From North to South: July 2006

Random Alaska photos

Hatcher Pass

Megan and Arbor in her life jacket and rain coat

Yet another self-portrait

The Matanuska Glacier

Pioneer Peak

First off, I should mention that these photos go back to June. I was clearing out my camera tonight and came across them. It was a good, if not cold, one night trip up Pioneer Peak. My friend, Morgan, hiked up to the ridge with me and then turned around, hiked out and got back for work the next day. I stayed for the night with the intention of climbing to the peak the following day. After getting snowed on all night, I decided a solo climb on slick rock would probably not be the most intelligent thing to do, so I desended the next morning. It was really great to get out though.

Earthquake

I got woken up by an earthquake last night. Well, woken up isn't quite the right word. I got stirred by an earthquake last night. I had quite vivid dreams throughout the night and thought the earthquake was a part of that, until my room mate mentioned it to me today. Turns out it was 4.8 and quite near the surface. What a strange phenomena.

Sirens in my rearview mirror

I got pulled over by a cop tonight... first time ever. Stated reason: my back light was out (something I was planning to take care of tomorrow). Real reason: I was living a bar at 2 a.m. in Wasilla. Don't worry, I didn't get a DUI, nor a ticket of any kind. Water had been my drink of choice all night long... I was DDing for a friend since it was her birthday. In general, I actually found the whole incident to be a good experience. I got to see first hand the inside of a cop car and partake in the tests I've only heard rumors of, without a single, associated consequence. Here's the question I'm left with though: Is the labrynth of sirens and flashing lights a good thing in that it does catch those driving drunk, or is it overdone, based on an absolute assumption that everyone passing at 2 a.m. on Saturday has most likely had something to drink?

Fourth of July in Seward

Morgan and I drove down to Seward for a fun-filled fourth of July complete with an Alaska style race - straight up the nearby mountain and backdown, for some racers in less than an hour. Given that angles on the race course exceed 60 degrees and there is no defined path except up, Mount Marathon is very much a spectators sport. Fireworks on the beach at 12:01 a.m., technically on the fourth, were another highlight of the festivities. Believe it or not at midnight it is now kind of, sort of dark. All in all, Seward is a beautiful place and I found the time spent there renewing.

Morgan and Keta, the dog I was taking care of for the weekend. I've found that cute dogs are not only fun to have around, but also really good conversation starters. So many people came up to pet Keta and then talked to us afterwards.

Pretty fireworks

Hanging out in the spectator's area below a cliff during Mount Marathon

The madness begins

Alaska summed up

I thought these photos represent the various sides of Alaska quite well - in an almost amusing way. One has to especially note the irony of the first photo below... look close...double click on the photo if you want a bigger, sharper image.

A magical hike in Alaska

Morgan and I took a hike on a ridge that ran parallel to the Exit Glacier in Seward. We only planned to hike a couple of hours (to let the traffic pass), but we were so drawn in by the beauty and the moment that we couldn't stop. Six hours later, we completed one of the most fantastic hikes I've ever done. We saw a black bear in the distance, dahl sheep and a really cool marmot. Not to mention endless vistas of the Harding Ice Field and the sun beating on the clouds. It was well worth the sleep deprivation.

What a veiw!