MEGA TR: Time Spent Exploring the Neacola Range-AK

[greatjones]

Awesome! How'd you settle on that area? Such a great zone for ski touring, has everything from mellow to gnar.

A friend had been doing trips around that area for years with Alaska Alpine Adventures. I joined for his first winter trip in that area.

Agree, the area had everything.

[JTrue]

You're like the Edward Snowden of ski porn, Jason. Not spilling it all at once; just a couple new pics and stories each day.

Hah, too much to write all at once. Gotta give them a taste, keep em coming back for more.

[JTrue]

A friend had been doing trips around that area for years with Alaska Alpine Adventures. I joined for his first winter trip in that area.

Agree, the area had everything.

Sweet, did you climb and ski the big coulies? It's amazing how many small planes there are at the airstrip in Anchorage. We were joking about how anything you look at was probably skied by some random guy the previous weekend just flying around in his Super Cub, ticking off everything in sight, they just don't post about it on the internet...

[greatjones]

Sweet, did you climb and ski the big coulies? It's amazing how many small planes there are at the airstrip in Anchorage. We were joking about how anything you look at was probably skied by some random guy the previous weekend just flying around in his Super Cub, ticking off everything in sight, they just don't post about it on the internet...

No, we didn't get to ski anything serious. We also brought climbing equipment but got turned around on a summit attempt by this hanging glacier we didn't want to cross under (first pic).

We flew out of Kenai. It's a tiny airport, so we didn't see any of the crowds you saw at Anchorage. We also didn't see any sign of people in the mountains. I was under the impression that area wasn't explored much during the winter, but maybe that's changed since I was there. It's hard getting back there and it's so big, so I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of that stuff is still virgin.

Case in point, getting out for us was a mess. We planned to leave on the 8th day, but got socked in by a storm until the 10th day. Communication wasn't great (we had a sat phone that would work sometimes), so it was just a waiting game. One morning, the pickup pilot saw a short break in the clouds, so rolled into our camp and yelled at us to drop what were were doing and get on the plane (a two seater Super Cub that three of us jammed into). We just left all the gear up there (they managed to get it back some days later). He flew us to the bottom of the glacier, dropped us off in the middle of no where, and flew back up to get the remaining people as the clouds were rolling in. While he's picking up the others, the pilot's brother shows up to the coordinates we were dropped off at flying a helicopter to get us back to Kenai. By this point, the storm was back, so the heli had to cross Cook Inlet using oil rigs as navigation. Once over land, we had to follow a road to get back to the airport. Seemed more dangerous then any skiing we did. Attached are some pics of that shit show.

[peds]

I am eagerly awaiting the next part of the story. Looks like an absolutely incredible trip.

Feel free to include information on your other meals, too.

[JTrue]

No, we didn't get to ski anything serious. We also brought climbing equipment but got turned around on a summit attempt by this hanging glacier we didn't want to cross under (first pic).

We flew out of Kenai. It's a tiny airport, so we didn't see any of the crowds you saw at Anchorage. We also didn't see any sign of people in the mountains. I was under the impression that area wasn't explored much during the winter, but maybe that's changed since I was there. It's hard getting back there and it's so big, so I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of that stuff is still virgin.

Case in point, getting out for us was a mess. We planned to leave on the 8th day, but got socked in by a storm until the 10th day. Communication wasn't great (we had a sat phone that would work sometimes), so it was just a waiting game. One morning, the pickup pilot saw a short break in the clouds, so rolled into our camp and yelled at us to drop what were were doing and get on the plane (a two seater Super Cub that three of us jammed into). We just left all the gear up there (they managed to get it back some days later). He flew us to the bottom of the glacier, dropped us off in the middle of no where, and flew back up to get the remaining people as the clouds were rolling in. While he's picking up the others, the pilot's brother shows up to the coordinates we were dropped off at flying a helicopter to get us back to Kenai. By this point, the storm was back, so the heli had to cross Cook Inlet using oil rigs as navigation. Once over land, we had to follow a road to get back to the airport. Seemed more dangerous then any skiing we did. Attached are some pics of that shit show.

Thanks for telling your story! Saw a piece of that same serac break off and cause a huge cascade of debris, sweet objective though. The big N facing walls look like an alpine climbers dream.

Our flights were pretty straightforward, scouted in a Super Cub and flew out with the group in a Beaver. Looks like almost half the distance from Kenai vs Anchorage, but a heli burns a shit load of fuel. Flying over the open water in such low vis was probably exciting/terrifying.

[JTrue]

I am eagerly awaiting the next part of the story. Looks like an absolutely incredible trip.

Feel free to include information on your other meals, too.

Thanks Peds, we keep the meals pretty simple. For the dinners I put together a mixture of spices, dried veggies, tvp, etc in zip locks. Then just add rice, cous cous, or noodle packets to the pot. We found that parmesan cheese goes well on most anything, good hot sauce is key, different types of nuts, or raisins change things up. We use grape seed oil to cook with, pretty healthy and doesn't seem to freeze as easy as olive oil, plus has a higher flash point. Have a huge spread sheet with all aspects of planning if anyone is interested at checking it out. Includes personal gear list, group gear list, estimated costs, etc.

Breakfast:
Pre-Cooked Bacon
Pancakes
Poptarts
Oatmeal
Bagels w/ cheese and summer sausage
Omelets in a bag, just boil them in a bag
Wraps with dried bananas and peanut butter
Instant mashed potatoes w/ summer sausage and cheese on top
Corned Beef Hash

Lunch:
Probars
Gels
Honey Stinger Waffles
Shot Blocks
Trail Mix
Jerky

Dinner:
Jambalaya: Cajun Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Instant Rice Summer Sausage, Dried Bell Peppers, Dried Onions
Chicken Alfredo:Freeze Dried Peas, Lipton Noodle Packets, Sundried Tomatoes, Powdered Milk, Chicken TVP, Canned Chicken
TVP Burritos" Beef TVP, Instant Rice, Beans, Tortillas, Cheese
Chili Mac: used macaroni and cheese(packets with pre-made cheese), Sundried Tomatoes, Freeze Dried Peas, Beef TVP
Pizza Bagels: Cheese, Pepperoni, Pizza Sauce
Curry: Cous Cous or Rice, Coconut Milk Powder, Curry Powder, Cayenne, Freeze Dried Peas, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dried Onions, Dried Peppers, Garlic Powder
Ramen Gumbo: Ramen with whatever we have laying around
Chili: Bear Creek Package add some TVP

Snacks:
Ramen
Fruit Pies
Chocolate
Summer Sausage
Hard Cheese
Triscuits
Pringles(1/2 a sleeve per day, these are really good)
Chocolate Bars

Drinks:
Skratch Labs Apple Cinnamon Mix, served hot
Skratch Labs Lemon-Lime Mix
Hot Chocolate
Instant Coffee

[LeeLau]

Like the way you recount the process of finding a good zone for your ski options. Thats the way to separate from the herd imo. More please

[JTrue]

Added Day 3...

[neufox47]

When planning in advance, did you think the end of March was ideal or were other factors in play? Did you consider going later in the spring?

[JTrue]

When planning in advance, did you think the end of March was ideal or were other factors in play? Did you consider going later in the spring?

Totally depends on your objectives for the trip, if you want to ski N facing pow then late March-mid April is usually a good bet. Want to ski something higher and more technical in more stable conditions, go later.

The previous year we did April 1-15 in Haines. However, since our main objective at first was the Revelations, and they tend to be a little drier than the other ranges, we decided on an earlier date this go round. Rob, the guy helping me with logistics thought that was a good time as well. It's a crapshoot with weather, but seems like late March- mid April would be a good window to plan. If you wait too long and go somewhere that is heavily crevassed it could get interesting. If it's warmer than average, change your objectives and go higher.

If you are planning on using a bush plane for access have a couple options in mind and go for the one that makes the most sense with the given conditions.

[thin cover]

Serious stoke J! Really dig your last couple trips up there, true expedition style spirit, everything always seems really well planned from the trip itself to skiing the right terrain in the right conditions. keep them coming

[cat in january]

Very impressive undertaking. Looks like you were well rewarded.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Looks great so far, waiting for more. Nice to have found ready made platforms to allow a great arrival day ski.

[JTrue]

Added Day Four

[telelebowski]

This TR may have single-handedly redeemed the shithole this place has become.

[wendigo]

Apparently you haven't seen this classic in the making either.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Bump, to stay above the flotsam and jetsam. Day four =

[angrysasquatch]

Speaking of shit holes, I found that digging said hole less than a meter wide and exiting to a wider area, then jamming a ski into the snow wall, skins on and skin side up makes for a luxurious shitter. A small room with a padded seat, all full of shit. Sounds like another padded room I know of.

keep 'er coming

[JTrue]

Day Five Added...

[1thenaton1]

I posted in this epic thread. Great stuff!

[_Aaron_]

Nice stuff J. Looking forward to the rest. Maybe head to the Revs together next year?

[JTrue]

Nice stuff J. Looking forward to the rest. Maybe head to the Revs together next year?

Might be heading to the Selkirks next spring for a hut trip if the lottery works out. If not, then I'm up for the Revs. Can we just plan it for a time that it won't be 20 below though?

[_Aaron_]

Might be heading to the Selkirks next spring for a hut trip if the lottery works out. If not, then I'm up for the Revs. Can we just plan it for a time that it won't be 20 below though?

Please. Im in no rush to repeat that experience.

[neck beard]

Thank you Jtrue.

One day. One day. This or something like it.