ALASKA BACKPACKING EXPEDITION

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Enjoy the silt as this is exactly what we have at the Jacksina sticks
last edited: 6/06/11 4:01:41 PM”

“I plan on eating so much cheese before and during the trip there won't be much 'business'. But I will appreciate you 'covering' me!”

“haha....Just bring some toilet paper.”

“Hi Folks. Ill be coming in Thursday 8/4. 115pm. sorry so late. Ill try and catch up over the next week or two on the goings on. Im excited about the trip.”

“I scored a great backpack for my trip next week from a Navy Seal buddy of mine.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2828159640105722157kRjEPq

I had already decided to go with my old school external frame but I this will be a welcome addition. He also gave me a great duffel to pack it thru the airport.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2914020820105722157ERrLCX

A question tho.. what are these things next to the belt extension? They are fabric with metal bands stacked inside and velcro on the tips. He said he never used that stuff.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2002914980105722157ImzDHh


The pack he loaned me is a Kelty Kodak 7203.
last edited: 6/14/11 7:29:28 PM”

“don't have a clue”

“looks like someting to dispurse weight.”

“Yeah, to stabilize weight was what I was thinking, but the fabric covers...I can't even figure out where they go. Really cool pack, Kelly makes the pack and Mystery Ranch makes the suspension. Rated for 125#. More than twice what I'll need, lol. I'll just leave that belt thing at home.
Leaving Wednesday morning. I was able to take quite a bit of stuff out of my wife pack, she should be around 20# or so with water.

I bought a nice pair of Asolo boots. The damn right boot leaks in a steady drip on top of my foot. I hope the gaiters help, no time to break in another pair.”

“I wonder if we will come across any abandon mines. That would be cool.”

“Only 37 more days. That means I can start packing and planning for food atc in about 34 days.”

“I just picked up our 300,000 dollar insurance for each occurance. We have protection if we need to be rescued. Have all permits on the way and will be calling all of our suport to insure we have no problems. We going to AK...ye haaaaaa”

“if any team members need further info please call my cell as I will not be with a puter after today for approx the next 7 days.....

Yo sandy I was thinking about packing my gear very soon.


Big Papa there are no mines where we are going but I am sure there are a few in and around this area. 2 years ago our bush pilot was taking a mining crew back into the Wrangell's to pan for gold...they had generators, and approx 15 cases of beer with 6 to 8 coolers. Gas cans and numerous weapons and mining gear...”

“Bummer on the mines.

Just bought some new poles. Bass Pro shop special. Exellent.

I am looking at my Seedhouse 2 and wondering if it is going to hold up. I think I am going to treat it and then give it a rain shower. See what happens,”

“Mines! Surely not landmines?”

“There be GOLD in thar hills!”

“Oh! That sort of mines.”

“Backpacking for the season is complete. Now it is time to start putting the gear for Alaska in a pile and start serious packing/unpacking etc.

Have any of you ever used 'Bangers' instead of bear spray or guns? Can they be taken on a plane?”

“I'll be there on Saturday. I'm bringing my pit bull with. He been cranky lately probably from the state mandated law that he has to wear a muzzle at all times. The fresh air will be good for him.”

“nothing like a pit bull in Alaska. does he have his own backpack.”

“I just checked in with Hostel, bush pilot and Vehicle rental.....we are a go and locked in.”

“I'm flying back tonight from Anchorage, hope y'all have as much fun in Alaska as I did.”

“How was the weather? Bears? C'mon more details please.”

“The weather was great for the first 5 days then rained for 5, solid days.. I didn't see any bears in the backcountry but did see dahl sheep from about fifty feet away. We stayed 6 nights in the backcountry, one in Teklanika campground, 3 in Riley campground during the rain and two nights and three days in Talkeetna..cool freekin town! Got pictures of bears, caribou, sheep, and even a wolf with a squirrel in his mouth...pics forthcoming..”

“Are there two trips going on? You left way before the dates of this trip on the trips page.”

“Yes dub 2 trips...one was top secret.”

“Mine was like a park ride compared to Fridge's trip, kind of a second honeymoon for me too... I did some off trail thru tiaga forest, but only enough to appreciate having to do it for a long day.

The lady that drove a bus I rode was very knowledgeable about the park and told me about bushwhacking some ridges a week earlier and how ruff going it was. I said, lady, you got no snakes, no ticks, no briars, no poison ivy, oak, sumac.., and it's 60*.. come to NC and buswhack in July! Even deep forest I entered had moose trails in any direction you would wish to go. Alaska was a piece of cake to bushwhack from my experience in Denali.”

“We have our permits and Insurance in hand....Spoke to the Rangers and Bush Pilot as we are thumbs up.”

“Got the fever......really bad.....”

“Yellow?”

“Richmond teen mauled by grizzly in Alaska
By Rachel D'Oro
Associated Press
Posted: 07/25/2011 06:05:36 AM PDT
Updated: 07/25/2011 06:31:35 AM PDT


ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A Richmond teen was among several people attacked by a grizzly bear while participating in a survival skills course in remote wilderness in Alaska on Saturday night.

Victor Martin, 18 was among seven students participating in a 30-day backcountry course by the National Outdoor Leadership School when the attack occurred in the Talkeetna Mountains north of Anchorage. They were rescued early Sunday.

The teens told troopers the attack occurred as they were lined up in front of each other for a river crossing. Those in the back of the line heard a scream about the presence of a bear, with the two at the front of the line taking the brunt of the attack, trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said.

Another group of seven students and three instructors was waiting about six miles away for a helicopter hired by the Lander, Wyo.-based NOLS, said Bruce Palmer, a spokesman for the organization, which leads many such excursions in Alaska and elsewhere.

Palmer said the worst injured with bear bite wounds are 17-year-old Joshua Berg of New City, N.Y., and 17-year-old Samuel Gottsegen of Denver.

They were being treated at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage and are listed in serious condition. Martin was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and released after being treated for a bite wound above his ankle, Palmer said.

A fourth teen was hospitalized and is in good condition.”

“and now, for your NOLS final exam..”

“I do not recall a group of more than 3 being attacked. I will be interested to read if these 7 were indeed in close proximity.

If so.....”

“I would like to wish you all an excellent time with fine people. Have fun and be safe.

Doug”

“Thanks Doug...”

“I read the report and there are too many grey items that either were left out or just has not been verified. Such as how close the bear was allowed to get before they started yelling, was this a sow and cubs, did they surprise the bear because the noise of the river kept it from hearing their shouts, did they have and use bear spray?

There are way too many what-ifs that we do not know and might never know that led to this. It is sad for these people and hopefully all the injured will recover. I hope that they provide information that can be used to help others avoid having this happen.”

“The news article stated they came around a bend of rocks and surprised the bear and cub. They were carrying bear spray but didn't have time to use it. Also there was a cub around which probably explains everything.

http://news.yahoo.com/alaska-bear-mauls-teens-learning-survival-skills-132506380.html

There is also another article:

http://news.yahoo.com/teens-father-alaska-bear-attacked-quickly-183043866.html

Saw the somewhat interesting interview with the kid who is from right around the corner here.”

“OK so the people made two big mistakes...
1. They did not yell loudly before going around the bend...
2. They ran...

So they made two major mistakes that almost got several of them killed. The bear reacted as expected it would in this situation. They are lucky to be alive.”

“Goes to show instinct can take over education when one is faced with a life threatening situation. I can only hope that I remember what I've been taught and follow that if I ever am in that situation...meaning next week.”

“You will be fine. Really where they failed was not making noise before going around the blind bend. If they had the bear would have left long before this became the situation it did.

When I have hiked in Glacier and Yellowstone I just assume a griz might be around that blind overgrown bend in the trail and I start making some racket. Haven't seen one in those spots and I consider it a good thing.”

“Yes do not fret Sandy.....I do however need a point woman to break trail. I can give you one of the radios so you can scream for help and wholaaa a couple of us with Bear spray and 44 magnums would surely come to your rescue......

32 oz has officially volunteered to lead the pack....”

“LOL! But would you arrive in time? Maybe you should speak to my friend Erin before you assume I know how to scream. The first time I encountered a bear close up I whispered 'bear' so quietly she couldn't hear me as I was slowly backing to pick up my sticks to make noise. She finally just looked in the directly I was looking and saw the bear. They saw each other at the same time and it was pretty comical as I am sure the bear had the same look on it's face as my friend.”

“Your funny.”

“Sandyann, that's actually one of my concerns when it comes to bears and any large critters I encounter. I tend to freeze rather than have a flight response.”

“Hmm. Well, Treebait, if the Grizzly believes that freezing in place is the same as 'playing dead' then maybe that is a good thing? =o)

BTW - I have overcome that and now am very vocal but not to the point of screaming or panic. One day I will share with you how I fought off a bear by offering it sushi.”

“Make sure that sushi is made from salmon. Bears love it :)”

“Just called the Slana Ranger station asking them about the road conditions especially at Jack's Creek we have to cross with our van and they say the road is okay and open...this is the only area along the Nabesna road I am concerned with. We will be crossing 3 different creeks along the road and in Alaska a creek is equivalent to what some call a river in the lower 48....hehehe just the drive alone of 42 miles through the park will be an adventure.....
rite something...”

“Yall have fun, Good hiking!”

“You guys still here?”