Fridge's Alaska Trip Logistics

“Hey Crash and Marko!!

Did you get the latest itinerary for our flight out to Alaska? It seems that the flight numbers as well as the airline itself has changed, just a heads up. Additionally, I was wondering how you were planning on getting to the Airport? I was thinking about long term parking and am looking into it tonight.
I do not have a passport!! I might think about the Denali thing though!! Might take the train there, kinda up in the air about that though right now. I was gonna do some sea fishing if it was not too expensive as well. So you think your goning to Fort Wayne?? I am gonna post an Alaska thread on TT as my email is not working well and you may not even get this one, I can receive, but cannot send with any certainty.

Here is my most recent itinerary;

Tue, Jul 01 03:05 PM to 03:52 PM
Indianapolis, IN (IND) to Cincinnati, OH (CVG)
0hrs 47min - nonstop Delta Air Lines Flight 5050
Canadair Regional Jet- Economy
Operated by COMAIR INC
Requested Seats 11D

Stop - Change planes in Cincinnati, OH (CVG)
Connection Time: 0 hrs 43 min
Tue, Jul 01 04:35 PM to 07:34 PM
Cincinnati, OH (CVG) to Anchorage, AK (ANC)
6hrs 59min - nonstop Delta Air Lines Flight 1897
Boeing 757 Jet- Economy
Requested Seats 44F


Anchorage, AK (ANC) to Indianapolis, IN (IND) Total Travel Time: 8hrs 38min
Mon, Jul 14 10:50 PM to 05:59 AM
Arrive next day Anchorage, AK (ANC) to Denver, CO (DEN)
5hrs 9min - nonstop Frontier Airlines Flight 889
Airbus Jet- Economy

Stop - Change planes in Denver, CO (DEN)
Connection Time: 1 hr 1 min
Tue, Jul 15 07:00 AM to 11:28 AM
Denver, CO (DEN) to Indianapolis, IN (IND)
2hrs 28min - nonstop Frontier Airlines Flight 616 Airbus Jet- Economy


Well, see ya later.

Randall
last edited: 6/18/08 11:54:55 AM”

“theyve changed my itinerary a zillion times. i dont even look at it anymore”

“Crash,
Are we still on the same plane???
I found a way to save on long term parking if you want to go halves. I can pick you on my way down to Indy, but you gotta ride with Ryan, lol
Check your flight stuff and get back with me here if your interested, if not, then just go @#$# yourself, lol just kidding buddy.
See ya later.
Randall”

“Marko,
Looks like we get to Anchorage about the same time! If all goes well it should not be a problem to share a cab and a couple o beers as well, lol
See ya later.
Randall
last edited: 6/18/08 12:06:50 PM”

“wait. youre flying out of indy? shoot. park at my mom's house and she'll take us to the airport”

“Crash,
I will have Ryan and need to meet his mother in Indy to drop him off with her. I also remember you saying something about coming back on a different day than me.
You could still ride down with me, but you mother would have to pick you up. Half of the parking would be $37.00
See ya later.
Randall”

“well, crap. you go back a day earlier than i do. well, you can still park in our driveway, but youll have to figure out a way to get to your car, or wait a day in indy”

“oh well, sounds like its not going to work out”

“Randall, I arrive Anchorage Monday, June 30.

It looks like you are a day late.”

“I've already had three flight changes for my upcoming trip in September. I'm beginning to picture myself standing along a runway with my thumb out and holding a sign reading "Fairbanks!"”

“What Alaska TRIP? WHEN? Who's going?”

“randalls a day late and a dollar short”

“not me - I'm so slow everyone can out-run me when the bear comes for dinner”

“Spam and i arrive Anchorage at 7:06 pm june 30th.”

“JULY 2nd, Leave Anchorage early morning. (Need to purchase Bear Spray, White Gaz)

JULY 2nd, Arrive Nebesna and fly out to Jaegar Mesa. Camp #1,(Elev. approx 6,400 ft.) Maps: Nabesna A-5, B-5

JULY 3rd, Stay here a second night with 360 degree Alpine Views, the Wrangell's. Camp #2, (Elev. approx (6,000 FT.) Mt. Blackburn can be seen from here as well as Mt Gordon. Lots to do and see the first full day.

JULY 4th, Pack up and hike down to Mesa Creek, and on to Mesa Lake, camp #3. Distance approx. 10 miles. (Elev. approx. 4,800 ft.) Almost all down hill. Fording several streams this day.

JULY 5th, Pack up and continue to head toward Jacksina creek. We will be fording several streams this day, following the creek NW to Jacksina Glacier. Camp #4. Crossing the Jacksina is one of our biggest obsticles. It all hinges around summer temps and glacier thaw feeding the Jacksina and what time of day.
Distance approx. 9 miles. (Elev. approx. 4,100 ft.)

JULY 6th, Another day in this are to explore Lakes Plateau,Jacksina Glacier. Camp #5.

JULY 7th, Pack up and continue across Jacksina Glacier and up and on a Plateau,(Elev. approx.5,600 ft.) Camp # 6.
Distance approx 4.5 miles. There is a small lake here, with Views. Tumble Creek offers awesome views, day hiking and caribou frequent this area alot.

JULY 8th, Pack up and continue over towards lower Tumble Creek and down to Grizzly Lake. Distance approx. 8.5 miles. (Elev. approx 3,700 ft.) Camp # 7.

JULY 9th, Stay another day exploring this area, fishing, and numerous canyons. "MAYBE" some skinny dippin. Camp #8.

JULY 10th, Pack up and continue following the Jacksina Creek to Sheep Lake and on towards Pass Creek to the head waters of Pass Creek, Distance 8 maybe 9 miles. (Elev. approx 3,500 ft.) Camp # 9.

JULY 11th, Bush Plane out to end our expedition. Or JULY 12th, pending weather conditions and unforseen conditions.”

“Jacksina Creek
MAPS: USGS Maps-Nabesna 1:250,000; Nabesna (A5), (A6), (B4), (B5) 1:63,360
ACCESS: Air taxi flight to Jaeger Mesa.
ROUTE: The landing area is on Jaeger Mesa at 6500', approximately 3 miles south of Gold Hill. Hike south along the crest of the mesa, aiming for P6628', located at the southern end of the mesa. The view from the mesa is spectacular. Mt. Sanford, Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Jarvis, Mt. Blackburn, Mt. Gordon, and the Nutzotin Mountains are all visible. The hiking varies from solid shale to spongy tundra. Descend from the mesa around the east side of P6628'. Clear water and camping are available near the lake south of P6628' at 5135'.
Mt. Gordon lies to the south. It can be climbed via its southern slopes to avoid the glaciers and is mostly a rock scramble.
From the lake, hike west along the creek drainage for 2 to 3 miles before going southwest into the upper Mesa Creek drainage. From Mesa Lake, shown as 4720' on a topo map, several pleasant day trips are easily accessable. Alternately, follow a game trail at the south end of the lake and desend into the Jacksina Creek drainage. Jacksina Creek is a swift, powerful stream and if the decision is made to cross it, extreme caution should be used. Fording the Jacksina is usually impossible the main channel is 40 feet wide and 5 feet deep.
It is possible to hike along the south side of the Jacksina Glacier and cross the glacier on the lower rocky moraine. Once across the glacier, a short hike downstream brings you to a creek bed which can provide access to the mesa north of the glacier. It is roughly a 1,000 foot climb to the top of the mesa.
Descend from the mesa off P5695' which is south of Tumble Creek and at the northeast end of the mesa. Tumble Creek is swift and must be crossed early in the morning.
Once across Tumble Creek several options are available. Grizzly lake is an excellent fishing spot and a could be spot for a float plane pickup. This lake is named accurately. Bears frequent the Lake often. If you have a catch and a bear is approaching, quickly cut your line and back away with no reservations. Bears only want your fish.”

“REI STORE
1200 W Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 272-4565”

“Gear List.

1. Backpack (Granite Gear 7000)
2. Backpack Rain Cover
3. Sleeping Bag (Mountain Hardwear 20 deg)
4. Sleeping Pad and Cover/thermarest
5. Tent (Mountain Hardwear stilletto)
6. Head Light (1)
7. Maps, Map case,grease pencil
8. GPS, Compass (1 each)
9. * Stove (1)
10. 2 Fuel Bottles
11. Lighters, Matches (2 lighters, 5 pkgs matches)
12. Survival, Repair Kit 4 oz.
13. Reading Glasses (1) and Case
14. Cooking Pot (1)
15. Eating Utensil (1 spoon, 1 spork)
16. Camera/Camera Case (1 each)
17. Bear Spray (1 can)
18. Glacier Glasses/case (1each)
19. Walking Sticks (1 set)
20. First Aid Kit
21. MEDS.
22. Hygein Gear, (Towel, wipes,toothpaste, mouthwash,soap,toilet paper)
23. Spare Batteries/4 AA
24. Nalgene Bottle (1)
25. * Water Filter (1)
26. Water Treatment Chemicals. (10 pack)
27. Water Bucket (1)
28. Platypus hydration (1)
29. Platypus Water Bag (1)
30. Fishing Gear and lures.
31. Coffee cup or cup. (1)
32. * Bear Fence
33. Mosquito Coils etc,.... (10)
34. DEET (1 Bottle)
35. Water Proof Bags/3
36. Bear canisters and electric Bear Bag
37. * Nylon Tarp
38. String (50 ft)
39. Fishing License
40. * Fuel Tabs, Fire Starters (5)
41. Small Knife
42. * Sattelite Phone”

“Day 1- (Dinner)
Dinner
4 Bagels,pepperoni,red sauce,cheese
drink mix,candy bar. Packed and sealed


Day 2- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
3 Flour tortilla,eggs,cheese,bacon Packed and sealed
coffee.
Lunch
Jerkey etc,energy bar,peanuts,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
2 Bagels,cheese,freeze dried beef patties.
candy bar or freeze dried desert,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 3- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Granola,coffee,breakfast drink mix Packed and sealed
Lunch
Jerkey etc, drink mix, nachos,almonds. Packed and sealed
Dinner
MRE Packed and sealed

Day 4- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Eggs, 3 flour tortilla,cheese,hotsauce,juice,coffee Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni stick etc, gorp,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,dessert,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 5- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Gronola and bannanas,coffee,juice Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni stick etc,energy bar,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,candy bar,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 6- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Eggs,coffee,breakfast drink mix. Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni etc,gorp,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,desert,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 7-(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Granola,coffee,juice Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni etc,energy bar,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,desert,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 8- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Eggs,coffee,juice,energy bar. Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni etc,energy bar,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,desert,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 9- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Granola,breakfast drink mix,coffee. Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni etc, energy bar,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,desert,drink mix. Packed and sealed

Day 10- (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Breakfast
Granola and bannanas,coffee, juice. Packed and sealed
Lunch
Pepperoni etc,candy bar,drink mix. Packed and sealed
Dinner
Freeze dried meal,drink mix,energy bar. Packed and sealed”

“Clothing List.

1. Boots
2. 3 pair Socks.....Packed
3. 2 Pants
4. 1 Belt
5. 3 T Shirts.....Packed
6. Mid Layer Insulator/Pants,shirt.....Packed
7. Rain Jacket, Pants.....Packed
8. 1 sun hat.....Packed
9. 1 Rain Hat
10. 1 Long Sleeve Base Layer Shirt.....Packed
11. 1 Base Layer Pants.....Packed
12. Light wt. Parka.....Packed
13. Crocs/ Keene sandles
14. Gaiters
15. Mountain Hardwear Wind Hat (Balaclava).....Packed
16. Mosquito net.....Packed
17. Neoprene Socks or Dry Socks.....Packed
18. Waders.....Packed
19. Light Gloves.....Packed
20. 1 Bandana.....Packed”

“Backpack: Fording Rivers

Plan by choosing a careful route and a good technique.
Glacial stream currents are swift and cold, and the water level can rise significantly within a few hours, making a slow stream an impassable torrent.
The heavy burden of glacial silt carried in the rivers prevents a clear view of the obstacles along the bottom.
Pick a route through the widest channels or where there are many channels instead of just one.
As water disperses it flows slower and becomes shallower.
Spend time walking up and downstream, or climbing to a high point, in order to find a crossing site suitable for the entire group.
Watch the water's surface while choosing a route, since this may offer the most reliable information about depth and riverbed composition.
Don't cross through standing waves. There the bottom is uneven and water is deep.
Do cross where there are small, closely spaced ripples. There the water is shallow over a smooth bottom.
Keep in mind that glacier-fed rivers are much deeper after the warmest part of the day.
Check your choice by throwing big rocks into the water.
A hollow "ka-thump" sounds in deep water.
If the rock moves downstream before sinking to the bottom, or if submerged rocks can be heard rolling downstream, the current may be too swift to cross at that point.
Finally, always include an option for a retreat back to shore should the crossing become too difficult. Never over commit yourself to one route.
Before you cross, remember:
Seal all essential items, such as dry clothing and sleeping bags, in watertight, plastic bags.
Do not cross barefoot or in socks alone! Shoes protect your feet from rocks, and allow you to hop along with the current.
Release the waist and sternum belts of your pack. Should you fall, you must be able to jettison the pack before it fills up with water and drags you down.
As you cross, remember:
Keep your eyes on the far shore. You may become dizzy if you look down at the water.
Solo crossings are not recommended; however, if you have no other options, cross downstream at an angle using a long, sturdy stick for support.
After you cross: Congratulate yourself! Although an un-bridged river presents many challenges, it is also part of true wilderness hiking.

River Crossings

Glacial Rivers
Wild and silty rivers run from the park's glaciers to its coastlines. These rivers look different and act different than most rivers. Icy cold temperatures, fluctuating levels, changing channels and heavy loads of silt and rock can challenge hikers, boaters and anglers.
Wide Rocky Beds and Braids
Moving glacial ice scours chunks of bedrock and fine rock flour from the mountainsides. These chunks and bits of rock are mixed into glacier ice and then released in its meltwaters. Large rocks drop out of the stream flow immediately. Smaller ones roll away downstream where they lodge in the river's channels, filling them and eventually diverting the river to a new course. Glacial rivers are constantly shifting from one channel to another, forming many braids in a wide rocky bed. These uneven shifting rocks can be difficult for a hiker to negotiate.

Silty Water
Fine rock flour washes downstream with the glacier's meltwater. In Chugach the dominant rock is graywacke which colors the streams a muddy gray-brown. These opaque waters hide the river bottom, making crossing on foot uncertain and navigating a boat difficult.

High Water Happens When It's Hot
Most rivers drop during long hot summers. Glacial rivers rise! Glaciers melt more on hot, sunny days. Close to a glacier, river levels rise dramatically on sunny afternoons and drop during cool early morning hours. Rainstorms also increase glacial melt, as well as add their own runoff to a river. Occasionally, large rainstorms will swell glacial rivers and fill all channels from shore to shore. Evidence of these floods is seen in the piles of driftwood left high and dry on gravel islands.


Low Water Happens When It's Not
When days shorten and temperatures drop, so do the rivers. Visitors will hardly recognize these rivers in the winter. Raging torrents become small shallow streams of clear sparkling water...that is, until they freeze over!
To Cross or Not To Cross
Many trails and routes in Alaska will lead you to unbridged streams and rivers. Because the water can be cold, opaque and subject to quickly changing levels, a few tips can make your stream crossing safer and more comfortable.

Choose your site
At marked ford sites (like those on the Crow Pass Trail), cross directly between the posts on either side. It's the most shallow place. At unmarked sites, cross at the widest and most shallow place. Avoid cutbanks. Test the water depth with a walking stick or by throwing fist-sized stones ahead and listening to the splash.

Choose your time
Glacial rivers swell under hot sun or heavy rains, and are usually lowest during early morning hours (6 a.m.). If a river looks or feels too full to cross, wait. It may drop significantly. Remember, you never have to cross. You can go back the way you came, or sit and wait for help.

Fuel your body
Adequate food and water will help your body create the necessary energy to fight hypothermia.

Loosen pack straps
and undo the waistbelt so you can drop it if you fall. Seal important items (sleeping bag, dry clothes) in plastic.

Dress Properly
The right clothing will keep you safe and a lot more comfortable. Always wear shoes or boots. Cold temperatures can cause numbness and missteps that lead to foot injuries, a disaster in the backcountry. Don't cross in bare legs. Wear quick drying wool or synthetics, but never cotton. Save something warm and dry for the other side, just in case.

Use a good technique
If you are crossing alone, use a stick for extra stability and to explore the bottom. Face the opposite shore or face upstream and cross slowly, letting your feet feel their way. Don't look at the water. Keep your eyes on the far shore to prevent vertigo. Crossing as a group is safer. Stand along the shore in a line, side-by-side, facing the opposite shore. Put the largest and strongest people on the upstream end, and sandwich smaller or weaker people between others. Link arms, or link arms while sharing a stick like a handrail. Enter the water all at the same time, keeping your eyes on the far shore to prevent vertigo.

If you fall,
ditch your gear, and swim. Roll over on your back, point your feet downstream so you can fend off boulders. Keep your feet high-don't get them wedged on the bottom. Flipper with your arms toward shore. As soon as you reach shore, get warm and dry. Hypothermia can be a killer.
last edited: 6/18/08 4:20:58 PM”

“Women's concerns.
Considering bears' highly developed sense of smell, it may seem logical that they could be attracted to odors associated with menstruation. Studies on this subject are few and inconclusive. If a woman chooses to hike or camp in bear country during menstruation, basic precautions should be taken.
Wear internal tampons, not external pads.
Use only unscented or lightly scented feminine products. Cosmetics, perfumes, and deodorants are unnecessary and may act as an attractant to bears.
Double-bag used tampons in a zipper-lock bag and store the same as garbage.”

“Backpack: Highcountry: Hiking on Scree & Talus
If you're used to well-groomed packed dirt trails, the mountains have a surprise waiting for you just above that first rocky rise: Scree - the crumbling stuff that you skid down on - and Talus - the bigger rock rubble (boulders and slabs) that forms a high-altitude obstacle course. Both can be very nerve-racking: Having the ground move beneath your feet.Climbing scree.

Climbing scree is a little like climbing a sand dune: You can work awfully hard and end up in pretty much the same place you started.
But unlike sand on a dune, scree isn't very deep. You can actually kick steps into it and get purchase with the front of your boots. Even so, it's a laborious way to climb.
Another choice is to try to switchback by traversing the slope and gaining a little elevation at a time. This makes the climb less steep.
As you ascend, you'll probably see bigger rock chunks here and there. These can make good footholds, but test them first since they are subject to the same law of gravity that keeps trying to pull you downhill: Climbing scree is a little like climbing a sand dune: You can work awfully hard and end up in pretty much the same place you started.
But unlike sand on a dune, scree isn't very deep. You can actually kick steps into it and get purchase with the front of your boots. Even so, it's a laborious way to climb.
Another choice is to try to switchback by traversing the slope and gaining a little elevation at a time. This makes the climb less steep.
As you ascend, you'll probably see bigger rock chunks here and there. These can make good footholds, but test them first since they are subject to the same law of gravity that keeps trying to pull you downhill: A stable-looking rock could be sitting on an unstable layer of scree that will start to slide just as you put your foot on it.

Hiking on talus.
Talus, otherwise called a boulder field, is made up of big broken rock chunks. Moving on it can be difficult: Big rocks force you to take bigger steps (which is hard on the knees going down and requires strength going up) from one rock to the other. You also need good balance, because all the while the rocks can be moving underfoot.
The key to talus travel, whether you're going uphill or down, is to always look several steps ahead. That way, if a rock starts to shift and throw you off balance, you can simply hop to the next one without taking time to think. Climbing is easier than descending: Going up, you're fighting gravity; but going down, gravity is tugging at your balance and can pull you somewhere you may not want to go. The best way to climb up is to take a diagonal route. Not only is it less strenuous than the straight-up .approach, it's also safer for your hiking partners below you, who could be hit if you dislodge a loose rock.
Going downhill on talus can be frustrating, nerve-racking, and hard on the knees. Beginners usually go one rock at a rime, trying always to stay balanced and in control. Far easier is hopping from rock to rock in a controlled dance with gravity.
To practice, try moving downhill on rocks without your pack. Keeping your knees bent, hop from one to the next. Use a side-to-side motion; it's slower and easier to control. (Side-to-side is easier on the knees, too, than going straight downhill.) Likewise, choose a less steep lateral route whenever possible. Whether you're traveling fast or slow on talus, hiking sticks help: You can use them to take the weight off your knees for big steps, to test the stability of rocks, or to fine-tune your balance on a fast decent. However, if you've got bad knees or a heavy load, or if the descent is simply too frightening to attack head-on, you may have to resort to the tried-and-true and one-step-at-a-time approach.”

“A Beginner's Guide to Alpine Mountaineering – Part 2
It is glaciation, cloaking the mountains in snow and ice and splintering the rock into fantastic shapes through the freezing and thawing of water in cracks, that makes Alpine mountains so spectacular, exciting and of a siren beauty. Glaciers are the bodies of permanent snow, hardened by time and pressure into ice, that flow out of the mountains. They are fed by the heavy snowfall of winter and melt in the warm temperatures of summer. When the rate of melt is greater than the natural rate of advance due to gravity, the glacier is said to be retreating.
For 150 years the glaciers of the Alps, and indeed of everywhere except Antarctica, have been retreating, growing steadily smaller and becoming covered with rock or moraine, that falls on to the ice from the surrounding mountainsides. A moraine-covered glacier is in effect a rubbish tip of the mountains, and about as much fun to walk on. As few can fail to be aware, that process has speeded up dramatically in the last 30 years, radically altering many climbs.
Crevasses
Glacier ice is a plastic substance. It is soft enough to flow downhill, but stiff enough to crack open when stressed. Such stress occurs on the outside of a bend, for example, or whenever there is a steepening of the valley floor, or sometimes at the sides, simply because friction is causing the ice to flow slower than in the centre. In all these cases, the glacier will split open to form crevasses. These can be anything from an inch to fifty yards across. The smaller ones are usually the nastiest because less obvious. Glaciologists tell us that crevasses cannot form to a depth greater than 150 ft, but there is scant consolation in that.
In summer, the lower parts of most glaciers, when not covered with moraine, become bare of snow, revealing so called dry ice. Here crevasses are quite without malice and provide useful places to practise ice-climbing and rescue techniques. Higher up the mountain, however, they become masked by snow and a very different proposition. Immediately in front of you a crevasse may be invisible, but to the right or left a faint dimpling of the surface is often discernible, and it may prove to be the continuation of an open hole some distance away. In winter, or after fresh snow, these signs are hidden and great care is needed.
Glaciers are probably at their safest in Spring when there is still a lot of snow about but freeze/thaw is strengthening the bridges. In summer, crevasses are usually safe early in the morning when the snow is frozen hard, but by the afternoon it will have softened, and the bridges will be in a precarious state. As the season goes on, crevasses become increasingly open. By the end of August, glaciers and icefalls which were straightforward ski runs in April can be all but impassable.
It is a good rule always to rope up, even on a well-tracked glacier, unless you know from personal experience that there are no crevasses. Tracks in the snow or other parties wandering about un-roped are no guarantees that the glacier is safe. If hollow, probe it with your axe (easier if you have one of a sensible length, say 55–65 cms, rather than a pterodactyl) or a ski-stick. If your axe goes straight through, or the bridge collapses into the depths, try again elsewhere! It is not unusual to have to weave back and forth across a glacier, crossing or jumping each individual crack at its safest point. Late in the season, the only bridges remaining may be wildly improbably cantilevers of dripping ice. Often they are stronger than they look, but take no chances. Arrange a strong belay and cross on all fours to spread your weight as much as possible. (For constructing snow anchors, see The Handbook of Climbing, Fyffe & Peter.)

Crevasses, what happens when you fall?
Sooner or later, however, you will go through a crevasse whose existence you never suspected. Whether you plunge to the bottom, find yourself dangling at the end of a rope contemplating a bright circle of daylight somewhere above you, or merely feel your legs kicking in space while icicles tinkle far below, will depend entirely on your partner. The key to safe travel on glaciers is a tight rope at all times. Coils held in the hand will only increase the distance of a fall and the difficulty of stopping it. The most effective way of checking a fall is to throw yourself onto the snow in a self-arrest position. Body weight, combined with the friction of the rope biting into the lip, are normally sufficient – but only if there is no slack rope. It all happens very quickly and there are no substitutes for alertness, quick reactions, and a tight rope.
Admittedly, that is easier said than done at the end of a long, tiring day and on a glacier there is definitely safety in numbers. In a party of three or more, 8–10 metres of rope between climbers will suffice, with spare rope carried around the shoulders and tied off. If anyone falls, it will usually be quickest to haul them out from the top, either with a straight heave if there are plenty of hands available, or by improvising a pulley-hoist. However it will often be necessary to drop the victim another end of rope first and arrange this over a rucksack at the lip so that the rope does not bite into the snow.
The more usual, and the more hazardous situation is two climbers roped together. Here, it is always possible that one will drag the other into the same hole. To reduce the chance of this happening, a longer distance between climbers – 12 to 15 metres – is advisable. When climbing as a pair, it is essential that you can both prusik efficiently, since even with the most elaborate improvised hoists it is extremely difficult, and may prove impossible, for one person to hoist another when so much friction is involved. Little gadgets like a Ropeman, a Tibloc or a Petzl pulley can all help, but in general prusik knots or similar but more efficient variations, work quite well enough.
Whatever the temperature on the surface – and the combination of ultra-violet radiation and reflected glare from the snow can be quite literally scorching to skin and eyes without protective cream, lip-salve and dark glasses – the inside of a crevasse is a bitterly cold place. Snow is, moreover, highly abrasive. It is worth always wearing gloves or mitts on snow, and preferably a long-sleeved shirt.
If crevasses are an ever-present danger in summer alpinism, avalanches are perhaps less of a hazard than at other times of the year. The greatest danger is from ice-avalanches. When a glacier flows over a projection or rock hard enough to withstand the crushing, grinding weight of ice above it, be it high up on the side of a mountain or in the flow of a valley, the ice will split open into ice-cliffs or seracs, which are continually collapsing and changing shape as the ice behind presses inexorably forward. The dangers of working through an unstable icefall are usually obvious and when the instability is not great, they can be fun to climb, presenting a series of technical problems to overcome.
Not such an obvious hazard, and easily overlooked, are hanging glaciers poised hundreds, sometimes thousands of feet above. There are many approaches to routes, and even hut walks, that pass beneath such hanging masses of ice. Seracs seem more prone to collapse in the heat of the afternoon when melt water acts as a lubricant within cracks in the ice. Bonatti, on his frequent excursions to the Brenva Face and the Grand Pilier d'Angle on Mont Blanc, both of which are threatened by enormous seracs on the approach, used to carry a thermometer and did not bother to leave the hut unless the temperature at night was well below freezing. That he is still alive seems to justify his caution.
Nonetheless, seracs can and do fall at all times of day and night and at all times of the year; gravity will always have its way in the end. The best policy is always to look above you before stopping for a break, and to accelerate whenever you are in the vicinity of hanging ice, even if you are plodding wearily along much-used descent routes like the Nantillons or Violettes glaciers.
Snow, as opposed to ice, avalanches are less common in summer. Nonetheless, after prolonged bad weather, conditions will always be potentially dangerous for at least 24 hours, especially on lee slopes where windslab can form. Wet snow avalanches can occur almost anywhere in the heat of the afternoon, though fortunately they usually don't. A layer of snow lying on ice becomes so saturated with water that it suddenly slides away with a hiss, even on easy-angled slopes. The depth may not be great, but it will still knock you off your feet, and if there is steep ground below, the result could be fatal. Moral – try to avoid long, open slopes facing south or west in the middle of the afternoon.”

“Trail Highlights:
The view from the Jaeger Mesa is spectacular. Mt. Sanford, Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Jarvis, Mt.Blackburn, Mt.Gordon, and the Nutzotin Mountains are all visible.

Hike south along the crest of the mesa, aiming for P6628", located at the southern end of the mesa. The hiking varies from solid shale to spongy tundra. Descend from the mesa around the east side of P6628'. Clear water and camping are available near the lake south of P6628' at 5135'.
Mt. Gordon lies to the south. It can be climbed via its' southern slopes to avoid the glaciers and is mostly a rock scramble.
From the lake, hike west along the creek drainage for 2 to 3 miles before going southwest into the upper Mesa Creek drainage. From Mesa Lake, shown as 4720' on a topo map, several pleasant day trips are easily accessable. Alternately, follow a game trail at the south end of the lake and desend into the Jacksina Creek drainage. Jacksina Creek is a swift, powerful stream and if the decision is made to cross it, extreme caution should be used.
It is possible to hike along the south side of the glacier and cross the glacier on the lower rocky moraine. Once across the glacier, a short hike downstream brings you to creek bed which can provide access to the mesa north of the Jacksina Glacier. It is roughly a thousand foot climb to the top of the mesa.
Descend from the mesa off P5695' which is south of Tumble Creek and at the northeast end of the mesa. Tumble Creek is swift and must be crossed early in the morning.
Once across Tumble Creek several options are available. Grizzly and Sheep Lakes are both excellent fishing spots and both lakes could be spots for a float plane pickup.
You could continue hiking to Tanada Lake, either to camp and fish, or use Tanada Lake as a float plane pickup as well. The area around Tanada Lake is very wet. Hiking is very difficult due to deep mud bogs and tussocks.”

“Glacier Brewhouse (Brewpub) phone: 907-786-3772
737 W. 5th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501


Midnight Sun Brewing Co (Microbrewery) phone: 907-344-1179 fax: 907-344-6656
7329 Arctic Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99518


Moose's Tooth Brewing Co (Microbrewery) phone: 907-278-4999
2021 Spar Ave
PO BOX 202549
Anchorage, AK 99520


Sleeping Lady Brewing Co/ Snow Goose Restaurant (Brewpub) phone: 907-277-7727 fax: 907-563-9354
717 W. 3rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501”

“http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/hiking-routes.htm

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=17&Z=7&X=15&Y=265&W=3

http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Highest%20Alaskan%20Summits.pdf

http://www.udap.com/spraytime.htm

http://www.nps.gov/wrst/

http://www.np-guide.com/park/wrst.html?source=theba_park

http://www.ika-alaska.com/

http://www.hikingandbackpacking.com/alaska.html

http://www.akhs.atfreeweb.com/

info@pristineventures.com

http://wiki.outdoorsdirectory.com/wiki/Hiking
www.outdoorsdirectory.com

http://www.alaskadirectbusline.com”

“Backpacker Inn/ 907-277-2770
327 Eagle St. Anchorage, AK 99501”

“Alaska Bus Line/ 1-800-770-6652 907-277-6652 125 Oklahoma St. Anchorage, AK 99504 Pick up is at the Days INN , Anchorage.”

“Alaska 2008 Trip.
Everyone should have already booked,reserved there room at
Backpacker Inn/ 907-277-2770 , 327 Eagle St. Anchorage, AK 99501. You will need to cab, bus or other from the Airport to this address. You need to also be sure you have reserved a bed for our return sometime late on the 11th to when you leave Anchorage.
Everyone should have already contacted
Alaska Bus Line/ 1-800-770-6652 907-277-6652 125 Oklahoma St. Anchorage, AK 99504. I reserved with my credit card round trip for JULY 2nd at 6am from Anchorage to Posty's Trading Post and a return trip on the 11th some time around 4 pm from Posty's Trading Post to Anchorage. I have recieved my confirmation number for my proof of reservation.
Fred Ross will be our shuttle from Posty's Trading Post to Nabesna. He can only carry 4 of us at a time and takes approx 3 hr round trip so 3 of us will need to stay in
Chistochina/ Posty's Trading post.

Kirk Ellis will fly us out to Jaeger Mesa that evening on July 2nd and pick us up at Pingo Air strip either late on the 10th or early on the 11th.

Fred Ross will be waiting for us on our return there in Nabesna on the morning of the 11th to get us back to Posty's for our bus back to Anchorage.

I will have my sat phone and will be purchasing 100 bundle minutes for our constant contact with Fred Ross and Kirk Ellis. If you need to contact family during our time out, let me know so I can purchase more minutes with a cost of $2.00 a minute. No credits for unused minutes.

Like I said in earlier letters about this trip. Jacksina Creek can be on of our most difficult challenges. We may need to cross only early in the morning when glacier melt is at a minimum. Head up stream to the head waters to cross etc,....Alaska weather is unpredictable, expect rain and high winds while we are on the Mesa. Be sure your tent is worthy and water tight.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting those for the first time.
Good Luck and have a safe flight to Anchorage.
Mike/ Fridge”

“I can't wait to see these pics & the trail report....
Ya'll have a GREAT & safe trip!”

“Sounds like thorough preparation Fridge. Good job!”

“Hopefully we won't see you being led out of the woods with no food or water!!!”

“Fridge, the sattelite 'phone might not work where you're going. I just read an article about a woman who was bicyling from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. She had an accident at the beginning of the trip and her 'phone didn't work.

After reading the article about the two women rescued in Denali Park it appears a cell. 'phone works and has the advantage of helping them locate you.

I don't know myslef, but it might be worth looking into.

Good luck,

Doug”

“The reason their cell phone worked was that they had wandered to within a few miles of the only highway in the area, and not far from park headquarters. There are likely no cell phone towers where Fridge and company are headed, or anywhere near their planned itinerary. Satellite phone is about the only alternative.”

“Stay safe ya'll! Happy trails and take a LOT of pictures for the poor folks who had to stay home :)”

“Godspeed you guys. WIsh I was going with. We'll catch up on the trail when yous get back.

Harry”

“If the sat phone does not work ,I have a back up plan! Top secret. I can tell you this....I know another way to get to Nabesna.”

“Crash/Randal

You guys can stash your cars at my house if you want. You might have to work out a ride to the airport though. Looks like you guys are leaving during the day on a weekday. I'll probably have to work so I wouldn't be able to take you but you're more than welcome to leave them at my house. Let me know and I'll email you the details

Tim”

“Th!
Thanks fer the offer!! How many miles to the airport from there? Any idea how much a cab would cost? What about a bus ride?
See ya later.
Randall”

“10 miles...not sure on the cab, maybe $20-$25...the bus system in indy isn't great...nearest stop is about 6-8 miles from my house and to be honest i'm not even sure they go to the airport but i would emagine they would...here's their website

http://www.indygo.net/

is your departure date set?...i could probably take you but you'd have to find a way back...i won't be able to get off work the day you come back”

“Th!
Thanks fer the offer, I really appreciate it. I would not feel right about asking you to drive me to the Airport, especially if you had to take time off of work. I guess I am gonna park at Atilla’s house on the North side and catch a ride to the Airport with Crash and then probably take a cab back.

Hey Crash!!
What time are you heading to the Airport? Could you pick me up at Atilla’s house?
See ya later.
Randall”

“Concerning menstruation in bear country; Canada Parks says the women should not travel in the backcountry during menstruation. I have it in writing as I kept their info brochure from my backpacking trip in Kananaskis country - Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta.

Any doctor can prescribe medication to delay menstruation.”

“Be sure to keep a sharp lookout for bipolar bears.”

“

See ya later.
Randall”

“Anchorage's area code is 907? That's only 1 digit off from Jacksonville's area code. Well, now I know where I called when I fat fingered a number recently.”

“Crash!!
Check the old posts, I need ride to the airport!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“attila is easily on the way to the airport. we can pick you up no problem. i like to get there early, so be ready!”

“Crash!!
So what time would that be anyway???
See ya later.
Randall”