXIb3hSVF02JUlxn9ILaIs2VxHqqT2Qc1QzvyiP5rumqkrRwpjLJs8ud2GWj0lTM6hnug-RNEWl7hhRGEu7TybflunnVFqLO-Yh7S_pEkTGJEbheyIyrrUfgY1PXbqnWiLMI/s1600/IMG_4457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n996Yq4NXIb3hSVF02JUlxn9ILaIs2VxHqqT2Qc1QzvyiP5rumqkrRwpjLJs8ud2GWj0lTM6hnug-RNEWl7hhRGEu7TybflunnVFqLO-Yh7S_pEkTGJEbheyIyrrUfgY1PXbqnWiLMI/s320/IMG_4457.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Arrigetch Creek camp.</td></tr>
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DAY 7: (7/20/17) <br />
7.6 miles RT hike to base of Arrigetch Peaks and back to camp. <br />
<br />
Anticipation was high as the hike today would take us to the base of the Arrigetch Peaks. We loaded our packs with water, food, and layers for a trek up the valley and back. The peaks became more spectacular with each step and we stopped frequently to snap photos. Along the way we met a group of four young climbers on their way out. They were going to be picked up at Circle Lake the next day. They had been climbing the peaks for three weeks and after a short exchange we continued on our way. <br />
<br />
We arrived at the base of the peaks which we had predetermined would be our turn around point. In retrospect we wished we had brought our camping gear with us and spent another day exploring the surrounding peaks and valleys. As we turned back toward camp a massive downpour occurred complete with thunder and lightening. Everything got extremely wet, but the sun was shining before we made it back at camp which turned everything warm and dry once again. The hike had been exhausting so after dinner we all stood around waiting until it was 8:00 PM so we could go to sleep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmSjviyt1Xl9XwHvS1qR2_tqOAB0dTb1A0kqcTK3Z7mk-LcxB2fOzWOmMZBQBG0ToYefqa088axOT9m3HrpI3JgSO87J1hKD1AXvqkBDACQ-0NG8fnHWaKkT4hcZrqq7ICEVj3SWubj4/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmSjviyt1Xl9XwHvS1qR2_tqOAB0dTb1A0kqcTK3Z7mk-LcxB2fOzWOmMZBQBG0ToYefqa088axOT9m3HrpI3JgSO87J1hKD1AXvqkBDACQ-0NG8fnHWaKkT4hcZrqq7ICEVj3SWubj4/s320/IMG_4466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug and Julie on the way to the base of the Arrigetch Peaks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunjXSJ3Bbj663snsD_f5PuxFYzLEWx3EKLmxFMoy-FHNHy5k7Nt2uWv4v7NrgPceVdttM-slOtmhW-k6ktTxnHjDe57cPsvaHi6spafSsC94UZpl1JqgRncUb6B_8Jh5pMr9taHLA6V8/s1600/IMG_4471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunjXSJ3Bbj663snsD_f5PuxFYzLEWx3EKLmxFMoy-FHNHy5k7Nt2uWv4v7NrgPceVdttM-slOtmhW-k6ktTxnHjDe57cPsvaHi6spafSsC94UZpl1JqgRncUb6B_8Jh5pMr9taHLA6V8/s320/IMG_4471.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with the Arrigetch Peaks in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XF3EvLUKuoIw4H8oABYwTt3j6FpSnBYxBIXStWAH23l2Ct0Q8hs-rvd_iS8FU_BNzF7A-BkRaIRxZ9fyBusrOrea1RWHt5lEQy5DIjggbeGFIXkLHoslSKJQy0Zezi8f-Zcqnn1oVhk/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XF3EvLUKuoIw4H8oABYwTt3j6FpSnBYxBIXStWAH23l2Ct0Q8hs-rvd_iS8FU_BNzF7A-BkRaIRxZ9fyBusrOrea1RWHt5lEQy5DIjggbeGFIXkLHoslSKJQy0Zezi8f-Zcqnn1oVhk/s320/IMG_4472.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug and Julie crossing the remnants of an avalanche.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwv65Rj0bRb_Y89ywdLeBefvP_NHiH75yYdLWgFpezvbc9mc4BEm91dkmu5N98NIE_VZFmkjazm6aX4WpwD4ohDeuhyqiE2CdDu6cP54C04367HwULIANbMSxM3L5oR-7QiDMAKGD6cE/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwv65Rj0bRb_Y89ywdLeBefvP_NHiH75yYdLWgFpezvbc9mc4BEm91dkmu5N98NIE_VZFmkjazm6aX4WpwD4ohDeuhyqiE2CdDu6cP54C04367HwULIANbMSxM3L5oR-7QiDMAKGD6cE/s320/IMG_4476.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the arrigetch Peaks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr2572wsFzeaUkBBNmcskv5bctO5RlsuBlpFnni9K_v-g3nUQLfZfklmnsBRzcpvszKqQdWd_O950IQNYCarUApi6ZqGRI_2vONblb42wahk_MQ7UelJeZkrbH26Aplws1Hh0c3tbIc0/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr2572wsFzeaUkBBNmcskv5bctO5RlsuBlpFnni9K_v-g3nUQLfZfklmnsBRzcpvszKqQdWd_O950IQNYCarUApi6ZqGRI_2vONblb42wahk_MQ7UelJeZkrbH26Aplws1Hh0c3tbIc0/s320/IMG_4483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the trail. Someone had built a fire here. It was one of very few indications that humans had been in the area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauvsGJe83-4ne-P-Ne2Gs-CnpiTMyKL5u1uvBJawMODUvT8J1AYhAarW8k-SoGIMXHJGEgn8T76qkZmrNxAAPvJeoJbPCcbjfKbAgq0F_69TjxrCZDwjqxSPIDJOzARDMublyua13imI/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauvsGJe83-4ne-P-Ne2Gs-CnpiTMyKL5u1uvBJawMODUvT8J1AYhAarW8k-SoGIMXHJGEgn8T76qkZmrNxAAPvJeoJbPCcbjfKbAgq0F_69TjxrCZDwjqxSPIDJOzARDMublyua13imI/s320/IMG_4485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Arrigetch Peaks.</td></tr>
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<div>
DAY 8: (7/21/17)<br />
5.4 miles backpacking. <br />
<br />
Jim was generally the first one up every morning, but he slept in unusually late today. We slowly ate breakfast and packed for the hike back to the Alatna River knowing it would only take about five hours, so we weren't in any rush. The weather was beautiful and we took it nice and easy on the trail stopping frequently for rest breaks, snacks, and water. It was a great hike out and we found our gear and food easily using the GPS. Following a celebratory toast the remainder of the afternoon was spent taking care of gear and reorganizing in order to continue our trip on the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QPo-6t6aSGT8FaO5XTjAvmR5qo5D58y00XXY-6r1dWSwSrtePq2dJIxKErHxcV5AQWJi8lLUnVk7H766Ajm-CtzS2wU6tggADvErvh8GyhyphenhyphenEu2UADHAgJuuyPtlMnk1qXPmJwJquTS4/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QPo-6t6aSGT8FaO5XTjAvmR5qo5D58y00XXY-6r1dWSwSrtePq2dJIxKErHxcV5AQWJi8lLUnVk7H766Ajm-CtzS2wU6tggADvErvh8GyhyphenhyphenEu2UADHAgJuuyPtlMnk1qXPmJwJquTS4/s320/IMG_4499.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebration time upon our return to the Alatna River.</td></tr>
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<div>
DAY 9: (7/22/17)<br />
13.4 miles pack rafting. <br />
<br />
This day consisted of a lazy float on a meandering Alatna River to a cabin that Julie had seen on the map. We checked it out and decided to make camp nearby at the confluence of the Alatna and Nahtuk Creek. It was a beautiful location and we noticed tundra tire tracks from an airplane along the edge of the river, which we assumed were made by the owner of the cabin. After an evening of enjoying the surroundings we slept soundly knowing that we would have a short float the following day to the portage for Takahula Lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Kcs7iO_1bcp2Rj5-EgpuP5Kuba3Z5j2P81mrTCLCZ7FPlhPUE87gwr5fxHDXA6xC6Zl0hAM7lzQddLTPa6u27hm4qjwHAYLAG_3nMLbzfthqPjfp8u33ROqAnPieFWdmx3LCQgzZWsk/s1600/IMG_4510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Kcs7iO_1bcp2Rj5-EgpuP5Kuba3Z5j2P81mrTCLCZ7FPlhPUE87gwr5fxHDXA6xC6Zl0hAM7lzQddLTPa6u27hm4qjwHAYLAG_3nMLbzfthqPjfp8u33ROqAnPieFWdmx3LCQgzZWsk/s320/IMG_4510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug strolls past a cabin along the edge of the Alatna River. It was built by people who owned the land before Gates of the Arctic National Park was established.<br />
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<div>
DAY 10: (7/23/17)<br />
8.3 miles packrafting. <br />
<br />
We awoke and leisurely packed our gear for the float to Takahula Lake. The river was slow and meandering. In some stretches we even had to paddle as the wind was blowing upstream and would halt forward progress. Keeping a close eye on the cell phone maps and my GPS it was easy to find the portage trail from the river to Takahula Lake. The trail was well established making for a comfortable gear haul which was accomplished in two trips. We reassembled our gear on the shore of Takhula and paddled onto the calm water. We could see white caps around the corner and knew we had some tough paddling ahead of us. As soon as we rounded the corner we ran into some serious waves and wind. We eventually made it to a sandy beach on the opposite side of the lake where we set up camp. We also set up Doug's tarp for the first time as it was raining off and on. The tarp offered a dry place for us to sit out of the wet weather. The remainder of the afternoon and evening was spent visiting and reminiscing about the trip.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawoNkOoBSDA0yoAQ9Ei3I1-zPFwWfL_xeK5pababqMsTGiPL5fMLiRs5EzcqxwrWXf0RWPwoq7A-BOqcDU8_yoHpZwmMEBDGfxhO1f1fBAylgmXChYQ5yc0AElEzJfl3dwhyphenhyphenAwfxxAR4/s1600/IMG_4513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawoNkOoBSDA0yoAQ9Ei3I1-zPFwWfL_xeK5pababqMsTGiPL5fMLiRs5EzcqxwrWXf0RWPwoq7A-BOqcDU8_yoHpZwmMEBDGfxhO1f1fBAylgmXChYQ5yc0AElEzJfl3dwhyphenhyphenAwfxxAR4/s320/IMG_4513.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calm side of Takahula Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2vZBWPBNstliXUO8OtXWv3r3WawrAdRrkF6cghJfIp_oCGxUNNuEKlWcMQHZKkXzbaU3TTjcMg5EgDhNVLTItEFGIe60ZwR6hrxkdrCEPpcDRxoUkiTcL76dUvwjc0HaQHFG3NQBxWg/s1600/IMG_4518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2vZBWPBNstliXUO8OtXWv3r3WawrAdRrkF6cghJfIp_oCGxUNNuEKlWcMQHZKkXzbaU3TTjcMg5EgDhNVLTItEFGIe60ZwR6hrxkdrCEPpcDRxoUkiTcL76dUvwjc0HaQHFG3NQBxWg/s320/IMG_4518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our camp on Takahula Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPac6eUu69OmQeDF6Ou0rMJCXeiRHna7gvLPyilMzBIeP4rYumFeMN_gYFinLRBhlGPAxZnVPFmdkCxNSPPj39ZZQRLvhs33pYPGoBdRVCDXsdyM4IoAGIUVaV2P-5QbaS_3lh_nC8m4A/s1600/IMG_4519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPac6eUu69OmQeDF6Ou0rMJCXeiRHna7gvLPyilMzBIeP4rYumFeMN_gYFinLRBhlGPAxZnVPFmdkCxNSPPj39ZZQRLvhs33pYPGoBdRVCDXsdyM4IoAGIUVaV2P-5QbaS_3lh_nC8m4A/s320/IMG_4519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug and Julie appreciated the tarp as it held the rain at bay.</td></tr>
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DAY 11: (7/24/17)<br />
Takahula Lake to Bettles via floatplane.<br />
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We awoke to drier weather and slowly ate breakfast. All we had to do was pack our gear and wait for the floatplane to pick us up. Julie was communicating with Charlie via the inReach and provided him with a weather report which he relayed to Judy at Brooks Range Aviation. About 1:30 we heard a plane approaching the lake. It circled the lake and landed. It was there for us. As we were loading our gear another plane landed and taxied over to us. Both planes had been attempting to get several parties off the Nigu River on the other side of the Brooks Range, but the weather had been too bad for them to land. Hence, we got an early pick-up. Doug, Jim, and I rode in one plane while Julie got the co-pilot seat in the other. <br />
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And, just like that we were on our way to Bettles. The flight out was spectacular and we enjoyed watching the mountains and rivers as they passed under us. We ate a celebratory dinner at the Bettles Lodge and talked about our trip with Ben and Nadine, an adventurous young couple planning to embark on their own Alatna River adventure the next morning. We also talked with some folks from the National Park Service who were interested in what we thought about the Arrigetch Creek trail. After spending the night in Bettles we hopped on the Wright Air flight to Fairbanks. The trip was over. But, what a trip it was!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting at the edge of Takahula Lake for the floatplane to arrive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ride back to Bettles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYEv730W6jzpGKoDoa3ngDexX5xHrVcHG_enZKcN3gTHV875UoZwpBVYiJkQlUXBpthb4VO4KKUtPbe1618gw4XwiIp_JO3zgfC-1FjSoCtAG_E6_DO1ytyR1mlqPNAXpdIFunubACp0/s1600/IMG_4531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYEv730W6jzpGKoDoa3ngDexX5xHrVcHG_enZKcN3gTHV875UoZwpBVYiJkQlUXBpthb4VO4KKUtPbe1618gw4XwiIp_JO3zgfC-1FjSoCtAG_E6_DO1ytyR1mlqPNAXpdIFunubACp0/s320/IMG_4531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alatna River below Takahula Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brooks Range Aviation office building in Bettles.</td></tr>
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Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-72066380023843086402017-04-30T07:55:00.001-08:002017-04-30T07:55:56.593-08:00KENAI RIVER CANYON PACKRAFT TRIP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
April 18, 2017: Troy and I took a packraft trip through the Kenai River Canyon on a sunny day. The conditions were perfect and we had the entire river to ourselves. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy cruising through the Kenai River Canyon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelf ice along the shore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy packs gear for the hike from Skilak Lake back to the truck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing we found this sign...so we didn't get lost.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-F93EqOMnMMjhifBjXO7qvd8pSUMXO1wHAwqjeHJK1z7_fkMvwjePJ7fo0MgcubD5Lh10zZTlwqWNItoehNQiMoqPBawCdowcsfa1Z2EIashjbcPxHRg0Tz_vetOzKObVDa23YalRV8/s1600/IMG_4225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-F93EqOMnMMjhifBjXO7qvd8pSUMXO1wHAwqjeHJK1z7_fkMvwjePJ7fo0MgcubD5Lh10zZTlwqWNItoehNQiMoqPBawCdowcsfa1Z2EIashjbcPxHRg0Tz_vetOzKObVDa23YalRV8/s320/IMG_4225.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking out through the burn area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring in Alaska!</td></tr>
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Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-49406764977077963762017-02-20T19:00:00.001-09:002017-02-20T19:00:48.728-09:00FAT FREDDIE'S FATBIKE RACE/RAMBLE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhZVSADyYDsOi5p_JkCe-sc2CAze3iUShu7-CCSnj_5-eFpKHw_GAoMncC5vYYj0a9et37S0LDRezLbbi_tMY-E9-XnSuLZmsLbfnk7i9RPfJJDtwLtNm0PFwJifpTQgPN5GbAKkLg30/s1600/FAT+FREDDIE%2527S+FATBIKE+RIDE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhZVSADyYDsOi5p_JkCe-sc2CAze3iUShu7-CCSnj_5-eFpKHw_GAoMncC5vYYj0a9et37S0LDRezLbbi_tMY-E9-XnSuLZmsLbfnk7i9RPfJJDtwLtNm0PFwJifpTQgPN5GbAKkLg30/s320/FAT+FREDDIE%2527S+FATBIKE+RIDE.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GPS track of Fat Freddie's Fatbike Race/Ramble. We started and finished at Freddie's Roadhouse and rode clockwise around the 12.8 mile 'loop.' The trail was well groomed and the intersections were clearly marked. About 30 riders participated. It was a splendid day in the Caribou Hills near Ninilchik, Alaska.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Armstrong eats power fuel--a Hostess donette--prior to the start of the ride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riders pushed their bikes up the first big hill. It was steep! Look closely and you will see a dog in the lower left corner of the photo. It was missing a rear leg and it ran the entire distance of the ride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xXjUi_IPe-Y6yDE52wGVYEYK_AOuJ1JwCKDG2sL_llCdGaYHSVnckHBYdS1wcKqADBGywstqTIeVvGM_8ug9qdS7smalyKDJJIPLWeRCCBQnyxJB0jdHRSGtL369OBg4GtUl-KMbElI/s1600/IMG_4084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xXjUi_IPe-Y6yDE52wGVYEYK_AOuJ1JwCKDG2sL_llCdGaYHSVnckHBYdS1wcKqADBGywstqTIeVvGM_8ug9qdS7smalyKDJJIPLWeRCCBQnyxJB0jdHRSGtL369OBg4GtUl-KMbElI/s320/IMG_4084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Caribou Hills Phone Company maintains a phone booth along one of the trails. Jim Bennett tried to make a call but it was out of service.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Bennett pedals along the well groomed trail in Caribou Hills.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5d4bNOfBIrC_k0VeQCB9Mm6808JZNJApJMHWtNlIDMu1b1s3fOfk11qAanitO6umkL2SUh3a0msUVs8wXo7jdkw6iMp8EtmP46LT8QFm_8WpNLsUBoQqNCvu5Ag8POeH__kL7BFbz78/s1600/IMG_4086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5d4bNOfBIrC_k0VeQCB9Mm6808JZNJApJMHWtNlIDMu1b1s3fOfk11qAanitO6umkL2SUh3a0msUVs8wXo7jdkw6iMp8EtmP46LT8QFm_8WpNLsUBoQqNCvu5Ag8POeH__kL7BFbz78/s320/IMG_4086.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fatbiker pedals toward the top of a knoll.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XRiz29Nq8yWI7X1qvMQew7H2CiNWEjTU01pHNMHqjqOG36mw0aIZMtaoLCCOPjPoj8yc-zMMPhTpzzeGjLUUOa4d2zVCWWsLoI6IL6-PZFnOugs0HpF3MOOSSriAF2p6RGMfvfx-xxM/s1600/IMG_4087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XRiz29Nq8yWI7X1qvMQew7H2CiNWEjTU01pHNMHqjqOG36mw0aIZMtaoLCCOPjPoj8yc-zMMPhTpzzeGjLUUOa4d2zVCWWsLoI6IL6-PZFnOugs0HpF3MOOSSriAF2p6RGMfvfx-xxM/s320/IMG_4087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the first checkpoint there was a nice family on snow machines handing the fatback riders water bottles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr1drSX0bXntyEKvqy2dN756Fw6eNAK18XWdUrReiR8-yVxzd5-zMGKGJ2rldk-58af7tekgsboGdPBkdvRYWJvh1w5iZoRISdsWMS9JzxiJl1blTAvz__YT65yyFXR7bBV2LKhyphenhypheneTao/s1600/IMG_4088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr1drSX0bXntyEKvqy2dN756Fw6eNAK18XWdUrReiR8-yVxzd5-zMGKGJ2rldk-58af7tekgsboGdPBkdvRYWJvh1w5iZoRISdsWMS9JzxiJl1blTAvz__YT65yyFXR7bBV2LKhyphenhypheneTao/s320/IMG_4088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fatbikers on the trail.</td></tr>
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<br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-10085231990143503052016-12-04T23:36:00.000-09:002016-12-04T23:37:44.887-09:00GLOBAL FATBIKE DAY 2016<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwgb_PkoxSuggBgT2tsFrNtufJK9jXVPRvO_Yncv0kohVEL0R1B48OIN4TLfWorwd9I8lbW3zlSC6DBBuBi-gO9ejEjPyD1eQMhbrvr5iM-z0hrz8Fu3h54U781L7EIfDxjOAUObSeJA/s1600/IMG_4015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwgb_PkoxSuggBgT2tsFrNtufJK9jXVPRvO_Yncv0kohVEL0R1B48OIN4TLfWorwd9I8lbW3zlSC6DBBuBi-gO9ejEjPyD1eQMhbrvr5iM-z0hrz8Fu3h54U781L7EIfDxjOAUObSeJA/s320/IMG_4015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Global Fatbike 2016 group photo at Lower Skilak Lake Campground, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska</td></tr>
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Global Fatbike Day 2016 was a huge success. This year we decided to stay close to home and ride the Skilak Lake Loop Road. After checking with the folks at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge all was a go. Sixteen fatbike riders showed up at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, December 3, to what appeared to be difficult riding conditions due to deep snow on the road. After a group photo everyone pedaled out of the parking area making way for Engineer Lake which was ~5.2 miles distant. Surprisingly the riding was quite good as long as you kept your tires in the trenches packed by vehicles traveling the route.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Xxb54iK49iyJFnYKIHd3LI2xUGQDNfXJkae-gZtpVv23wILar3pjuDHb5L6Ubc2xLMXl7Z8f7NkiwKz-wSJyGXcwtC11GbC5QHZgBwQYyG7np1HBeyxNeGC7HI8SeMZQuTi5NZ1yPo/s1600/IMG_4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Xxb54iK49iyJFnYKIHd3LI2xUGQDNfXJkae-gZtpVv23wILar3pjuDHb5L6Ubc2xLMXl7Z8f7NkiwKz-wSJyGXcwtC11GbC5QHZgBwQYyG7np1HBeyxNeGC7HI8SeMZQuTi5NZ1yPo/s320/IMG_4016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tabors pedal their fatbikes toward Engineer Lake.</td></tr>
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Even though the biking conditions were good it was chilly. The temperature never rose above 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Everyone stayed warm by the constant movement of pedaling their fat bikes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEtRBoQK4-4e2TszpxMWFlRZxlQRwAJnped6d9ozx99k6OsmZussY_rveACASJa0MuZ7RbwFZwRkGsFVGjtftmGViNG2kJmBJRkK06n6G9ZD3aQCYg_HNc7JXDDlwqfgEze9LMVjYvew/s1600/IMG_4024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEtRBoQK4-4e2TszpxMWFlRZxlQRwAJnped6d9ozx99k6OsmZussY_rveACASJa0MuZ7RbwFZwRkGsFVGjtftmGViNG2kJmBJRkK06n6G9ZD3aQCYg_HNc7JXDDlwqfgEze9LMVjYvew/s320/IMG_4024.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geared to go.</td></tr>
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Once the majority of the group made it to Engineer Lake it was time to make the return trip to the vehicles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ac4kQeCRG7lfQoYD4xDMVYtPlL8luqgTQDYtOD169k2kNahMwzfuk8m3m6yyHHrLRnlatWnToP-KERB6gQ1XxkHPqo1cpechDL1M1r1L5xoIIKsUIoj4pbYiqZ-a9nSfGekr-OXX64k/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ac4kQeCRG7lfQoYD4xDMVYtPlL8luqgTQDYtOD169k2kNahMwzfuk8m3m6yyHHrLRnlatWnToP-KERB6gQ1XxkHPqo1cpechDL1M1r1L5xoIIKsUIoj4pbYiqZ-a9nSfGekr-OXX64k/s320/IMG_4017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fatbikers ride Skilak Loop Road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLuizSrUg8q83_dzEqUIp7Ig6yYl0Gry8vo86NtA5CsAmecujz4tE29O-M4aQIgtN1u-ANdypJjre7hq_V0PVmX5OpoyHDawwIC9dBvyhU8rzUR5yHyDtxF78GBPVVDIxmm1-JoXzD1c/s1600/IMG_4038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLuizSrUg8q83_dzEqUIp7Ig6yYl0Gry8vo86NtA5CsAmecujz4tE29O-M4aQIgtN1u-ANdypJjre7hq_V0PVmX5OpoyHDawwIC9dBvyhU8rzUR5yHyDtxF78GBPVVDIxmm1-JoXzD1c/s320/IMG_4038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group on the way back to Lower Skilak Lake Campground.</td></tr>
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After the ride everyone met at the Owens' home for a potluck and barbecue. We had intended to enjoy a bonfire, but everyone thought they would rather stay indoors due to the cold temperature outside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGUlGHIse-nSrzi65EYjpo91btZEowHmXe5ad7WmYNwzVARFuVCZOCXgawEq3XCSdocPcVZBJI8sFZkYR_-_NkUEC8H8I-f_u5u68CHvwDuKpOani46baCF4C77AsIzi5N60_mdP3heo/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGUlGHIse-nSrzi65EYjpo91btZEowHmXe5ad7WmYNwzVARFuVCZOCXgawEq3XCSdocPcVZBJI8sFZkYR_-_NkUEC8H8I-f_u5u68CHvwDuKpOani46baCF4C77AsIzi5N60_mdP3heo/s320/IMG_4051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying dinner inside the Owens' home.</td></tr>
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All in all it was a great day and everyone seemed to a have a wonderful time. We are already making plans for Global Fatbike Day 2017!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLrA3XC2cgpHkQ8b1JN9sRxUzOHuSC3eOmISVXUy_6iFE8uSKtb0lj0ttis42tykgbjV2V1SNxdT542UzLhc2DZUgre51L8dF7AQNZIpyCBWTdHxglaEfDE0GfRIz2rd1arSijZK8_Vs/s1600/IMG_4047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLrA3XC2cgpHkQ8b1JN9sRxUzOHuSC3eOmISVXUy_6iFE8uSKtb0lj0ttis42tykgbjV2V1SNxdT542UzLhc2DZUgre51L8dF7AQNZIpyCBWTdHxglaEfDE0GfRIz2rd1arSijZK8_Vs/s320/IMG_4047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun sets on Global Fatbike Day 2016.</td></tr>
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<br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-58363029675420621122016-08-20T17:00:00.000-08:002016-08-25T12:30:57.448-08:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth, Emily, Charlie, and Julie at the Teklanika Campground entrance sign.</td></tr>
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Although Mrs. Huffy's arm was still in a sling after spending most of July in recuperation mode since her broken wrist experience when we were in Valdez, we made our annual pilgrimage to Denali National Park with our good friends Charlie and Julie Stephens. We spent our time participating in typical Teklanika activities including hiking, biking, berry picking, riding busses, visiting with other campers, and attending evening Ranger presentations. We were only there for four nights this year because that was the longest stretch of time available when we went of make reservations.<br />
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The first day we walked on the Teklanika riverbed and tried to get on the 6:20 PM bus with our bikes. We had intended to ride from the top of Sable Pass back to Teklanika but the bus was full of passengers and camping gear. So, we went to the evening Ranger talk covering the topic of bears.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBWewU7JdHcf83IIx2sa8n4XOu5MwDecYpo9LQdG-XaBuymHTSVu8as-QBiTT-CUSxF7gJoRQgrygkayxYk5uOO4yhvph2P6SfJgY4frq5klNS1DUws7slBL5xjdNpTy_cHN8_jlUdvI/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBWewU7JdHcf83IIx2sa8n4XOu5MwDecYpo9LQdG-XaBuymHTSVu8as-QBiTT-CUSxF7gJoRQgrygkayxYk5uOO4yhvph2P6SfJgY4frq5klNS1DUws7slBL5xjdNpTy_cHN8_jlUdvI/s400/IMG_3812.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew ready for the Highway Pass hike to the waterfalls.</td></tr>
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The next morning we caught a bus to Highway Pass where we trekked to the waterfalls. Along the way we were entertained by several caribou as they crossed the tundra running in inexplicable directions all around us. It made me think of the book entitled, <u>Running With Caribou.</u><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A caribou ran near us as we made our way toward the waterfalls.</td></tr>
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The weather was nice so we enjoyed our time at the waterfall and ate a picnic lunch before turning back toward the road. Julie decided to climb a hillside on our way back, much as Ridgerunner had two years previous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth and Emily at the Highway Pass waterfalls.</td></tr>
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Once back at the road we flagged down a bus in short order and rode back to Teklanika. We ate a quick dinner and attended another Ranger presentation about beavers. We also made plans for the following day which included a bike ride from Polychrome Pass and berry picking in Igloo Canyon.<br />
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Our logistical planning worked well. Julie and I took our bikes to Polychrome Pass on the bus while Charlie took his to Sable Pass an hour later. Elizabeth and Emily got on a bus an hour after Charlie and headed for Frederick's blueberry patch in Igloo Canyon. Somehow we all met up as planned and enjoyed an hour of picking blueberries together and another picnic lunch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fatbike at Polychrome Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie adjusts her gear atop Polychrome Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURM0nIDGhMAU28EvIczL0NTlQWLF4-VIb8IRrKVpSaublUda5QO549C5I6AAMKuS10lJ06OuQbHO9gJ4z3ho59NTXpRP2j8slir6z9mnX_lE8PLpVfbibL234CVHFTmiqEtuK37QNQKY/s1600/IMG_3877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURM0nIDGhMAU28EvIczL0NTlQWLF4-VIb8IRrKVpSaublUda5QO549C5I6AAMKuS10lJ06OuQbHO9gJ4z3ho59NTXpRP2j8slir6z9mnX_lE8PLpVfbibL234CVHFTmiqEtuK37QNQKY/s400/IMG_3877.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fatbike tire with Sable Pass in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and some of the blueberries she picked at Frederick's blueberry patch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie picks some blueberries.</td></tr>
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Later in the evening we attended another Ranger presentation about lynx. It was interesting and we were able to get a good look at a lynx pelt up close.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranger Bill displays a lynx pelt.</td></tr>
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On our final full day we made plans to hike Tattler Creek and ride the 6:20 PM bus to Toklat and back. Walking up Tattler Creek was wonderful even though we picked the windiest place in the park to eat our picnic lunch. After eating we continued up the creek where we soon overtaken by another hiker. He was a photographer for the BLM and was looking for the dinosaur tracks that are located somewhere along Tattler Creek. He passed us and then started straight up the side of Sable Mountain. We stopped and decided this would be our turn around point. But, first we determined we needed a short break. Julie climbed the same route as the BLM hiker while the rest of us watched and rested in the warm sunshine. On our way back to the road we enjoyed viewing a ewe and lamb Dall sheep on the side of Tattler Creek canyon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Emily making way on the Tattler Creek hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie ready to make a Tattler Creek crossing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewe and lamb Dall sheep.</td></tr>
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Arriving back at the camp we sat around in the warm sunshine discussing our day and other things when Stephen stopped by. He is a retired Pediatrician from Bismarck, North Dakota and travels the world with his camera. We enjoyed more conversation and hearing about his adventures. Later he walked past our trailer and we invited him in for smoked salmon and crackers before catching the bus to Toklat. One of the things we always appreciate about staying at Teklanika is the wonderfully interesting people we meet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWeaZ8S-7hYkrGO4BDUmVXuFgA1u_a3-TuL1hAeaEqKMPE8Lk6Wd38b-DdhpC0Y74Sy60JDo9G-uNQx5CdbmHNmgb3Yktu-CuW80S81kKiRURqDg6mOAbRFNU4ZsIpv9Zx5QLmpXjLNw/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWeaZ8S-7hYkrGO4BDUmVXuFgA1u_a3-TuL1hAeaEqKMPE8Lk6Wd38b-DdhpC0Y74Sy60JDo9G-uNQx5CdbmHNmgb3Yktu-CuW80S81kKiRURqDg6mOAbRFNU4ZsIpv9Zx5QLmpXjLNw/s400/IMG_3948.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen and his photography gear.</td></tr>
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We all hopped on the bus for Toklat rolling through Igloo Canyon and over Sable Pass. Just after crossing the bridge over the East Fork and starting to ascend Polychrome Pass another bus driver coming from the other direction told us of a bear only few hundred yards up the road. Our driver crept forward and we watched as a grizzly came down a small hill onto the road <br />
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and began eating grass right in front of the bus! After a while it walked along the edge of the bus much to the elation of us passengers as we kept our camera shutters snapping and video rolling. It was an awesome encounter!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grizzly eats grass along the side of the park road near the East Fork bridge.</td></tr>
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Wildlife sitings for the remainder of the trip to Toklat included several moose on the Plains of Murie and some Dall sheep high on a mountain visible from the Toklat Rest area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caribou antlers along the edge of the Toklat River.<br />
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We saw some moose in Igloo Canyon on the return trip but the highlight was the colorful sunset we witnessed as we pulled into Teklanika. The sky was on fire and the hills and clouds were lit up with alpenglow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A faint rainbow at the top of a mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teklanika sunset.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denali</td></tr>
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The next morning we packed up and slowly drove out of the Park. After stopping at the Visitor Center and Riley Creek Mercantile we made our way to Byers Lake Campground where we experienced an extremely intense thunder and lightening storm. Two days later we were home. We are already making plans for our next trip to Denali National Park.<br />
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Here's a video of the trip:<br />
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Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-72320008225158064612015-08-12T18:44:00.001-08:002015-08-12T18:44:55.278-08:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Hufford at Polychrome Pass, Denali National Park, Alaska.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hufford girls hiking along Tattler Creek on the afternoon of our arrival.<br />
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August 6, 2015: We arrived at Teklinika Campground in the early afternoon after spending the previous night at Byers Lake Campground in Denali State Park. We were in hiking mode, of course, so we chose Tattler Creek as our destination and hopped a bus for the short ride to Igloo Canyon where the road crosses Tattler Creek. We saw three bears on the flanks of Cathedral and Igloo mountains as we rode along. The weather was beautiful with clear skies and warm temps. We enjoyed walking up the steam bed and ascending the hill that rises above the small canyon that Tattler Creek rushes through. We spent some time enjoying the scenery and then returned to the road. Looking back up the small valley we saw that two bears were munching their way through the berry bushes up the valley from which we had just returned. This was our 15th trip to Teklanika and everything seemed to be just as it should be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW2fnnIOeYfonT1veBQ3jemKxM1nBwNoHUBr2q94j7js1W4I8Ndgxf8gZBQ3KE8U-2ysk1Omp2Qj6a_XTu-YhoANTxm1zNLZn9qohDhGshCkknDmL21ZMvU0BU2zB2Oostd_1zAd6oUc/s1600/DENALI+2015+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW2fnnIOeYfonT1veBQ3jemKxM1nBwNoHUBr2q94j7js1W4I8Ndgxf8gZBQ3KE8U-2ysk1Omp2Qj6a_XTu-YhoANTxm1zNLZn9qohDhGshCkknDmL21ZMvU0BU2zB2Oostd_1zAd6oUc/s320/DENALI+2015+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grizzly bear hunts for ground squirrels near Sable Pass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi7eq0gIxxmWK_vCqdxatu_v9Oc4JNL_ODi06fSCIurfihs_W9rrEBJIcF0kIidXB06iEPt92QgOXR7CVpccxlrh-cRItpu8Uergjaz5EL3P3K1lMN1Q66HRlDdA9Nurh4jkCBcnjHDo/s1600/DENALI+2015+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi7eq0gIxxmWK_vCqdxatu_v9Oc4JNL_ODi06fSCIurfihs_W9rrEBJIcF0kIidXB06iEPt92QgOXR7CVpccxlrh-cRItpu8Uergjaz5EL3P3K1lMN1Q66HRlDdA9Nurh4jkCBcnjHDo/s320/DENALI+2015+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Hufford girls at the top of Polychrome Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q9osWORO6oJfqXf8mdfMpecdxqyn6b6SJs-JG-byfGrlm-iIkfNhVbf6_C59vrlfEe3wM4rfcnlbugfcv8T0273Jb6WRnP_HMd_DD32fEsVI_CNiSgQ54scDUWUTECpjoAIiTE31_Ew/s1600/DENALI+2015+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q9osWORO6oJfqXf8mdfMpecdxqyn6b6SJs-JG-byfGrlm-iIkfNhVbf6_C59vrlfEe3wM4rfcnlbugfcv8T0273Jb6WRnP_HMd_DD32fEsVI_CNiSgQ54scDUWUTECpjoAIiTE31_Ew/s320/DENALI+2015+028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from Polychrome Pass to the East Fork of the Toklat.</td></tr>
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August 7, 2015: Laura chose the hike for this day deciding a walk on the west side of Polychrome Pass would be a good place to explore. As we rode the bus through Igloo Canyon we saw a bear hunting ground squirrels near Sable Pass. It even caught one and ate it while we were watching! <br />
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After a short break for photos atop Polychrome we disembarked the bus a couple of miles beyond the pass. The weather was beautiful again as we climbed up and away from the road. Liz, Emily and I went as far as a gravel covered knoll where we watched as Laura climbed higher and higher. Before long we were reunited and hiking down a rocky stream bed to the road. We stopped along the way for a foot soaking in ice cold water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYpSp_DoLfq_WSDaUIeyqYTORuFEMZoi3wkE1W3JByInuCZkf-qyB6pHURA_aTisjcjUloswQBBDWgLP1-SfQ9j5p0WdiySFeVYuIkUkWjy5JKgM8ShAHHDqXAJnUd572h4b0myAuH4I/s1600/DENALI+2015+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYpSp_DoLfq_WSDaUIeyqYTORuFEMZoi3wkE1W3JByInuCZkf-qyB6pHURA_aTisjcjUloswQBBDWgLP1-SfQ9j5p0WdiySFeVYuIkUkWjy5JKgM8ShAHHDqXAJnUd572h4b0myAuH4I/s320/DENALI+2015+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and Laura examine the hiking route we are about to make.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129c19BOiFJInZOS6CoiYiIyZJtruTFcXxA3cmOokRJLgFEhSxDtjtZCKJdLEH11QziE3C960LNCQUPBlj6rdYXxZAYX4wFDgvstkCRlR6uUPUoaqTuWHQ9w6jV_5zSJzJrz6iniYJq4/s1600/DENALI+2015+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129c19BOiFJInZOS6CoiYiIyZJtruTFcXxA3cmOokRJLgFEhSxDtjtZCKJdLEH11QziE3C960LNCQUPBlj6rdYXxZAYX4wFDgvstkCRlR6uUPUoaqTuWHQ9w6jV_5zSJzJrz6iniYJq4/s320/DENALI+2015+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily takes a break to contemplate the scenery near Polychrome Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi1XN_MXKi6qhbwkWxNjaqW__5G9p-r4zqZZ-S69xwuXwo4oXT7whtfZV5Aj9V4NT22DMrRrCARrdgnOlGRqmSYQID_cAqek-RKyR69Yn-3VmS1j7iE8o83G2_IKT1Y9smDjzHYhl0sw/s1600/DENALI+2015+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi1XN_MXKi6qhbwkWxNjaqW__5G9p-r4zqZZ-S69xwuXwo4oXT7whtfZV5Aj9V4NT22DMrRrCARrdgnOlGRqmSYQID_cAqek-RKyR69Yn-3VmS1j7iE8o83G2_IKT1Y9smDjzHYhl0sw/s320/DENALI+2015+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura climbed higher on the hillside than did the rest of us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl1713PAvdjP0Awn0dc8VwmMnyy49ZXxnbFpvQK5bh17MbRk35hF91ncT5szGcRDK_HpD7uIh9RInsfyBnf5LqVyOXO-NSFYa3aDtRsE4sjS1zB4Cdm2pJpkyCFEyCgh_3qO7c-BqEAk/s1600/DENALI+2015+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl1713PAvdjP0Awn0dc8VwmMnyy49ZXxnbFpvQK5bh17MbRk35hF91ncT5szGcRDK_HpD7uIh9RInsfyBnf5LqVyOXO-NSFYa3aDtRsE4sjS1zB4Cdm2pJpkyCFEyCgh_3qO7c-BqEAk/s320/DENALI+2015+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura and Emily pause for a photo while hiking down a steam bed back to the road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrsyROd02qvUzYGbaSwFh3Ub1oiSLQQZti1mewxLDgYUNyH_OzN4lJvd09pgyAblhJbwRLBKDFeG1XI7Ez9BJ8E9V9piUXWCUuxEUEYpG-iYeKdCrl_uCw51Hof08l5EIzbwgcv32QtI/s1600/DENALI+2015+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrsyROd02qvUzYGbaSwFh3Ub1oiSLQQZti1mewxLDgYUNyH_OzN4lJvd09pgyAblhJbwRLBKDFeG1XI7Ez9BJ8E9V9piUXWCUuxEUEYpG-iYeKdCrl_uCw51Hof08l5EIzbwgcv32QtI/s320/DENALI+2015+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking tired feet in ice cold water is always refreshing.</td></tr>
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Later that evening Liz and I decided to put our fatbikes on a bus and take them to the top of Sable Pass. We rode the bus with another cyclist that had pedaled a touring bike from Anchorage to the Park. She put her bike on a bus after being scared by a moose near the Savage River. We unloaded our bikes at the top of Sable Pass and rode back to Teklanika in just about an hour including stops for photos and breaks. It's particularly fun because the route is almost entirely downhill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2klufV_Cql8zYLngo89KQdrkzSWBWK2bt5myvwQ2PkiZZG0Ze701eQqH-lxumAWgJRdcCgrHL_F07oavLjLTj49Kkp7ZaLdew9WH86rst5ToTOXh50NZu_zNya2uF8YgGfSPylQe-R8/s1600/DENALI+2015+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2klufV_Cql8zYLngo89KQdrkzSWBWK2bt5myvwQ2PkiZZG0Ze701eQqH-lxumAWgJRdcCgrHL_F07oavLjLTj49Kkp7ZaLdew9WH86rst5ToTOXh50NZu_zNya2uF8YgGfSPylQe-R8/s320/DENALI+2015+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fatbike at the nail studded Sable Pass sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtah74bEBO6LpY_wasbXiGHmWmmkUQq1THIorVR94qNGnOdFkrdJv5yVJgk9hun7mUJ6GtEx_2vUzY64clQAcitfO3UxrEPF5KybE0n0NqNsyw70ciRufnGrgFDklSTKUpmmjF5lpf8o/s1600/DENALI+2015+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtah74bEBO6LpY_wasbXiGHmWmmkUQq1THIorVR94qNGnOdFkrdJv5yVJgk9hun7mUJ6GtEx_2vUzY64clQAcitfO3UxrEPF5KybE0n0NqNsyw70ciRufnGrgFDklSTKUpmmjF5lpf8o/s320/DENALI+2015+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz on her fatbike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdwTPznS2yyOlCjp670NVIQ7w4_dkYi4oD9M_BnNWjCV-JaaOYSPtCM6GOK98YkpRYrNxWqNZ58h9uY7yALwNGJbAbaO-TCXu58PNA4NOGmJz1LJ89EHdjTkUFx69cpJrlDHWI_VD2Aw/s1600/DENALI+2015+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdwTPznS2yyOlCjp670NVIQ7w4_dkYi4oD9M_BnNWjCV-JaaOYSPtCM6GOK98YkpRYrNxWqNZ58h9uY7yALwNGJbAbaO-TCXu58PNA4NOGmJz1LJ89EHdjTkUFx69cpJrlDHWI_VD2Aw/s320/DENALI+2015+074.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the road down from Sable Pass.</td></tr>
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August 8, 2015: A hike near Highway Pass was the day's destination. The weather had turned cloudy and blustery in the night so we went prepared with rain gear just in case things got worse. Upon our arrival at the pass we hiked uphill through the low vegetation to a point where Emily and I waited while Liz and Laura hiked higher up the mountainside. When we reunited we all walked down a rocky stream bed to the road. The views were amazing and we could even see the waterfall that we hiked to last year with the Zimmerman's. It was a splendid day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_umJM_mrivZ14ZmvgnIIv8kx_JOOilYQP-JgrpjVCDYmR7cEK2UzhGtrUlxiV_xX_MveArA7TZwkwytNBtNqanI76jygYAumkgC-xs3ltk2qbm7HoN8uuDsn6BuFuSG0ypx3elApMmQ/s1600/DENALI+2015+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_umJM_mrivZ14ZmvgnIIv8kx_JOOilYQP-JgrpjVCDYmR7cEK2UzhGtrUlxiV_xX_MveArA7TZwkwytNBtNqanI76jygYAumkgC-xs3ltk2qbm7HoN8uuDsn6BuFuSG0ypx3elApMmQ/s320/DENALI+2015+085.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hufford girls at the Highway Pass sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbgNcicBOH1bjURQ_JnBGBKOT5P9CRXS5qvrscKszxpIEyelp_rHXFt7lxsCFpI8tutOz2ZGuBG8X7eKcdPWEy-51hA6qbhQK7iM1Nwu22bdpiOWG6p9SfHUXXqAMZ1UBqpVEaP0LSdo/s1600/DENALI+2015+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbgNcicBOH1bjURQ_JnBGBKOT5P9CRXS5qvrscKszxpIEyelp_rHXFt7lxsCFpI8tutOz2ZGuBG8X7eKcdPWEy-51hA6qbhQK7iM1Nwu22bdpiOWG6p9SfHUXXqAMZ1UBqpVEaP0LSdo/s320/DENALI+2015+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Emily hiking in Highway Pass. They also brought some baggies for collecting berries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63uSfodafpdeimGd_vYb0JjWHLzN2Zn6GtrWrMOpaaZqnKmNJq7mnrZ-vuhHfqgizGnWsCJ9-aq3yOCxD2Caak5KkXEa8r9e0tRVv-KVZl63A9XWOOTkVtnI5l7zpXahdbNiDK4vLZBk/s1600/DENALI+2015+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63uSfodafpdeimGd_vYb0JjWHLzN2Zn6GtrWrMOpaaZqnKmNJq7mnrZ-vuhHfqgizGnWsCJ9-aq3yOCxD2Caak5KkXEa8r9e0tRVv-KVZl63A9XWOOTkVtnI5l7zpXahdbNiDK4vLZBk/s320/DENALI+2015+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Laura climb higher in Highway Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatE2A5LpypcBJooCUcymZbxKIzp60WBrebDHlp0MV03mtDevttyb3a8VcSV08VzqAfiSfV9uxmqMrvXJBGKvo8bKoYajb7BYYURvVfpKCoQPZxSK4hbxu9g-pZO9_V87Bazbo1duZno0/s1600/DENALI+2015+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatE2A5LpypcBJooCUcymZbxKIzp60WBrebDHlp0MV03mtDevttyb3a8VcSV08VzqAfiSfV9uxmqMrvXJBGKvo8bKoYajb7BYYURvVfpKCoQPZxSK4hbxu9g-pZO9_V87Bazbo1duZno0/s320/DENALI+2015+111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A caribou near Highway Pass. They were everywhere.</td></tr>
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August 9, 2015: This was our last full day so we decided to do some berry picking in Igloo Canyon. We gathered our gear and berry bags before catching the bus to a small drainage just over a mile up the road from the Igloo Creek bridge. When we got off the bus so did a group of six other hikers. Our trails crossed a couple of times before they took off for some scrambling up the mountain. We found a berry patch loaded with blueberries and began to fill our baggies. We took a break from berry picking to enjoy some lunch and then started picking again. Suddenly I heard Laura say in a quiet voice: "Bear." I looked up and about 25 yards away was a grizzly invading our berry patch. Remarkably it was totally uninterested in us and just kept eating its way through the area. We quietly picked up our packs and slowly walked down to the road where several bus loads of people had watched the entire event as it transpired. We talked with bus drivers and decided to walk down the road and find another berry patch. Keeping a close eye on Frederick (Laura chose the name for the bear) we soon realized that he was eating and gradually moving the same direction we had chosen. So, we made an about face and walked back toward the area where we had initially been picking berries.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSkJTfk8Y6nfsnsa0BhSbrNge2Nb0aVX8cjjyW4KZB-8Ok6VIjdJ4e7_eqRrfSaTr19Mz-cx0AjtoEK5CrxX1_N0XCnxqO3zX1wAnC4_dQMvvSRgFb_JciOSNlaF7bFVSjR0zjlhVg_k/s1600/DENALI+2015+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSkJTfk8Y6nfsnsa0BhSbrNge2Nb0aVX8cjjyW4KZB-8Ok6VIjdJ4e7_eqRrfSaTr19Mz-cx0AjtoEK5CrxX1_N0XCnxqO3zX1wAnC4_dQMvvSRgFb_JciOSNlaF7bFVSjR0zjlhVg_k/s320/DENALI+2015+122.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Laura hiking up a small drainage on the side of Cathedral Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviWLM6fwDQs409LD-K_V7iX4De5j8PK_s9u3klTZrXtXWK-8hg4xRPE0O4DXVqIuMot8h9p0M6UoS1HM0Gwwl7aGgAOyZubV4h31MYRhw77LXtCZdpVtA_DbMGLfq14Tf7WXPupbxmSk/s1600/DENALI+2015+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviWLM6fwDQs409LD-K_V7iX4De5j8PK_s9u3klTZrXtXWK-8hg4xRPE0O4DXVqIuMot8h9p0M6UoS1HM0Gwwl7aGgAOyZubV4h31MYRhw77LXtCZdpVtA_DbMGLfq14Tf7WXPupbxmSk/s320/DENALI+2015+127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silhouettes of hikers climbing a ridge on Cathedral Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGpMgtDJE82f-wEKGa_0BitO4YzEHuP2p7qG2Hh9N-UUSWqY2WssieyBE10vW_SdYdYML4RnQcUGdVYMr-w8cNouMw8FqoCrbUyU1VZFOlc8adzQAAFmoCr3UblO13zZ4HNbJB4TfkQs/s1600/DENALI+2015+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGpMgtDJE82f-wEKGa_0BitO4YzEHuP2p7qG2Hh9N-UUSWqY2WssieyBE10vW_SdYdYML4RnQcUGdVYMr-w8cNouMw8FqoCrbUyU1VZFOlc8adzQAAFmoCr3UblO13zZ4HNbJB4TfkQs/s320/DENALI+2015+136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily happily picking blueberries...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioifZxKhxfEdcht7mH2Z-JBnXtyZ4oY_aNOv5bZN1DuzMl_sgPWusFk3zBJNvt_OGM8NC0fDM7X5Q1teEMuiW-enmeqPdOlP3Z_bJVNdD3c174S9oG-ATFzjZOvDFSJ8rTcNIuXEOPKH8/s1600/DENALI+2015+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioifZxKhxfEdcht7mH2Z-JBnXtyZ4oY_aNOv5bZN1DuzMl_sgPWusFk3zBJNvt_OGM8NC0fDM7X5Q1teEMuiW-enmeqPdOlP3Z_bJVNdD3c174S9oG-ATFzjZOvDFSJ8rTcNIuXEOPKH8/s320/DENALI+2015+147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...a few minutes later this guy showed up about 25 yards away. He was totally uninterested in us and just munched berries as we slowly walked away.</td></tr>
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After we had picked enough berries we rode back to the Teklanika Rest Stop where we decided to walk the remaining distance to the campground. That's when we met John and Mandi, a super cool duo on an expedition of epic proportions. They are driving from Alaska to Argentina in a van they converted for overland travel. We truly enjoy meeting people like John and Mandi as they are great examples for our daughters that life should be lived to the fullest. Their unassuming manner made it easy to talk with them and it was a treat to hear about their adventures. Best of luck John and Mandi!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHju0M2nwtxsgJbb6-084xFTFoh4j5QrDnpt-EoRkJGM7KbMm5sEv2toSVz5S9oCwHo0ZYvP6tkxl5OMclCooD51n5YskDXb2Xc6B0U0dGMLtcPRaMU2hbD_iPbyHbfeesVCKdgwav8_I/s1600/DENALI+2015+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHju0M2nwtxsgJbb6-084xFTFoh4j5QrDnpt-EoRkJGM7KbMm5sEv2toSVz5S9oCwHo0ZYvP6tkxl5OMclCooD51n5YskDXb2Xc6B0U0dGMLtcPRaMU2hbD_iPbyHbfeesVCKdgwav8_I/s320/DENALI+2015+145.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Mandi--they are on an overland adventure in a van they converted themselves. Visit their website at: www.johnandmandi.com</td></tr>
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Once back at the campground we reloaded our packs with food and water and went back out to the bus stop to catch the last bus of the day for a ride out to Toklat. We got on board and immediately took a liking to Sheryl the driver. She was one of the most pleasant drivers we had during our trip and told some very entertaining stories. We saw several bears along the way and tons of caribou, but the sighting of the evening took place on the East Fork of the Toklat where we saw a grizzly on a caribou kill. It was down river from the bridge quite a distance away but the bear and dead caribou could be seen clearly through binoculars. Then, on our return trip we noticed the bear was gone but there was a wolf nearby! What a great evening!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcIye091UGQlta7RUBplMGDgfHznVySpfy_2XECBAubYuUTeFl07PzUB3FYwx_39IFqZbJKlN8ZR_khn5VxHsgozHEt-E2aSuW0McLBg05VX2GC1OfJkAQpvwFStoQ9Uf7noI4tjZFas/s1600/DENALI+2015+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcIye091UGQlta7RUBplMGDgfHznVySpfy_2XECBAubYuUTeFl07PzUB3FYwx_39IFqZbJKlN8ZR_khn5VxHsgozHEt-E2aSuW0McLBg05VX2GC1OfJkAQpvwFStoQ9Uf7noI4tjZFas/s320/DENALI+2015+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a bear on a caribou kill in the center of this photo. You may have to enlarge it to see it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsoT0U8HY8IL0S0QGYVbwEgI2I-6m8drnDvD_UNIUKOqiHurHV39rwtSX_1RptqfY7-g837ZdCowyUOMEEwIsp_gf2M5Xfn5yZZAppT0P5if1fC71D3sq5Ua2i9Om0LtZH3BqkUYwAlc/s1600/DENALI+2015+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsoT0U8HY8IL0S0QGYVbwEgI2I-6m8drnDvD_UNIUKOqiHurHV39rwtSX_1RptqfY7-g837ZdCowyUOMEEwIsp_gf2M5Xfn5yZZAppT0P5if1fC71D3sq5Ua2i9Om0LtZH3BqkUYwAlc/s320/DENALI+2015+155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our return trip from Toklat we saw this wolf near the caribou kill. Liz spotted it</td></tr>
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Th next morning we awoke to more rainy and blustery weather. We still had one more night on our reservation, but we decided to leave due to the weather and the fact that Laura could use an extra day to get ready to leave for college at the end of the week. Besides we'd had a great trip and didn't know how it could have gotten any better than the last day. So, we took our time packing up and slowly drove out to the Riley Creek Mercantile where we took our first showers in five days. We're already making plans for next year, because 15 trips and 74 days at Teklanika Campground just aren't enough.</div>
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Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-7574347922273860732015-07-05T16:38:00.000-08:002015-07-05T17:20:01.679-08:00YAKUTAT FATBIKE/PACKRAFT 2015YAKUTAT FATBIKE/PACKRAFT 2015 PARTCIPANTS:<br />
Joolee Ahrends<br />
Doug Armstrong<br />
Jim Bennett<br />
Shane Bowlin<br />
Trevor Davis<br />
Wally Hufford<br />
Bill Jirsa<br />
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LOGISTICS:<br />
Fly Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Yakutat. Fly Yakutat Coastal Air from Yakutat to Lituya Bay.<br />
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May 23, 2015: As a group we had spent nearly a year discussing, planning, and researching the trip we were about to embark upon. We were finally at the airport in Anchorage boarding our flight for Yakutat. We had disassembled our bikes and boxed them up for the flight and had our packrafts and camping gear packed in our luggage. Following a brief stop in Cordova we landed in Yakutat and immediately hauled our belongings to the hanger at Yakutat Coastal Air where we reassembled our bikes and made contact with our pilot, Hans. Then it was off to the Yakuat Lodge where we ate halibut burgers and talked excitedly about the upcoming trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Armstrong reassembles his fatbike upon arriving in Yakutat.</td></tr>
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May 24, 2015: The next morning we all met at the Yakutat Lodge for breakfast. The pancakes were huge and the coffee flowed abundantly. We had a departure time of 9:00 AM, so we made our way to the plane in time to load last minute items and take photos prior to take-off. Once people and gear were loaded, Hans started the plane's engine, taxied down the runway and we were off!</div>
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The flight to Lituya Bay was about 45 minutes and we cruised just above the beach. Occasionally we would see mountains to our left through breaks in the clouds. It was a great flight and before we knew it we were landing on the beach near Lituya Bay. We had finally arrived!</div>
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We unloaded our gear and Hans took off leaving us in a place that we all immediately knew was wild and remote. The only sounds we could hear included the wind, the crashing of the waves on the beach, and our voices. We put our bikes together and loaded our gear on them before riding about a mile up the beach to what would become our first campsite near Echo Creek. After pitching our tents part of the group went to Lituya Bay with their packrafts while the remainder stayed at camp to watch the gear. The plan was for the first group to return after several hours so the second group could go to the bay. But, Jim returned early saying he wanted to remain at camp so he and I watched things while the others visited Lituya. </div>
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While Jim and I were guarding the gear we spied a wolf coming toward camp just across Echo Creek from us. It seemed to be curious but ultimately thought better of the situation and retreated following the stream back into the woods. A few hours later a bear appeared and didn't seem to realize we were there. It came down the stream edging ever closer to camp. Jim was napping so I woke him up and said a bear was coming our way. He grabbed the bear spray and we dashed to the edge of the stream. The bear meandered toward us totally oblivious to our presence. We watched it for a while as it came closer and closer. Then I heard Jim say, "Where did I put the bear spray? I set it down right here somewhere." We looked at each other, then the bear, then started scrambling to find the canister of bear spray. A few seconds later we found it, and in all the hubub the bear identified us and took off into the woods. We didn't see it again for the remainder of the day.</div>
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Once everyone had returned to camp we shared stories of the day's events as we cooked our dinners. The packrafters had a great time at Lituya Bay and the camp managers had some excitement observing the local wildlife. The weather was beautiful and before long everyone except Trevor was sound asleep for the night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEMQyxsS0s0WACwM1D7m4wuYIXrYZCiBnY_YklO1I7JyEbfoCbRYtVUDV1_71kih1WtcIAf3Kel5GsA_gs8IxWd167ytC8Ga0QoSWii4kEQwSlTzezf3y4tHCAvx4hzODwArYHQ1jAuQ/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEMQyxsS0s0WACwM1D7m4wuYIXrYZCiBnY_YklO1I7JyEbfoCbRYtVUDV1_71kih1WtcIAf3Kel5GsA_gs8IxWd167ytC8Ga0QoSWii4kEQwSlTzezf3y4tHCAvx4hzODwArYHQ1jAuQ/s320/YAKUTAT2015+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven fatbikes, packrafts, and camping gear loaded in the Otter and ready to fly from Yakutat to Lituya Bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdw126Uj_ac00aYfCbQIVYwiMm80A_tuDJW7dCEzBNri9jeSKfD6ZQNKY5LJ9hP5M4vPQgPxioMxv67I3DZaHiqTtwLDKkoPSHjip66ZBMvLgu39w2IjMrY_cvByj-7QBzbCCXsGIUCw/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdw126Uj_ac00aYfCbQIVYwiMm80A_tuDJW7dCEzBNri9jeSKfD6ZQNKY5LJ9hP5M4vPQgPxioMxv67I3DZaHiqTtwLDKkoPSHjip66ZBMvLgu39w2IjMrY_cvByj-7QBzbCCXsGIUCw/s320/YAKUTAT2015+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Otter on our way to Lituya Bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bVMClqgenSC9kJPUvKaW2jn0qa9m70LDAUpwY0Vb_s-kYeB0MW_MrYVEp_a60huXdGIwzEA4jkmXr3qM3iTiYg6Wzy6PNJJi2w2P0uJEpD5ThWOHxCNtHAWEc0FkyLy-hmUAR-DZAqI/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bVMClqgenSC9kJPUvKaW2jn0qa9m70LDAUpwY0Vb_s-kYeB0MW_MrYVEp_a60huXdGIwzEA4jkmXr3qM3iTiYg6Wzy6PNJJi2w2P0uJEpD5ThWOHxCNtHAWEc0FkyLy-hmUAR-DZAqI/s320/YAKUTAT2015+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unloading gear on the beach at Lituya Bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkwFz4nD0-CsGM5BHWSJ3hPJDUPqPjG4TZG9I2t2o502tP4miw6PDj4Sy9ckSvv93cfdxSvOLqk1riFf5I5tVjMG-Zifs2uTK2LTnOTROgztOHYpaq9B_erbKk01VFux1IezwJYiWiMo/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkwFz4nD0-CsGM5BHWSJ3hPJDUPqPjG4TZG9I2t2o502tP4miw6PDj4Sy9ckSvv93cfdxSvOLqk1riFf5I5tVjMG-Zifs2uTK2LTnOTROgztOHYpaq9B_erbKk01VFux1IezwJYiWiMo/s320/YAKUTAT2015+018.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fatbike and Otter at Lituya Bay.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0ISu4BmKSLD3xd7LR8I-yfuEGDL3MBwF12H9KQc34SSmfDXGAkOsVGmMqdEoa9AZqImlV9TqZJhE7O4i7GVATew8fdoYEQN_pgoYvXeuAb2AIH-F7cQD8xzV6VdiypDOkja9C6Esoo8/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0ISu4BmKSLD3xd7LR8I-yfuEGDL3MBwF12H9KQc34SSmfDXGAkOsVGmMqdEoa9AZqImlV9TqZJhE7O4i7GVATew8fdoYEQN_pgoYvXeuAb2AIH-F7cQD8xzV6VdiypDOkja9C6Esoo8/s320/YAKUTAT2015+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQSZS4cINKMln-WiviTE658HDED4Hcz0Mk1M4catpW_ZoLS-7vFhEmtp2GkUH7rMLqik67LyxpClXx1rb8C1862Lqdujr7xr4HHLZ4zxPWpk0LOQmijKPnrvBdg9SeKz55qMYs7ACYf0/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQSZS4cINKMln-WiviTE658HDED4Hcz0Mk1M4catpW_ZoLS-7vFhEmtp2GkUH7rMLqik67LyxpClXx1rb8C1862Lqdujr7xr4HHLZ4zxPWpk0LOQmijKPnrvBdg9SeKz55qMYs7ACYf0/s320/YAKUTAT2015+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few hours after our arrival we had a visitor. This wolf was very curious and really checked us out before loping away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmIeUPkKsbJTbAhrSwfvl4mBczD_kIND8ywrSPPm_r5H7xbfiVrEZpUp5JeoAjAXq1Pd6uc6nPoLqUU60sJDmhheiCjDMWZhTzyI1EKu4Z3NCaEVVWmxNm6zdumZBOwTh1aen2VlgDxU/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmIeUPkKsbJTbAhrSwfvl4mBczD_kIND8ywrSPPm_r5H7xbfiVrEZpUp5JeoAjAXq1Pd6uc6nPoLqUU60sJDmhheiCjDMWZhTzyI1EKu4Z3NCaEVVWmxNm6zdumZBOwTh1aen2VlgDxU/s320/YAKUTAT2015+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few hours after the wolf visit we had another visitor...this bear. He didn't notice us for a long time, but when he did he behaved like a good bear and skidaddled into the woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxAYBj0gqppLe14HammncRWMIzn786eSjsNHj2ydpivxHIXhr9yV7h6ZnYms-3Tj1UFCUCR6136NKSI_Rb0QFU-qzP5X7hT9-3SuV_JABUgEGuvvFwY1BaB9T7xao_Hg33GiYaRBTBtw/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxAYBj0gqppLe14HammncRWMIzn786eSjsNHj2ydpivxHIXhr9yV7h6ZnYms-3Tj1UFCUCR6136NKSI_Rb0QFU-qzP5X7hT9-3SuV_JABUgEGuvvFwY1BaB9T7xao_Hg33GiYaRBTBtw/s320/YAKUTAT2015+047.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug makes dinner at camp 1 near the edge of Echo Creek.<br />
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May 25, 2015: The next morning we awoke to some beautiful weather and a story about a bear that Trevor had seen the night before. He said it came down the stream shortly after the rest of us had gone to the tents. He watched it for a while before it dug a small hole in the sand and went to sleep across the the stream about a hundred yards from camp. And...it was still there. Sure enough. As we all turned and looked across the stream there was a bear sleeping in the sand. We didn't know what else to do so we all started making breakfast and watching the bear as it slept. After 15 minutes or so the bear was startled awake, jumped up, looked at us, and took off at warp speed down the beach and out of sight. That was the last we saw of the bears at camp 1.<br />
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Once everyone finished breakfast and packed gear for the ride we were ready to roll. That's when Jim told us he was ill. Very ill. And, he seemed to be getting worse. He said he felt well enough to ride so we took off. There wasn't much else we could do. But, as the morning progressed his condition worsened. We took a long lunch break and he rested which seemed to help. Everyone else took naps on the beach as well. We rode slowly taking frequent breaks until we came to our first river crossing. <br />
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We spent a considerable amount of time deciding on the best location and strategy for crossing. The tide was coming in and as we waited an eddy developed on the other side of the river. It was time to go and Trevor made the crossing with ease. The rest of us followed and eventually we were all on the same side of the river. It was getting late so we decided to set up camp and have dinner. Afterward we sat around a bonfire on the beach discussing the day's events.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI1SFurCUDQX8sCcAJUz-O4aNJG6CGpqg8XZbRpog3G875S3YGzayT6c331uEaazda-hJ89FAW-s5C0oibF_gEk8neX3pmqPywIjyOz3NWX3HlAaKY_MAPTmnaJFou1BNJfuGvp2WZrI/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI1SFurCUDQX8sCcAJUz-O4aNJG6CGpqg8XZbRpog3G875S3YGzayT6c331uEaazda-hJ89FAW-s5C0oibF_gEk8neX3pmqPywIjyOz3NWX3HlAaKY_MAPTmnaJFou1BNJfuGvp2WZrI/s320/YAKUTAT2015+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next morning we woke to some beautiful weather.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane hoists his bike to carry it across a small stream as we leave camp 1.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill took a power nap following lunch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So did Joolee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim loads his fatbike on his raft for a stream crossing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug paddles his raft/bike/gear across a stream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After crossing the stream we made camp, ate dinner, and sat around a campfire.</td></tr>
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May 26-28, 2015: Jim wasn't feeling 100% the next morning, but he was feeling better. After breakfast we packed our gear and took off riding into the fog. It was fun cruising down the beach watching other riders as they disappeared into the rolling banks of mist. We were making great progress and enjoying the ride on hard packed sand when the beach suddenly filled with boulders of varying sizes. We pushed and lifted our bikes for a while thinking we would soon be riding the hard packed sand again. </div>
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Boy, were we wrong.</div>
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We had arrived at Cape Fairweather and would spend the better part of the next three days hauling bikes and gear through some of the gnarliest jumbles of boulders on the face of the planet...and I don't think that's much of an exaggeration..</div>
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As the day progressed we ended up shuttling our gear and bikes separately making double trips through the boulders. Then it started to rain making the boulders slippery. Around 6:00 PM, we stopped for dinner and ultimately set up camp in the trees above the boulders just a few feet beyond a bear trail. The location was less than ideal but a layer of soft moss about 10 inches thick covered the ground making for a very soft sleeping pad. The rain continued through the night which led to constant dripping on the tent. Although there was some condensation inside the tent the next morning we had remained relatively dry all things considered.</div>
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During breakfast we discussed several options for getting our belongings through the boulder field. We determined it would be best to abandon our bikes and carry our gear to the end of the boulders, then return for the bikes and carry them out separately. We also thought it might be easier to follow the bear trails along the edge of the forest, so we packed our camping gear in our backpacks and started walking. Eventually the bear trails became too brushy and we were forced back onto the beach. We had anticipated that part of the group would move faster than the others so we stayed in contact with walkie-talkies. We left around 8:00 AM, and just after 4:00 PM we exited the boulder field and set up camp next to an exquisite clear water stream. It seemed like heaven.</div>
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Bill, Joolee, and Trevor decided they wanted to go back and retrieve their bikes that evening while the rest of us stayed at camp. They didn't return with their bikes until nearly 11:00 PM. The next morning Shane, Doug, Jim, and I woke early and left camp at 7:00 AM to retrieve our bikes. We actually had fun on our way scrambling over the boulders and telling stories. It was easy to move without any weight on our backs and shoulders. When we got to the bikes we took off the wheels and attached them to our backpacks, which also had our packrafts inside. Then we used straps and ropes to create a sling to help support the weight of our bike frames which we carried in our hands. It was pure agony jumping from boulder to boulder trying to maintain footing and balance. It was amazing that none of use slipped and got hurt because the potential for serious disaster was ever present.</div>
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A little after 4:00 PM we arrived back at camp. The boulder ordeal was over.</div>
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That night we sat around camp eating dinner and telling stories when Joolee pulled out a pot with a lid on it. When she uncovered it there was a cherry cheesecake inside! It was absolutely beautiful. We were stunned, but it didn't take long for each of us to find our sporks and devour it in nothing flat. It was so good.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and Joolee leaving camp 2 ready to ride the beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding in the rolling fog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach fatbike rider.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before long we arrived at the boulders along Cape Fairweather. At this point we had no idea what we were in for.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane takes a break several hours after we entered the boulders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We carried our bikes and gear for a while.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLeeDee0oz4dvi6rljcQjbkH_-6kDJ-rZxfm_FEuvERKIKuaCqCiyoHniI96OK3yEcmQR33MobjdaljyP9hNLnbkKf28ZlOkIvuW_xOTyMghisKV4E6_XtfCGyBvk7tPAxEEFmaQhxs4/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLeeDee0oz4dvi6rljcQjbkH_-6kDJ-rZxfm_FEuvERKIKuaCqCiyoHniI96OK3yEcmQR33MobjdaljyP9hNLnbkKf28ZlOkIvuW_xOTyMghisKV4E6_XtfCGyBvk7tPAxEEFmaQhxs4/s320/YAKUTAT2015+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a full day of carrying gear we stopped to camp. We cooked and ate dinner while sitting on the boulders in the rain. We set our tents up in the woods in some soft moss.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next morning we decided to abandon our bikes and haul the remainder of our gear to the end of the boulders. The following day we would return to get our bikes. All told it took just about three days to get everything through the boulders. Subsequently, we were way behind schedule and had used up much of our food.</td></tr>
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May 29, 2015: We were anxious to pack up the next morning and get going. We really didn't know what the beach ahead would bring but we hoped it wasn't more boulders. Turns out it was some of the best riding of the trip. The group careened down the wide flat beach splashing through small streams and enjoying the hard packed sand. Before long we arrived at Sea Otter Creek where we deployed our packrafts once again and loaded our bikes and gear on them for about a half mile float. Once on the other side we deflated the rafts and reassembled the bikes. More fantastic beach riding followed and before long we made it to the point we all considered to be the crux of the trip--the bushwhack to Grand Plateau Lake.</div>
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We had an impromptu conference on the beach. We knew we were about three days behind schedule due to the boulders slowing us down and consequently we didn't have enough food for all of us to make it back to Yakutat without starvation being a serious concern. Shane and Trevor wanted to finish the trip but everyone else was happy to call in an airplane for a pick-up the next afternoon. We put our food out on a tarp to survey our supplies and gave Shane and Trevor what they needed to continue. Then Jim and I waited on the beach with the gear while everyone else began bushwhacking with Shane and Trevor toward Grand Plateau Lake. Several hours late Doug, Bill and Joolee returned and we rode about a mile back down the beach to a small stream where we set up camp. We ate the last of our last dinners knowing that we would be picked up the following day and return to Yakutat. Then the fog rolled in.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're finally able to ride again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fGLvIzMwdflAYt4lDR5RPJo2_2st2eArFp7HRcgXQHpj4rUjuWxZuxY7M8MtnM1XMiWrLh5smfypMZi590Jxv6lk9a-lfFmLuLb0Rox2RpJVwg4J-Az-EJtWYEoKJoDK3TGVMpDz9FM/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fGLvIzMwdflAYt4lDR5RPJo2_2st2eArFp7HRcgXQHpj4rUjuWxZuxY7M8MtnM1XMiWrLh5smfypMZi590Jxv6lk9a-lfFmLuLb0Rox2RpJVwg4J-Az-EJtWYEoKJoDK3TGVMpDz9FM/s320/YAKUTAT2015+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds lifted for a while and we could see the mountains!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group consult on the beach. Since we were so far behind schedule part of the group decided to call for an air taxi to come pick us up. Shane and Trevor wanted to finish the trip. We would give them the food we could spare and they would bushwhack to Grand Plateau Lake and ride the remainder of the beach to Yakutat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and Trevor consult the GPS just before the group separates.</td></tr>
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May 30-31, 2015: Waking up up we ate a leisurely breakfast and slowly packed our gear. We had confirmed through Bill's inReach that the air taxi would fly out to pick us up sometime in the afternoon. The fog continued to roll in and out as we sat on the beach, telling stories and waiting. We heard an airplane in the distance early in the afternoon and we jumped to our feet thinking it was our ride. We never saw it and it didn't appear to be looking for us. So we sat back down and waited some more. We told more stories and as the time passed we communicated with the pilot via the inReach. He was worried about the fog but was willing to make a flight and try to find us. Several hours later we watched the plane swoop down on the beach about half a mile from where we located. The plane didn't land and that was the last we saw of it. Later we found out the pilot never saw us due to the fog.</div>
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We reestablished camp and ate half rations for dinner. We were low on food and didn't know how much longer we would have to stay. Fortunately, the next morning the fog had lifted. The pilot told us he could send a smaller plane which could be landed on the beach more easily but he would have to make two trips to get all of us and our gear back to Yakutat. About noon we could hear a plane and when we looked up we could see it was headed straight for a landing on the beach in front of us. We loaded three people and all the gear we could for the first flight back. An hour later Doug, Jim, and I were back in Yakutat. Bill and Joolee arrived an hour-and-a-half after that. We got rooms at the Yakutat Lodge and ate dinner at the restaurant. Since we were a day late getting back to Yakutat we also had to go to the airport to change our return flight to Anchorage to the next day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabMS8WNaT1CknFyqHZllHxyiA3Hq6ismfNObgafVqj1xH9lX3EBeMOicRQw4hhbJjdIk8vDTBUhVHcqcaKjHGQPkNLMeZzUKZoLLPacL5o14lo3XmrZucATQcWFkzuJn_AC9OWELoJMM/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabMS8WNaT1CknFyqHZllHxyiA3Hq6ismfNObgafVqj1xH9lX3EBeMOicRQw4hhbJjdIk8vDTBUhVHcqcaKjHGQPkNLMeZzUKZoLLPacL5o14lo3XmrZucATQcWFkzuJn_AC9OWELoJMM/s320/YAKUTAT2015+108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a two day wait the air taxi finally arrived.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBbmjO6_JuouehAE-Z8_pLmlon8GyZ5wItjaA9Q9XZIK6VH7BH48CITOTQnRhWMoC4KJujE45RHzsX4Z-QZhyphenhyphenSgJ6rdYJZ8wThFWOWJwSQ9kLyrPTkkY8V_I30Gsg1YV9EgLhvLDoRb0/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBbmjO6_JuouehAE-Z8_pLmlon8GyZ5wItjaA9Q9XZIK6VH7BH48CITOTQnRhWMoC4KJujE45RHzsX4Z-QZhyphenhyphenSgJ6rdYJZ8wThFWOWJwSQ9kLyrPTkkY8V_I30Gsg1YV9EgLhvLDoRb0/s320/YAKUTAT2015+107.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were able to fit three fatbikes in the small plane once the wheels and tires were removed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrgQwg1KTt_bPO_UsaMa3Gbd4yPD2koiPVMLGAmV3rnjGmjDr__GfBbTz8Kl0AbH6Vp1n0bsvneVjcGHL8L2TfsgQ-9GW_bycf27OvCCXziPrXWNw3o6mPVGcv4SBX04j8ismBZFcR6Q/s1600/YAKUTAT2015+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrgQwg1KTt_bPO_UsaMa3Gbd4yPD2koiPVMLGAmV3rnjGmjDr__GfBbTz8Kl0AbH6Vp1n0bsvneVjcGHL8L2TfsgQ-9GW_bycf27OvCCXziPrXWNw3o6mPVGcv4SBX04j8ismBZFcR6Q/s320/YAKUTAT2015+110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying along the beach back to Yakutat.</td></tr>
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June 1, 2015: We ate breakfast and drank coffee at the Yakutat Lodge before boarding our flight to Anchorage at 11:00 AM. Shane and Trevor were still riding their way back to Yakutat and would arrive the following day. Then suddenly the trip we had spent six months preparing and planning for would be over. But, what a trip it was!</div>
Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-25224959749610599402014-08-24T17:02:00.001-08:002014-08-24T19:00:43.313-08:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA_xBU6790QqyWodE_RDjrBkN1ho93nP0rtPWW-s5SpsNAd8jUK5rLruMbbxWuOiTOebT2HxN2v7ANXQABL-A1_TWWU_lPpOIXRt84prDWQ3h7Q1AUqpCIDJ_U1l0veZpwT4omanXB-k/s1600/DENALI+2014+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA_xBU6790QqyWodE_RDjrBkN1ho93nP0rtPWW-s5SpsNAd8jUK5rLruMbbxWuOiTOebT2HxN2v7ANXQABL-A1_TWWU_lPpOIXRt84prDWQ3h7Q1AUqpCIDJ_U1l0veZpwT4omanXB-k/s1600/DENALI+2014+099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rode the bus all the way to Wonder Lake on a rainy day. It was a great trip!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sow and cub walk on the road in Igloo Canyon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bear walked along side the bus in Igloo Canyon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bull caribou negotiates a ridge in Sable Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy pedals her fatbike at Sable Pass while we were waiting for Troy and Linda to arrive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRJcdFrimCGukP9r30neM4iK2thxOLXlt-bvG07PSI9RvdLgxD1kVm7TNm2GpCHKQpkijQiflMNjel7OWN4BSIo5Drk5F-SMbqzJc7Osm6THpPsp02mx5mKH1uYHORJ3mcir4-d7Mg1o/s1600/DENALI+2014+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRJcdFrimCGukP9r30neM4iK2thxOLXlt-bvG07PSI9RvdLgxD1kVm7TNm2GpCHKQpkijQiflMNjel7OWN4BSIo5Drk5F-SMbqzJc7Osm6THpPsp02mx5mKH1uYHORJ3mcir4-d7Mg1o/s1600/DENALI+2014+080.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hufford family atop Polychrome Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10k5dPY4dwQOxgao52Mjb61FLSdhmfKoGO3eMjGAFQvJtv1u9lhfLMadqzFXxc0dVVaXO_VR543IjjSY8boo0gAz-C_XfHga_zH53PdsOo1w8pTr15I1xH2M41UENEui5nz1FWVFTGE0/s1600/DENALI+2014+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10k5dPY4dwQOxgao52Mjb61FLSdhmfKoGO3eMjGAFQvJtv1u9lhfLMadqzFXxc0dVVaXO_VR543IjjSY8boo0gAz-C_XfHga_zH53PdsOo1w8pTr15I1xH2M41UENEui5nz1FWVFTGE0/s1600/DENALI+2014+085.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Messin' with the antlers at the Toklat River rest stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gQ2on38I_-LhfwiDZ-R9HY9DO-wb-jaJPNjQeat6eAWkI2gt7gxTDwssb6A3fguxNVFF9-4qTP3_x9_B9Zbo55vikIs92HopPGlJwXrBkNRoUpzRHV2kgFsqB8PiwD_Ex8-z_V-cjvw/s1600/DENALI+2014+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gQ2on38I_-LhfwiDZ-R9HY9DO-wb-jaJPNjQeat6eAWkI2gt7gxTDwssb6A3fguxNVFF9-4qTP3_x9_B9Zbo55vikIs92HopPGlJwXrBkNRoUpzRHV2kgFsqB8PiwD_Ex8-z_V-cjvw/s1600/DENALI+2014+117.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy on his bike at Sable Pass. We had just ridden from Polychrome Pass and we were waiting for Liz to arrive on a bus from Teklanika. We watched a sow with two cubs while we were waiting. Then, along came a wolf!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVIG78ojPDgjP5KCs-owOdVOj3_lLHZitjL-B0n4KT9mjjL0MGuhho_f78E7CA10M_9S6QYVm2FzRQ6-UNtEnk48KDtcA0dsh7TC8BYC8U6BVrSGrezc8mnAmlH3xbHJ_DhJlkHgnzaw/s1600/DENALI+2014+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVIG78ojPDgjP5KCs-owOdVOj3_lLHZitjL-B0n4KT9mjjL0MGuhho_f78E7CA10M_9S6QYVm2FzRQ6-UNtEnk48KDtcA0dsh7TC8BYC8U6BVrSGrezc8mnAmlH3xbHJ_DhJlkHgnzaw/s1600/DENALI+2014+127.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy, Liz, and I had to board a recently arrived bus while this wolf passed about 50 yards away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineCu5W7Z8ucR4HUueUJU9QYsuH8NR8TW1vukhxjfW1UFkMHPIG5B_SQdeNc1eo-KhmZcBQNDIkT-hN3NZJoz8gZDlb4QKqBvNRIlhUZKkXqXz9yG3N8qiYzXMWYOnmO9DuZ3VARJIuqM/s1600/DENALI+2014+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineCu5W7Z8ucR4HUueUJU9QYsuH8NR8TW1vukhxjfW1UFkMHPIG5B_SQdeNc1eo-KhmZcBQNDIkT-hN3NZJoz8gZDlb4QKqBvNRIlhUZKkXqXz9yG3N8qiYzXMWYOnmO9DuZ3VARJIuqM/s1600/DENALI+2014+106.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gilbert family from the Boston area. A super cool outdoorsy posse enjoying their time in Alaska. We really had a great time getting to know them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUEIDx6ATFMhZ2UastOiaZ3XFrfEbOstVHNIGx4VB371S58eE8RprfY17GekD3Zp0N4cEBzR-5p93Yb2BvHZWzxzISjt5HHWd0GyVehBQa1U9P_LM75ogy5bzdiLKlwRmfv2Yu2Apu-k/s1600/DENALI+2014+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUEIDx6ATFMhZ2UastOiaZ3XFrfEbOstVHNIGx4VB371S58eE8RprfY17GekD3Zp0N4cEBzR-5p93Yb2BvHZWzxzISjt5HHWd0GyVehBQa1U9P_LM75ogy5bzdiLKlwRmfv2Yu2Apu-k/s1600/DENALI+2014+131.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily got to help the ranger during a campground presentation. She took this wolf hide around the audience so all the visitors could check it out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOlkGCF2cPJEpCHrCG4JcCWuK1XNUAC3nuJE6CPrT10UvKHb-XPvOFOfYSzTPzyBty6fKXQ1vTwsCH2EzcY0d4QFEDZCDe4d9iEd5q71uA-KnnROwS-sTrB5aO7Wc5AT86f7qsdPFl60/s1600/DENALI+2014+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOlkGCF2cPJEpCHrCG4JcCWuK1XNUAC3nuJE6CPrT10UvKHb-XPvOFOfYSzTPzyBty6fKXQ1vTwsCH2EzcY0d4QFEDZCDe4d9iEd5q71uA-KnnROwS-sTrB5aO7Wc5AT86f7qsdPFl60/s1600/DENALI+2014+152.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hikers posing at the Highway Pass sign just before beginning the hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXp3VYL5yuHKSJ-JXCgKZS4ynRIKm8WVomqlFQtDjGoac5ui5ENuKqSHgrbrvzCTLrmw06XOIXbQALCPasvk-8s5UV3D75WLGFL1fJfJuC-gIo1v93gdOjFoivs6ypiUPtlgxVRgJL44/s1600/DENALI+2014+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXp3VYL5yuHKSJ-JXCgKZS4ynRIKm8WVomqlFQtDjGoac5ui5ENuKqSHgrbrvzCTLrmw06XOIXbQALCPasvk-8s5UV3D75WLGFL1fJfJuC-gIo1v93gdOjFoivs6ypiUPtlgxVRgJL44/s1600/DENALI+2014+157.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Huffy hiking in Highway Pass with Denali in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWNSYP-UWwMZXGTv3OROD16mdFxrbpBc7CUJHtvxgyQLa7esA73BCvv3Om_H7K83Zv6aWORvq-a5ovVcFipIK5v3tOfJriEKU9lQDpktVzlnvFSES-7dtkS5Wg3A25ZVp2g1GslY6zds/s1600/DENALI+2014+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWNSYP-UWwMZXGTv3OROD16mdFxrbpBc7CUJHtvxgyQLa7esA73BCvv3Om_H7K83Zv6aWORvq-a5ovVcFipIK5v3tOfJriEKU9lQDpktVzlnvFSES-7dtkS5Wg3A25ZVp2g1GslY6zds/s1600/DENALI+2014+169.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing in front of the waterfall which was the destination for the Highway Pass hike. Laura was climbing up the side of the valley at this point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn3DzTdBO8zWsCqMGTehPSf0kmIQp-CnifULn0S1UMASz_ADDthTNXwrosNc2EFUyxYLFy10WjMLl7MNCddN83ZoFsxunnig6PLSdtLkPi4lCTu3WRBwysSh7Nc4naPTHFq2XCXUfRF0/s1600/DENALI+2014+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn3DzTdBO8zWsCqMGTehPSf0kmIQp-CnifULn0S1UMASz_ADDthTNXwrosNc2EFUyxYLFy10WjMLl7MNCddN83ZoFsxunnig6PLSdtLkPi4lCTu3WRBwysSh7Nc4naPTHFq2XCXUfRF0/s1600/DENALI+2014+175.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking back to the road after spending some time at the waterfall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9c_JYZiyPWAchbHzqC6UtkxkaqkaiH_-XQwztF0LoQP8Ot3WfrKuxXas8p1z5sGmLsLys3z0uHdnh_VVHdxf4tfZKbCqYvr3-0f76r3pjH_5xYSEYXjT4smVI037FXTV3GM1g88PL5A/s1600/DENALI+2014+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9c_JYZiyPWAchbHzqC6UtkxkaqkaiH_-XQwztF0LoQP8Ot3WfrKuxXas8p1z5sGmLsLys3z0uHdnh_VVHdxf4tfZKbCqYvr3-0f76r3pjH_5xYSEYXjT4smVI037FXTV3GM1g88PL5A/s1600/DENALI+2014+202.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Ridgerunners' on the flanks of Cathedral Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpni1qBLVtWLlXWmB67BE5znwVhDMEwPBFZdB-cDx2X-bxb8kKAhx4qJs8wV5fDqJOhYkTxKivzqOGjMq8wnZLMQq-F42v9G7YdVbq3LfX0Ihkbch3Sg6we_bByMnSsx1SxIaD4f2ATM/s1600/DENALI+2014+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpni1qBLVtWLlXWmB67BE5znwVhDMEwPBFZdB-cDx2X-bxb8kKAhx4qJs8wV5fDqJOhYkTxKivzqOGjMq8wnZLMQq-F42v9G7YdVbq3LfX0Ihkbch3Sg6we_bByMnSsx1SxIaD4f2ATM/s1600/DENALI+2014+205.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely and you will see Laura and Troy hiking across the face of this scree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DRU7rDP2gWbA71gfeB4c70jdtTr6pWQOqR9UaF7HFgaCKlTgZWO3JUOSFscen02xULjI-bbZKQqiwfjIzAHGYQt8EFADf2KNNlz4bHo_ewQoLYlA5zXjz-zS3gigXM5DPOdgNDkfGrI/s1600/DENALI+2014+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DRU7rDP2gWbA71gfeB4c70jdtTr6pWQOqR9UaF7HFgaCKlTgZWO3JUOSFscen02xULjI-bbZKQqiwfjIzAHGYQt8EFADf2KNNlz4bHo_ewQoLYlA5zXjz-zS3gigXM5DPOdgNDkfGrI/s1600/DENALI+2014+211.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gettin' by with a little help from her friends, Mrs. Huffy gets assistance from Troy crossing Igloo Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYBoxxaZYwwlfNviX0DqHWTghHntNaPy-ewWlQ8roKJWn4WABl93g2HRxTd4snIGY_5hADHBR21uO0KLm2USwlRN6Tbq8eUmuKQMCw9Gjtf0dOeK5Aven8y_pbqa6TtEKMWJAWv2JuYo/s1600/DENALI+2014+215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYBoxxaZYwwlfNviX0DqHWTghHntNaPy-ewWlQ8roKJWn4WABl93g2HRxTd4snIGY_5hADHBR21uO0KLm2USwlRN6Tbq8eUmuKQMCw9Gjtf0dOeK5Aven8y_pbqa6TtEKMWJAWv2JuYo/s1600/DENALI+2014+215.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily picks blueberries from a massive berry patch across the road from Igloo Campground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lCdpzk1pl1_XzgUciZMCPfrmW9lOfVWiKr19HgAEtIm3o0joKxDihxUDD2Mta4fMn4OGBiYhMpQvN3Tr3F25lJUbEJHZui9J7x_VXajZt3HWZmX_41YwzTbOzbrd19jcWMyWdlMlNx8/s1600/DENALI+2014+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lCdpzk1pl1_XzgUciZMCPfrmW9lOfVWiKr19HgAEtIm3o0joKxDihxUDD2Mta4fMn4OGBiYhMpQvN3Tr3F25lJUbEJHZui9J7x_VXajZt3HWZmX_41YwzTbOzbrd19jcWMyWdlMlNx8/s1600/DENALI+2014+214.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda picks some blueberries and stores them in a water bottle for safe keeping.</td></tr>
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<br />
We had a great trip to Denali National Park this year. It was our 14th annual family trek to Teklanika Campground. The Zimmerman family met us there and we became friends with the Gilbert family from the Boston area while we were camping. Here's how things happened:<br />
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<strong>August 2, 2014:</strong> We left Nikiski and made it as far as Wasilla before I noticed we were having tire problems. The front passenger tire looked soft so we drove to Johnson Tire Service where, almost $1000 and 45 minutes later, we were back on the road with six new tires. We stopped at Byer's Lake Campground a few hours afterward where we spent the night sans mosquitoes. If you have ever been camping at Byer's Lake during mosquito season you will know how significant it was to be there without them. Very pleasant.<br />
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<strong>August 3, 2014:</strong> We woke early the next morning and were on the road by 8:00 AM. After stopping for fuel at the the Chevron station in Cantwell we made our way to Riley Creek where we emptied the RV holding tanks and took showers before driving to Teklanika. At the Savage River check-in station we saw a huge bull caribou walking slowly up the Savage River. It was a great welcome to the park! We took our time driving to Tek and enjoyed the scenery. Liz and Laura rode their bikes the final five miles or so before the campground while Emily and I drove ahead to pick a campsite. Upon our arrival we met several members of the Gilbert family. They said they had seen a grizzly on the road just after they passed Liz and Laura. When Liz and Laura arrived at the campground they said they were totally unaware of the bear!<br />
<br />
After setting up camp we ate lunch, walked on the river bed, and visited some more with the Gilbert's. The Zimmerman's arrived later in the afternoon and we decided to take an evening bike ride. We were going to put our bikes on the bus and go up to Sable Pass and ride back to Tek. Because we had four bikes we had to catch different buses (a bus rack can only hold two bikes). Liz and I caught the first bus and rode to the top of Sable Pass. We unloaded the bikes and waited for Troy and Linda. We watched ground squirrels, a raptor, and three HUGE caribou. We waited and waited. And waited some more. After nearly two hours we realized something must have happened and we started riding for Tek. We passed a bus in Igloo Canyon, but Troy and Linda weren't on it. When we got back to the campground we found out the bus driver Troy and Linda had been riding with suddenly became ill at the Teklanika Rest Stop and had to be replaced by another driver which took several hours. The remainder of the evening was spent around the campfire. Bed time was 11:30 PM.<br />
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<strong>August 4, 2014:</strong> What a great day! We loaded up five bikes on two buses and arrived at the top of Sable Pass just after noon. On the ride up we watched a sow with two cubs as they ate and walked down the road in Igloo Canyon. We saw them again as we rode back toward Tek on our bikes and had to wait nearly an hour before they were far enough off the road so we could pass. It was the Zimmerman's first Denali bear delay. The remainder of the ride was fast and fun. Liz and Emily had remained in camp to organize and the RV, ride bikes around the campground, and walk on the riverbed. They also played cribbage.<br />
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After lunch the entire group hopped a bus to Tattler Creek. We saw the bears in Igloo Canyon again although they were much further from the road. We hiked up Tattler Creek as it rained and we got very wet. Back at the campground we talked with the Gilbert's. Scott, the father, told us some stories about the time he climbed Denali. It sounded like it was quite the adventure! After dinner we sat around the Zimmerman's fire and went to bed late again.<br />
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<strong>August 5, 2014:</strong> Today was the day we had decided would be best to ride the bus to Wonder Lake. The weather was supposed to be rainy which would be good for riding in the protection of a bus. We made salami sandwiches and got the snacks ready. Then we discovered we didn't have any baggies. We wrapped our sandwiches in foil and used shopping bags to hold small amounts of snacks. It was an improvisation that worked for the remainder of the trip. At 11:25 AM we boarded the bus and met Dale, the driver. He imparted lots of good information as we bounced along. As we were riding past Cathedral Mountain we saw the Gilbert family on the other side of Igloo Creek as they were hiking. Along the way we saw seven grizzlies and a black bear near Wonder Lake. The rain was heavy at Wonder Lake so the mountain was not out, but we did find plenty of ripe blueberries which we picked and ate on the spot. On the return trip we saw lots of caribou and a sow with two cubs in Igloo Canyon. The bears were hunting and we watched as they excavated and caught a ground squirrel in its burrow. We had never seen that before. When we got back to Tek we talked with the Gilbert's and found out they had summitted a peak two times from two directions on their hike. Then it was time for dinner and a party in the Dutchmen. The Gilbert's and Zimmerman's came over and we had a cribbage tournament, ate some caribou, and had some drinks. We talked about all sorts of things and took turns playing cribbage. It was great!<br />
<br />
<strong>August 6, 2014:</strong> The rain was pounding down this morning. The Gilbert's broke camp and came over to say goodbye. Scott gave us a feather which we placed above the stove in our RV. It was great to meet and get to know them. Before they left we took photos and exchanged contact information. Hopefully our paths will cross again someday.<br />
<br />
Later in the day the rain stopped and the sun came out. Troy and I decided to get on a bus and take our bikes to Polychrome Pass so we could ride back to Tek. Liz waited for a later bus and would meet us at Sable Pass with her fatbike so we could all ride back together. When Troy and I got to Sable Pass we could see a sow with two cubs by a small pond. There was also a bus pulled over watching them. Turns out that was the bus Liz was aboard. After a while the bus began to move making its way to Sable Pass. Then, as the driver was unloading Liz's bike she said, "Get back on the bus--wolf!" Liz, Troy, and I scrambled onto the bus and watched as a wolf trotted past only 50 yards away. It was cool. We later talked with the Wildlife Tech and found out it was the alpha female of the East Fork pack. The ride back to Tek was great. We even passed the sow with cubs as we rode down from Sable Pass.<br />
<br />
After dinner Troy came by and wanted to know if any of us were interested in going on an evening bike/hike to Igloo mountain. Laura was the only taker. They rode bikes five miles to Igloo before hiking up the mountain. Laura said it was strenuous but she had an awesome time. They summitted the lower of the two peaks. It took them three hours to make the round trip.<br />
<br />
<strong>August 7, 2014:</strong> We went for an awesome hike to a waterfall in Highway Pass. But, the excitement really started in Igloo canyon. As we were riding the bus we noticed that lots of vehicles were stopped on the road. We soon found out it was because two sub-adult grizzlies had gotten into a fight a few hours earlier and one had killed the other. The winner was burying the carcass when we got there. We got some grisly pictures. <br />
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Upon our arrival at Highway Pass we spotted some caribou walking down the stream and easily found the waterfall. The mountain was out and it was a beautiful day. Troy, Linda, Tika, and Laura hiked to the top of some ridges while Liz, Emily, soaked in the scenery and enjoyed the waterfall. As we were walking back to the road we looked back and saw a grizzly walking across our path several hundred yards behind us. None of us had seen it while we were hiking.<br />
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Back at camp Doug Armstrong stopped by while we were eating dinner. He was there for a class about glaciers. It was good to see him and quite the coincidence.<br />
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<strong>August 8, 2014:</strong> This was our final full day at Tek so we decided to ride a bus to the social trail near Sable Pass. Immediately after we left the Teklanika Rest Area we saw a grizzly on the Teklanika River bed. We also stopped in Igloo Canyon to watch the killer bear eat the dead bear and then fall asleep on top of the carcass. It was a spectacle indeed.<br />
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When we got off the bus we crossed Igloo Creek and part of the group went up the ridges while others followed the trail around the back of Cathedral Mountain. After several miles we were reunited for the hike back to the road. We passed a couple of packrafters as they were hiking on their way to the Sanctuary River where they planned to float back to the Sanctuary Campground. That would be fun to try sometime.<br />
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We hitched a bus back through the bear death area before getting off near Igloo Campground to pick blueberries. We found lots of them and filled our water bottles and plastic bags with them. Back at camp we had caribou beanie-weenies for our final dinner at Tek. Afterward we went to a ranger presentation about wolves. It was good and Emily got to help the ranger by taking a wolf pelt around for the audience to examine. The final campfire and cribbage games of the trip were played and that was it. Our final day in Denali was done. Bummer.<br />
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<strong>August 9, 2014:</strong> We broke camp early and started our drive out of Teklanika in some nice weather. It was difficult to leave. As we drove toward Cantwell we noticed huge numbers of caribou hunters headed for the Denali Highway. Trucks pulling trailers loaded with four-wheelers were everywhere. As we made our way south the weather worsened. By the time we pulled into a camp site at Williwaw Campground in the Portage Valley the rain was coming down in sheets. We cooked dinner and played a card game before going to bed. It rained heavily all night, so we got up early and made it home by noon. Our annual trip was over. But, we are already talking about and making plans for Denali 2015. Can't wait!Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-48807106747285629912014-08-12T09:33:00.002-08:002014-08-12T09:33:25.763-08:00NIKISKI TO HOMER FATBIKE TRIP<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYdyl90t1cdRp_TkYV888umVgEjKjyfB2_ysq1nchxub1haXLvR_5A8PKnSDQuusfD6zrLP-_0MtFtIwNYGWqp8F11RUo-WbpBe3JOv4eIyCBHvHU2Xqt6R2DwreMPzQ2AnKFiAwVwlw/s1600/NIKISKI2HOMER+FATBIKE+RIDE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYdyl90t1cdRp_TkYV888umVgEjKjyfB2_ysq1nchxub1haXLvR_5A8PKnSDQuusfD6zrLP-_0MtFtIwNYGWqp8F11RUo-WbpBe3JOv4eIyCBHvHU2Xqt6R2DwreMPzQ2AnKFiAwVwlw/s1600/NIKISKI2HOMER+FATBIKE+RIDE.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DISTANCE: 119 miles<br />
TERRAIN: Cook Inlet beach<br />
TIME: 4 days</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bouys and fatbikes with Cook Inlet and Mt. Redoubt in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Armstrong surveys the scene as dipnetters fish at the mouth of the Kenai River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug watches as a dipnetter catches a salmon from Cook Inlet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug cruises down the beach between Kenai and Kasilof.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A loaded fatbike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed at the Ninilchik View Campground on the second night of our trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Valley falls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Valley falls and fatbiker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug pedals toward Kachemak Bay on the final morning of the trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went into the Salty Dawg when we reached the end of the Homer Spit. We were only there for about three minutes.</td></tr>
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<strong>Day 1 (Nikiski to Kasilof):</strong> Doug Armstrong and I began riding our fatbikes on the beach in Nikiski, Alaska. We rode to the mouth of the Kenai River where we watched dipnetters fish for red salmon. Then we rode up to Charlotte's restaurant in Kenai where we met our families for lunch. Afterward we loaded the bikes in the truck and Mrs. Huffy drove us to the south side of the mouth of the Kenai River. Doug and I then rode to the mouth of the Kasilof River where Mrs Huffy and Emily were waiting for us. We spent the night at our homes in Nikiski.<br />
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<strong>Day 2 (Kasilof to Ninilchik):</strong> The next morning we drove to the south side of the Kasilof River where we packed our fatbikes with gear for the next three days and started pedalling. Shortly after we started we encountered an odd individual on the beach. He was pacing back and forth, talking to himself and waving his hands in the air. I stopped to talk with him for a couple of minutes and listened to him rant about not being able to fish, then I quickly moved on down the beach. The riding was good but the wind began building and by noon it was blowing like a banshee. It would stop us in our tracks whenever we quit pedalling. We talked to some commercial fishermen on the beach near Clam Gulch and found out they were also fatbike riders. After a long day we finally arrived at Ninilchik and rode up to the campground where the wind was less fearsome. This day turned out to be the longest in terms of mileage. We spent the night at Ninilchik View Campground.<br />
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<strong>Day 3 Ninilchik to Anchor Point):</strong> We woke up and rode to the coffee shop before making breakfast. After eating we loaded our bikes and set out for Anchor Point. The wind had subsided considerably and the riding was very pleasant. We passed a sea otter and noticed there weren't any fishing nets in the inlet this far south. When we got to the Anchor River we discovered it was too deep to cross. It took some time to find a route up the bluff to the highway and ultimately to the campgrounds along the Anchor River. Once we got a campsite we played a couple of games of Scrabble on Doug's Kindle before making dinner. Then it was time for sleep.<br />
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<strong>Day 4 (Anchor Point to Homer):</strong> We left Anchor Point on the final morning of our trip heading for Homer where we planned to meet our families. The beach leaving Anchor Point was great but it soon turned into lots of rock gardens which were difficult to negotiate on fatbikes. We finally made it to the Oceanview RV Park and rode up to the pavement toward the Homer Spit. Along the way we stopped in to say 'hi' to Pat Irwin at Free Spirit Bike Wear. He and his wife Kathy were great inspirations and provided lots of information for our trip through their website. We also stopped at Homer Sapiens to say 'hi' to Kammi Matson. Then it was off to the Salty Dawg where we pretty much just passed through and made our way to a place for a lunch of fish and chips. We were met by Mrs. Huffy, Emily, Rose Armstrong and John, her father, and Doug's friend Bill. We had a great time at lunch sharing stories about the trip and talking of future rides. Then it was time to load everything up and drive back to Nikiski. It was great to ride in the truck on the way back and see the places we had ridden past. It was a great ride and I can't wait to do it again!Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-56566238046098705672014-02-04T21:23:00.000-09:002014-02-04T21:23:14.433-09:00LAKE HOPPING ON A FATBIKE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selfie before departure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GPS track:<br />
DISTANCE: 7.5 miles<br />
TERRAIN: snow, glare ice, snowmachine trails, pipeline corridors, plowed and maintained roads.<br />
TIME: 1:45 hours</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NlWZn94g38M_Dg8garvuKsJSavnOlus8q1Zs2oHHNgNQUZ6oOztbGyFAyxCM0paMkClvDgxgNNvhWKJdCpJhZqjEoiMc8qLeWOmFcyigO7PDmW513ZVvaZ6d7xzZPRVNwRKGJ8DyQ8s/s1600/LAKE+HOP+FATBIKE+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NlWZn94g38M_Dg8garvuKsJSavnOlus8q1Zs2oHHNgNQUZ6oOztbGyFAyxCM0paMkClvDgxgNNvhWKJdCpJhZqjEoiMc8qLeWOmFcyigO7PDmW513ZVvaZ6d7xzZPRVNwRKGJ8DyQ8s/s1600/LAKE+HOP+FATBIKE+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the handlebars at the edge of Island Lake. Getting ready to ride across the ice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fatbike and signage at Thetis Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always be mindful of aircraft on the roadway...fatbikes, too. That's Parsons Lake in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After leaving Parsons Lake the remainder of the ride looked like this. Plowed and maintained roads all the way.</td></tr>
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The heatwave and resulting meltdown last month created extremely favorable conditions for riding fatbikes. The snow is frozen as hard as cement and big tires roll over it with ease resulting in snowmachine trails that are smooth and fast. A perfect scenario for riding from lake to lake--lake hopping on a fatbike.<br />
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I pedaled out of my driveway and onto the ice of Island Lake which was slippery in spots, so I traveled slowly until reaching the public boat ramp across the lake. I rode over to Thetis Lake and then down a snowmachine trail to a pipeline corridor, and another snowmachine trail, to Parsons Lake. After crossing the ice of Parsons Lake I took plowed and maintained roads back to my house.<br />
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Lake hopping loops are just about limitless when conditions are like this and I'm already planning several others. All it takes is looking at a map and connecting the lakes. Then hop on yer fatbike and go!Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-51221860039278556982014-02-02T19:44:00.002-09:002014-02-02T19:44:59.440-09:00CAPTAIN COOK FATBIKE RIDE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSD7Vv1POFmpJ9b1KgOXXU7RJ-osPifgGyHtSjvatqYvaUOSqGTvm6418K-rEZc2-bdRhJVYBl4u8VuAohat6YSy7vay9c4vHbZOdmgK1gCPHhKuC1xA-t0qrx6RDL8SeJID8Z8WF-gM/s1600/CAPT+COOK+FATBIKE2+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSD7Vv1POFmpJ9b1KgOXXU7RJ-osPifgGyHtSjvatqYvaUOSqGTvm6418K-rEZc2-bdRhJVYBl4u8VuAohat6YSy7vay9c4vHbZOdmgK1gCPHhKuC1xA-t0qrx6RDL8SeJID8Z8WF-gM/s1600/CAPT+COOK+FATBIKE2+041.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a splash while crossing a small stream. Cook Inlet and the Alaska range are in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlDQIQ5YcqWTRU60b8DAlEGtBUcUPqz-Yka29bXO3aGxiSjot1pcxAnT7vjgyQR288rauf-l9Mp3o4jD4apD6M5N-E6oHr5fBnXu36rtHwHKJc952PIBX0rypo_o1UnJVmoF8Qb_SvTg/s1600/CAPTAIN+COOK+FATBIKE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlDQIQ5YcqWTRU60b8DAlEGtBUcUPqz-Yka29bXO3aGxiSjot1pcxAnT7vjgyQR288rauf-l9Mp3o4jD4apD6M5N-E6oHr5fBnXu36rtHwHKJc952PIBX0rypo_o1UnJVmoF8Qb_SvTg/s1600/CAPTAIN+COOK+FATBIKE.JPG" height="266" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GPS track:<br />
DISTANCE: 13.4 miles RT<br />
TERRAIN: snow, ice, sand, dirt, mud, water, slush.<br />
TIME: ~4 hours</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug riding the beach on his new fatbike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break at the unique cabin straddling boulders on Cook Inlet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedaling on the open beach in the sunshine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nywz_xP75Sf0phVjzoTml55LTp8CwnpTLOKMy4sjW2pNqbP6V0ykjDl8xvkvan1XPgeaysi-qB94CF2os1El85JHgF5MPQAxntM28JtoiJGxEkHld1frkSPGkn6ShGYk13PK_K-CkR4/s1600/CAPT+COOK+FATBIKE2+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nywz_xP75Sf0phVjzoTml55LTp8CwnpTLOKMy4sjW2pNqbP6V0ykjDl8xvkvan1XPgeaysi-qB94CF2os1El85JHgF5MPQAxntM28JtoiJGxEkHld1frkSPGkn6ShGYk13PK_K-CkR4/s1600/CAPT+COOK+FATBIKE2+029.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a brief stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen derailleurs. They didn't work at all.</td></tr>
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My buddy Doug got a new fatbike for Christmas and he was anxious to try it out. So, we decided a good place to start riding would be at the end of the pavement at Captain Cook State Park--in 11 degree temperatures. Once we hit the beach it didn't look like anyone had been there for a while. We made good time pedalling to the cabin that straddles the boulders where we took a short break. Not long after that we crossed a small stream which resulted in frozen brakes and derailleurs. Since we weren't going very fast we didn't need the brakes, but it would have been nice to shift gears when needed. We continued to ride until reaching a small point that had a large amount of driftwood on it. We ate lunch then turned back. We had timed our ride to take advantage of the tide and it crept closer and closer as we neared the end. After a four hour pedal we arrived back at the truck, loaded the bikes, and drove home. The next fatbike adventure is already in the planning stages!Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753379929580217046.post-1147245445098965822013-07-20T19:52:00.001-08:002013-07-20T19:52:17.702-08:00SPENCER GLACIER WHISTLE STOP BACKPACK TRIP 2013<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLkDZjPsftLg3ZhUROVTyPnuMzWqhZI0YSbq-yr4aESAe94Pdp6D6EylYqnD3SwjXKQZYRztOCw0NKvK93tlKSGKzgDAvf81jQnpLnuGLjgTuEof0YUbzjRxFkTvi7N5EdNASo7vCz60/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+WHISTLE+STOP+BACKPACK+TRIP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLkDZjPsftLg3ZhUROVTyPnuMzWqhZI0YSbq-yr4aESAe94Pdp6D6EylYqnD3SwjXKQZYRztOCw0NKvK93tlKSGKzgDAvf81jQnpLnuGLjgTuEof0YUbzjRxFkTvi7N5EdNASo7vCz60/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+WHISTLE+STOP+BACKPACK+TRIP.JPG" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GPS track of our trip. Yellow=Alaska Railroad ~10miles. Red=hiking ~6.2 miles. We hiked the trail several times during our three day/two night stay. The camp area has gravel tent pads, picnic tables, a water pump, and even an outhouse. Everything is new construction Quite nice and we were the only ones there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz, Karen, and Emily with the backpacks at the Portage train depot. This is where we boarded the Alaska Railroad and rode it to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Liz aboard the Chugach Explorer on the way to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew at Spencer Whistle Stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbyT_10ngU9gFE6lCvsjrMeGGd6iKCtSB-xMoS7Kc3H9HUbYBVolMb62jOc3c5xqY_-Cx9jaoXmR0usmf1inW_j7_1eRwQNELsvRkF-9fOq5GqWgD_Tx2W75VUEu4H1Wd9VoJxJSxLDQ/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbyT_10ngU9gFE6lCvsjrMeGGd6iKCtSB-xMoS7Kc3H9HUbYBVolMb62jOc3c5xqY_-Cx9jaoXmR0usmf1inW_j7_1eRwQNELsvRkF-9fOq5GqWgD_Tx2W75VUEu4H1Wd9VoJxJSxLDQ/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory photo in front of the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop sign. We are ready to hike to the campground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOswP9PRXWUd-IW0iqfM9XnGzYAq_SAVHiBO7vfntI8yndmS0WWpRGhjPg9U8wj91JJn86msZxj3QbovU3sghuS6krtZG7mpcyBdYwhLJzHqpl2jwRSTgoFqoMym36hGnraK6iOnbPbAk/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOswP9PRXWUd-IW0iqfM9XnGzYAq_SAVHiBO7vfntI8yndmS0WWpRGhjPg9U8wj91JJn86msZxj3QbovU3sghuS6krtZG7mpcyBdYwhLJzHqpl2jwRSTgoFqoMym36hGnraK6iOnbPbAk/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz, Emily, and Karen at the edge of Spencer Lake. Spencer Glacier is in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tRd5F4sExXhzwqre2VAwMJJrrh1WP9xVb7noiIIVItVcBcAPyt006Zh2PR7FXL9_EnGZysC7ayLEXjdLiHJssY4mbt9DboraqFEz948NcRmfITykiotKoI77Zhl-DxEYV7o1ljtnw7U/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tRd5F4sExXhzwqre2VAwMJJrrh1WP9xVb7noiIIVItVcBcAPyt006Zh2PR7FXL9_EnGZysC7ayLEXjdLiHJssY4mbt9DboraqFEz948NcRmfITykiotKoI77Zhl-DxEYV7o1ljtnw7U/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icebergs in Spencer Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X6YSVbKVVk5dBrYkKeIBtRhwSxx2rvS2v7t8kE7TS3RygsLVtSHEjfsDCsrartr4ypti_FiEmiMhlvUMgAZSkzF-LNW46nrPHQcgTu-QJiRyX0LbQQRE5tvvq6lAUh1G-KsSDZ6FA4k/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X6YSVbKVVk5dBrYkKeIBtRhwSxx2rvS2v7t8kE7TS3RygsLVtSHEjfsDCsrartr4ypti_FiEmiMhlvUMgAZSkzF-LNW46nrPHQcgTu-QJiRyX0LbQQRE5tvvq6lAUh1G-KsSDZ6FA4k/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+024.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and Karen eat some 'deserves' before dinner at the campground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAsHvx0hNiyPsM1Tie1GDekn7sNRUXEuUMiIe6u_IKcs6qEWaX4nsT8gTEzA2U9kgv-1-i6cAmUHF-bEYS58vldq5ACFtuFGg7GBQXPuc2G_mxFPwVvI8kgTbMsRflU5Yyf71U3ggCgE/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAsHvx0hNiyPsM1Tie1GDekn7sNRUXEuUMiIe6u_IKcs6qEWaX4nsT8gTEzA2U9kgv-1-i6cAmUHF-bEYS58vldq5ACFtuFGg7GBQXPuc2G_mxFPwVvI8kgTbMsRflU5Yyf71U3ggCgE/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen is ready for a freeze dried dinner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuojnG90rPxO0fPWH7mX1QVP7P68BO-2UIMgE3hwWtn0qUc8lWrMgKeE3xweNnrPIFxWxeBEq32P5_b_0XkxkAuFKpyu352lDEgJ2gkzUsqdINN4Rc0bPSl-GYGkg7qYeOdvE8M_3EsWU/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuojnG90rPxO0fPWH7mX1QVP7P68BO-2UIMgE3hwWtn0qUc8lWrMgKeE3xweNnrPIFxWxeBEq32P5_b_0XkxkAuFKpyu352lDEgJ2gkzUsqdINN4Rc0bPSl-GYGkg7qYeOdvE8M_3EsWU/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This moose walked out of the brush as we walked down the trail one evening.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczbnkuLuQHLt-GWee90IEqPmWc9qSbyIrP4H9968zl-8FchigcbTz2FDU4bgCl_nzIPdDIQb73x9Chu0JaI3FGhDuTdWoDlNoyrxG9JA3cPW2TwFKVM2BAu6gRcyPBrMJluRwvtrShuM/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczbnkuLuQHLt-GWee90IEqPmWc9qSbyIrP4H9968zl-8FchigcbTz2FDU4bgCl_nzIPdDIQb73x9Chu0JaI3FGhDuTdWoDlNoyrxG9JA3cPW2TwFKVM2BAu6gRcyPBrMJluRwvtrShuM/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+041.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz, Emily, and Karen at Spencer Glacier.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7yq3wQzSEXhv6Vf2ZXB3HJy8dsARLJh5nY28yCesxytjHgkgAdqIZRAhFodMtrcqZZufqKZef6mD8Cf0rQReGY_jNIDJEuEQpyzj0pCWWjURxzz6FpTOZCHGyPvvmvYE4HfGIxdYwT0/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7yq3wQzSEXhv6Vf2ZXB3HJy8dsARLJh5nY28yCesxytjHgkgAdqIZRAhFodMtrcqZZufqKZef6mD8Cf0rQReGY_jNIDJEuEQpyzj0pCWWjURxzz6FpTOZCHGyPvvmvYE4HfGIxdYwT0/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to backpack back to the train stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq_oRMlUmz2L8vYLjj-W2xf1lbKdic0wQE4S9UEX5BXbHx7Rdv6COxtfkqdVc4teXvzsAWnmmMzyhXLW2mrfbjWAxzPdYgdYVXD-H0lWjjugg56u1e4PFiz7c1RqopkqdRVYBIhyphenhyphenIYmo/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq_oRMlUmz2L8vYLjj-W2xf1lbKdic0wQE4S9UEX5BXbHx7Rdv6COxtfkqdVc4teXvzsAWnmmMzyhXLW2mrfbjWAxzPdYgdYVXD-H0lWjjugg56u1e4PFiz7c1RqopkqdRVYBIhyphenhyphenIYmo/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+068.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backpacker selfie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8FRLMd0pFl4K73nFyb-NF0qTsvpmwTQDgDqu0ojEdglIWFgl3-3l-8zU2CyLF2Jg8rWnyD3fvt_KdxjYoYbq6p9uUtkp-7AdYE53EKuKG0HBk1EbQb2qrZXu-Zc0L4edlH9tvpaeGzw/s1600/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8FRLMd0pFl4K73nFyb-NF0qTsvpmwTQDgDqu0ojEdglIWFgl3-3l-8zU2CyLF2Jg8rWnyD3fvt_KdxjYoYbq6p9uUtkp-7AdYE53EKuKG0HBk1EbQb2qrZXu-Zc0L4edlH9tvpaeGzw/s320/SPENCER+GLACIER+BACKPACK+TRIP+070.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped on the way back for a photo op on the newly constructed bridge over the Placer River.</td></tr>
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<br />Wallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953254478028756325noreply@blogger.com1