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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Sad news: Rocky Reifenstuhl passes away.
http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/fairbanks-cycling-legend-reifenstuhl-dies-at/article_d4b257e0-8daf-11e3-b10a-001a4bcf6878.html
I never met him but we had many mutual friends when I lived Fairbanks in 91 and 92. He was an inspiration for me and other bicyclists who rode the trails around Fairbanks throughout the winter. Before you scoff at it, think remote, beautiful mountain biking with no mud and no dust.
He was a champion and perennial contender in what began as the Iditabike and evolved into the Iditasport and what is today the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350-mile winter bike, ski and foot race on the Iditarod Trail from Knik to McGrath.
I don't know if I have this right, but I remember him as a possible contender for a spot on the US Olympic cross country ski racing team, too. Maybe it just seemed that he could have been.
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johnkelley
climber
Anchorage Alaska
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Today's downtown ice venue
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 8, 2014 - 08:54am PT
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Getting stoked! On Tuesday I hop on a plane back home for the first time in 15 years. 15 days to visit my Dad and old friends and places. My last visit was just for a couple days in 99 to sadly attend the funeral of a friend, Steve Garvey (pictured above)
It's crazy how time flies. I'll post some pics while I'm there!
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John M
climber
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Awesome.. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Alaska.. I saw some incredible stuff.
I hope that you have a great trip.
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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I still have a cabin for sale near Seward. Anyone interested?
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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Cordova images by Joel Carney.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2014 - 07:31pm PT
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What an amazing first day back home. Went down the Seward Highway to Turnagain, Portage and Whittier. No climbing till tomorrow maybe.
Mt St Elias? Flying in
Arctic Tern at Potters Marsh
Dad channeling John Muir in Whittier
Devils Club
Byron Peak
Bald Eagle Turnagain
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2014 - 04:02pm PT
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Some good times messing around a little bit on the old stomping grounds. Looking forward to doing a little bigger stuff on a better weather day. It is still quite a trip seeing my old favorite places after all this time
though.
Little boulder problem I used to enjoy.. Tripped me out how I still remember all the holds.
Then my buddy Matt and I headed Back up on Byron a bit. been a while since I was on any glacier.
A new sign..hmmm.I seem to recall some training from waaay back..guess we probably will be ok.
My old friend just chilling in a great place
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BASE104
Social climber
An Oil Field
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Jun 13, 2014 - 06:02pm PT
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I think that the Arctic Tern is the most beautiful bird that I've seen.
Alaska is just cool. Plenty of room to still go have an adventure. For those who haven't gone, get thine ass up there.
As for Donini's description of the people, I know little about that. I spent almost all of my time out in the boonies. Anchorage is just too big of a city. It has tons of ROADS for example. A place like Kotzebue is even pretty crowded. Kotzebue is certainly loud as hell.
Smoking a J with a 85 year old Gwich'n who didn't speak English was kind of cool. It is interesting to be a minority as well. Some places aren't exactly happy with white folk. I understand.
I always went to church if I could. Now, I never go to church, but I found out that it was one of the coolest ways to get to know the old folks. I've sung many a hymn in Inupiat. I have no idea what I was saying.
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wbw
Trad climber
'cross the great divide
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Jun 13, 2014 - 07:59pm PT
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Really like your stories, Base.
The one time I went to Alaska, I felt like I was fulfilling destiny. As a kid, I always knew I would go.
Went in July, which is probably not the best time for climbing, even on rock in the Ruth. The place was like the Ice Age-The Meltdown, with the glacier opening up each day, and the constant noise of rocks detaching themselves from Mt. Dickey. The scale of the place, and the heads up nature of just cruising around the glacier, at times in 6 inches of ice water, was awe-inspiring, even though we didn't climb anything, as everything seemed to be melting apart.
The Pika was better for conditions, abut after experiencing 10 days of stormy weather on the Ruth, we arrived just in time to wait out an 11 day storm. Thank god I brought a huge stack of books. I will never forget topping out on a mediocre and wet climb and looking over the ridge in awe at the Infinite Spur in the distance, sparkling in the sun on an absolutely perfect day.
So Base, what would you recommend for a 3 week summer adventure in AK for one person that doesn't have a whole lot of money to spend?
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Larry Nelson
Social climber
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Jun 13, 2014 - 10:16pm PT
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Climbski2,
Is that a picture of Matt? He has been everywhere in Alaska!
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2014 - 10:49pm PT
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Yep it is. We've been friends and climbing partners since High School. He stayed up here in Alaska and sure has been all over the place. If you click my trip reports you'll see a some more stuff with Matt in it.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2014 - 10:28pm PT
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Another beautiful day back home. Jewel Pass
Wolverine Tracks!
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Larry Nelson
Social climber
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Jun 20, 2014 - 11:03am PT
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Good Anchorage Daily News story on the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group.
http://www.adn.com/2014/06/17/3521817/for-alaska-mountain-rescue-group.html
edited for good URL
Although I am not a member, I have several friends in the group, have done some training with them and been on a few call outs. Great group of selfless individuals.
Climbski2: Aren't you a former member of the group?
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 24, 2014 - 12:33pm PT
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Cool thanks for the article. Lotta good folks in the AMRG. Sounds like they have kept improving standards as time has marched on. I was glad to have been part of it for a few years.
Here are a few more pics to share as my trip winds down.
Archangel Valley
Independence Mine
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feralfae
Boulder climber
in the midst of a metaphysical mystery
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Jun 24, 2014 - 03:13pm PT
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Climb2Ski,
Thank you for all the beautiful photos.
Much Appreciated down here on the Divide in Montana.
Will be up that way later this year.
Thank you.
feralfae
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 24, 2014 - 03:27pm PT
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Wow, Independence Mine has really deteriorated in the last 20 years, but
so have a lot of us.
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feralfae
Boulder climber
in the midst of a metaphysical mystery
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Jun 25, 2014 - 05:03pm PT
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Jun 24, 2014 - 03:27pm PT
Wow, Independence Mine has really deteriorated in the last 20 years, but
so have a lot of us.
LOL, Really! Twenty years ago, I was still arrogant and willing to (try to) climb anything that was rock. Now it is more about being a bit safer and not having any more falls. :)
But we are still mocking, adventuring. I am going down on the Montana/Idaho border this weekend to check out some fly fishing places, birds, and future rock scramble places. So, although we are not doing as much, here we are, still functioning, and I'm not so sure about Independence Mine.
Great photos here.
feralfae
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jonnyrig
climber
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Jun 25, 2014 - 07:51pm PT
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Sure looks like you,re having a good time. Great photos!
Are you back on the rock?
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Trusty Rusty
climber
Tahoe Area
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Jun 25, 2014 - 09:29pm PT
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Great thread Climbski2 et alia. Between 1981 and 1991 I spent most my 20's way off grid in a small log cabin on the Tanana R just below Goodpasture with a couple years between Valdez and Kodiak. Would post a library of pics but they're still in slide form. Spent a lot of time solo in the stickers, unafraid of what I didn't know until I did, then rode my thumb back in uber terror. Not far from McCandless in maturity or map, I sympathize with his heartbreaking story. If not for ravenous wedging on maggot infested meat, I may have joined him on sax with Cannonball and Getz. Sorry, but most cities over 5k suck. The outback is great to live in if you're an escapist and don't mind such company, otherwise you'll likely appreciate the state most if you travel on through via round trip itinerary.
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