Kraken

Dave lives in AK and I actually have been talking to his wife (no it isn't like that) about him talking at UAA. She told me he was trying for the 50 summits nad i'm glad he has succeeded finally. Good for him. Clint

FYI, the deadline was march 7 for comments, but due to public interest, it has been extended to Monday, March 14th. It isn't too late. We had people sign a petition all during Banff and got nearly 100 signatures. I hope it helps. Get out there and voice your opinion.

i have a shit ton from alaska...do you want those? PM me and let me know

Here is the letter I wrote to her. I am going to have the club members sign it if they agree with it on thursday night's meeting. I'll send it off on Friday morning. To Teresa Paquet, Special Uses Specialist of the Chugach National Forest, Glacier District: Rumor has been stirring lately that Glacier City Tours, which runs a summertime snowmobile tourist company out of Girdwood, wants to expand. From their current location on the Spencer Glacier, we understand that they now want to take over a portion of the Eagle Glacier. Being one of the most serene and pristine glacier ecosystems around, it seems almost morally wrong to even consider allowing for this company to gain access to this almost untouched environment. The University of Alaska Anchorage Outdoor Club has discussed this matter and we stand behind other outdoor associations such as the Mountaineering Club of Alaska, Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking, the Alaska Alpine Association, etc. Should Glacier City Tours receive permission to run their tour on what we referred to as this almost untouched environment, soon, it will become just the opposite of that. The Eagle Glacier will become yet another populated profit station. It will lose all aspects of appeal that it currently retains. Not only will this company disrupt the world famous glacier crossing, the Eklutna traverse, it will affect animals’ habitats, trails and migration routes and hunting grounds (such as the wolverine, wolf, moose, bear, fox, etc). Glacier City Tours states on their advertising pamphlet that tourists will get the chance to spot “real Alaskan wildlife.” Our response to that is simple...how many animals run towards or remain in one spot when the obnoxious revving of a snow mobile is heard? We believe that while everyone has an equal opportunity to use the Eagle, or any other glacier for that matter, that they should do so in a natural way. Furthermore, if one side should have the bigger say, and advantage, shouldn’t it be the residents of Alaska as well as the hikers and skiers (who use the traverse), as opposed to a few Florida tourists? If these tourists want a real Alaskan snow machine adventure, let them either have it on the Spencer Glacier, or in their choice of any of our seven to eight months of snowy season, where snow machines are perfectly acceptable. We have no problem with snowmobilers, we believe there is a time and place for everything, yet the Eagle Glacier is not the place and there will never be a time for it. We have nothing against the right for a company to make a buck, but we say “let them do son on the Spencer Glacier.” Imagine taking a week off from a hectic job in Anchorage, or perhaps even somewhere in the Lower 48 and setting out on the Eklutna Glacier to traverse south. Wanting only peace and quiet, and serene views, you are forced to deal with untrained snowmobilers and the constant noise produced by the six to nine machines which would be zooming around right within your immediate area. There goes the peaceful trip In short, we ask you to think of Alaskans first, and not the few tourists who would use this service. Think of the wildlife, the environment, and the hikers and skiers attempting to escape such madness. We as a club, as Alaskans, and most of all, as environmentalists and lovers of the Chugach ask you to make the right decision and vote against this company’s request to move their business to the Eagle Glacier. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Clint Helander

oh no, a misspelling. Is this what it's come to?

funny how everyone is joining on the "i hate rei" bandwagon

yeah dude, here's what you need to know. Sleeping bag: go with the -20. you can always open it up if you get to warm, but it's harder to get warm if you are freezing. Flights: Go with K2 out of Talkeetna. Routes: Check out rockclimber.com's section on the ruth. http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/listArea.php?AreaID=510 it has a few cool routes, but your best bet is just to pick up a book or talk to people on web forums. Good luck!

i shop at REI because when it comes to return policies, theirs simply CANNOT be beat. i've worn shoes for 7 months then taken them back no questions asked for new ones. I also support local shops like AMH though and buy from them a lot!

what is her email?

i just left her a message with my t houghts but i think i'll still write a letter, everyone else should too. thios is BULLSHIT!

well, literally minutes after I posted this, someone posted a complete TR for the brothers. My questions are answered.

awesome! well you just answered all my questions then! I look forward to doing the brothers in a few weeks when I get down to Washington. As far as the gunners...that is stupid. I can't believe they'd go up to Lena Lake and shoot there. That area is (i believe) closed to guns. I'm not against guns by any means, but there are certain places where you probably shouldn't shoot, and Lena is one of them... Maybe I'll bring my gun up to Rainier, there's got to be some pretty sweet target practice up at 14,000 feet.

yeah dude, awesome TR! That rocked! Looking forward to pictures!

any luck finding members to join that? You'll probably need more time allotted than that, but best of luck.

I haven't been to washington in a few months and all i'm hearing is that there is almost no snow. I want to climb the Brothers when i'm there. Has anyone been up to them lately? What is the snow state on them? I'm guessing they are pretty bare. It would be a great weekend trip. Let me know. Clint

wow, now I want to do that too!

i hope you're joking. Come on, anyone?

I plan on doing the Eklutna Traverse soon, perhaps this spring, and I can't imagine having to put up with the CONSTANT noise of snowmachines on that route. Plus, what is to stop them from going out of their bounds? Not to mention it would pollute the glacier, add increased traffic to the glacier, cause visable damage...need I go on? I'm listing everything I can. Machiners can keep to their already 8 month season, there's no reason to extend to WILDERNESS for the sake of the almighty dollar.

hey thanks so much for the TR. I'm STILL looking for partners to climb with. Come on people. Gib Ledges, sometime within the two week period of March 17-29. Who's in?!?!?!?

i count myself lucky t hat i have incredible circulation. I almost laways only use REI one gloves. these things are so damn thin, you don't even realize you're wearing 'em. most people want thicker gloves though.

damn man, i'd love to go to patagonia, but not to fight fires. I'd rather go climbing:) Still though, props to you dude! Happy 19th!! I got wasted this weekend enough, i'll dedicate it to you!

I designed this site. It is still being made, but is off to a good start. I need to install forms and all that jazz. Give your two cents! www.AlaskaOutdoorClub.com

awesome, i'll be there for sure! my friend lives right up by there in bellingham and we were planning on scouting for some ice.

Hey, I'm coming back home for spring break for two weeks in march (17-29) and I am looking for a partner(s) to climb Rainier via the Gibraltar Ledges. Basically, my calendar is entirely open, with the weather being the only thing guiding me. As far as experience goes, I'm there baby! I'm an experienced ice climber, rock climber,mountaineer...hell, i LIVE IN ALASKA for god's sake. All i want are people who are interested and we can work from there and learn about eachother. Come on dudes! Let's do rainier.

shwere is pan dome located? what city is it closest do? I have to see this when I come down in a few weeks, considering it is still in