alaska v2.3 – spent

the fourth day out, deeann and i got up early to check the water levels for our hike back the next morning. since the rivers would recede we figured we would be able to walk between the ridge and the water if we made it quick before the waters would rise up again. it looked doable.

after breakfast we packed our daypack and made our way further south for a day-hike back towards the glaciers. this was another beautiful hike. running into more wildlife (caribou, arctic ground squirrel) and seeing some gorgeous colors of rock, water, and sky.

after getting back to camp we started in on supper and shuffled up the cards a played a few hands. we were quite tired. it started to sprinkle and we were low on sleep anyways, so we decided to go to bed early. besides, we knew we had to get up early to beat the rise of the water.

the next morning we got up around 4:30-5:00 and the rain is coming down. we quickly get up, strike camp, throw the rain gear on and move our way down the river. however, since it was raining most of the night, the water never had a chance to recede. even though they were as high as ever, we decided to take our chances with the ridge and the river. unfortunately i don’t have any pictures of it, mostly because there really weren’t very many opportunities to pull the camera out. it was either that or loose balance….i chose balance.

after we reach the road, we chill out under the bridge for about an hour and a half filling up on some fresh water and eating some breakfast. wet and tired, we make our way to the road to catch a bus.

it rained most of the way out to our next unit. in some places the sun would be shining and in others it would be pouring. those mountains contain their own weather systems. after about another hour or so on the bus we get dropped off and start our hike toward our final camp.

this is what my hell would be like: humid wetness, brush up to my chest, soggy footing, 35+ pounds on my back, long rain pants and coat, and 4 nights of sleeping with the sun. that sums the next few hours of this day. we were all tired and wet. it was ugly. despite our emotions and exhausted bodies, the skies this day were amazing. because the mountains brew up their own weather there would be rain in one area and beautiful puff clouds in another area. you could see the rain just pour down for miles away.

after hiking to a river we were supposed to ford, we stopped to contemplate our options. judging by the water levels, the speed of the river, and most importantly our physical shape, we decided to call it a trip. i’m sure if we would have tried to bear the river, our legs and bodies would give. however, as soon we made this decision we were in much better spirits. we stopped for a quick snack and back rest, eating up the multitudes of blueberries, then made our way back to the road. the next bus to come by was a fairly empty camper bus. perfect. we sat down, aired out our feet and my mind was filled with that beer i had been dreaming about.