Indian investigation

     So I wanted to explore some less popular terrain, specifically the western slopes of bird ridge or south-east slopes of avalanche. Given the shorter days I planned an overnighter to allow for more time and options. After a night shift and a short nap, Lucy and I headed to the TH and took the Indian Pass trail.

     Conditions were skin-able, crusty and thin down low with slightly more snow as I gained elevation. It appeared someone had already made the traverse to/from arctic. I was looking for access to the western bird ridge slopes without going up the traditional bird ridge route. No-go for now, too many alders and insufficient snow.

     Not to be discouraged I whipped out backup plan #1 and continued up toward the pass to have a look at the Avalanche slopes. They seemed thin but I picked out a possible line as night was approaching and set up camp nearby. The solitude was nice, it was calm with a thin layer of clouds have he moon a hazy look but there was enough light to cast faint shadows. I busted out my new stove and made a light dinner and filled my water bottles. To bed I went....6pm, but I was running on 4 hrs. 

     The next morning I ate a small breakfast and packed up, skinned to the base and headed up. After about 500ft I ran into hard avy debris. With alders boxing me into the slide path, whoompfing, and the slope angle increasing I turned it. The ski down was pleasant.  

     On to backup plan #2....I would investigate a route up to power line pass and check out other Avalance aspects, but after spotting for awhile I could see no route through the alders.  I decided to call it and head out. I didn't see the need to force it or investigate more until more snow would allow.

     The ski out was relatively smooth as a dusting of snow eased the harsh crusty-ness and lubricated the skins for a good slide down. 

Things I forgot that would have been nice:

Spare pair if dry socks

Pee bag
Thermos

While sitting in a parking lot I watched a raven bury some food item for later. I continue to find these birds more and more interesting, I assumed they were the eat-it-now type.  Another thing I love about them is their congregating near the peaks.  I often witness unique flying behavior such as flips an spirals here.  One place to witness this is mentioned in Alaska Jack's blog.

 

Happy Birthday to me.

 



Looking up past the alders and low clouds to Avalanche peak.  I would have loved to be up there.

the elusive lucy



Driving along The Arm never fails with stunning views.

 

 

Dude it is so summer

     So I had 3 days off and the weather was fab: time to get after it.  The first day wifey, tenant, neighbor and myself shuttled a car to McHugh TH then headed to upper canyon road for a through hike past Rabbit Lake.  Probably one of the most picturesque lakes with a backdrop of the suicides.  The flat descent from there down to McHugh TH was also great and I plan to do a trail run back there this season.  The flowers were blooming, river was gushing, view was amazing, just a good mellow hike.  I saw some eagles, some grouse, sheep and what apparently were three black bears.
     The next day I tried to do a local bike race as I had been itching to hop on the road bike and let loose.  Then I got a flat tire at the farthest out point of the loop, 1.5 laps in, and was unable to repair it due to having wrong valve stem length on my spare combined with incredibly ravenous mosquitoes.  FAIL. Having lost the pack with no hope of recovery and the threat of mosquito-induced anemia knocking at my bloodstream I called it, walked back to the car.  Redemption for the day?
     Having failed in the AM, redemption came from a different bike.  I headed down to the Kenai to bike Johnson pass.  The Hardcore Family was heading back from Seward which allowed us to drop a vehicle at the south TH.  We started at the North.  Weather was great, vegetation green but not overgrown, temps and winds just right.  There were a lot of small flying bugs around the lake at the pass but overall it was great.  The trail has a good balance of what I would call blue-square terrain, but mostly green circle.  We made better time than expected, my legs were on the tired side.  The scenery was awesome.  By the end I appreciated the need for full-suspension and would recommend it.  This bike also had a ride-able malfunction on the ride.....maybe I should have tuned both my bikes this spring? 
     The next morning I woke up and had another great summertime event.  Salmonslayer and I were going to run out the Williwa Lake trail, but after seeing a sow and cub in our way we shot over the ballfield down by Black Lake to Williwa Lakes and took the Lake Trail back without incident.  The weather was perfect, again, with a slight up-valley breeze to cool the run back.  Running in the backcountry is so free, fuel for the tired legs.  Dogs in line, we passed a bull moose uneventfully and dodged a few swampy parts.  I need to run more.
     Then we headed to Campbell Creek for a packraft float with a stop for burgers mid-way.  Having never packrafted I didn't know what to expect but it was great.  Those things can spin on a dime.  We witnessed the carnage of 8+ blow-up rafts in log jams along the way.  Burgers hit the spot.  Sunburned neck/arms and a dip in the stream to cap it off.
     That's not all.  Then I went down just past Bird Point to watch one of the largest boretides of the year.  Some surfers caught it, several did not: you get one shot, make it or break it.  I almost feel bad for those who didn't but not really. 
     Super busy 3 days in terms of energy expenditure, but totally worth it.  The way summer up here should be.  I push responsibility aside and procrastinate because it might rain tomorrow or for the next 3 weeks.  Every time I go out I get new ideas or see new places to go.  I'm not overwhelmed, just fired-up and eager to get after it. 
There is a Johnson Pass mountain bike video on my video page.  see link on the left.


one of the bridge crossings on the way up to Johnson Pass

 

A unique grove of trees overlooking the arm from McHugh



Black Lake, Williwa drainage

cell phone video of the boretide.  





Goat hunting in Bird/Penguin

Northwest approach to ridge north of penguin

      So I drew a permit to hunt goats in the Bird/Penguin area this fall.  Between the nasty weather and work, I was only able to make it out 4 times.  The first day out I went out to the northwest approach to the ridge north of penguin.  It had snowed which made the climb less than pleasant and we ended up alderbashing a fair amount.  The views from the top were worth it and it got me thinking about the winter/ski season to come.  No goats in sight, or at least none that I could see with the snow.

     The second day out I went up bird ridge and hiked it a ways back.  Some snow remained, but mostly on the ridge itself.  It was a beautiful day with perfect weather.  We saw no goats but did see a young black bear wandering about.



Bird valley viewed from the ridge.

     The third day I went up to penguin ridge.  Bird valley was socked in but the clouds cleared around 2500' to bluebird skies which made the climb worth it.  I saw a much larger black bear on the highway side of the just above the gut of the gully.  No goats nearby but I saw some further back on the ridge of my first day out.  I scoped a decent approach and would head out there soon.

     The fourth day out I headed up penguin creek trail and shot up a climb-able gully.  Once out of the trees I could see the goats were still there.  After cresting the ridge, eating, resting, spotting, and enjoying the view I earned, I figured out at least one billy.  I finally saw a bunch of goats, but unfortunately they were all nannies with kids.  Eventually they decided not to hang around and left for terrain I could handle, but not before crossing terrain that was too dicey.  I noticed two other goats on much steeper terrain further away.  The one billy I was after joined the nannies and kids.  They were beautiful to watch while I could, but I couldn't follow them. 

     After being unsuccessful and giving it an honest try I don't think hunting goats is for me.  I hated alder-bashing with a gun, not to mention the extra weight.  I loved the views, wildlife, and hiking though.  If there's a next time I will try to get off work for an extended period that will allow for greater travel    in the backcountry.