At play where the midnight sun holds court
In August, Alana and I participated in the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic. I for the second time and Alana for her first. It was the first time in all of these events that I set out to go with someone else. The experience would be and was far different than when I first participated in … Read more
As I made my way into the headwaters, the snow became deeper and deeper. With mountains engulfing the valley, the area’s snow was not impacted by winds. The deep, sugar-like snow required tremendous exertion to move forward with each stride. A ski slides forward atop the snow. I transfer my weight and then sink a … Read more
The pain stopped me in my tracks. A jarring sensation went up through my lower legs, from my shins on down. I thought again if it was worth it. Should I just turn back? No. I told myself once again that I wouldn’t be mentally weak. Almost reluctantly, I continued on stumbling over tussocks toward … Read more
I’ll start with what turned out to be the most notable strategic decision, not bringing a packraft. It’s easy with the benefit of hindsight to say I should’ve brought one. Water was really high and I could have cut significant time off my total. But knowing what I did then, I probably made the right … Read more
The Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic, as the name implies, is an annual wilderness event occurring in the mountain ranges within Alaska. The event was started by a group of friends in the early 1980s and has continued ever since. It is a point to point trip, meaning you’re given a starting and ending location and you … Read more