I know, I know, but it's easier in winter

     So it is easier in winter with colder temps and less daylight to blog.  That being said, since the last post we have been up to more of the same: weekend over-nighters, trying new trails, mountain biking local single-track, trail running, and just now ramping up the packrafting.  Nothing extravagant or super-huge, but it is Alaska so it's still pretty dang scenic.

     I've been making it a point to do new things, even if simple or nearby.  For example, there are a number of excellent trails to run around lower Girdwood including the Beaver Pond trail and the historic Iditarod trail that parallels crow creek mine road: super quiet, soft trail, flow-ey, with trickling waterfalls and streams throughout.  

     I also discovered instagram and have a feed: andy.ress.  This allows me to post my favorite pic of the day without having to write about it because pics are better than words, although seeing in person is even better yet.  

Johnson Pass mountain biking: encountered cowparsnip and it could have been better, but could have been worse.  Wildflowers and views were excellent.  Some hardcore Minnesotan bit it on a slippery downhill, likely separating his shoulder/fracturing ribs but walked out 5+ miles: hard and crusty old guy.  We safely made the whole trip and even found a ride back to the trailhead/car albeit some bumps/bruises/scrapes(ask Sarah what her legs look like).  

Bird Ridge Hill Climb: it's been on the list for awhile, now done.  Close enough to goal for satisfaction but could be improved.  I was ahead of an Olympian for ~35 minutes, obviously that didn't last.

Sarah got a new mountain bike(nicer than mine) so we've been hitting up the single-tracks at Kinkaid and Hillside.

We booked the Crow Pass Cabin(six months ago) for a weekend in July.  It's hard to reserve and had been on the list for some time.  The weather sucked(strong winds/rain/poor visibility) so we bailed after 2 days/1 night.  I was bitter about the lost opportunity to base out of there and bag local peaks, show Sarah the Jewel and Milk glaciers, the money out the window for the last 2 nights, but the rest of the weekend farther west had better weather so we redeemed the weekend.

Redemption: Sarah climbed her 2nd 5000ft peak without planning on it(+some peer pressure), which involved scrambling and exposure, but a great view of the Chugach.  We also Packrafted a creek on my list for some time, and I'd call it a success.

Ran/explored several sections of the national historic iditarod trail which was better than expected with the exception of the Johnson Pass to Eddies turnout due to the lack of bridges.  I saw a bear on the Beaver Pond Trail, a mother/baby moose combo on the Girdwood section of the NHIT.

Climbed Mt Williwaw, the highest in the Front Range and my 2nd attempt due to poor weather on the first.  Only a few more to go, maybe even this summer/fall?  Camped out at Walrus Lakes that night: I highly recommend it.  

Watched the notorious Mt Marathon race (after seeing the film 3220), which involved Killian Jornet and his GF shattering previous records with apparent ease.  

Summer has been great so far and has more to come.  But I still like skiing and winter best.

since it's been awhile....photoblogentry

     So since it's been awhile and the skiing (for me) stopped, here are a few pics from the transitional season:

Lucy-dog. The one and only.

View from the top. Hatcher Pass, Fairangel area

Same

When it's snow like the 1st 3 pics up high, it's like this down low.

Lucy-dog and a Turnagain Pass view.

The goods being got on a low-snow spring.

Girdwood is still pretty cool.

Portage Valley views

Williwaw Lakes trail run

Flattop-2-3-4-Flaketop traverse with (almost formerly) Ptarmigan Tarn in the background

Hidden Lake on a Summer day.

2nd Packraft of the season.

ER Nature center trail run

Far North Bicentennial trail run, STA Gorge Trail

Deep Lake on the Williwaw Lake trail run, end of May

Williwaw Lakes from Deep Lake

Gull Rock Trail views while mountain biking

That largest snowline is ~3000ft of skiable vert, FYI, and worth it.

Kinkaid singletrack mountain biking on my favorite trail(for obvious reasons)

NOT IN AK.  Hollywood Beach, FL, sunrise.

PWS! National Geographic!

Same.

just because I'm not skiing......

     So while the rest of the U.S. is wallowing in winter conditions, it has been slow to come up here in Anchorage.  I thought we were off to a fair start with the last round of precipitation that brought snow, but warm temps and wind quickly squashed that momentum and put us back at 0.  Just because I'm not skiing as much as I would like, I'm seeing more brown than white and the days are more dark than light, doesn't mean I'm complaining.

     Fall is an incredible time to be out in Alaska:  from northern lights to frozen dry landscapes, to incredible alpenglow vistas almost all day long, fall is a great season if you look for it.  I'll admit I can miss this when it's cold/windy/raining/dark, but if it's not I should be enjoying it.  I was reminded of this today with a simple run to a common destination not too far from home.  

Sorry, they are all iphone pics.
Ice skating on a local pond in Bicentennial Park

Saw these, I estimate less than 5 days old based on weather.

Overlooking Green Lake, now frozen with a rock island.

Amazing how much ice drops.

The view from Powerline Pass

Vista Peak

     So ants-in-her-pants-Lucy-dog and I headed out on another perfect fall day.  I needed to do something new, I had to be back by dinner, and it should be something that takes advantage of the mountains before snow comes.  I'm not in tip-top shape but I'm trying to increase my vertical and back-to-back days in prep for ski-season which I hope starts any minute now, like tomorrow.  I looked at a map and Vista was the highest, closest, and un-bagged for me.  In addition, I had been eyeing it's slopes as a possible ski run for some time and had read about one ski report on it here.  I would go up Mt Baldy in Eagle River, follow the ridge to Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks, possibly tag Round Top on the ridge back to the summit of Vista.
     Again the weather was great.  It cooled enough at night to freeze the muddy trails but the temps weren't harsh on the body.  A crusty dusting of snow was left over on the Northern aspects and shadows which made me thankful I wore my thicker smartwools.  I ran the flats and mild inclines, hiked the steeper and slippery slopes.  I hadn't been to Blacktail Ptarmigan or beyond in about 2 years so the new-ish scenery was nice.  We saw an already white ptarmigan up on there with just a few hints of gray in it.  I then traversed the ridge and decided to focus on Vista rather than Round Top.  The ridge afforded views of a drainage I had not yet seen, the one north of Little Peters Creek but South of Peters Creek proper.

     The white, shadowed valley below was littered with sheep/goat trails, but I saw none.  About 300 feet below Vista's summit I saw a single bear track.  I always find it odd why they come up so high: seemingly un-traversable cliffs to the north, mostly rock and no vegetation all around, not crossing to another drainage, perhaps the views?  I would think I would have seen something back here like a black bear or sheep or goat.  Anyway, the summit was a short and easy scramble.  Despite being in my light running clothes the wind was calm enough to allow for a rest and take in the views and scope the line which looked good aside from funneling into a terrain trap.

     We descended down and along the ridge out.  I was too fatigued to tag Round Top, however it would have been the icing on the cake if there were more gas in my tank (ER's afternoon linkup of Baldy-Blacktail-Rountop-Vista and out, akin to the front-range loop of Flattop-Peak 2-Peak 3-Flaketop and out.  I took the creek between Blacktail and Rountop down and traversed below the Blacktails.  I found pristine ice already choking out the creek in that drainage.  I wish my phone hadn't died because creeks in winter/frozen are a favorite of mine.  The rest was uneventful.  I did see the local coyote and a pond I didn't know was there.
     Lucy-dog struggled on the way up and in, concerning for what winter holds for her.  She did fine on the way down and out though.  She loves the open tundra, the closest thing to what I would think of as a pasture, and reflective of the herding dog in her.

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.

The "R" word

     So skiing conditions, I mean, what skiing conditions?  Things are grim folks, so grim that something I never thought would happen up here in AK has happened.  Someone, and I don't know who, but someone suggested that running might be the best option yesterday.  That's right, using the "R" word in January.  Something that is to be done during the several months not in the dead of winter. 
     We found that a run/hike was indeed the way to go.  We busted out the kahtoolas and met at Prospect for an AM outing up Wolverine.  The trail was icy and the kahtoolas were much needed.  The weather was beautifully warm, breezy, mostly clear and affording great views of the city.  Once at the top we were able to see the damage on the majority of the front range.  There was no obvious line of snow up either valley to ski on.  Backcountry lines consisted of partial-length corniced/drifted gullies. 

January running in the Chugach front range. from chugach ress on Vimeo.

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.  





The Alyeska Climbathon

     So the Alyeska Climbathon was two Saturdays ago but will serve as my first blog post.  The event is a competition lasting 10 hours during which one climbs "the north face" hiking trail as many times as possible.  The trail is about 2 miles long with approx. 2000ft of elevation gain.  It starts at the tram base and ends at the roundhouse.  At the top there is the tally board and aid station.  Competitors would then ride the tram down and begin their subsequent laps.
     The day started out cool and the rest of the day the weather was perfect: mostly sunny with mild temps.  The trail was in fairly good condition with just a bit of muddiness half way up.  I didn't see too many people I knew but the vibe was more relaxed than I anticipated. 
     My goal was to run most of the first 3-4 laps and see how it goes from there.  A few weeks earlier I had run 2 laps without issue and felt I could do more without going overboard.  Things went as planned.  I would run most of the lap but speed-hike the steep stuff above my threshold.  At the top I would grab some food and water and get on the next tram down.  My mental wall was much earlier than I expected, at lap 4, but after that the remaining 6 were much easier.  My overall goal was 10 laps which I managed to do in 9.25hrs or so.  There is no credit for partial laps and my lap times were in the low 50s at that point.  Tack on a tram ride and there was no way I could negative-split it for an 11th so I called it a day.  Maybe next year. 

    I would recommend this event to anyone up for a challenge.  Really you could do this any day the tram is operating, but the organized event provided much needed motivational fuel.  The event staff were great, very enthusiastic and encouraging, a good vibe.  Aid stations were well-stocked, patrol was on the hill, fellow competitors provided company and motivation. 

http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/mountain-news/2012-alyeska-climbathon/