(no)coffee-(no)pizza traverse 5/27-5/28

     So there was this cool-looking traverse involving a packraft about 4 hours north of A-town, we thought we would give it a go.  Known as the "coffee-pizza traverse" we got our info from Ed Plumb's blog, I even printed off his map.  It usually starts in the morning(coffee) and finishes in the evening at Panorama Pizza.  We took off early-ish Monday AM and arrived around noon at a closed Panorama Pizza, disappointing because I was going to rock the pizza-pizza traverse.
     We went up the ATV trail from the powerline easement which deposited us on a nice ridge above the treeline, traversed a bit to valley-floor, and followed Carlo Creek all the way to the pass from there.  There was a fair amount of snow which would have been easier travelling if it were not so melted/rotten.  The valley bottom was brown, still being too early or dry(more likely) for growth.  The sky was smoky from surrounding wildfires.  Yet it was gorgeous.  The creek was beautiful and offered a variety of colors to marvel at.  We saw caribou, caribou bones and antlers, beaver habitat, sheep up high, and moose.  Lucy was in heaven and clearly happy, she wore herself out.  There are a number of small ponds/lakes on either side of the pass that are also worth looking at.
     After cresting the snowy pass, we descended the other side and set up camp on a flat shelf next to a creek.  It had been windy all along and although it was less there, it was still there.  I would recommend camping down at Schist creek for those doing this in the future: water, shelter, scenery.  After a much-appreciated dinner and night of rest we continued down to the Nenana river, picking up a wonderful game-trail to the shore and a nice gravel bar to set up on.
     We pleasantly floated the Nenana back down to ~1 mile south of Panorama Pizza and pulled out there, quickly hitched a ride back to a once again closed Panorama Pizza (they opened at 5 but we didn't feel like killing time).  The float took a surprisingly brief ~3.5 hours.  The scenery was again amazing and the spicy class 2 a bit after the bridge was a great conclusion.

Descending to the Nenana

ride'n'raft

     With reports popping up that the Kenai was ridable, I wanted to check it out: starting with the Gull Rock trail.  I had no idea this was mountain bikable until I came across it on some forum.  It seemed do-able but not a full-days' ride so we had a plan in case we got done early.

     The trail was just the right level of challenge for me, requiring some dismounts but not enough to discourage, enough smooth-and-easy to make it fun, and pleasant riding in general. I thought it was 7 miles out but after checking a map I now see it is ~5, which explains why it didn't take very long.  The scenery at Gull Rock was great and the trail afforded different views: looking across at the peaks from a distance rather than being on them and it was more challenging to identify which was which.  There were some campsites out there with great views on the bluff, though also evidence of plentiful wind (think flapping tent).  The return ride seemed to be faster and smoother, can't figure out why.

     We indeed had extra time and elected for a quick-and-easy float to try out the new toys.  Sixmile creek above the canyons(not sure where they start) was our solution.  The float took less than an hour, but was convenient as we had time constraints and were able to hitch a ride back to the car.  It was a fun section for this noob.  All-in-all we left 0830 and were back by 1600.  A quick outing but it was great combo-style day.

Riding the Gull Rock trail and rafting part of Six Mile Creek from chugach ress on Vimeo.

Up a (falls)creek, no paddles needed

     This stretch of warm-and-sunny has ushered in summertime conditions with haste.  I wanted to get out today and was originally planning on Bird Ridge as I heard it was clear, but I was impatient while driving along the arm and only made it to Falls Creek before impulsively deciding to go up there instead.  The trail was pretty much dry and clear to the valley where only a few soggy spots remained.  There were also a few snow patches to cross on the way up to South Suicide, but overall easy travelling: I could do it in my minimal running shoes and stay dry with a slight attention to foot placement.
     So the plan was to try and make it to the clearing of alders at the base of the valley, but after seeing the lack of snow up to South Suicide I elected to attempt it.  Physically I wasn't ready but I need to get in running/hiking/climbing shape for the summer and might as well have started today.  It went smoother than I planned although I will likely be more sore than I prefer tomorrow.  I also concluded that skiing is officially done: it looked pretty rotten and too narrow even on the shadier routes, at least for me.
     There were the typical goats hanging out up there, but I didn't see any other major wildlife.  The wildflowers are early blooming, the bees were busy, but the greenery has a long way to go.  The creek itself seemed to be quite full and gushing.  This was puzzling to me after a no-go for packrafting due to low water on South Fork 2 days previous.  Views from the top were great and it was evident that the snow was retreating fast all over the Chugach.

The view from South Suicide of the back of North Suicide. I assume that snowy lines like the one pictured running 11 to 5 are ski-able.  Has this one ever been tried?  Too far out? Terrain trap?

I love to views up the Arm.

Note the amazing blue/green of the lake.

the spring transition

     Late spring is a great time of year in Alaska and one can really get burnt out if not careful.  With bountiful daylight, residual snow up high/in shaded areas, dry(ish) land down low/on most southern exposures, there are so many things to do.  Think two seasons-worth of activities in the same day.
     Warm temps, long days, and sunshine melt the snow and dry out the trails.  This week I headed out Turnagain Arm-way for some trail running.  The trails along the arm are known for drying out first and with an already dry season throughout AK, this spring was no exception.  The trails were great: not muddy, wildflowers blooming already, greenery increasing and people getting out there.  My ankles and their surrounding muscles got a wake-up call from being in boots all winter, I was a bit sore after the first few runs and surprisingly AT skiing and running work different quadriceps muscles, or at least my style does.
     The road and mountain bikes also made an appearance, though mostly road as the single-tracks are still too soft and muddy.  The first ride of the season was a fail due to my eagerness to ride without proper prep: 3 flat tires and inadequate equipment resulted in the "can you come pick me up?" phone call. After proper prepping the subsequent rides went much better.  I am dabbling in some local organized road rides/races this year which has made it more enjoyable.  My bike seat-zone needed more conditioning than my legs/heart/lungs.
     Skiing is not done, well, maybe after today it is for me with an exception or two.  I have done some spring skiing with moderate success.  The snow is retreating fast and timing is everything, not just the week but the hour.  Today the S-couloir skied variably in the truest sense: sticky/crusty/heavy/moist/chalky /firm/almost dry/punchy.  It was skied for the sake of tradition, for exercising the mind more than the body, and for the uniqueness that it offers.  Good company helps.  Also skied this week was the Rabbit Creek side(north) of McHuch ridgeline.  This area has been on my list for awhile, preferably during winter conditions but I did what I could.  Timing on this was down to the hour: 8am the run was crusty/chattery but 10am it was too mushy to boot but prime skiing.  The long gully back in there was fun but I hit it too early as well, I had a late-morning obligation so I took what I could get.
     This recent stretch of great weather has allowed for all these activities and more: throw in bonus material like frisbee golf, yard work, and daily responsibilities and things can get tight.  Grilling out and cold beer make staying around the house easier.  Now I'm tired (in a good way) but have to work, then it's back out there the next day off.  Summer is sweeeeeeeeet.
     Lucy-dog is callousing her paws on the concrete and rocks after a pampered winter on snow and barely tolerating the warmer temps so I gave her a haircut.  Also, don't forget the bear spray, we came uncomfortably close to a pair of brown bears while alder-bashing down the slopes of McHugh: both parties were surprised.