Backpacking in the Talkeetnas and will be out Sunday. Stay posted and we should have an update by Monday.
Howdy ho family and friends! Northern Lights 1 reporting from the glorious shores of Whittier, Alaska. And oh what an unbelievable section we have just completed. It shall prove to be a difficult task to accurately purport just exactly what occurred whilst in the backcountry...the mighty, formidable Talkeetna Mountains and the rushing Chickaloon River. A blast beyond comparison, both of them. We began our challenging conquest just northwest of the thriving metropolis of Chickaloon. That's right, Chickaloon. After meeting and greeting in the Anchorage aeropuerto, we embarked as a group of freshly acquainted individuals only to be bound tighter and ever-tighter into a well-oiled, finely-tuned machine. The teachable moments of such an expedition show themselves early and often. Thus, Kelly and I were able to hit the path in full sprint, sharing our knowledge with the team in incessant waves. However, not only do the students learn, but they also teach us in unpredictable ways. This is simply true of any adventure, especially one in the rugged and raw elements of the big AK.
After spending a day fumbling with the ins and out of our backpacks, our food supply, and all our emotional and physical needs, we prepared ourselves to walk into a frontier more final then any of us had ever seen. Day one we were greeted by gnarly bushwhacking branches, lush forests, rushing glacier creeks and we were even beckoned into the wild with a majestic moose sighting. It seemed our welcome was humbling, challenging and inspiring as we spent the day navigating our way to the ever elusive Boulder Creek, a strong and stunning waterway characterized by multicolored stones and glacial silt infused waters. Luckily aboard our crew we were blessed with Moondance veterans who aided our backcountry progress with confidence, hilarity and poise. Caroline and Lauren quickly established their valuable knowledge in the ways of the wild by displaying a number one necessity of survival in the backcountry: the positive attitude. No matter what happened these ladies were certainly going to have fun with it, and in doing so, shaped a group awareness that was fringed with laughter, joy and the idea that the journey is made up of not only the steps you take, but the company you keep.
As the first day came and went, and the sun dipped its head just above the horizon, we slept with full bellies thanks to a delicious stir fry prepared by Mac, Annie and Lauren. As the morning came, so did the hills, as we began climbing up into the rolling foothills of the Talkeetna's, lead by our first Leaders of the Day, Corbin and Shelby. Selected first because of their unparalleled excitement and energy for the upcoming adventure, Shelby and Corbin both exhibited natural leadership skills by keeping the buzz of vigor going as we crested the first hills with heavy packs. Inquisitive and entertaining they both provided good questions, good stories and good times as we first encountered the mighty Boulder Creek.
The test was beset before us, but we were as of yet unapprised of the true nature of its impact on us all. From now the hiking would grow fiercer, colder, wetter and wilder. But do not fret...for map, compass and orienteering skills were soon mastered by the group. At times, uncertainty would plague our walking boots, but never cloud our brains. Remaining omnipotent and cunning in this treacherous landscape, we would bind together to conquer our impartial opponents, weather and terrain. It was at our inaugural Moon-up that many said they would need positivity and team encouragement to get thru the toughest moments. When the goings got t.u.f.f. tough, days 3 (rain), 4 (freezing rain), 5 (all but impassable pass), and 8 (snow, frigid snows over long miles) the smiles from Ruth and Annie, the songs by Shelby and George and Corbin, the spark of Caroline and Mac, the strength and leadership displayed by John, the gusto of Lauren, the calm collectiveness of Stephanie and the joy and adventuresome spirit of Francie shone thru even our harshest times. Positivity and the correct frame of mind allowed us to continually pick each other up when we were pushing the brink, mustering up the gallantry to overcome obstacles previously deemed insurmountable. Ha! We could not be deterred. Sure, you say. Its Alaska...conditions are unfavorable...but this team of iron-clad oxen drove further, dug deeper than any I have worked with before. And we needed them all to be working like cogs in a gear to achieve what we just achieved. Teamwork harnessed the strength required to face a place such as the untamed Talkeetnas. This is a different group of students than the ones we picked up on June 18th. Battle-tested. Bonafide.
Superior meals gave us the warmth and energy from the inside. And there was never any one dominate person in the kitchen. Mastering the art of whisperlite cooking is no easy feat (especially at altitude and in chilly willy weather)...and yet all the cook groups succeeding in providing this for us all. So much in fact, that when we finally did emerge from the trail on day 8, our cook groups continued to impress the rafting guides as we took to the river days 9 and 10. Typically a group will sit back and enjoy meals prepared for them by the raft guides. Not our teams. Cook group 1 comprised of Lauren, Annie and Mac cycled thru. Group 2 was George, Corbin, Ruth and Francie. And group 3 was and is still Caroline, Stephanie, John and Shelby. They all take pride in feeding the herd....emphasis on the importance should be placed here.
The final day of hiking was daunting. We awoke to a winter wonderland at above 6,000 feet. Thankfully the fresh dusting melted as we broke camp in record time. What an impressive culmination for Kelly and Kyle to witness. We pushed hard miles the day prior to slumber in a beautiful alpine campsite directly under the second mountain pass. That morning we pressed for the saddle between two peaks. Once on the other side we were met by a snowy descent. Breaking the trail we fought more wintry storms. As this was the final move on foot, the team showed no signs of fatigue. Into a high meadow we crossed the Alaskan wilderness. Down a drainage and on the last caribou trail we traversed slopes, dropping at last into the Chickaloon river valley. It was no easy victory, rather our most challenging day, much to the surprise of all. But when we saw that glistening river ahead, the snow that shifted to soggy rain could do no damage. The pace quickened and the final miles passed in a blur. I have never been so proud of a group. These students are indeed troopers with a solid foundation. Bruised, but elated, perspectives changed when we learned of our accomplishment. Others on the trail were forced to turn back. Nope, not us. We braved that most notorious wilderness in all of the lands! NL 3 forever! Nobody can take that away from us.
The barely thawed snow that ran our rafts down river back to Nova River Runners in Chickaloon allowed us to rest our weary and chewed up feet. Our leg muscles re-vitalized as we paddled and steered our watercrafts down the roaring rushes. Sans backpacks for the first time, we laughed and splashed, gaining back fun tickets all the while. No longer would weighty packs and waterlogged boots impede our progress. Plus, there may be no finer way to view a countryside like we did on a moving body of water. This section of indescribable beauty can not be put into words....so I truly hope our digital photographs can ease that burden. I thought of you all along the way. You will understand why when you catch a glimpse of what we lived amongst these 10 days. Only in Alaska.
Well my friends, the hour has gotten late, but you wouldn't know it because the land of the midnight sun never shows its time. The cover of night fails to reach us up here in the far north. But tomorrow brings our final section; sea kayaking the famous fjords and glaciers of Prince William Sound. Calving ice blocks and sea-going wildlife will spruce up our next five days on then great frontier. More stories to follow. For now...we bid you goodnight. From the big AK, signing off.
Love Kyle and Kelly
PS. No other road. No other way. No other day but today.
