Thread: A few photos from an AK trip in April

After bumping our trip from last year due to no snow, we were able to use all our previous deposit $, the same crew plus some guest appearances, and the fattest year on record.

PanchosDad and I went up a week early to ski at Turnagain; we stayed in Anchorage for a few days then were able to connect with friends from Salt Lake who had fabulous Girdwood connections. Perfect conditions, great weather, only one "skiing-in-the-milkjug" day.

A few photos to start:
First day on Eddie's, getting the feel for the terrain and stability


Next day, heading up to Pastoral Peak to rendezvous with the SLC crowd: the Chugach reaches far behind Panchosdad


Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to Todd's on Tincan we go..


Scoping our second lap we run into SimB and posse- small world


Todd's was steep and deep


Heading towards the Grandaddy Couloir: we used a lot of sunscreen


Panchosdad prepares to drop in; looking a little wind-affected


When he has a wide stance, the rest of us worry


But it is decent spindrift over a hard base, good to go


And looking back up, never looks as steep on camera unless you're a good photographer


After a corn day at Aleyeska and a lot of alcohol, it is time to pick up the RV and the rest of the crew at the airport. To be continued...

way to pour on the sunscreen!

great pics - have more fun!

After a trip to Costco and Fred Meyer, the 30' RV with 5 of us from Teton Valley is ready to roll. Arriving at the Tsaina, we find a perfect gravel pullthrough to park in, close enough but far enough.

First Thompson Pass day we get a one-drop from VHSG to the Iguana Backs, to the top of Halleluiah(east). Then we methodically tick off 4 more shots. Incredible first day. A little flat light for photos


Bootpack up, ski down; repeat.



Then we splurge for a few half and whole heli days with VHSG; first with old friend Heavy D. Here Molly gets ready to drop into Pillows. The top was fabulous, the bottom full of nasty chunder:



Next day in the Cruds, lynx tracks near one of the PZs


Here Don makes platforms to put skis on after downclimbing the loose frozen section. Good thing our friend G went first, her hockey checking came in handy as Joachim the German went out of control right at her.


Downclimbing from the Perch gives a little adrenaline start to the run

And Heavy D opens up another one for us


Next day, a one-drop to Cracked Ice and the Python area. The Cherry Couloir on Python looked a little steep and hard for us for this trip- will remember that one for future years. But an almost 3000' warmup on Cracked Ice was not to be scoffed at..


Homemadesalsa in AK


In the Cruds. Panchosdad did develop a taste for heli-skiing


Back at the motorhome, an enjoyable home life. We liked the irony of the Tetons on the back of the RV.


Another one-drop to the Crud area put us on top of Imax, but fog and clouds made for white photos. Then it cleared and we came around the corner to the east lobe of Crud. You can see MegaCrud on the far wall, but we are headed for the headwall


Skinning then led to another bootpack



A few rock bands to avoid


But then you could open them up...Incredible shot, best powder of the trip



A long isothermal trip out to the road at 40.5 mile


Next day to the Worthington, amazing lines up there, precarious heli landings too- this one just down from us on the Hoodoo Glacier

which led to this shot


A break in the middle of the day where we were sidelined by rescuing a dude who fell 30' into a crevasse. I was able to help out due to a bit of crevasse rescue training/ practice, but didn't have the camera, unfortunately.

Then we hit some of the Backyard ultra-classics after our break. RFS had some chunder, but then we went to the N face of Dimond, which we had been looking at all trip. Panchosdad and I enjoy the sun before a long journey in the shade (which means powder still)


At first I have some trepidation of the huge bergshrund at the bottom of the run, but then am able to get in rhythm, outrun the sluffs, incredible line.


One more run in late afternoon light on Stairway is my last for the trip


See ya later, Chugach, we'll be back.

Best year ever! Glad you got some. Your crew looks a little old for Thompson Pass in April.

Originally Posted by BFD

Best year ever! Glad you got some. Your crew looks a little old for Thompson Pass in April.

Making middle-aged dork look good!

Wow, nice trip. RVs really work well there. I'm really bummed I didn't make it to AK this year!

RVs, helis, Tsaina, pow... the dream trip!! Thanks for sharing.

Python, Cracked Ice.... Man, I love those areas. I'm so jealous I could cry. Wish I could have gotten there this year.

Yeah Lynne! Great photos!

Thanks for sharing the roadside camping with a couple bohemians like straightchuter and I

Great TR!

A+ 1234

Awesome trip Lynne!

utterly jealous!
thx for the TR!

Here's a bump back to the front page. Enjoy!

FKNA Lynne! good shit, yo!

Yah, its been good hay.

Looks like a great trip. Nice Pics

That was a nice one!

Nice one! Some of my favorite lines, feeling nostalgic. Looks like you guys did it right

Super cool tr.
This shot is just awesome!