ALASKA EXPEDITION 2009 PHOTOS AND TRIP R EPORT PAGE

“Da Group:

”

“nice man! thats a great photo!”

“Ya ain't seen nuthin yet.”

“Very cool. I can't wait to read the trip report and see the rest of the pics!”

“I still remember the beautiful photos from last year! Maybe I'll be able to go on the trip next year if there is one.”

“Hey TenJen! I've not seen you around in forever! Yeah, there will be a trip next year. Uncle Fridgy's already got it all planned.

Lets plan to go together :) His crew is lacking females.”

“Sounds great! Yes, there's definitely too much testosterone in the crew.”

“Be sure you pack light and get in shape, half the group was hurting this year.”

“Was it "doable"?”

““Be sure you pack light and get in shape, half the group was hurting this year.”

250+ trail miles this year didn't have me ready for Alaska. One Alaska mile equals 2-3 AT miles, and that might be an understatement.

Def go light. I had a pack weight over 60 pounds (never before, nor EVER again) and was dying.”

“So that's where the real backpackers have been!”

“You boys were big, the pack weight killed you, I don't think I would have made it with a heavy pack. I do wish I had a little bit warmer bag then my 35 degree down. My pack with two quarts of water at the start was around 35 pounds. Other days I only had a quart with me.”

“duane - You are one of the strongest hikers I have been around. For your age, only Gforce comes to mind.”

“Come on guys!!! It was downhill! You really let that trip kick your arses???Last year I had 67 lbs and the Fridge had 71 lbs and won't no cryin!!!LOL!Hell everyone had over 60 lbs.”

“Spam!!

Mine was only 49 lbs!!!

I do have a theory though!!

They all look like they were carrying over 200 lbs each!

That’s without the pack!!

LOL
See ya later.
Randall”

“i want the names!”

“So, was this pic taken at the beginning or the end of the trip?”

“Tenjen....pic taken after the trip...we always take a final group pic after we have all made is safely back...al those who are lost or die we never forget...and never get there pic taken.

Easy trip with less miles than last year. More Talus and Scree though and no serious creek crossings. TUSSOCK you need see and walk on...totally different that any thing you have ever trekked on.....We did cross more bog fields this year.
last edited: 8/18/09 4:22:14 PM”

“Thank you for the kind words David. I think it helped more having a light pack then being a strong bper.

Thank you for your cruise photos, that made a good ending for you seeing the whales and what not.”

“I got home this morning. Slept a bit. I want to thank Fridge for putting this together. It was an awesome challenge and the scenery was spectacular. I'll have TR and pics in the next day or so. Its impossible to do something as challenging and awesome as this and not walk away looking at life through a different prism.

Dizzy#&%!$ - From left: Dub, Pug, Hikerduane, Jackstraw. Refridgerator and Chinmusic.”

“Names are right on the photo, look at our feet...

Don't waste your time bringing an SLR...no time to stop and take photos, I ended up carrying 10lbs of gear for nothing really. Point and shoot is the way to go when going off trail in Alaska with a big group...

My pack without food and water and camera was only 35lbs. Food added 10lbs, bear canister added 3lbs. 2L water at most as water is everywhere. I carried a 15F down bag and never got cold at night once, in fact I always slept in my underwear. I carried a double wall freestanding tent as well and got no condensation.”

“I've only processed a handful of photos so far. This one stood out and I title it "Land of the Midnight Sun"
”

“Dub leaving


The Hulk


The elusive Grizzly Lake








Still haven't gotten to several cards......”

“Damn good ones dude! I'm going to bed, can't wait to see more.”

“I'm thinking there will definitely be more estrogen on the next trip. I've just been waiting for the bugs to get worked out.”

“Looks like you guys all had a great adventure. Glad everything went well, great pics”

“Great pics - this is going to be a fun thread to watch can't wait to see the rest.”

“whoa awesome pictures.

about pack weight, Spam you and Uncle Fridgy are military. You should be able to carry your own weight on your back for days. Talk to Tater. LOL. :)

Dub, I wanna know what was in your pack. You packed food in a bear canister for a week and still only weighed in at 35 pounds?!? Did you take clothes with you or do you just have awesome uberlightweight gear?”

“I like that "midnight sun" shot Dub, but it's starting to border on "Thomas Kinkade," if you know what i mean, with the fuzzies and all. ;)”

“Great pics, Dub”

“Holy frickin' amazing photos!

Dub, that shot is amazing.

Chinmusic, fantastic perspective!

I can't wait to see more. :)”

“Sweatpeastu, my pack was 35lbs. Add 3 for the bear can plus 10 for food plus 10 for camera plus 4 for water bringing my total to 62lbs. If I left the camera at home I'd be at 52.”

“Oh, add 3lbs for shells and a pistol...

Chin, that B&W mountain top takes the cake.”

“Our last campsite:



The watering hole


Old tractor


And midnight sun minus some of the warm fuzzies as treebait pointed out...
”

“AWESOME!!!!!!”

“Oh, thought you meant total pack weight was 35 pounds...which is my max, with my pistol and 6 shells.....dude, 52 pounds. I'll rent mule. :)”

“Wow!!!!
Best freakin pics ever!!!!!!!

Unreal shot of Kirk Ellis (The bush pilot) coming in.....I am totally overwhelmed!!


and I’m a tad bit put off!!! I don’t think it looked like that last year!! LOL

Dammit Chin... how come my trips don't rate these type of Pics?????

You been holding back buddy……

Ya still shoulda gone fishing!
See ya later.
Randall”

“THE HULK


Fridge and Chin are both in this pic, can you find 'em?


Moonrise


Lurking Mountains


Tumble Creek Valley


Camp 4


Cold Star


Moonrise (Cropped, do you guys like this one better?)


Descent
”

“Moonrise (Cropped, do you guys like this one better?)

Crop out the rock dead center bottom and it would damn near perfect.”

“You guys rock! I may have to go too someday.”

“Fantastic photos! Were you able to see the Northern Lights?”

“oooo...I love the Cold Star pic!!!”

“No northern lights or stars for that matter. That is one thing I'd like to see, that and whales”

“That's a lot of scree!!!

Gorgeous pictures, guys - can't wait to see the rest.”

“The first day was nearly all scree. I was getting flashbacks of Bubba....

Anyway, like I was sayin', scree is the fruit of the mountain. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, scree-kabobs, scree-creole, scree gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple scree, lemon scree, coconut scree, pepper scree, scree soup, scree stew, scree salad, scree and potatoes, scree burger, scree sandwich. That- that's about it.”

“Dub - I did get to see a whale of the glacier cruise. Here's a couple lame pics:



”

“Hey Dub, looks like you're having lots of fun with textures!

Lots of cool pics, everyone!”

“looks like it was a totally awesome trip.”

“Awesome pics. I would love to go next year. Better start planning now I reckon.”

“No textures here, just good ol tone curve and hsl adjustments and some stacked exposures.”