Date: Feb. 18Mileage: ~12
Total climbing: 6,284 feet
Time: 7 hours, 13 minutes
Weather: Sunny and hot! 34 degrees at sea level, hotter higher; Light winds
Details: Ridge trek, 40-90 percent
Time: 7 hours, 13 minutes
Weather: Sunny and hot! 34 degrees at sea level, hotter higher; Light winds
Details: Ridge trek, 40-90 percent
Today I did something that I have always wanted to do, which is connect two prominent peaks on Douglas Island via the mountain ridge. In doing so, I walked from downtown Douglas to Eaglecrest Ski Area, the hard way. I will eventually talk more about observations regarding yesterday's post, but for today I am just doing a quick photo blog.
An inversion coated Juneau with thick fog during the morning and part of the early afternoon. This airplane was flying in circles, waiting for the fog to clear so it could land at the airport. You have to think those passengers are grumbling about the unfairness of a weather delay as they coast through clear blue sky.
And it was hot! So, so hot. I don't know how hot it was. 80 degrees? Maybe 90? It was actually 34 degrees at my house before I left for the morning. Probably mid-40s above the inversion. My shirt became drenched with sweat on the way up Jumbo so I took it off for a while, until my pasty white belly started to burn. This is the obligatory self portrait on top of Mount Jumbo, elevation 3,337. I've hiked this peak many times during the summer, and it felt every bit as warm today. You'd never know it wasn't July. Seriously. Except for all the snow and rime ice.
After that, it was time to set out toward unknown territory. This is an overlook of Stephens Passage and Eagle Peak on Admiralty Island.
Douglas Island Ridge is fairly broad, which allows non-technical passage but can make route finding more difficult.
And there was lots of route finding to do beyond Mount Jumbo. I was hoping I would see old ski tracks I could follow, but no dice. They probably melted.
Looking back on Mount Jumbo after looping around a small secondary peak, elevation 2,800.
Self portrait on top of an unnamed prominent peak, elevation 2,900, above the Dan Moller bowl.
Ah, look, it's downtown Juneau. Above town you can see how high snowline is on Mount Juneau. All joy about July-in-February weather aside, it's sad to see our snowpack this dessicated.
Yeah! Made it to Mount Troy, elevation 2,950. Lots of climbing to reach these high points - the ridge dipped as low as 1,800 feet at times. I had originally thought Ben Stuart might be an good, ambitious goal if the trek went really well, but it took too much time and energy to reach Troy. I'm not sure how I feel about trekking through the ski area anyway. But my next goal is to link up Mount Meek and Ben Stuart.
Lots of good thinking today, as well. I am very pleased with how the day went ... good goals, good introspection, good weather, good scenery, good workout. Good day.
An inversion coated Juneau with thick fog during the morning and part of the early afternoon. This airplane was flying in circles, waiting for the fog to clear so it could land at the airport. You have to think those passengers are grumbling about the unfairness of a weather delay as they coast through clear blue sky.
And it was hot! So, so hot. I don't know how hot it was. 80 degrees? Maybe 90? It was actually 34 degrees at my house before I left for the morning. Probably mid-40s above the inversion. My shirt became drenched with sweat on the way up Jumbo so I took it off for a while, until my pasty white belly started to burn. This is the obligatory self portrait on top of Mount Jumbo, elevation 3,337. I've hiked this peak many times during the summer, and it felt every bit as warm today. You'd never know it wasn't July. Seriously. Except for all the snow and rime ice.
After that, it was time to set out toward unknown territory. This is an overlook of Stephens Passage and Eagle Peak on Admiralty Island.
Douglas Island Ridge is fairly broad, which allows non-technical passage but can make route finding more difficult.
And there was lots of route finding to do beyond Mount Jumbo. I was hoping I would see old ski tracks I could follow, but no dice. They probably melted.
Looking back on Mount Jumbo after looping around a small secondary peak, elevation 2,800.
Self portrait on top of an unnamed prominent peak, elevation 2,900, above the Dan Moller bowl.
Ah, look, it's downtown Juneau. Above town you can see how high snowline is on Mount Juneau. All joy about July-in-February weather aside, it's sad to see our snowpack this dessicated.
Yeah! Made it to Mount Troy, elevation 2,950. Lots of climbing to reach these high points - the ridge dipped as low as 1,800 feet at times. I had originally thought Ben Stuart might be an good, ambitious goal if the trek went really well, but it took too much time and energy to reach Troy. I'm not sure how I feel about trekking through the ski area anyway. But my next goal is to link up Mount Meek and Ben Stuart.
Lots of good thinking today, as well. I am very pleased with how the day went ... good goals, good introspection, good weather, good scenery, good workout. Good day.
Man, Jill, every morning I read your blog in my first class as you are hitting the hay. You inspire me so, however, I have been so bad lately. Made it to the gym once this week and not at all before this since like December. Ok, so you inspire me mentally. I wrote you a postcard this morning, I really hope you are getting them. Anyway, everytime I read your blog I want to be in Juneau again. Although, I do not think it is going to happen anytime soon. We were hoping for a short summer jaunt but I am thinking of scaling down just to chill in Boston for the summer. I need some major stateside R and R for a bit.
ReplyDeleteI think of you daily. Hope all is well.
One thing I have been doing is blogging, almost daily even! We have mountain's here too!
Cheers,
Kate
http://thisnigerianlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/weekend.html
My Granddad would have called you a skinny Minnie.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you didn't spend all tha time being self-absorbed and helped some small children or refugees on that hike.
ReplyDeleteJill, Just finished your book, great read. Consider Bill Glude's Level I Avalanche class, if you haven't taken it already. You'll enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Randy
Bozeman, MT
Looks like a great day! (And yes, you do look pretty hot! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're looking great out there!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo with the jet trails. Beautiful.
Also glad you had a good day to think and reflect.
jillster,
ReplyDeletehow 'bout cycling in an urban area? L.A. or D.C would be fun don't you think? keep getting some sun for the vit. d.
allbest,
ken
amazing places, amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!
ReplyDeletewow...after reading your previous post and then just looking at these pics...I am thinking Sara Conner in Terminator...strong, tough, makes the hard but right decisions, steeling herself for an uncertain future...I am not sure why that popped into my head but it did. Probably not very helpful but my comment anyway. You are like a superhero!
ReplyDeleteAgree with Kentucky Joe and I Hope you didn't get sunburn:)
ReplyDeleteHoly flat stomach. More pics like that please. Ha Ha
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about riding with my dog to Alaska for the summer. I was just surfing the web looking for inspiration when I stumbled across your site. I have it. Thank you. Ali
ReplyDelete