Training at Eklutna Lake

My good buddy Rapheal said he would ride his bike with me while I went for my run at Eklutna Lake. I'm trying to build up some mileage so I can be in shape for more interesting runs and trots through the mountains this summer.

 

Rapheal had fun encouraging me to go faster, jump over more obstacles, and work harder. He got into his imaginary role as my personal trainer and decided I should be a triathlete and when I ran he would bike, when I swam he would row a boat, and when it was my turn on the bike, he would ride a motorcycle. We had a good laugh over that one.

 

The lake is still frozen but the trail is mostly dry. The mountains are still full of snow and look beautiful.

 

Every spring I wish I would have maintained my running shape through the winter, and every winter wish I had spent more time climbing in the summer. Its hard to stay in shape for everything.

 

Failed Ice Skating Attempt on Eklutna Lake

I got all excited about ice skating after I read on the Alaska Ice Climbing forum that Eklutna lake was clear of snow. Apparently though I missed that window because there was a few inches of crust on the lake and they had just opened it to snow machines.

 

I tried to glide through the crust on my skates but it wasn't really happening! I gave up after about a mile and headed back to the trail, put on my boots and walked back to the car.

 

Eklutna Lakeside Trail

There is very little evidence of the recent Eklutna Lake fire at the parking lot. Toward the end of the lake a pretty strong burnt forest smell was pervasive. The massive avalanche a while back left a ton of dead trees at the end of the lake, and those burned. There were spotty burnt patches on the mountain and a surprising mix of dead and alive trees in the same area.

Burnt Trees on Eklutna Lakeside Trail

 

 

Looking up Toward the Eklutna Glacier

 

T.3:D.23:EG.950

Eklutna Traverse: The Long Road

The walk out was probably the worst part of the whole trip, and it still wasn't that bad. Because we came out on a very beautiful Sunday afternoon there were a ton of people riding four wheelers, bikes and even running. I can't believe how many people stopped to ask us if we found any snow, I don't think a lot of people realize that there is a huge glacier just out of sight that goes to Girdwood. Although in their defense it was probably 65 degrees, not much snow in site, and clearly summer to everyone else.

 

 

 

 

Four wheelers kept passing us as we slowly walked with our big packs. We kept fantasizing about how nice it would be if someone would just stop and offer to transport our packs for us. This wishful thinking paid off about 3 miles from the trailhead. I owe some very nice guys a beer!

M.12:HR.4

Eklutna Lake Bike Ride

Lynn and I went and biked around Eklutna Lake to pick up some stuff I had left at the Serenity Falls Cabin. I had no idea what a biker my friend Lynn is....She had bike shorts, gloves, the helmet, the back pack...she looked super official. I'm a beginner biker....although I have always ridden a bike, I've never properly learned how they work and need to be maintained. I don't want to embaress myself further, but I'll just say Lynn taught me some very important basic bike riding concepts!

Lynn the Biker Chick

 

Scenic Scenery

 

Lynn and I Self Portrait Style

 

Erosian in Action

 

So not only am I not a good biker, but my body doesn't really likes biking either....it really kicks my butt....literally, my bones still feel bruised. My internal whine definitely popped out a few times....

Eklutna Traverse: Day One

I have a bit of history with the Eklutna traverse....this is the first trip Ryan and I did together, way back in 2002, and if you ask him, this is where he fell in love with me. We foolishly decided to multi sport it, trying to combine the traverse with ice climbing....READ: HEAVY, HEAVY, metal gear, and glacier slogging. Although we did not sink one ice screw the whole trip, we carried a full rack, with 2 ropes, tools, and crampons up and over the traverse....BRUTAL!!! This is the trip that I learned a valuable lesson in trying to combine activities, when I learned that "more" is really synonymous with "heavier". Still both being in the "honeymoon" phase of our relationship I was impressed with Ryan's manly sled towing capabilities while he was enamoured by my general lack of complaining as we slogged with HEAVY loads and ended up going down the wrong gully and double carrying our load back up that 1,000 foot gully ....because he was 99% sure... Oh the memories!

When Matt asked me if I would be interested in doing this trip, I was immediately all about it. This time I swore my pack would be lighter, I wouldn't tow a sled of climbing gear and I definitely wasn't going down the wrong gully again!

From the get go ET: 2008, started out much differently. A four wheeler assisted our heavy packs with skis and boots around the Eklutna lake, while we leisurely walked with our day packs.

Bold Peak (top ten favorite peaks)

 

The Gorgeous Eklutna Lake

 

After about a four hour walk we ended up at the Serenity Falls hut, probably the most beautiful hut in the whole park. Will and Andy decided that a fire was in order for the evening, and set out collecting and chopping wood with gusto.

Will the Wood Chopper