Autumn's almost over; Ascent of Bold Peak, "First Attempt", 7522 feet

Bold Peak, looming over Eklutna Lake, has been on the top of my list of Chugach Peaks to climb since the first time I saw this peak in 2006.
These panoramics were taken of Bold Peak in May, July, and December.


Resting at 7,522 feet, most routes up Bold Peak are technical in nature, the only "non-technical" route is to flank around the South East face, and approach the upper reaches of the summit by way of the Stivers Gully. A 2,000ft chute full of scree.

But first, we had to get to the peak. I guess you could consider Bold, off the "Beaten Path". Eklutna Park is 12 miles off the Glen Highway. We then rode 10.5 miles around Eklutna Lake on the Lakeside Trail. Ditching our bikes in the woods, we hiked 2 miles to the base of the Stivers Gully.
Due to the distance to reach the peak, and the elevation change to reach the summit, we had to start early, making for a gorgeous mystic sunrise above the lake.
Bold Peak, sunrising behind it.Gretchen hiking along the East Fork of the Eklutna River.
The base of Stivers Gully.
The Mitre, Bellicose Peak, Benign Peak, and Ovis Peak, all between 6-7000feet. With termination dust accumulating between 3-4ooofeet.

Gretchen hiking up the Stivers Gully. It was sort of like a never ending StairMaster, except two steps up and one step down as the scree slides out from underneath you.

Sam and Jack enjoying the beautiful fall day.The top of the gully, around 3,200 feet; here we had to use two fixed ropes to "climb" up the loose 4th class slope.
Once above the gully we broke out into a steep grassy slope, we continued up this slope, until just below "Gods Palace". At approximately 4,000feet, visibility dropped to zero, the wind picked up, and snow started dumping on us. The peak was completely obscured in the snow clouds, the ground was becoming increasingly slippery from the snow; so we decided to turn back, saving the summit of Bold Peak for another day. Sam and Jack enjoying lunch in the Gully, after turning back from the summit, 3500feet short... We will return.

26 Years, 26 Miles; Gretchen's Birthday in Fairbanks

Blueberry Pancake Trail

Jack on television, very funny!

Labor Day Weekend in McCarthy; the town at the end of the Road.

This past Labor Day weekend we decided to pack up the station wagon (aka the Escape) and head for McCarthy, Alaska; a small old mining town located 60 miles down the gravel McCarthy Road.
The road ends at the Kenicott River, running off the nearby Kenicott & Root Glaciers. Locals are able to access the town by a small bridge to the south, all other traffic is by foot, bike, or paw only.
The quaint little town of McCarthy has since re-faced itself for tourists and Alaskan adventurerers alike. Mining here ended in the 1930's, leaving the area as a ghost town until it was rediscovered by travelers in the 1970's.

The nearby Kenicott Copper Mines, a landmark within the Wrangell-St.Elias National Park
Jasper and Jack had fun playing on the Root Glacier.
The following photo's were taken on the Mccarthy Road monday morning on our drive out.


The confluence of the Copper River and the Chitna River.

Pioneer Peak

This past Saturday we set out with 7 friends and 8 dogs to climb Pioneer Peak. Located at the North end of Chugach State Park, with a prominant location overlooking the Knik River/Glacier Valley to the east and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley to the North. The parking lot begins at approx. 100 feet above sea level; the south summit is approx. 6300 feet above sea level; the north summit, approachable only with technical climbing gear sits at 6398 feet.

The trail is basically 12 miles round trip. 6 miles strait up, and then 6 miles strait back down, barely every allowing leg muscles to rest with level ground.
The first 4.5 miles switchbacks through grass and tree's. The last 1.5 miles moves along a rocky narrow ridge too the last couple hundred feet where you scramble to the summit.

Kurt takes a break to scope out some lines for ski season.
Jasper finds a pinacle.
The narrow ridge towards the south summit as seen from above.

Gretchen and I, pausing for quick summit shots before heading back down in a growing snowstorm.

Jasper falling asleep while waiting for a snack...
Knik Glacier seen in the background. (can you see the rainbow)

26 Years, 26 Miles

After spending the last 5 years gainfully employed with the US Army on August 10th, I decided what a better way to celebrate this year then walking the 26 miles from Girdwood along the Seward Highway, over Crow Pass, across and then along the Eagle River, and back to my house in Eagle River.
It began with a typical Alaskan summer day, 55 degrees and misty rain.
The parking lot is at roughly 1600ft, the highest point of the trail is Crow Pass at 3500ft.
Raven Glacier is one of the first vividly seen from the trail.
Group shot with friends Kurt, Matt, Gretchen, and Ryan, along with man's best friends Labeta, Denali, Jack, and Jasper.
Birthday Boy at the pass.
Looking through the pass north towards Eagle River and several 6-7,000ft peaks.

Once off the pass, the trail drops into dense vegetation.

Fireweed beginning to bloom. It blooms from the bottom of the stem to the top. The legend goes, once the fireweed at the top blooms, the "termination dust" (snow) is soon to fall.
Looking down the gorge towards Eagle River.

The first sight of Eagle Glacier, source of the frigid Eagle River we are about to cross.
Jack and Jasper begin to look for a suitable crossing spot. Jack says, "damn this water is cold, are you freakin crazy..."

Changing into alternate footgear, to keep our hiking shoes dry.

Gretchen, Jasper, and I decide we'll lead the way by crossing first.
One of several tributary creeks to the Eagle River you have too cross.

Jasper telling us, "dogs don't do ladders..." Labeta getting a little help from Matt on the ladders. The Twin Falls

Echo Bend, almost to the end of our journey
Partyin' it up at the Eagle River Base Camp, aka 8905 Eagle Place Loop