ALASKA EXPEDITION 2010

“Heading out tomorrow night for Honduras, will be working with street orphans, young girls taken out of sex traffiking situations, doing medical mission clinics in the mountainous regions on the border with Guatemala. Then going to meet you all for a relaxing vacation among the grizzlies! See you in Anchorage!”

“That is without a doubt one of the finest posts I have read on TT. Good luck and take care, Doug”

“yea Doug...sunny is the one who will keep us other folks in check in AK.”

“called Wrangell Ranger station and reserved bear canisters.....Ranger Rick informed me that there are no fires present within the park. May was hotter that usual and June has been wet...extended forecast is July to be split.....and that's exactly what we experienced first year there.”

“Be safe Sunny!”

“I am all packed up and ready for my own little gear shakedown. Later.”

“Me too.”

“Just finished repacking my gear for the 3rd time for travel...yes I need a 12 step program and will admitt I am obsessive compulsive.
I ain't tellin how many times looking at my gear list and dreams the past 6 months. Oh and my day dreams to.”

“I fit all of my food and stuff in my SMALLER bear canister! YIPPEE!!!”

“thinking about not bringing my solar array and AA charger kit unless several may need to recharge there batteries.....(only rechargeable AA type batteries only) Solar array is 12 volt and can charge 4AA in 2 hrs. I do have a universal adapter fitting many electronic devices too.”

“Did you say we can't have camp fires. Bummer”

“Who said that?”

“The no fires thing that Ranger Rick said. What is that all about”

“Last Year they had a Hugh forest fire in the southern part of the park that effected all of the park with smoke. This year they have no fires. Our first day out last year had some smoke and cleared up next day.
Wrangell has lots of fires due to lightning strikes.
Clear this year.

Last years fire started in July and ended in August.”

“i thought you guys had already left. LOL!”

“Rain Rain and more rain. Typical Alaska”

“I like the snow part of that forecast”

“Yea snow...last year as we droped in elevation each day, snow followed us. Snow line was a few hundred meters above us at all times.”

“Snow!!! Damn I'm allergic!!! WTH happened to 70's and 40's???

Found a few glitches last night with my gear am rectifying now.”

“un glitch it Tango”

“I 'uh' forgot to silicone the floor of my tent! Don't want to end up in a fetal position at one end of my tent!”

“Don't forget a footprint (tent ground cloth)”

“Got it!”

“I haven't even started packing yet. Probably won't till this Sunday. If I pack too early I add stuff up until the day I leave.

You all are good”

“Just a reminder that my Dad arrives at 11:25 on the 2nd via Sun Country airlines Flight 471

We arrive at 1:12 PM on Alaska Air Flight 139 out of Chicago”

“gotcha Eggs...thanks”

“Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Tuesday Afternoon Temperature: 55°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a chance of showers. 0.04 to 0.12 inches of rain.


Tuesday Evening Temperature: 54°F
Cloudy with clear periods with a few showers. 0.16 to 0.31 inches of rain.


Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 48°F
Cloudy with clear periods with showers likely. 0.08 to 0.2 inches of rain.


Wednesday Morning Temperature: 52°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a slight chance of showers.


Wednesday Afternoon Temperature: 55°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with showers likely. 0.12 to 0.24 inches of rain.


Wednesday Evening Temperature: 54°F
Mostly cloudy with showers likely. 0.12 to 0.2 inches of rain.


Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 48°F
Mostly cloudy with a few showers. 0.28 to 0.47 inches of rain.


Thursday Morning Temperature: 52°F
Mostly cloudy with a few showers. 0.2 to 0.39 inches of rain.


Thursday Afternoon Temperature: 57°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with showers likely. 0.08 to 0.16 inches of rain.


Thursday Evening Temperature: 54°F
Cloudy with clear periods with a chance of showers. 0.04 to 0.12 inches of rain.


Friday, June 25th, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 45°F
Cloudy with clear periods with a slight chance of showers. Showers possibly mixed with wet flurries. Windy at times.


Friday Morning Temperature: 48°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a slight chance of showers. Showers possibly mixed with wet flurries.


Friday Afternoon Temperature: 55°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a chance of showers.


Friday Evening Temperature: 52°F
Cloudy with clear periods with a few showers. 0.16 to 0.31 inches of rain.


Saturday, June 26th, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 46°F
Cloudy with clear periods with showers likely. Showers possibly mixed with wet flurries. 0.12 to 0.2 inches of rain.


Saturday Morning Temperature: 48°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a few showers. 0.24 to 0.39 inches of rain.


Saturday Afternoon Temperature: 57°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a few showers. 0.16 to 0.35 inches of rain.


Saturday Evening Temperature: 55°F
Cloudy with clear periods with showers likely. 0.12 to 0.24 inches of rain.


Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 48°F
Cloudy with clear periods with a few showers. 0.2 to 0.39 inches of rain.


Sunday Morning Temperature: 52°F
Cloudy with sunny periods with a slight chance of showers.


Sunday Afternoon Temperature: 59°F
A mix of cloud and sun with a slight chance of showers.


Sunday Evening Temperature: 57°F
A mix of cloudy and clear skies with showers likely. 0.08 to 0.16 inches of rain.


Monday, June 28th, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 46°F
Clear with cloudy periods.


Monday Morning Temperature: 52°F
Sunny with cloudy periods.


Monday Afternoon Temperature: 61°F
Mostly sunny.


Monday Evening Temperature: 57°F
A mix of cloudy and clear skies.


Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Overnight Temperature: 46°F
Mostly clear.”

“Gee I wonder if it will rain while we are there :) Bring your umbrella”

“May was Hot and dry, June was rain, July is predicted to be split as that is what it was first year there, the exact conditions.”

“Anyone going to bring gaiters? I'm thinking about it if it's gonna be raining...”

“grrg, bringing mine. I think if it is going to raining I should leave my wind jacket home and just use the Packa.”

“I'm definitely bringing whatever I need to stay dry and warm. We were in Glacier in August a few years ago and it's not supposed to rain that time of the year. Of course it rained and snowed big time. Had to bail out a day early. Rode the shuttle to the visitor center where the ranger made me sit in front of a heater. Shi^ can happen.”

“I have a base layer, a very thin down layer, then a my wind jacket (if I bring it) and/or rain pants and packa. I don't know if the wind jacket will really be useful.”

“I hate gaiters so I'm not bothering with them. Rain pants yes.”

“When we start to head down into the valley Glacial streams I use gaiters. I have been in a silt quick sand bar up to my calves. I also use them when crossing streams as they will insulate my lower legs keeping the very frigid Glacial water from penetrating so quickly.

The idea is to STAY HIGH. We will have to drop down eventually to get to higher ground and this is where you will encounter wet boggy conditions and tussock.

Rain gear is a must have and I use my rain gear as a wind breaker too.

Not saying Gaiters is a must have though.

Tango I use the same layer system with thin down and rain gear with a wicking base layer.
last edited: 6/24/10 6:07:13 PM”

“When we cross Glacial streams, I try and keep my clothing, especially my pants as confined as possible at my legs. The silt flowing through the water will stick to your clothing and you can feel a drag. Using gaiters will help deflect and keep your pant legs compressed. Also will keep your shoe strings secure.

Bring your best light weight rain gear.”

“Last year our 3rd day out early morning following a small snow melt stream and me taking the lead, I remember getting into a muddy silty sand bars along the stream. Jack straw had moved to higher ground on the left and I remember him saying stay high. A couple of us were in mud up to our knees and that area looked like a walk in a park. When we did finally get to higher ground for the next 1 mile we had to drop down to a Tussock field approx 1/2 long and found ourselves in wet conditions up to our calves, sucking at your boots. After we all finally made it through this Tussock field and dropped down to the head snow fed stream confluence with Tumble creek, we stopped for lunch and I realized that bog field had taxed our energy. It took us 3 hrs to go 3 miles that morning.

I was glad I had my gaiters on. Kept my upper boots clean and no mud, water entered above my boot line.”

“If you see hugh boulders that have been rolled over leaving a fresh earthed area exposed...take a quick look around at the same time keep moving....this is a bear feeding area and they are eating ants. You see this all the time along the creeks.

You'll also notice more scat than you have ever seen in in your life when we start heading down into the willow thickets and blueberry brush. Last Year when we finally arrived along the Jacksina Creek, a major glacial fed creek, we noticed rabbit feet and legs, hair everywhere. We would move another 1/s mile and find more of the same. Grizz will be strolling everywhere along the streams and creeks especially within the willow and blueberry thickets.

We entered a bear tunnel at one point as I was in the lead and could stand up in it realizing what we were getting into, we quickly turned around and I said lets get out of here...Dub bolted like he had to back pack on. After retreating maybe 1/8 mile and taking a break to plot another course. Dub yells out Holy CHIT.....look at the CHIT man...BEAR CHITT....holy CHITT.....there must have been at least a dozen piles in an area 30 feet by 30 feet. I am not kidding. Some old scat and mostly fresh.......we wasn't tired yet and decided to plot another course later and quickly packed up and moved further out into the open away from the thickets. Most Bear scat in a a small area I have ever seen ever. ALL GRIZZ TOO.”

“Don't be surprised to find your Bear canister moved. Remember to keep it away from the streams and from cliff or down hill areas. They like to roll them. Find an area as flat as possible away from a cliff and water.

We keep our tents as close as possible thus making ourselves look big. But if you really want your privacy..go ahead and do your thang. Grizz will test the further most outer perimeter first.”

“When taking a dump, keep your eyes and head peeled like an OWL. Most like to find a bush or tree... I like to do it in the open. Much easier to stretch my neck and look around. Those of you who like to read a magazine or set on the stool for long periods of time, will also realize how quickly you really can dump too....just don't forget your toilet paper.”

“Don't bring any Citronella bug stuff...Grizz likes the smell. If you use lip balm, try and use unscented. No deodorant and no food in your tent.”

“If you take any medication, please write down all info, intake etc,... and put into your first aid kit. If we need to get to it in an emergency this will help us and you.”

“Hey Fridge, speaking of lunch, are we gonna be able to stop and boil water? I bought a bunch of Enertia meals. Bad idea? Usually I don't break out the stove for lunch but thought it would be easier to pack the Enertia meals.”

“You guys got your wills in order?”

“grrg, I usually eat on the fly. You can always heat up a meal if you so desire. I snack all through the day and eat a light lunch.”

“Everything is all boxed up and ready to send to The Backpackers' Inn tomorrow. Kept my Gossamer Gear tent, NeoAir, food, down jacket and pants with me just in case the unthinkable happens! Those can't be replaced easily!

How's everybody else coming along?”

“I just got the rental Wild Idea bear canisters yesterday. For three of us we have two expeditions and a weekender. Sadly close to 30 pound of food for the three of us.

I guess about 2 pounds per person per day of food. Does that seem about right?

I have things laid out. Just not packed yet.

Come on Friday.

I think I'm ready physically I biked 55 Miles today canoes 15 miles yesterday”