The Glacier landing.
- Aren’t you scared of flying in small planes? I can easily see how you would be If you have never been in a small plane before, but I’ve spent a LOT of time in small planes. My father brought our family to Alaska in 1961 mainly because he loved hunting, but Alaska has so few roads that the only good way to hunt is with an airplane. So as soon as we got here my dad got his Pilot’s license and bought a Super Cub, the best small bush plane you can buy. So I’ve spent hundreds of ours in the back seat of his plane on wheels, skis and floats. I’ve flown in all kinds of bad, turbulent weather and landed on some tiny little landing strips including beaches, tundra, lakes, gravel bars, and tiny clearings. So getting into this DeHavilland Otter was second nature to me.
- Do I get to enjoy the trips, or am I so busy with the camera taking pictures that I don’t fully participate in it? That’s a question I’ve given a lot of thought to because the camera is basically glued to my eye the whole time there is any action going on. Occasionally I put it down and look around, but the great majority of the trip is seen through the viewfinder. Am I cheating myself out of the full experience of the trip just for some pictures? The simple answer is no, I’m not. It’s impossible for me to express how much I enjoy the act of photographing these trips. My single greatest joy in this life have been the moments I’ve spent with a camera to my eye, or standing behind the camera on a tripod waiting for something (sunrise or sunset, better light, an animal to move, the Northern Lights to glow brighter, etc.). I’ve written about this before so I won’t repeat it but there is something about the technical requirements and the creativity of nature photography that brings me to a state of almost ecstasy. It sounds silly but I think more of my brain is engaged then, than at any other time of my life. More than that it puts the event so deeply into my memory bank that at any time I can look at those photos and the joy of that moment floods back to me just like I traveled back in time and was literally reliving it.
A selfie in front of McKinley.
Looking down from McKinley at where we are going to land. The arrow marks the spot. The large are in front of it is the Ruth Amphitheater and the Ruth glacier flows out of it.
In this close-up you can see the area between the steep cliff and the rock. You can see them in most of the shots from the ground.
Here you can see the plane on the ground where we are going to land between the steep cliffs and the rock.
In this shot you can see the Ruth Amphitheater below us. You can also see the skis with the wheels all the way up above the skis.
While it is ice in the winter in the summer the top layer thaws so we were walking around in about 5 inches of snow—that’s why they had given us Gore-Tex over-boots. If you are familiar with most snow in the mountains, as it thaws in the spring you “posthole” down into it. That means your leg sinks through all the way down to your crotch and then you have to struggle out of it. But this is an actual glacier so only the top few inches thaw in the summer; underneath its ice year-around.
These were BIG cliffs! This photo doesn’t really show it.
In this shot you can barely see Mt McKinley about 6 miles away. You can see a tiny part of it behind the highest cloud on the far right. In the foreground you can see our “landing strip.”
This jerk kept jumping in front of my camera!
The pilot kept up his tourist information on the way home and it was also very interesting and made the trip go faster. When we got back to the hanger and we were climbing out, I make sure to tip the pilot a twenty dollar bill so other passengers could see me. It seems odd to tip a pilot because usually we never see them, but on flight-seeing trips it’s normal to do so, even if it is not expected or required. On the Bear viewing trip I tipped the pilot who flew me $20 and Dereck the naturalist guide $50; that’s 10% of the cost. I thought he went so far and above what was expected that I wish I could have given him more.
Flying home following the Ruth Glacier. With the bubble windows, I’m shooting right down the side of the plane.
We’re just about out of the mountains; these are the foothills leading up to McKinley.
If you don’t have that, now is the time to start. If not now, when?
Overlooking the Ruth Amphitheater.
This is coming in for the landing. Straight ahead, between the propellers, is the gorge with the Ruth glacier. On the left of it is the cliff we are landing beside’
The cabin of the plane, We were all very relaxed and happy on the flight home!
Are activities available that would include furry little beasts? (dogs?)
Canine, I’m not sure I understand the question. Do you mean like a doggie daycare? Because I lost Homer before we got up there I never looked into it. Besides, with Judy along she would have watched Homer for me if he had made it. Not only that but it is almost never too hot for a dog to stay in the van so I could have just left him in the van if he had been along. I was gone almost 8 hours for the bear viewing so for that I would have needed daycare.
Bob
I meant which activities allow dogs to be included. Activities 4 hours or less are good, too, but am curious about the ones that actually include dogs. Like when you got close to the bears. My dog is fine around bears, but the bears wouldn’t be so accommodating. (I’m imagining the disruption that would cause! Lol. No fun!) Since I would likely be alone, finding a doggy-sitter could be challenging. Enlisting in activities that included dogs, although limiting, would be ideal.
Canine, none of the fly-in trips will let you bring a dog. In fact both were into National Parks so it would have been illegal as well as unsafe.
Bob
Wow…it looks like the snow and the glaz
iers are disappearing. Are they?
leftcoaster, most glaciers all over the world are in sharp retreat but I’m not aware of these retreating faster than most. Probably some, but I don’t think an unusual amount.
Bob
Those pictures, with their different perspectives, give a real idea of the scale of the mountain. I guess if I want to really feel it I’d have to go there.
No doubt you’re right Calvin, no photo can take the place of the experience. But, they can take you instantly back to an experience you already had!
Bob
Bob, just wanted to let you know, I followed your adventure all summer long. Great postings, and terrific photography. Too bad it is coming to an end:(. But look forward to your next adventure!
Thanks terry. I’m hoping to see you in the desert again this year!
Bob
Well, you know, I come on the odd years, so we’ll see you soon. Nir-Van-a, me, and Lucy:)
Judy and I are looking forward to seeing you again!
Bob
yep what Terry said. I am sad to see this book end. Oh well I will look forward to you next adventure book.
Thanks Linda!
Bob
Me too…
I have enjoyed every “travelogue” post. Your pictures were so well done; providing a great perspective to a spectacular adventure. The bear viewing and McKinley flight were unbeatable! I also appreciated the tipping tips, camping info and the road details.
Thanks Swade!
Bob
I’ve been following along too, and really enjoying your trip vicariously. Your photos are amazing! Linda Barton has a good idea: you should bundle these posts and photos up and put them on Kindle… as well as your other adventures. A lot of people would buy them!
LaVonne, the Kindle does not do well with photos. The fire isn’t bad but it isn’t good either.
But I appreciate the thought!
Bob
Thanks for the great pictures. When I went to Alaska, I went to the park that has Mt. McKinley in the middle, and my pictures we’re nearly as good as yours from the plane. They make you take a bus in that park, and all the pictures were from ground level, so not nearly as many perspectives. Also, quite often the top of the mountain is obscured by clouds. I was very disappointed that the park service personnel are so controlling about driving the park road(S), but I guess they’re just doing their jobs. I think the only way to really experience that park is by backpacking, because the park service has it so regulated. Ug. I’m sure there are people who would cause great damage to the park if not prevented from doing so, but I’ve spent my whole life dealing with rules and regulations that bureaucrats put up because of the bad deeds of others who couldn’t manage themselves, and I’m kind of tired of it. Anyway. Again, thanks for great photos. You had the right idea taking the plane ride up into the mountains. The pictures really make that plain. I’m looking forward to your comments on living space, and whether or not a van is big enough for 2 people. Tell Judy that I found her comments to be very helpful too!
Dan, having been a campground host I have a better understanding of the total necessity of the many rules. Probably 90% of my campers were great, thoughtful people out to have fun. But the remaining 10% were such a**holes that the only way to take care of the campground is through strict enforcement to strict rules. It’s pretty hard to imagine the incredibly stupid things people will do.
The National Park Service has ONE job, to preserve the National Parks just the way they are for ALL future generations. It’s a very difficult job but they do it extremely well. I don’t like their rules either, but I totally respect the need for them.
Bob