Good Ol' Harp

Mt. Harp never dissapoints. It is my 'Go To' mountain, when I'm in a hurry.  I've been riding this mountain since I began snowboarding in the backcountry, before I even considered it being 'backcountry snowboarding' but rather, just plain, snowboarding.  Being out there reminded me of one of those early years of riding.  I boot-packed up because there was a lack of snow, but it is the same way I ascended in the earlier years.  Also, I did a run on a part of the mountain that I hadn't done since the beginning of my love for backcountry snowboarding.  What a hit!

An Evening Walk in Spring

 As I walk along this gravel runway

I can  almost hear the waters of a cobbled, river valley.

The smell and feel of rain 

reminds me more of summer
than blue skies and sun.

Its refreshing to see a large cumulus 

showing its every billow 

with shadows of every color.

The horizon enveloped by gray, clouds of rain.

For the first time this year I felt that summer was upon us.

 Summer is almost here, enjoy it even if it is raining.  Rain is summer, snow is winter, sunshine is all seasons.

Photo of the Day

Kenai Canyon Packraft II

For the second year in a row me and my friend, Greg, floated the Kenai Canyon.  The water was lower than when we floated last year but the skies were just as blue.  The banks, still lined with snow, we slid in like seals and the crystal clear pools of the Kenai induced vertigo as one gazed down to see giant boulders.  Once we made it to the lake we paddled around several robust icebergs before landing on the sandy beach.  From there a quick hike through the woods and back to the truck.

While the Kenai River typically can't be visited without seeing droves of people fishing the large, sockeye salmon run, or the easy to catch, trophy sized, rainbow trout.  Early in spring, this area is vacant compared to what will be happening in a month, when the chinook salmon begin their run up-river.  I look forward to next spring when I can go back or maybe this fall after the visitors diminish.

Here's a few photos courtesy of Greg, as I was too busy enjoying my summer vacation in April.

A Knoya Kinda Day

Sunday came and off I went with the purpose to ascend Knoya Peak.  Knoya, is in the front range of the Chugach, easily visible from the East side of Anchorage and one that I gaze at on a daily basis driving home from work.  I've always wanted to explore this area, but for some reason I had never ventured to Knoya or any of the other valleys and peaks accessible from the Basher Road trailhead.

Accompanying Aaron Fetter, we set off at late morning with two dogs, blue skies and varied expectations.  We hiked the ridge up to the summit and descended the southern aspect towards the North Fork of Campbell Creek.  Where we skinned, bushwhacked, and hiked back to the trailhead.

 Late morning light

 

An area that begs my exploration

 

Enjoying the view from the summit

 

 and finally getting along.

Empty Bowl

Yesterday, we took our annual trip down to the Empty Bowl Project, to meet with family, pick out some pottery, eat soup and enjoy some fine music.  We've been attending this for nearly five years and we look forward to the gathering every year.

Talus, chose (with a little help) the small, red bowl.  Canyon, found the colorful, blue, turquoise, and yellow bowl.  Dana went with the largest bowl, while, I snagged the bowl with the leaf designed into it.  Each one was a joy to pick out and will be used to its fullest for years to come.

Good Tour, Bad Descent

I went out with my back country snowboarding partner, Sergei, today.  He came up for a few weeks from Portland, so we went to our usual hangout, Harp Mountain.

After a week of non-stop wind the week before last, we knew the conditions were going to be awful, but we wanted to get out anyway.  The wind hammered snow made it out to be a great tour on the low angle approach, but gaining the ridge at the higher angle and breakable wind slabs reminded us that the conditions were not ideal.

The descent was brutal, but fun (I've yet to have a descent that isn't).  After the first turn, trying to get an edge in was unsuccessful and sent me on my backside sliding down the first 30 yards.  Just when I thought I was getting close to becoming a pro rider, the run shattered my ego.

Here's a couple pictures I got of Sergei on his descent: