Live the Outdoors

Photos For the Juneau Ice Field Story

More Pictures of the Amazing Juneau Ice Fields:

For the story about Alvin crossing the Juneau Ice fields associated with these pictures check out the article written by him at the posting ”Crossing the Juneau Ice field.” Click on the pictures for a description and for a closer look at the Juneau Ice fields. 

1 comment March 7th, 2006

28 Days in the Grand Canyon

I was blessed to spend 28 days rafting through and exploring the Grand Canyon. Most people are familiar with the majestic scene of the canyon from the rim and from the many trails that lead into the canyon. Nothing can compare with the sights, sounds, and experience of making this natural wonder your home for a month and being completely cutoff from the outside world. It seemed as though the world existed solely within the red walls of the canyon. Everyday we navigated through numerous slot canyons, swam in hot springs, played in waterfalls, explored Indian ruins and petroglyphs, ate the best food in the world, and survived the biggest white water in the western hemisphere. At night we warded off scorpions, endured dust storms, and fell asleep under the stars to the soft roar of distant rapids and cicadas.

In the evenings we would set up camp on a lonely sand beach. Camp had all the comforts of home with a river rat’s twist. There was the “kitchen,” which fit into a box but included everything, including a version of the kitchen sink. The “groover” was an interesting and scenic resemblance of the bathroom (complete with “The Rafter’s Joke Book” for reading material). As we relaxed after dinner the guitar would be passed around as we watched the sunset illuminate the cliffs and river. We would talk about the days events, tomorrows rapids, and rafting legends, but conversation never drifted to life outside the canyon. We had all grown so accustomed to our new way of life that adjusting to the “real world” would be difficult. Living with the rythmn of the river is what made this my favorite trip ever.

Add comment March 7th, 2006

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Last summer, while on a 2-month medical service mission in Katmandu, Nepal, I took a 10-day leave to hike the Annapurna Circuit. The craziest part of the trip was a 7-hour bus ride on winding roads, to the trailhead at 1500 feet. I followed the footsteps of Marco Polo as he made his way from Nepal to Tibet. The trail goes up and over a 17,770 foot pass and then forks; one trail goes into Tibet, the other circles around the Annapurna Range and takes you back into the lush foothills of Nepal. Unlike most hiking trails, this trail is a highway connecting a string of small farming and mercantile villages (50-100 people per village) established mostly by Tibetan refugees. Nearly all of the people hiking are the flip-flop-clad native Nepali people carrying heavy loads from the cities–live chickens, boxes of food, bags of rice, wheat, etc.
I found no one who was willing to do the 135-mile loop in 10 days with me except a scrawny older Nepali guy, about 45, who spoke very little English. He plays great chess though! So, I packed a pocket chess board, a camera, 5 books, a journal, three t-shirts, a sleeping bag, some cash, a water bottle, and a big first aid kit with all sorts of just-in-case medicines. At one point on the trip, I self-prescribed ciprofloxacin, a strong antibiotic used for food poisoning. My guide soon found out I had medicine and I gave him most of my ibuprofen for his toothaches. I stayed in the “tea houses” as they call them, for about $4 to $5 a night, which included dinner and breakfast. The food was actually great, and the weather was just perfect! I cannot describe the feelings I had, though, of walking right up to the 8000-meter peaks of the Annapurna Range and not having the time or money to climb them! I’ll have to return one day for sure.

Of all the hikes to do in Nepal, I’ve heard this is the best. Not only do you see what most say are the most beautiful mountains in the world, but also you stay with the Nepali farmers and experience true hospitality. You travel through historic sites and visit ancient Buddhist and Hindu monasteries, find oceanic fossils in river beds at 11,000 feet, and, best of all, eat lots of yak cheese! What a trip! I would definitely say this is the best trip I’ve ever done so far.
 

Add comment March 7th, 2006

Hiking in Adršpašské Skály

If you saw the movie Chronicles of Narnia, then you saw Adršpašské Skály. You may have seen the scenery in the movie and thought “wow, nice scenery! to bad it’s all computer animated.” Well, do not worry, it wasn’t. Every the scene where the kids are crossing a crazy-looking stone arch is real. Adršpašské Skály is in the Czech Republic and is what I consider my favorite trip ever.

While serving an LDS mission I had the opportunity to spend a p-day hiking in Adršpašské Skály which is just outside a little city called Adršpach in the Northern part of the Czech Republic. It was summer and the scenery was beautiful and the park was extremely green and alive with all sort of foliage. To properly visualize Adršpašské Skály think of the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park but granite instead of sandstone and plants instead of sand. We spent the day hiking a leisurely loop around the park and walked through tons of granite slot canyons. There was even a point where the path turned into a river and we had to take a boat to cross (a public boat, of course.) At other times, the way got a little rough and there were steps and platforms built into the rock.

While traveling the park, many of the stone monoliths had plagues attached to them which identified the name or characterization associated with the stone figure. We saw one that was The Giant’s Piano and looked very much like it could be just that. This just added to the mystical feeling of the park and the mid-evil feeling that Europe has anyway. In fact, much like the Chronicles of Narnia, I would describe the whole trip as magical.

Add comment March 7th, 2006

Inherently Outlandish Email List

On Saturday I went ice climbing with Brenton and Dr. Graham and Brenton and I came to the conclusion that we need to get out  and climb a lot more.  So, I’m helping Brenton start an email list for anybody interested in getting out.  I know it can be frustrating for somebody that wants to do something and can’t find anybody else to do it with.
To quote Brenton:

“This is an email group that I am starting to try to find more and new partners for alpine climbs and some backcountry snowboarding/splitboarding/skiing during the next year. I get out twice a week on average and most of my friends aren’t interested in going that often. I will most likely send an email out weekly. So if you are interested in getting out for a variety of things, sign up under what you are interested in below (that way I don’t spam you with emails about ice climbing trips when all you want to do is ski in the BC). Just put your email down and your name if you want. I can’t attend the OAC meetings regularly because I work nights, so my intent is to just find other ways to find people who want to climb. If you want to organize trips and you can’t do it through OAC for some reason, you can contact me and I’ll send out a notice to the group as well. 

-Brenton Peterson

Backcountry Skiing (splitboard, AT/tele skis or snowshoes required-avalanche gear preferred but not essential for all trips)

Ice Climbing and Rock Climbing (tools, crampons, harness required for ice, harness and shoes required for rock—all group gear provided)

Easier Alpine Climbs (Cascade Peak, Provo Peak, non-technical climbs—variety of gear required, but suitable for absolute beginners to mountaineering. Will take place in spring and summer, essentially partially guided climbs I have done before)

Moderate and Harder Alpine Climbs (technical rock, easy-moderate ice, steep snow climbs—N Ridge Pfeifferhorn, etc. Harness, axe, crampons, all gear required. Rope/pro/group gear provided)”

Anybody interested can sign up by emailing Brenton at fowweezer@yahoo.com or myself at osgumero@yahoo.com