Month: April 2008

Alaska Part 5: Juneau Lake Cabin

Posted by Brittany – April 3, 2008

The Juneau Lake cabin lies about 8 miles in on the Ressurection Pass Trail in the Chugach. I have fond memories of this trail as it was where I went on my very first backpacking trip when I was 14 yrs old. The trip was in summer, but it was rainy and muddy and dragged on for 17 miles with a pack that was heavy and not meant for backpacking. I don’t know why I ended up liking the whole thing in the end. That trip, we stayed at the Swan Lake cabin. Since then we have gone back for more, staying at the Trout Lake and West Swan Lake cabins. This would be our first time to the Juneau Lake cabin, however, and our first visit in winter.

The areas around the Ressurection Pass trail had significantly less snow than around Girdwood.

The trail was packed down from snowmobile travel, making it easy for hikers or crosscountry skiers.

Then, we arrived at the Romig cabin, on one side of Juneau Lake. From there, we skied across the lake to reach the Juneau Lake Cabin.

The cabin

I was tired, but in a vain attempt to make it an “official” ski day I dropped my pack and skied the hills around the cabin.

The sunset was fantastic

The next morning, we planned on leaving. But I wanted to get a few turns in before we could leave. I only had an hour, so I went across the lake to ski with the bit of snow and shrubs. :)

Looking down toward the lake from the cabin.

On my way across the lake, I spotted this and wished I had more time and a good backcountry partner to join me on an adventure.

Looking down the lake

While climbing up, I had some good views of the cabin and lake below.

And then some turns were made in some rather undesirable snow.

It was still good to be out skiing, so I went up for another lap.

The higher I went, the more likes I saw, and the more I wished I had more time to ski in the area.

But, it was time to go.

And off we went, admiring the views on the return.

Alaska Part 4: Whittier

Posted by Brittany – April 2, 2008

Originally posted on my Thrillhead Blog

Whittier is one of the most interesting places I have ever visited.

To get there from Anchorage, you have to go through a tunnel. But, this is no ordinary tunnel. The tunnel is over two miles long and only allows passage in one direction. The tunnel is a single lane for cars AND railroad. When you drive through it on a car, you are actually driving on the railroad tracks themselves. When driving through this tunnel I learned that railroad tracks are actually quite slippery! Because of the need for sharing the tunnel for both cars and trains in both directions, you can only go through the tunnel once every hour. The tunnel actually has a schedule, like a bus or a ferry. The cost is $12.

The tunnel entrance.

The Portage Tunnel is the second longest highway tunnel and longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America.

The tunnel ports you to the beautiful Prince William Sound.

Whittier was first built during WWII by the military. There are lots of rumors of why this place was built. Many state that Whittier was a secret spy facility. Other sources say it was simply built as a port and railroad terminus. Regardless, Whittier was built and was used by the military until 1960.

The Buckner Building is a large building in Whittier, Alaska; for many years it was the largest building in Alaska, and was sometimes called the “city under one roof.” It was completed in 1953, but was seriously damaged in the 1964 Alaska earthquake and was then abandoned.

The Hodge Building (now Begich Towers- no picture) was completed in 1953, and is often referred to as the “city under one roof”. At one time it was the largest building in Alaska. The Begich Building, today, is a condominium, housing nearly all of Whittier’s residents.

The hotel where we stayed.

Evidence of Whittier’s Railroad history is evident throughout the port.

In a small town like Whittier, where everyone knows everyone else, being a tourist is quite interesting. Some of the locals are quite bored and befriend the tourists for entertainment. We experienced a bit of this here. Whittier is an interesting place to visit, although not a place where you’d want to stay for long. Nevertheless, the mountains are amazing, the scenery is stunning, and the community is unique.

Alaska Part 3: Backcountry on Turnagain Pass

Posted by Brittany – April 2, 2008

Originally posted on my Thrillhead Blog

Turnagain Pass is arguably the most popular place to go backcountry skiing in Alaska. A ski trip to Girdwood would not be complete without dabbling around on the pass. I was happy when one morning Ron (another one of Kellie’s friends) gave me a ring one morning and asked me to join him and John up on the pass. It was a bluebird fantastically wonderful day :)

Ron and John:

We arrived parked near Magnum, and then headed up toward Sunburst.
Magnum

Sunburst

Skinning

Looking toward Turnagain Arm

A closer view of some fine mountains.

Looking across the pass

This peak inspired me as well. Ron thought it might be “Widow-Maker”

The views were simply amazing. I couldn’t stop taking pictures.

Looking up toward Pastoral.

Looking across toward Magnum.

My first view of Kickstep. I continued to admire this mountain the entire day.

Kickstep

The guys gave me the honor of having first tracks. I enjoyed them thoroughly :)

John

Ron

We went back up for another lap, seeing what else Sunburst had to offer. Another view of Kickstep.

Ron heading down for our second run of the day.

John

After our second lovely run of the day we headed up for another on Magnum. You could see our tracks on Sunburst while skinning up Magnum.

And the skin on Magnum provided equally beautiful views.

Ron enjoying our 3rd run of the day.

Our tracks down Magnum.

We went up for a 4th run, again down Magnum and it was as good as the first.

By the end of the day I was exhausted. It was a well-earned day in the backcountry, enjoying Alaskan powder and sunshine with fantastic people. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Thanks Ron and John for a great day!

Alaska Part 2: The Beauty that is Alaska

Posted by Brittany – April 1, 2008

Originally posted on my Thrillhead Blog

Alaska is simply beautiful.

Pics from along the Seward Highway, the Turnagain Arm.

Carpathian in the light.

Sunset

Alpenglow (yes, I know, I am fascinated by this mountain. It has become an obsession).

Pyramid

Turnagain Pass

Other shots

The Kenai River

The Portage Valley

Girdwood

The cabin where we stayed

Just like Northern Exposure :)

Alaska Part 1: Alyeska

Posted by Brittany – April 1, 2008

Originally posted on my Thrillhead Blog

I’ve decided that I have far to many experiences and photos to share from Alaska in one big blog post. So, I will post my Alaskan experiences in “Chapters”. This chapter is about the ski area, Alyeska.

After spending a leisurely Easter morning in Anchorage, we headed up the Seward Highway to the cabin we rented in Girdwood. After settling in, I decided to hit the ski area, Alyeska.

It was 2 pm when I finally got around to skiing. But, the benefit to Alyeska is they actually use the daylight. The ski area didn’t start shutting down until 5 or 5:30 on that Sunday. This time of year, on Thurs-Saturday, many runs stay open quite a bit later.

I had no idea where I was going. I just headed up the lifts that took me as close to the top as possible. When I got off the lift, I headed to the first gate I could find that was on my right, ‘cuz the map said those were all double blacks. This is what I found.

There were hardly any tracks. I was pretty impressed with the snow quality and the steepness of the run. I didn’t see a single soul the whole time though and I found myself wondering if I was going someplace where I shouldn’t be. But, the gate was open, right? I found myself down by the tram and went up for more. A run later, I found myself running into Kellie’s friend Brooke, whom I’d contacted via email prior to the trip. She introduced me to Ben- a former Alyeska ski patroller who was now going to grad school in Idaho, but was visiting for his spring break. And the two of them kept me entertained during most of my time at Alyeska.

I found out that what I had skied on the first run was called “The Knuckles”.

The clouds began to lift as the day progressed and this is what unveiled

The lodge and Penguin ridge behind:

Top of Christmas chute:

Alpenglow is just one of those inspiring peaks that should be skied:

The next day….

Me with Ragged Top behind:

Brooke skiing the Knuckels

Looking back up at The North Face. From left to right: the Monies, New Year’s Chute, Christmas chute, and the Knuckles.

Tram

Looking back down at the hotel:

Some of the trees struggle for life, battling the constant avalanches :)

A couple of days later I found myself meeting Robin, visiting from Crested Butte, on my very first run of the day. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with these rippin’ chicks: Ashley, Robin, Lucy.

Looking back up New Year’s Chute:

Hike to the Monies:

The ski patrol spent a better part of the morning and early afternoon getting the Headwall ready.

When it finally did open, around 2 pm, we were among the first in line (behind ski patrol) to boot right up the face.


Notice the rather large fracture crowns we had to boot through. The boot pack was… interesting. Pretty burly for inbounds actually, and made for a good conversation at the bar apres ski.

Some people headed further over on the headwall. We stayed a bit closer for some high quality pow.

Is this the Chilkoot trail or Alyeska? I’m confused.

Alyeska has a lot to offer, if all is open.

And the scenery is stunning, with the Turnagain Arm in the background.

Another musing over Alpenglow

My last day at the resort was one of the days they were hosting Telepalooza, an Extreme World Tele Comp. They hosted it on some terrain that is usually closed, referred to as “The Shadows”.

Closer views of comp terrain

Ben (and maybe a familiar face for some in the background).

We skied until late that evening, nearing 6 pm. My last run down I took one last parting Alpenglow shot.