Off Season

          I've been feeling lately that this is a hard time of year to figure out what to do in Alaska.  For the last 2 weeks, temperatures in town have been in the mid 50's and our snow is rapidly disappearing.  The ski and running trails that have been so wonderfully buff all winter season have now become pitted and rutty as they go through a daily melt/freeze cycle.  That quick mid day,in town ski is no longer a reality and running the trails involves punching through to your knees every few steps.
           Luckily, this time of year, our deep snowpack starts to develop a crust after a day of melting and then a hard nights freeze.  This crust can be difficult to time with other in town responsibilities, but when you've got the opportunity, you'd better go.

I've had a couple of incredible days of crust skiing south of Anchorage.  Portage glacier used to flow into a wide valley well within view of the Portage Glacier Visitors Center.  Now, the glacier has receded and is no longer visible.  But on the crust, one can ski 4 miles across the lake and directly up to its' face.  

20 Mile river valley is another ideal spot for crust skiing.  Perfectly flat swamp leads 10 or more miles back the valley to the 20 mile glacier.  Wide open flats, tons of moose, wolverine tracks, this is truly a ski you wait for all year!  My brother Brent and I on a 25 mile ski on a perfect day.

And the south facing slopes along the Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage are starting to melt down to bare ground.  Earth!  I've been taking advantage of this dirt to do some fun early season steep hikes and meeting some new friends along the way!