Bear Encounter

A couple of us had returned from our day of galavanting to our camping site, where we had our packs and most of our stuff packed. The three of us (Marshall, Jonathon, and myself) were resting on the tundra, waiting for the other two to return to camp to take off. Hannah came back a few minutes later. After a bit of chatting saying where we went, what we saw, etc, she said "Umm...there is a bear. Actually there are three bears."

We all stood up and about 100 yards from us were 3 grizzly bears. A mom and two second year cubs! The three of us that were resting hadn't noticed the encrouching bears. But luckily Hannah had come just in time to see them and warn us. After standing up we all waved our arms and starting letting them know we were here. We slowly started walking back from our stuff. But I didn't have my shoes on and all our food was there out. So we went back and hurrily, scarily, nervously packed all our stuff (thank goodness most of it was already packed-only a few things were left out). We moved away from the bears cautiously. There was a problem though. Megan wasn't back yet. And the direction she was planning to come from was right where the bears were headed. She might turn the corner at the same time the bears were turning the corner too. 

While we were moving back we decided to move forward (ahead of the bears) to try to get to Megan. As we turned the corner we saw Megan coming forward. She was about to meet up with the bears. We started franticly gesturing to her to move to the right (away from the bears and down the hill). She got the signal, only she started running toward us (thinking we were just waving and excited to see her back from her trip). We yelled "DON'T RUN! STOP RUNNING! BEARS!". She stopped, realized there were bears, looked around and saw a bear coming over the hill behind her.

The next moment was a little scary when the bear looked at Megan and us trying to determine what we were. All of us talked calmly and waved our hands, slowly getting closer and staying together, forming strength in numbers. Bears in Denali are not as habituated to humans as in other places. So they don't really associate us with food or as threats. But with a mom and two cubs, you never really know how protective she will be or what she will do. Thankfully she decided we were not worth bothering, and the bears moved on up the valley and we hurrily walked away from the bears and out of the valley. 

With our adrenaline high, we booked it out of the valley. We hiked 7 miles to the road and caught the bus home. On the way home the mountain was out in full force. Probably the best view to date. Even ended up seeing a caribou off the road. :) 

In the wilderness it is inevitable to encounter animals.  Winnie the Pooh is fiction. Animals are WILD. The wilderness is not a zoo, there is no glass protecting you or fences surrounding the wildlife. While seeing the wildlife up close can be exciting and thrilling. It is important to RESPECT it and understand that we are here as guests. This is their park, their territory. Wildlife RULES. 

Overnight Success

Slackpacking. Backpacking in a mellow, easygoing fashion.   After being sick with a seriously annoying summer cold the past few weeks, I needed a relaxing weekend "away" in the tundra. Getting out without getting exhausted. So this weekend I went on my first overnight hike in Denali. It was simply splendid. 

It was a group of 5 of us going out into the wild. In Denali you apply for the permit the day before you go out. The park is split up into units. Each unit only allows so many to go on overnights. Keeping your backpacking experience wild.  The unit we ended up applying for and receiving was Unit 10: West Fork of Toklat.  Besides that, we had no destination in mind. Going where the wind blew. 

The weather the night before was freezing! Some parts of the park even recieved snow. It was a little worrisome, but I was determined to get out. Waking up the next morning, the sun was shining! We departed on the afternoon bus to our destination. On the bus ride we saw a moose, a fox, and three bears! The trip was already starting out good. 

And we were off! Packs on our backs, hiking shoes on, ready for a good weekend. We decided to make our camp about 7 miles ahead in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Getting there was fairly easy-going, following a river bed. We were strolling along on the rocks and tundra, getting closed in by mountains and leaving the road.  The beauty was all around us and was increasing with every step.  A rainbow even decided to grace us.

All was marvelous until the river crossing. I had heard about these river crossings here and  watched the backcountry training video that talked about them. But hadn't done one yet. Honestly it made me nervous. The water was a couple of feet high, fast, and cold. But in true wilderness there are no bridges. Luckily we had some experienced river crossers with us. It helps to "read" the water to find the best place to cross that is not as high or fast. Fun fact. You get wet. No way around it. Some people bring seperate shoes and clothing. Some just subscribe to the wet boot grin and bear it philosophy. I decided to join the latter. When you cross you move side to side. Making sure you have clear footing. It is very important to NOT look at the water or else you will get vertigo. When all was said and done, it was FUN! Very exhilirating.

After the river crossing we passed on to the tundra. I love the tundra! We decided to take a tundra break. I took off my wet shoes to walk around on the squishy, soft tundra.  Frolicking around on the tundra. Can I just say tundra one more time? TUNDRA TUNDRA TUNDRA! Okay, I'm done.

Moving on we went up the valley, nearing our camping destination. A suprise was in store for us up ahead. As we kept climbing up the ridge the mountains were getting larger, narlier and JAW DROPPING. On the top of the ridge were mountains in every direction. Green, lush tundra. This was where we were going to spend the night and explore?! We set up our tents of the tundra. Which fyi is not the easiest to find a flat spot because there are all these pillows and divets. But if you set it up right, the grooves surround you and hug you like pillows. 

How about a little dinner with a view? Gorp and PB&J's may not be the most appealing meal, but with a view like this, who cares what you are eating! The sun was setting under the mountains. Lighting the green tundra on fire. The colors hitting the mountains and valley were STUNNING! Can someone say magical? 

(Disclaimer: I realize that I use an unusually high amount of adjectives expressing beauty (stunning, magical, beautiful, amazing, etc)  in my blog. But when life is so beautiful and what you are seeing gives you thrills and chills, it is necessary to use and overuse such words to get your point across!)

Time to go to bed. Yes, it is still light out practically all the time.  I haven't seen the darkness yet. I think in the next couple weeks to month the darkness will arrive. 

Waking up in the morning the plan of action was to explore the area a little bit. We walked up some of the ridges and valleys to get views all around. Everywhere you looked there was something that made you smile and take your breath away.

What happened next was probably the most thrilling, scary part of the entire trip.  A bear (or three bears) encounter. Get ready for a tale of danger and intrigue....

Tragedy in the Mist

Don't let the title scare you. This is a comic tragedy.  Gather round and let me tell you the story of one cold, misty, rainy Tuesday evening hike up to a destination called Pika Hut. What unfolded on that evening can only be considered the tragic comedy that happens in life. 

It was my Saturday night (aka Tuesday in the real world). The plan was to get out and hike to a cabin a few miles away called Pika Hut. It sits atop the ridge behind Camp Denali overlooking the Alaska range and Denali. It is an easy retreat with all the amenities provided. Only a few miles away. 

This particular night it was raining and misty. Not a perfect night for a hike up the ridge, but I was determined to go up.  I left after dinner. Prepared with rain gear, books, and snacks. 

Hiking up was mystical. You go in and out and the mist and clouds. Little breaks of light would happen where you would see the mountains or sky. 

Once I got to the top of the ridge, it felt like forever until I reached the hut. Kept going up and down little hills of the ridge. A rollar coaster of hiking. The trail would come and go. I had heard of people not being able to find it when it is misty. 

But alas, over the last hill what did I see? PIKA! The animal. No not really, it was the cabin. 

It looked beautiful. Situated in a wide open plot on the top of the ridge. Windows surrounding the cabin for maximum views. It looked amazing. I was ready to get inside and dry off by a warm fire with a book in my hand. 

I opened the door. What I saw next was my downfall. A combination lock. I had completly forgot about the combination lock on the door. I had flashbacks to when they were telling us about the cabin and how not to forget the combination. I remember them talking about it saying it was these numbers because of something. I tried hard to remember what numbers they had said. But all I could hear was wha wha wha (similar to charlie brown's teacher talking). My memory had failed me. 

Grr.....brain why could you not have remembered this minute detail?! I decided to use my detective skills in hope that I would find some secret code of numbers hidden somewhere. Looked around the cabin, under rocks, in the outhouse. Nada. 

I considered sleeping on the porch, underneath the awning. But I didn't really have any warm clothes or sleeping bag. So sadly I had to head back. A tragic comedy. Hiking up to spend the night in a cabin but I forgot the combination to get in.

Hiking down I just kept thinking how funny it was. Even though it was raining harder and getting a little chilly. But hey, you can't always get what you want. Reminded me of the time I arrived a day late for a flight in Guatemala. That one was funny too. All be in, much more expensive of a mistake than this one. All this cost me was a few hours and a short hike. 

Sometimes life is about the journey, not the destination. Or so it says on t-shirts and bumper stickers. The hike up was pretty and I enjoyed a nice evening floating in the mist.  Live and learn.  There is always next time. 

Wide Open Spaces

Come into the mountains, dear friend.

Leave society and take no one with you but your TRUE SELF.

Get close to nature.

Your everyday games will be insignificant-

notice the clouds forming patterns spontaneously

and try to do that with your life.

-Susan Polis Schutz