Backpacking in the Wrangells

Wow. Where do I begin to explain what a cool trip I just took. . . I was able to join my friend Mark on a five day backpacking trip throughout the Wrangell Mountains. We flew out and got dropped off in the Lakina Valley (slighly northwest from Kennicott). We followed the Lakina drainage just to the edge of the moraine and then began the accent into a green, lush valley containing a stairstep of five lakes, and hills that are reminiscent of the Ireland landscape. The weather on the evening of the first day, and throughout the second day was overcast and raining (maybe drizzle is more like it), but our spirits weren't dampened. The third day we were lucky to have dry weather and partially sunny skies. On this day we worked our way down the Hidden River Valley, ending at the Hidden Lake (a lake Hidden by the Kennicott glacier, at the base of a valley). Knowing we had good weather, we decided to continue on and do the most challenging part of the hike (mom, you should probably stop looking at pictures now). We followed a goat trail up and across the steep mountain side, to traverse over a knoll
that would bring us around the corner of the valley. I admit I was scared at some points, but continued the mantra "One step in front of the other" and soon enough, I was on top of the world (or at least the 'little' knoll). I should also mention that Mark is part mountain goat, so he was a fearless leader and made it apparent that I could do it too. Once over the top, we decended a much easier route to the fosse. The fosse is a huge pile of glacial rock left by the receding glacier on the very side of the mountians, creating a protected area between it and the base of the mountain.

Day four had us crossing the Kennicott glacier- containing strips of white ice and moraine. . . though a short distance as the crow flies, it requires climbing and decending hills of shifting rock and then crossing white ice (don't forget the crampons! they make you feel invinsible!) and glacial rivers. It is an exhausting, yet fulfilling journey to see what you can cross by simply walking. . . We ended the day at the base of Donohoe (a peak between the Gates glacier and the Root glacier) in an area that screamed BEAR! With the low brush, rolling hills and plenty of soapberries to keep many bears fed throughout the summer months, it was the first time I felt uneasy. The next morning we did see a bear across the flats meandering its way in our direction. So we finished breakfast quickly and packed up camp before 8 to get out of the area. No need to test our luck at this point of the trip :) We followed the Kinnecott highway home (a strip of white ice that leads directly toward Kinnecott). Not without crossing two more moraines and more white ice, we made it back to land to end the trek via a trail returning us to Kennicott. At the end of the five day adventure (20+ miles of scenic mountains and glaciers) we enjoyed a cold beer and lunch. . . ahhh, the good things in life! :)

It was an absolutely fantastic trip, and the most backcountry hiking I've done since I've lived in Alaska (sad, I know now). I hope it is the first of many more trips to come. I know what I can do now, so what's to keep me from doing more!! Thanks Mark, for an unforgettable trip through a beautiful area. . .

**There are more pictures on a link to a Kodak gallery in the sidebar. . . enjoy!!