Podcasts about chugach mountains

Alaska Sheep Hunt with Barney, Johnny, Courtney and Jacob.

In this video Matt Keller with Blue Ice Aviation provides valuable information for how to transition to Mountain flying. He provides unique scenarios, and lessons, which demonstrate how to adapt to the unexpected conditions that bush Alaska will throw your way. Matt also recounts memories of his past, such as flying with his father in law, legendary bush pilot Mike Meekin. Matt also unveils an exciting new project he's been developing, a Glacier hut getaway in the Chugach Mountains.

Hosted by Ania Wiktorowicz, Created by Mari FeherAndrew Holman is a Portland, Or transplant living and climbing around Anchorage, Alaska. In the process of climbing all the peaks of the Chugach  Mountain range near Anchorage, one night he found himself tumbling 500 ft on the South side of Avalanche Mountain  (5,050 feet) . What do you do with one microspike on a side of a 45 degree icey slope? As a BCEP grad from the Mazamas (an established climbing and mountaineering club in Porland, OR), luckily Andrew knew just what to do and ended up in a helicopter rescue with some friendly humanoid aliens. helpful links: mazamas.orggarmin.comhttps://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-personal-locator-beaconhttps://www.alaska.org/destination/chugach-state-park

Mike Welch is a ski patroller, heli-ski guide, owner and guide of Sundog Ski Guides, father, and friend to all. I sat down with Welch at the end of the 2022 ski season to chat about his path, thoughts on producing operational avalanche forecasts, risk tolerance, and much more. I hope you enjoy this episode. Music by Ketsa www.ketsa.uk Mike's Bio: Mike Welch has spent most of his life working on snow in the Chugach Mountains. Mike began his on snow career somewhat accidentally while flipping through a course catalog while attending the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Outdoor Emergency Care course that he took that fall semester many years ago propelled him on an unexpected journey into the world of avalanches, ski patrolling and ski guiding. Starting his career as a nighttime ski patroller at Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage helped him understand that it does not have to be a steep or big slope to produce trauma. Early in his career he was invited to help out during the world extreme skiing competitions as a volunteer medic. Here he learned about some of the types of consequences possible on steep, big mountains. Working at Arctic Valley, Alyeska and Alta Ski areas further reinforced the understanding of what can happen on big slopes in the wintertime. Sixteen years ago Mike stepped back from full time ski patrolling to work as a ski guide with Chugach Powder Guides. Heliskiing took his respect for big mountains to a whole different level where one can find oneself many many miles from hotel rooms and hospitals in moments. Mike is now pursuing a lifelong passion and turning it into a career by starting dueling backcountry ski and snowboard touring businesses, Sundog Ski Guides and Sundog Snowboarding. Mike can be found riding the Mountains of South-central Alaska by winter and floating her waters by summer.

Rachel James was born and raised in Palmer, Alaska. She started working at the NOLS Alaska branch at the age of 15, cleaning toilets and landscaping; this was also when she started ice climbing. Rachel took a NOLS Alaska Mountaineering course at 16 and started working as a mountaineering instructor after taking the first-ever NOLS Alaska Instructors Course in 2000 at 19. During her time at NOLS from 2000 to 2013, she mainly worked mountaineering expeditions while leading a few horse packing and hiking courses in Alaska, Patagonia, Yukon, and Wyoming. Rachel has also worked as a program supervisor at NOLS Alaska. Currently, she lives in the Chugach Mountains just outside of Anchorage and is working hard to defend salmon habitat in Alaska.

Jeff Rose has worked as an outdoor educator for over two decades, including 19 seasons with Outward Bound. Besides Outward Bound, Jeff has worked for numerous colleges and universities, including the University of Utah, Davidson College, San Diego State University, UC San Diego, and Indiana University. He also worked for Adventures Cross Country and various summer camps. As an instructor, Jeff taught climbing, glacier mountaineering, backpacking, sea kayaking, and a few rafting and canyoneering courses. Most of his field time has been in Washington's North Cascades and Puget Sound, as well as Alaska's Chugach Mountains, Prince William Sound, and Kenai Fjords. Jeff also goes by Dr. Jeff Rose and is currently a faculty member in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah, where he teaches courses in Outdoor Recreation Studies, with an emphasis on social and environmental justice. His research uses qualitative and spatial methods to examine systemic inequities expressed through class, race, political economy, and relationships to nature.

The western Chugach - the mountains surrounding Anchorage and the Mat-su valley to the east, are a veritable playground for hikers and climbers.  Although the rock is predominantly poor in quality, the peaks are striking, sometimes rising 5,000 from the valley floor, with a variety of snow and ice lines penetrating their faces.  Historically, these peaks have been scaled by mountaineers of all skill levels.  But in recent years, skiers have started exploring some of the larger objectives - and one of the most sought after lines, is the north couloir of Mount Rumble.Resembling a lower-elevation K2, Mount Rumble rises nearly 5,000 out of the headwaters of Peter's Creek Valley - it's symmetrical walls forming an almost perfect pyramid.  The North Couloir nakes it's way up the mountain, and is consistently 40-50 degrees for almost 4,500'.  Suffice to say - it's an epic climbing or ski line - depending on conditions of course.In April, local Anchorage skiers and endurance athletes, Brian Harder and Lars Flora, skied the line - but the did it incredible style - making the 26 mile round trip, with over 14,000' of elevation gain, in 13 hours round trip.I recently caught up with Brian to hear about the experience, what he learned along the way, and some future objectives that he might explore.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••NotesProduced by Evan PhillipsEditing & Sound Design by Pod PeakMusic & Sound Design by Evan PhillipsSupport The Firn LinePatreonPayPalMerchSponsorsAlaska Rock GymThe Hoarding Marmot

Last year, deep in Alaska's Chugach Mountains, guide Jordan Voigt experienced a catastrophic boot failure that left his feet unusable for weeks. This episode, we dig deep into injury recovery and maintaining fitness as we age.  "Old man yoga," daily miles, packing weight, and knowing your own body are critical ingredients to maintaining a backcountry-capable level of fitness into your 60's and 70's. Voigt tells his story, and walks us through the process he used to come back. Need a teaser? Wearing Crocs and riding horses while hunting played a big part. Passionate hunter that he is, Voigt refused to lay on the couch during hunting season, instead finding alternate ways to hunt and achieve great success in rugged country.  Mental toughness, humility, and patience also play a huge part in successfully hunting the backcountry through middle age and into your later years. Horses—and perhaps even more, Llamas—can be come important assets.  Before wrapping up, we talk sheep and brown bear rifles and cartridges, just because we can.  ENJOY!  FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!  Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:  www.browning.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.timneytriggers.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Sarah Ortegon was born in Denver, Colorado and is an enrolled Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho. In 2013 she graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelors degree in Fine Art with a concentration in drawing. In August 2013 she was crowned Miss Native American, USA. Soon after Ortegon started touring with the Native Pride Dancers, traveling and performing the jingle dress dance in the US and also in Moldova, Europe and Guatemala. In March of 2020 before the pandemic hit, Ortegon was able to perform in Times Square, NY to dance alongside the film previously created. In collaboration with Choctaw artist Jeffery Gibson, they filmed “She Never Dances Alone,” and the film was displayed on over 60 monitors every night at midnight for several months in Times Square. Ortegon was the featured artist for the opening of MALCS Conference in 2016 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY. She is now published in the MALCS journal. Ortegon is pursuing her acting career and was cast in a play in Denver, CO in February of 2016 titled Black Elk Speaks. From there, she was cast in a musical called Sitting Bulls Last Waltz which premiered in Hollywood, California for the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June-July of 2016. Ortegon was cast as an extra in the BBC/NBC Sky 1 miniseries Jamestown which filmed in Budapest in August of 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2020, Ortegon was featured as an artist in a PBS Emmy nominated film called, “The Art of Home.” Ortegon also received her hiking and instructing certificate from National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in 2019. She has lead courses through the Wind River Mountain range for up to a month at a time. She also experienced sea kayaking and bushwhacking through the Prince William Sound and Chugach Mountains in Alaska. She is currently an Executive Legal Assistant for Native American Rights Fund (NARF), located out of Boulder, CO. The law firm focuses on Indigenous rights, which is in line with fighting issues like pipelines running through Indigenous communities. She still fills her free time with creative endeavors of course. Thank you, Sarah!!! {Sponsored by Wyoming Humanities Council}

Adam Gellman, a young glacier guide, tells the story of his adventures on an obscure (but challenging) Alaskan peak called Mt. Wickersham.This Trip Report is made possible with the gracious support of The Firn Line Patreon backers. To learn more about how you can become a Patreon subscriber, go to The Firn Line Patreon.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••NotesWritten &  Narrated by Adam GellmanProduced by Evan PhillipsEditing & Sound Design by Pod PeakOriginal Music by Evan PhillipsSupport The Firn LinePatreonPayPalMerchSponsorsAlaska Rock GymThe Hoarding Marmot

Rachel James Rachel James was born and raised in Palmer, Alaska. She started working at the NOLS Alaska branch at the age of 15, cleaning toilets and landscaping; this was also when she started ice climbing. Rachel took a NOLS Alaska Mountaineering course at 16 and started working as a mountaineering instructor after taking the first-ever NOLS Alaska Instructors Course in 2000 at 19. During her time at NOLS from 2000 to 2013, she mainly worked mountaineering expeditions while leading a few horse packing and hiking courses in Alaska, Patagonia, Yukon, and Wyoming. Rachel has also worked as a program supervisor at NOLS Alaska. Currently, she lives in the Chugach Mountains just outside of Anchorage and is working hard to defend salmon habitat in Alaska.

This week, Crude will be revisiting the top 5 most popular episodes of 2021. Number 4 on the list is with Dan Coffey, one of the youngest competitors at King of the Hill. Coffey's experience and recollection of King of the Hill is unique, in that he was just a teenager when he went. He was a senior in high school when he first competed in the event. He says it was surreal, he was up there in the Chugach Mountains, competing with and riding the same lines as many of the snowboarders he looked up to. So, for him, the abundance of drugs and alcohol weren't as front-and-center as they were for others. Sure, he participated in the festivities, but he rarely overindulged. He was there to snowboard. Coffey says that there was a sense of camaraderie and community at King of the Hill. That it was such an undertaking it took the whole town to do the event, so everybody had to be part of it. But between alcohol, illicit substances and young bravado, there was a lot of room for error. A number of times in this conversation, he makes a point of mentioning that nobody was ever seriously injured. Which, I think, could be a testament to skill and preparation or it could be a testament to luck. In a separate conversation we had—when talking about the equalizing quality of the Chugach Mountains—Coffey told me, “Those mountains will bring the skiers and snowboarders with the biggest egos down to earth.”

Thomas Merton's journey to Alaska, a sojourn of seventeen days, has been rendered mostly as a "blip" within his remarkable biography. Yet the mysterious frontier suddenly surfaced to captivate him. Though short in duration, Merton's experience of the vast terrain, along with the talks he gave, were profound in spiritual insights. This presentation will explore that untold story, along with visual images of the places Merton experienced and photographic images taken by Merton himself. Kathleen Tarr, longtime Alaskan, lives and writes under the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage. She is the founder of the Alaska Chapter of the ITMS and author of We Are All Poets Here: Thomas Merton's Journey to Alaska – A Shared Story about Spiritual Seeking (2018). Her essays have appeared in We Are Already One: Thomas Merton's Message of Hope (2015) and Merton & Indigenous Wisdom (2019). She is a member of the ITMS board of directors, PEN America, and the Alaska Historical Society. She draws inspiration from contemplating the spiritual geography of mountains.

HOUR 1Lydia Jakoby wins Olympic Gold in Japan in the 100 Breaststroke /  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXfOaRqcOKEJoe in South Anchorage (originally from Moose Pass (near Seward, Alaska)The best of day 4 covering the Olympics competition in Tokyo /  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXfOaRqcOKEPresident Biden quietly adopts Trump-era border policy for asylum seekers / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aZ7h4UP6_sNo survivors in last night's small plane crash in the Chugach Mountains / https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/aviation/2021/07/27/troopers-no-survivors-in-crash-of-aircraft-in-chugach-state-park/?utm_medium=email&email=124601217&utm_source=second-street&utm_campaign=All+aboard+dead+in+crash+of+aircraft+in+Chugach+State+Park%2c+troopers+say Violence and crime surging for another week across the nation in major cities and what can be done to curb the carnage / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aZ7h4UP6_sHerschel Walker on FOX News's Sean Hannity Show about protests at the Olympics and the urgency to be pro-America / https://www.foxnews.com/media/herschel-walker-woke-us-olympiansHOUR 2 Lydia Jakoby wins Olympic Gold in Japan in the 100 Breaststroke / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXfOaRqcOKEAre the speakers at the January 6th awash DC rally liable for inciting violence or not?/ https://www.npr.org/2021/07/26/1020786560/a-lawsuit-against-jan-6-rally-speakers-forces-doj-to-consider-whos-legally-immunAmber Northern—senior vice president for research at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute—to come on the show regarding Fordham's significant new report, The State of State Standards for Civics and U.S. History in 2021 / https://fordhaminstitute.org/ 

In this newscast: A dozen women have accused former Juneau-area chiropractor Jeffrey Fultz of sexually abusing them under the guise of treating them for medical problems; A two-year project aimed at honoring Alaska's veterans in Hoonah is finally complete; Troopers say the two adult occupants of a plane that crashed in the Chugach Mountains north of Anchorage on Monday are dead.

In this one, I talk to Dan Coffey about his experience at King of the Hill. Coffey’s experience and recollection of King of the Hill is unique, in that he was just a teenager when he went. He was a senior in high school when he first competed in the event. He says it was surreal, he was up there in the Chugach Mountains, competing with and riding the same lines as many of the snowboarders he looked up to. So, for him, the abundance of drugs and alcohol weren’t as front-and-center as they were for others. Sure, he participated in the festivities, but he rarely overindulged. He was there to snowboard. Coffey says that there was a sense of camaraderie and community at King of the Hill. That it was such an undertaking it took the whole town to do the event, so everybody had to be part of it. But between alcohol, illicit substances and young bravado, there was a lot of room for error. A number of times in this conversation, he makes a point of mentioning that nobody was ever seriously injured. Which, I think, could be a testament to skill and preparation or it could be a testament to luck. In a separate conversation we had—when talking about the equalizing quality of the Chugach Mountains—Coffey told me, “Those mountains will bring the skiers and snowboarders with the biggest egos down to earth.”

In this conversation, Cody talks with King of the Hill competitors Julie Zell and Steve Klassen. King of the Hill was a legendary snowboard competition held in Thompson Pass back in the 1990s that hosted a number of different perspectives. There were the partiers, the general participants and the competitors. Julie and Steve were competitors. They were the ones who got up early and made conscious notes of their surroundings and snow conditions. If they partied, they did so sparingly, knowing full-well that the next day they could be deep in the Chugach Mountains, surrounded by variable conditions. For their skill and preparation, Julie and Steve both won King of the Hill multiple times. Steve won twice and Julie won three times. For both of them, Thompson Pass—during those nascent years of snowboarding—was an outlaw world of guideless backcountry runs, heavy partying and the criminality that King of the Hill attracted. It was far from the world Julie and Steve had come from. In many ways, it represented a more primitive order to life, where everyone was able to adhere to their baser instincts. Today, you can see the lasting impression King of the Hill made on more modern day snowboard competitions like the Verbier stop in the Freeride World Tour and Kings and Queens of Corbet's in Jackson Hole. Although the extracurriculars of those competitions are much more tame and less primitive.

Meg Smith is a professional graphic designer and fine artist. Her paintings merge graphic design styles and realism to in a unique style that celebrate the Alaskan landscapes she loves. Meg lives in Girdwood, Alaska and has called the Chugach Mountains of Alaska home for ten years. In the past couple years, Meg has focused on flight training, bought a plane and now explores backcountry flying in the same beautiful areas that she paints. In this conversation we talk about writing your own story, creation as a private act of meditation, how to take the first step in any ambition, risk assessment, lifestyle design, spot landing an airplane in the backcountry, glacier landing, ski flying, kayaking and much more. Meg’s down to earth and positive energy is infectious and I had to edit out a lot of chuckles and laughter so you can hear her better. She was a delight to speak with. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mythogynist/message

Climatology continues to play a huge role in the education and preparation for Alaskans in a changing climate. Rick Thoman tried to retire a couple years ago, but finds that his passion for all things climate keep him working with the scientific community. After receiving an honor of the 2020 NOAA Distinguished Career Award for Professional Achievement, Rick continues to share his knowledge with his colleagues, including Brian Brettschneider of Anchorage. PhD Climatologist and Environmental Geographer, Brian Brettschneider, works closely with Rick Thoman, who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska. While he claims to not have left Anchorage since the start of the pandemic, Brian may be seen in the high country of the Chugach Mountains or along the coastline with his drone. Both contribute their expertise to the scientific community as well as the aviation community with the ever evolving weather forecast center.Thanks to our guests, Rick(@AlaskaWx) and Brian(@Climatologist49)for making today's podcast extra special. Happy Friday from Alaska!Katie Writer@akktwriterPilot/photographer/journalist/artistPS. You can see Alaskan Aerial Photography and Nature Inspired Art at:https://www.katiewritergallery.comRecently Published Article in AOPA Pilot Magazine October 2020 issue:"Witness to Change~General Aviation's Role in the Study of Climate".https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/october/pilot/witness-to-change

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a farm in extreme climates?  Hailing from Alaska, Allie Barker of Chugach Farm joins us for today’s episode. Chugach Farm’s mission is to support biological and soil health by nurturing plants and animals to provide an abundance of nutrient-dense food, empower the community to re-connect to local food systems, enable personal health and wellness through herbal medicine, food as medicine and energy-efficiency, adopt food storage methods that maintain years of food without consuming fossil fuel, and to develop energy-efficient farming methods and tool hacks as a model for others to live luxuriously with less. As lofty a mission as this is, Allie tackles them head on with gusto! Growing up as part of a passionate outdoorsy family, responsibility and discipline came early in life and has continuously developed ever since...and it certainly shows on the farm! Tune in to find out all about Chugach Farm’s complex operations and how they stay thriving in their atypical climate!   You’ll hear: An overview of Chugach Farm’s operations 2:13 About the impact of having 20 hours of daylight in the Summer and cold dark Winters on the farm 3:40 How Allie handles the heavy summer workload 7:41 Which vegetables work best in the short/cold season 9:07 How their crops and ferments are sold 11:45 What the ferment development process looks like 12:42 About the state of local food in Alaska 15:52 What the scope of the animal side of the Chugach operation looks like 21:02 How Allie manages the numerous tasks on the farm 27:54 About the hardest thing Allie had to do while building Chugach Farm 29:57 Who Allie’s mentors were throughout her farming journey 35:51 How Allie runs the fan systems for her greenhouses 35:45 What Allie would go back and change at the beginning of her farming operation 36:11 How Allie manages labor on the farm 38:15 Where Chugach Farm sells their products 40:42 About the transplants side of Chugach Farm 44:52 How Allie maintained her customer base when moving to online sales 46:36 The biggest mistakes Allie sees newer farmers making 48:12 What newer farmers should avoid during their first year of farming 49:00 Allie’s favorite farming tool 51:10 How Allie feels about starting a farm today 53:29 Where you can find out more about Allie and Chugach Farm 54:26 What Allie uses as a food preservation system 55:03   About the Guest: Allie spent her early years in Ohio on her parent’s farm shoveling manure, playing in the dirt, and observing her mother put-up more tomatoes than anyone could eat in a lifetime.  These formative years were not easy to wash off and helped to nurture her intuitive passion for self-sufficiency. Growing up as part of a passionate outdoorsy family, responsibility and discipline came at an early age.  Her commitment to athletic pursuits, combined with an incredibly positive father as a role model, gave her the determination and courage to follow her dreams. At 18 years of age, Allie migrated to Alaska to attempt a winter ascent of Mt. Marcus Baker. She found more than mountains to climb.  In addition to endless epic mountains she saw the potential to build a homestead, grow food, and live off-grid. Knowing she would soon return to Alaska permanently, Allie finished up her Bachelor of Arts Degree majored in sustainable agriculture, herbal medicine, alternative energy and sustainable architecture at Evergreen State College. Most of Allie’s adult life has been spent in the outdoors as a mountain guide, avalanche forecaster, and homesteader.  She naturally settled in the quiet town of Chickaloon nested between the beautiful Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains, nurtured by the rapids of the Matanuska and Chickaloon Rivers, located at the end of a beaten path deep in the heart of the Matanuska Valley, Alaska. After meeting her husband on a 40-day mountaineering trip on the Nelchina and Matanuska Glaciers, she convinced him to stay and be part of the adventure. Since purchasing land in Alaska in 2002, Allie and Jed have put their hearts, souls, blood and a few tears into creating a small scale, off-grid homestead and farm. In 2010, with Jed’s encouragement, Allie began to lead the charge in farming after deciding to produce on a different scale and committing to farming, nutrition, making ferments, and putting up food “full time.” Having been diagnosed with celiac disease in her mid-20’s, Allie was motivated to commit to a 100% local and nutrient dense diet of wild game, farm raised meat, good local fat, ferments, root veggies, raw goat milk, and eggs. She is proud of not having to rely on the grocery store for over 14 years and feels better than ever, never looking back. Allie melds her education, strong work ethic, love for the soil, and passion for herbal medicine and a nutrient-dense diet, into a full-time farm-life obsession. Chugach Farm has been in full operation since 2010, selling their goods at farmer’s markets, restaurants, on and off CSAs, CSF, local customers, and now direct marketing through the NEW Chugach Farm online store.   Resources: Website - https://www.chugachfarm.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chugachfarm/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chugachfarm/

It was a clear day in the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage Alaska, on April 27, 2003, Nick, age 19, a thrill-seeker, always dreamed of visiting Alaska and jumped at the chance to see it through a mutual friend, without even having met his hiking partners before. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-the-wild/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a clear day in the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage Alaska, on April 27, 2003, Nick, age 19, a thrill-seeker, always dreamed of visiting Alaska and jumped at the chance to see it through a mutual friend, without even having met his hiking partners before. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-the-wild/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today's episode is a story about adventure.  It's a story about getting scared.   It's a story of friendship and love.  It's a story about self-discovery and learning from your mistakes.  But the learning in this story doesn't take place in a formal classroom, or an online forum.  Rather, It takes place in the mountains - in a small sub-range of striking peaks and glaciers, just outside of Anchorage, Alaska. It was in these peaks, known as the Western Chugach, where Brendon Lee's life changed - in more ways than one.  And like a lot of folks who end up in the north, Brendan's journey to Alaska started very far away - on an Air Force base, in Texas...LinksThe Firn LIneAK MountainEvan Phillips MusicSponsorsAlaska Rock GymThe Hoarding MarmotDeclination Roasting

Alaska's Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) was named the world's busiest airport for a day. The airport snagged the title after handling 948 airplane arrivals and departures on April 25. Due to the ongoing pandemic, many airline companies have decided to halt passenger flight operations. However, the demand for cargo transport has increased, leading to an influx of freight. According to ANC's airport manager, the need to deliver medical supplies from Asia to North America has contributed to the increased number of cargo flights. Located at the base of the Chugach Mountains in Alaska, ANC serves a small city of around 300,000 people. Despite this, the airport claims to be the center of global air cargo because of its proximity to the world's top industry hubs. From ANC, 90% of the industrialized world can be reached by air within 9.5 hours. In addition, even before the pandemic, ANC was known as the busiest seaplane hub in the world. It has also been consistently ranked as the fifth busiest cargo airport on Earth, with approximately 2.7 million tons of cargo arriving annually. Alexandre de Juniac, the CEO of the International Air Travel Association (IATA), said that cargo operations are a bright spot in the airline industry's situation amid the pandemic. According to him, cargo transport is the only part generating revenue at the moment. Data from an air travel monitoring website also revealed that many of the world's flights still operating during the pandemic belong to freight companies like FedEx and UPS, or cargo divisions of airlines.

Near the turn of the 20th century, Alaska lured thousands of eager prospectors in search of precious minerals to its bountiful mountains. What many found was far more treacherous.

Beth is an avid traveler, hiker, and photographer who can often be found in the Chugach Mountains. Beth is a fundraising consultant and an active community volunteer, including serving on the board of Alaska Public Media and the newly formed Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance (www.akeatingdisordersalliance.org). She has a dashing husband and two very cool adult children

Last spring, Andy and Katherine Wyatt set up basecamp on the Powell Glacier in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains.After years of individual rad mountain accomplishments in climbing and skiing, they realized they’d never taken a large trip together. The trip started perfectly and then it all went wrong. At full volume, the power of the natural world is terrifying and the limitations of our physical forms so evident. Survival stories are powerful. To the listener, they pose a question. What would you do? Would you make it? What would run through your mind? It’s all theoretical — until it’s not.

The Chugach Mountains form Anchorage’s scenic skyline.  While during the summer the trail heads are full of people and access is easy. Winter is a different story.  For quiet and solitude a winter week day in the almost 500,000 acre Chugach State Park is hard to beat.  On this week’s show we’ll be talking about exploring the Chugach Mountains in the winter.  Thanks for listening!

Every mountaineer has a favorite mountain range, a place that for whatever reason centers them, gives them a piece of mind, creates a sense of belonging.  For some, it might be a well-known place like the Sierras: an area of impeccably clean granite towers, speckled with pristine, aqua-colored alpine lakes and a constant supply of near perfect weather.  For others, it might be the Swiss Alps, a range steeped in mountain history and culture, with a list of bold and ultra-classic lines too innumerable to count. And for others, like Alaskan climber and mountain adventurer Eric Parsons, it's the more obscure areas, like the western ramparts of Alaska's Chugach Mountains, that define their lives. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Music by https://evanphillips.bandcamp.com/ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Links: https://ericparsons.exposure.co/ http://www.revelatedesigns.com/ http://www.littleatriathlon.com http://www.thefirnline.com http://www.patreon.com/thefirnline http://www.evanphillips.net ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Sponsors: http://www.alaskarockgym.com http://www.moosestooth.net http://www.hoardingmarmot.com http://www.behindthesuntherapeutics.com

It's no accident that Brad Meiklejohn makes his home in a beautiful alpine valley outside of Anchorage, Alaska.  An avid pack rafter, climber and skier, Brad has spent much of his life exploring Alaska and other remote corners of the world.  But beyond his accomplishments in the outdoors, the mountains have always been a sacred place of reflection and self discovery, attributes that can certainly be traced to his deep family roots. • As a kid, Brad followed his grandmother and cousins on hiking and climbing adventures in The White Mountains of New Hampshire.  It was during these formative years that Brad would lay the foundation for his future outdoor ambitions.  But more than anything, his family instilled in him a deep loyalty to each other, as well as a sense of duty to protect the natural world they loved.   • This way of life was a natural progression for Brad, first as an avid climber, skier, and avalanche forecaster in Utah, then as Alaska Director of The Conservation Fund, a position he's now held for over 20 years.   • But as much fulfillment as his career and personal adventures have brought, there's been equal amounts of tragedy and sadness.  Over the course of Brad's outdoor career, he's lost over 30 friends in mountain-related deaths, a toll that has affected him profoundly.  But perhaps none of these deaths have affected him more than loss of Kyle Dempster, a young American alpinist with whom he shared a deep family and spiritual connection. • A few months ago, I drove out to Brad's mountain-side home in the Chugach Mountains, hoping to gain insight into his wilderness adventures, his philosophies about conservation, as well as his meaningful relationship with Kyle.   Links: http://www.patreon.com/thefirnline http://www.evanphillips.net https://www.conservationfund.org/where-we-work/alaska https://packraft.org/ https://thingstolucat.com/ http://www.alaskarockgym.com/

On today's episode, we'll get to know Alaskan alpinist Sam Johnson. Growing up in the foothills of the Chugach Mountains, Sam was exposed to the outdoors and mountain environments at a young age. But it wasn't until his teenage years that he discovered a newfound focus and direction thru climbing. • Since that time, Johnson has climbed extensively Alaska, Canada, Europe and even the far reaches of the Karakoram. His quiet first ascents in Alaska's Hayes Range, including a bold solo on the South East Face of Mount Hayes in 2013, highlight the spirit of adventure and self discovery that Sam seeks in climbing, and in life. • I recently sat down with Sam to talk about his trajectory as an alpinist, as well as the things that inspire him on a day to day basis. • Episode Music Space Song / E. Phillips / Evan & Molly (2012) Augusta / E. Phillips / Unreleased (2017) Instrumental #1 / E. Phillips / Songs From Lake Irene (2007) Hwy 395 / Easton Stagger Phillips / One For The Ditch (2008) Hell Of A Life / Easton Stagger Phillips / One For The Ditch (2008) Red Bandana / Easton Stagger Phillips / One For The Ditch (2008) Weight Of Changing Everything / Easton Stagger Phillips / Overseas (2014) Block Me Out / Easton Stagger Phillips / Overseas (2014) Show Links: patreon.com/thefirnline https://thefirnline.com https://evanphillips.net americanalpineclub.org/sharp-end-podcast/

  MOOSE CAN BE AGGRESSIVE. Moose have evolved defenses to keep them from becoming easy prey. Unfortunately for humans, moose sometimes perceive us as threats. When a moose feels threatened it has only two choices, either to flee or attack. Normally it will flee, and we can feel glad or apologetic, but when a moose decides to be aggressive, we can find ourselves in a dangerous situation. Moose can become aggressive in winter when they are hungry, tired of walking in deep snow, and being harassed by dogs and people. During mating season bull moose may be aggressive towards other bulls and humans. Each year in Alaska more people are injured by moose than by bears. In the past ten years two people have died from moose attacks in the Anchorage area. Each year there are at least 5-1O moose-related injuries in the Anchorage area alone, with many reports of charging moose in neighborhoods or on ski trails. AVOlD CONFRONTAT1ONS. First and most important to avoiding confrontations is to give moose plenty of room. DO NOT APPROACH THEM. Moose, like other animals, have a distance around them, that if entered by another animal--wolf, dog, bear, or human--causes them to react. Biologists call this area "personal space" or "critical distance." COWS AND CALVES NEED EXTRA ROOM. Moose calves, because of their size and lack of experience, are particularly susceptible to predation. Thus cow moose have evolved some very strong defensive behaviors. If one perceives a threat to its calf, it may attack. A cow moose can defend itself against a full-grown grizzly. If you are out walking and see a calf but not a cow, be very careful; you may have gotten between them and will want to remove yourself without drawing their attention. Calves themselves can also be dangerous. Weighing 200 to 400 pounds by their first winter, they are fully equipped to injure a predator--or a human. DOGS AND MOOSE DON'T MIX. Moose are likely to treat dogs just as they do wolves. If Lassie barks and runs towards a moose, the moose is likely to defend itself by lunging, kicking, and chasing the dog. A frightened dog, not having been a wolf for several thousand years, will run back to its master for protection, and you may find yourself between your pet and 1000 pounds of irate moose that seems capable of kicking in four directions at once. Because moose consider dogs to be their enemies they may go out of their way to kick at them, no matter if the dog is on a leash or in a fenced yard. If you have a dog with you, give moose extra room. Each year packs of domestic dogs harm and sometimes kill moose. Moose calves are especially vulnerable. It is against the law to allow your pet to harass wildlife. If your dog is a habitual offender it may be destroyed by authorized personnel. Moose need to conserve energy during long Alaska winters. Being chased by dogs can lead to exhaustion, weakness, inability to move to feed, and ultimately death. MOOSE BODY LANGUAGE. Moose use body language as a method of communication. Understanding this language will help keep both you and the moose out of harmi way. The first thing you might notice is that a moose has stopped feeding, walking, or resting, and is looking at you. Its ears will be up and it will be listening as well as looking for clues as to what you are, and what you may be up to. You can stay where you are, or increase the distance between you and the moose. The moose can move towards you, stay put, or move away. What you do influences what the moose does. You should be thinking: Does the moose have room! Does it have a safe escape route! Could it consider me a threat! If the moose has your garden fence on one side, your house on another, and you are in its only path of escape, it is going to behave differently than if it is on the edge of your lawn with only the Chugach Mountains beyond. Even then, what looks like a logical escape route to you isn't always apparent to a moose. Terrified moose have run through and over all manner of things. If the moose puts down its head, lowers its ears, and the hair on its back and neck go up, it's time to start worrying and looking for your own escape route. The moose may begin to lick its lips and walk towards you. The moose is telling you very clearly in moose language that either you have gotten too close and are a threat, or, in urban areas where it may have been hand-fed by humans, it may think you have something for it to eat. Regardless of the reason, you are too close and in a dangerous situation. Back off and look for something to get behind. A TRUE MOOSE STORY Sour Dough John "l've noticed that moose get angry, especially after a long winter ofharassment by people and dogs. Their anger can easily be directed at an innocent bystander. Several years ago I was working on my snow machine in the back yard, when a yearling calf walked out ofthe woods. Its teeth were clicking, its hackles were up, and its ears laid back. I chuckled as it slowly approached me and when it reached a distance ofabout 20 yards, I said, who are you trying to kid. When it got to within IO yards, I waved my hands and yelled Shoo. In an instant I found myself curled in a ball, the moose flailing over me. Fortunately, he left me with only a few bruises, but he definitely proved his point: I was on his turf and he could do what he darned pleased. I had made three mistakes in this unprovoked attack. First, I didn't realize that my dog had been pestering the moose in the woods. Second, I didn't appreciate his verbar warnings. Third, I underestimated his physical capabilities. This moose was in a bad humor and I happened to be in his way. He gave me ample opportunity to retreat, and when I didn't, I made his day. IF A MOOSE CHARGES... Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs--warnings for you to get back. They should nevertheless be taken seriously. If a moose chases you, get behind something solid. You can run around a tree faster than a moose can. If a moose knocks you down, it may continue running or start stomping and kicking with all four feet. Curl up in a ball, protect your head with your arms, and lie still. Don't try to move until the moose moves a safe distance away or it may renew its attack. DON'T FEED MOOSE. 1T'S AGAlNST THE LAW! Feeding moose either at your house, dumpster, or haystack is against the law. Moose quickly become habituated, and can be very aggressive when they expect to be fed. It may seem harmless to feed a hungry moose out of your car window or off your porch. However, when the same moose charges a child on the way to school, with the hope of a handout, the outcome can be tragic. A moose with a history of unprovoked attacks will be shot by enforcement officers to protect public safety. By feeding a moose, you are likely contributing to its death. DON'T RESCUE BABY MOOSE. Every year people find "abandoned" moose calves. In most cases the mother has moved off for one reason or another and will return. If you find a calf, remember that its best chance for survival is to be left alone. After early July calves are weaned and capable of surviving on their own, although they remain very vulnerable to predation. REMEMBER. . . If for any reason you have to get close to a moose, ALWAYS MAlNTAlN AN ESCAPE ROUTE.