Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Msturm on May 30, 2018, 04:10:30 AM

Title: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Msturm on May 30, 2018, 04:10:30 AM
I took the weekend to do some scouting in a section of AK you can only get to by boat or plane. I don't get my resident license until next year so this year is dedicated to scouting hard.  I spent 4 days in bear country and a couple evenings up high in the alpine country glassing sheep and goats. I brought a camera this time so I figured I would share some pictures. I hope you enjoy.   Boy was my 10 year old dog tired after all those miles and skree scrambles. :-)

Sunset night 1. Around 11 pm. Hammock camping in 30 degree weather is actually pretty comfortable if you do it right.  (https://i.imgur.com/iqSPx2t.jpg?1)

Mid day a top a ridge. Lots of goat and sheep sign. Spotted some nice ones.   (https://i.imgur.com/aakV1Nt.jpg?1)

Morning glass on the bay. (https://i.imgur.com/D1t5LKi.jpg?1)

Glassing for bears on day 2. Saw 9. Mostly sows with cubs. There are definitely a couple big boys around though. (https://i.imgur.com/GANS8uo.jpg?1)

The alpine Azaleas are blooming up at about 3,000 feet.  (https://i.imgur.com/28CSLIa.jpg?1)

Spent some time fishing. Catch and release. Grayling. (https://i.imgur.com/LAnY4eG.jpg?1)

Day 3 Hiking through some heavy bear sign hoping for a look at a few. shooting some arrows at stumps and squirrels. Picking out my peak for glassing for sheep and goats. (https://i.imgur.com/tVvdXJf.jpg?1)

Getting up to the top of the peak involves about a 200 yard scramble over skree and some pretty technical bouldering/sketch climbing... Careful is the name of the game on this adventure. The view from the top is pretty stunning. I stayed up there for several hours just taking it in and glassing for goats and Dall Sheep. (https://i.imgur.com/E1NiFhg.jpg)

Another shot from the same peak. (https://i.imgur.com/J3RmZG3.jpg)

Back at camp.  A 10 year old pup all tuckered out. He must have put on 50+ miles over the 4 days. Lots of food lots of water and long naps in the evenings. (https://i.imgur.com/wAvZhx9.jpg?1).

My favorite pocket knife. (https://i.imgur.com/CVozRM9.jpg?1).

Much to my surprise I did not see any brownies. Nor did I see any sign of them. The amount of black bear sign I saw makes me hopeful for the upcoming season. I spotted some trophy moose. I will be putting in for the goat/sheep draw for this area as well next year. There are some good animals in these mountains!

Thanks for taking a walk with me.

Msturm
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: lone hunter on May 30, 2018, 09:22:37 AM
Thanks for the pics, looks like fine country.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: RedRidge on May 30, 2018, 09:33:35 AM
Thanks for sharing. I will get to Alaska someday to venture around. I had to cancel my trip this year. Im sure your dog had a blast too.
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Wannabe1 on May 30, 2018, 12:45:25 PM
Beautiful country and great pics! Sometimes I miss the summer times while I lived up there but, do not miss the long winters. :-)
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Duker on May 30, 2018, 03:54:24 PM
AWESOMEEEE looking country    :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing :campfire:
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: drewsbow on May 30, 2018, 05:26:28 PM
awesome pics , thanks for sharing :clapper:
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Rough Run on May 30, 2018, 06:32:49 PM
What gorgeous, inspiring country!  Thanks for the photo journey!
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: ron w on May 30, 2018, 08:22:26 PM
Just fantastic ............ :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: john mccabe on May 31, 2018, 12:21:48 AM
Living the dream!
Thanks for sharing,keep them coming please!
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on May 31, 2018, 07:30:34 AM
Good Stuff Mike!  Thank you!
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: BruceT on May 31, 2018, 08:22:56 AM
    Great pictures !!!!! Took awhile to find the grayling .
Thanks for sharing . Bruce
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: SAM E. STEPHENS on May 31, 2018, 10:00:11 AM
Outstanding , I think I could fit in well in that country...

,,,Sam,,,
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Homey88 on May 31, 2018, 11:10:05 AM
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: stagetek on May 31, 2018, 11:48:01 AM
You're a lucky man. Very nice pic's.
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Bow man on May 31, 2018, 03:18:56 PM
Wow !!!! Thank you for sharing
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: Hummer3T on June 01, 2018, 02:54:10 PM
More...more, go for another walk....lol
Title: Re: Scouting Alaskan Backcountry Pics
Post by: kerry on June 02, 2018, 08:09:03 PM
You just reminded me of how much I miss it.  There is nothing quite like it, to me.  Thanks for sharing.