Williwaw Point, Unalaska Island
February 10, 2010
Since posting the new header image on the website yesterday I’ve received several emails and comments about the
Williwaw Point, Unalaska Island
image and where it was taken. So I figured it being a slow posting week (except for you American Picker Fans) I’d do a quick post about the picture.
If you have Google Earth (or use Google Maps), then copy & paste these coordinates in to the search box. You can also download the GE .kmz file here
http://www.danslife.net/other/WilliwawPoint.kmz
53.465365,-167.027721
This is location of about where I set the camera up with time lapse to take 10 images, 10 seconds apart as Dakota and I headed NE towards the end of the cove. If EXIF information on the image is correct it was taken the morning of September 5th. 2009
The night before Dakota and I camped a mile and a half SW back along the cove after crossing the day before from our camp in the valley of Kismaliuk Bay. We climbed up and over in to the old Aleut village of Kashega in Kashega Bay. We followed Brennen Lake straight over to the coast. This was a significant part of the trek and a great day. We had crossed from the Bering Sea side of the Island to the Pacific Ocean side.
You can see more images from that trek in the Unalaska Island Trek Gallery.
Another Panoramic Picture
February 8, 2010
If you have been following my webcam or any of the FAA weather cams around the island you would know that a band of high winds and wet heavy snow fell through the night, blanketing the island with what I like to call cement snow. By mid morning the winds had gone and the snow fall had taken a break. I took the opportunity at lunch to grab my pack and head up Bunker for my exercise regiment and to take some photos. I managed to stitch together seven images to make this panoramic photograph, this time looking over the channel at Westward and down Captains Bay.
Panoramic Channel & Captains Bay, Unalaska (click for larger image)
The Regiment Begins
February 1, 2010
I’m certainly not one for keeping a routine with regard to exercise. Wait, now that I think about it I’m not one for any kind of routine in
An Effort To Get In Shape
anything. Maybe I should work on that some other time.
All that aside I realized after looking down at the scale this weekend that I’ve really been putting on the pounds. I need to get back on track with my health and fitness. So in preparation for the upcoming treks and adventures (and to lean up some), I’ve come up with a plan that I think will take me back to my target weight class and improve my cardio endurance by mid March.
The idea isn’t to subject myself to a hardcore daily ass kicking regiment – rather a consistent daily exercise effort to burn some calories and improve cardio. I’ll wait until I’m on the trail to work myself to death.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Power hiking up Bunker Hill with a combined pack and body weight of at least 260 lbs.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Cardio through bike or treadmill
Sundays & whenever I can...
Church of Scuba
Everyday
Watching the calories… eeergh
Unalaska Island Trek II
January 30, 2010
Well as most you (and by you I mean you my blog visitors, the local community and my friends) know – ever since trekking the island last fall I’ve been itching to get out and finish what I started. My knee is healed up nicely (it only pops and cracks once in a while) and I’ve gained what feels like 30 pounds, over the last four months.
Unalaska Island Trek II
It looks like June is the month I’m going to go back down to the far end of the island. I’m hoping to start at Station Bay again if not, Chernofski will do just fine. Maybe I can visit Art Christensen at the old sheep ranch there. I know Buck (a sheep that kept head butting Dakota for six miles) will be happy to see us again.
Same as last time for the most part, I’m not changing much. The route is perfect thanks to Jeff Hancock of Aleutian Adventure Sports. My meal planning and food cache in Pumicestone Bay were perfect. (although I’m tossing out trail mix.) The amount of food Dakota carried in her pack was spot on, although I may carry a little extra in my pack for her. I’ll be renewing the registration on my SPOT Satellite Messenger and that will of course include up to $100,000.00 of whatever it takes to rescue me insurance! I’ll have it post in real time my location on the site here just like the last time.
One BIG change this year will be NOT having a flight crew from the USCG fly out to come rescue me after 11 days of trekking and just two days shy of my destination because I fell in the Shaler Mountains and couldn’t walk anymore.
Here is the gallery of images from my first trek across the island in August / September of 2009.
Walking My Dog Jane
January 29, 2010
Sorry Dakota – please forgive me. I don’t recall exactly how I came to hear about the book titled Walking My Dog Jane
Walking My Dog Jane
by Ned Rozell. It was a while ago I was living in Anchorage at the time. I do remember though the initial reason I bought it was because here was a guy who (with his dog Jane) in one summer walked the entire length of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. From Valdez to Prudhoe Bay (and then a bit further) and for those of you who know me – you know that is right up my alley.
I’m not much of a ‘book’ reader – In the grand scheme of things I have not read a lot. Lets see… Several O’ Henry books, everything by Jack London a few Robert Service publications, quite a few Clive Cussler books, a few Louis L’Amour and a book that really captivated me at the time I read it called On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony.
So getting back to the reason for this post. I was reading through the participants of the White Mountains 100 ultra race coming up (of which I’ll be a part of) just out of Fairbanks and low and behold, registered in the number one spot is Ned Rozell. Yeah, I know. If you have ever thought the world was a small place, try Alaska and ever more so try, Unalaska. – So here is yet another reason I’m jazzed to be apart of the event. Hopefully I’ll get to meet Ned, and have him autograph my copy of his book.
Oh and for a good read, and I mean a really good read – please checkout the book. I’m sure you’ll like it.
White Mountains 100
January 28, 2010
White Mountains 100
Excellent news! The 2010 race is on! The BLM permit request has been approved.
A handful of you know that I’ve volunteered for several outpost and trail volunteer positions with the Iditarod and The White Mountains 100 races. I’ve been contacted by the organizers of both with the go ahead. (now I just need to pitch it to my boss). If it works out I plan to run the White Mountains course before the race – just to get some winter and cold weather trekking and camping in this year. Winter in the islands has been really mild with little snow.
I can’t tell you how jazzed I am to be a part of this event! Thanks Ed!
Below is a little about the race as taken from the official White Mountains 100 website.
Are you ready for an adventure in the remote beauty of interior Alaska? Come north to Fairbanks, Alaska for the inaugural White Mountains 100-mile ultra race. The race course cuts through the heart of the jagged limestone peaks that define the White Mountains National Recreation Area. This rugged wilderness will challenge racers with a variety of terrain and trail conditions, satisfying even the most experienced
White Mountains 100 Route
winter athlete. Steep climbs, bowel-clenching descents, sharp turns, areas of active overflow, glare ice, tree stumps, roots, and bare tussocks are all part of the White Mountains trail network. Sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, along with blowing and drifting snow may add to the excitement. Traverse this diverse landscape on skis, bike, or just your feet.
Click the map image to the right for a larger version of the race course. Visit the White Mountains 100 official website for more information.
Smith Rock for Aura
January 3, 2010
When I told Aura my plans for Skiing in Bend, OR. for a holiday break she reminded me of her great times hiking around Sisters and climbing at Smith Rock. I spent a few days in Bend and passed the township of Sisters several times on my way to Hoodoo for self instruction in the sport of snowboarding. (unless your young or in great shape – take some lessons).
Smith Rock
I only got to spend an hour or so at Smith Rock just north of Redmond while waiting to pick up my friend and (snowboard self instructor extraordinaire) Rosie.
Smith Rock is a great place just from the road and trails immediately around the park. I could tell though there were hundreds of places to climb and you walk, hike and maybe even trek around there for quite a while. For sure the next time I find myself there I’ll be spending some time there.
So, for Aura who couldn’t talk enough about Smith Rock, I took some photos.
When I get home I’ll post some images from the trip.
Torres del Paine
November 3, 2009
Earth & Sky Compete
I have finished adding images from the trek around Torres del Paine. This trek was done at the same time we did Monte Fitz Roy in Argentina. I did notice though that I have some of the pictures backwards (in the wrong gallery) I’ll get that fixed soon.
We spent a month in the Patagonia’s traveling around, hiking, trekking camping.
You can find more images from this trek under the adventures menu item at the top of the page.
Although we spent maybe 10 days trekking around Torres del Paine, as well as surrounding mountains and glaciers. We met Gregg and Deia twice on the trail. For agreat read and hopefully some inspiration for getting out and about – please check out their adventure Across The Andes
Monte Fitz Roy
November 2, 2009
Monte Fitz Roy ~ Argentina
Well it has taken longer than I thought it would but I have added some images to the Fitz Roy gallery. February of 2007 my friend Lisa and I went to South America to trek around Fitz Roy and Tores del Paine. It was a vacation and birthday trip all in one.
We made our way to the little town of El Chalten where we spent seven days trekking and camping around the mountains and glaciers.
Using the menu bar at the top of the page, you can find more images of the adventure, under adventures.
Poor Pictures
September 13, 2009
I took nearly a thousand pictures during my trip across the island. I have to say I’m not really happy with any of them. None of them stand out or seem exceptional in any way. Of course they all remind me of the different places I’d visited, but none seem well enough to frame, or enlarge or show off.
Here is the gallery with some more photos of the trek.
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Random Photo
