Jim and Steve split off from the group for a few days and took this shot of The Tusk above unnamed lakes. Dave, Craig and I climbed The Tusk (Also called “The Elephant’s Tooth) on this day. Photo by Steve Sharpe. “A great day! For once we weren’t “The Crack of Noon Club.” We mustContinue reading “August 19, 1986”
Author Archives: wringmaster
August 18, 1986
Xanadu, Ariel and Caliban from our base camp on Arrigetch Creek. “I got up around 10 or 11 and gathered a cup or more of blueberries for our pancakes. We sat around and pigged. The Alaskans had expresso!” – Journal August 18, 1986 After the previous day’s march, it was nice to leave the packsContinue reading “August 18, 1986”
August 17, 1986
“‘The crack of noon club’ had made it’s debut. We packed up quickly because of the dreaded haul… …the pace at the beginning of the day was set by maniac Tony. I thought I would drop. The mosquitos were awful. I had serious doubts. The tussocks thinned out but the pace was intense. I feltContinue reading “August 17, 1986”
August 16, 1986
The regional carrier turboprop that took the lower 48 contingent to Bettles. The Alaskans flew their own plane. Jim, Tony, Mark, Sharon and Steve picked me up at Fairbanks International about 1:30 AM after getting pizza. We grabbed some beer at a 711 and went to the Regency Hotel and met up with Dave, CraigContinue reading “August 16, 1986”
August 15, 1986
As the day approached when we would rendezvous in Fairbanks, Alaska, we all carefully made plans for what would most certainly be an arduous trek into a very remote region. Brooks Range Passage by David Cooper was must-read prep. Mr. Cooper took on legendary proportions among our crew as a living symbol of “Perimeter Man”Continue reading “August 15, 1986”
Cerro de la Garita
Cerro Pedernal at dawn on the wonderful drive up to this one. 1 AUGUST 2026 W5N/SE-005 Elevation: 10,620′ Route: Old forestry roads Hike Distance: 2.3 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 300′ Navigation: Tricky* Steepness: Gentle Vehicle: Passenger car Road: Excellent dirt roads Cell Coverage: None from Verizon * Landmarks are obscured by the trees. TheContinue reading “Cerro de la Garita”
Palomas Peak
Palomas Peak from New Mexico Highway 165. The Pennsylvanian Age limestone layers provide cliffs for rock climbers 25 JULY 2026 W5N/SI-010 Elevation: 8,684′ Route: Forest Service Trail Hike Distance: 3.75 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 700′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Steep in places Vehicle: Passenger car* Road: Good dirt road Cell Coverage: Excellent Verizon *NM HighwayContinue reading “Palomas Peak”
San Pedro Mountain
The station looking north. That’s Redondo Peak and the Valles Caldera just past my chair. 18 JULY 2026 W5N/SI-012 Elevation: 8,241′ Route: Mining roads & cross country Hike Distance: 2.1 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 900′ Navigation: Not difficult Steepness: Steep in places Vehicle: High clearance 4WD suggested Road: Rough dirt Cell Coverage: Excellent VerizonContinue reading “San Pedro Mountain”
Protected: The Lightning Field
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Los Griegos
Looking like something Van Gogh painted, these sunflowers are either Mule’s Ears (Wyethia arizonica) or Arrow Leaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) – both obviously in the sunflower family, but hard to tell apart. 20 JUNE 2026 W5N/SE-012 Elevation: 10,118′ Route: 4WD track and good use trail Hike Distance: 4.0 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 930′ (includesContinue reading “Los Griegos”