ArcticDiver
Contributor
My usual trip to the Keys to dive had washed out and the weather was unseasonably warm so I decided to make a trip in to see how the upriver place was fareing. Like most trips this one is about 90% planning and the rest work.
In winter the place is reached via a 90 mile drive to the Lake Road; then 3 miles to the lake; another mile across the lake; and a 18 mile or so ride on a snowmachine overland and up the river to Home.
First question: Solo or Multiple? In any endeavor there are pluses and minuses. More people means more resources in case of trouble. But more people also means more opportunity for some malfunction, human or machine.
In this case we had a bad freeze up so I decided to convoy with a couple as they went into their place a few miles from mine. They can save me a lot of trail finding effort. We all ride Skidoo machines. They are extremely reliable so chances of a mechanical are very low. Also, they are careful, thinking people who are a pleasure to be with.
All my gear is together; food, clothing, ooops no firearm. Get it out and tucked into the shoulder holster. Never can tell when a human or animal situation might demand immediate action. Our, Troopers are among the finest in the world. But, off the road system they will be along to mop up; Later.
Saturday we head out in snow showers and roads with patchy ice. So every time someone passes either direction it is whiteout and a prayer that some self centered clod isn't trying to pass while no one can see anything. Or, that some moose doesn't pick that moment to cross the road.
Get to the lake, unload and get all the gear on the snowmachines and sleds. At first it is no problem as we are on land and the trail is well defined, if rough. But on the river the flat light makes it hard to see the trail. But they have been this way before and we pick our way between giant sheets of ice and some smaller one's that look like a sharks tooth farm.
We separate at my place where I shinny up the 8' bank to get a snow shovel so I can build the ramp. Snow varies from knee deep to just up to my crotch. Everything looks fine, except fibreglass is all over the snow. The varmints, ground sqirrels, have ingnored the insulation I left out for them and have chewed their way into my floor to get their own. Nothing like a varmint to create a lot of work for me hauling in and installing new insulation!
But something just isn't right. That's it! The fuel shed is gone! It is an 8x8 kit building that I put up several years ago and has weathered well as POL storage. It is outside the alarmed area but has never been bothered before. Vandals have struck! In this case a vandal bear has literally taken the shed apart and scattered contents all over the area. Fortunately I had used up almost all the fuel last Fall. Well, that will have to wait till later; I've a fire to start and a ramp to build. It is warm for here but still +10F.
After starting the fire I set to building the ramp. It is a judgement thing of how little snow to shovel versus getting enough angle the snowmachine won't come over on me as I use it. I had my machine come over while climbing off the Yukon a few years ago and I don't want to repeat that.
After getting the ramp built and the snowmachine and trailer in the yard I shovel out the trail from the house to the outhouse and to the wood pile. These are 100' and 50' respectively. One is set off for hygiene and the other for fire protection.
After getting settled in it is time for dinner. A perfect night to grill with a +10F temp and very light winds. So, I crank up the grill and settle in for a pleasant evening.
Up at about 2:00AM to a clear sky and not a light anywhere. There must be a million stars in the sky. I've seen this lots of times over my years out here but I am always awed by the sight. It is so clear that my 4D cell LED light shines clear across the river with no backscatter. Temp is still warm at +5 or so.
Sunday it is clear but the wind is ripping. Snow being blown off the trees hits my face like sleet. Digging out the fuel shed remnants will have to wait. It isn't going to cause any more damage to let it stay buried in the snow for now. Also the other trails I had planned to break out will just have to wait for another day. So, it is a day to do small chores and recharge in the quiet majesty of nature.
Monday it is time to go back to town. This trip out will be solo as I want to be back in town by dark and my traveling companions won't be coming out for awhile. Besides, the worst that can happen since they are behind me is that I might lay injured for awhile until they come along.
When I get to the lake I discover that human vandals have struck. A guy tells me that last night someone broke the window of a SUV, stole some CDs and used the guy's jack to steal his tires. Then stole some other tires and stuff from other rigs. We agree that it is too bad none of us was around to stop the vandal, with deadly force if necessary. Coming off the river cold, wet and possibly injured makes the vehicle waiting a possibly lifesaving machine. Vandals of that machine cannot be tolerated.
This is the first incident of vandalism we've enountered in the memory of any of us. It is a reflection of an increasingly self-centered and rude society that has little or no consideration for anything or anyone else.
Other than the vandalism the entire trip was wonderful. Sunday and Monday had clear skies with the Alaska Range looking like it was at arms length instead of miles away. Weather was mild for Feb with temps from -5F to +15F.
Now if I just had a StarTrek Transporter so I could go from the river place to scubadiving in a flash the world would be perfect.
In winter the place is reached via a 90 mile drive to the Lake Road; then 3 miles to the lake; another mile across the lake; and a 18 mile or so ride on a snowmachine overland and up the river to Home.
First question: Solo or Multiple? In any endeavor there are pluses and minuses. More people means more resources in case of trouble. But more people also means more opportunity for some malfunction, human or machine.
In this case we had a bad freeze up so I decided to convoy with a couple as they went into their place a few miles from mine. They can save me a lot of trail finding effort. We all ride Skidoo machines. They are extremely reliable so chances of a mechanical are very low. Also, they are careful, thinking people who are a pleasure to be with.
All my gear is together; food, clothing, ooops no firearm. Get it out and tucked into the shoulder holster. Never can tell when a human or animal situation might demand immediate action. Our, Troopers are among the finest in the world. But, off the road system they will be along to mop up; Later.
Saturday we head out in snow showers and roads with patchy ice. So every time someone passes either direction it is whiteout and a prayer that some self centered clod isn't trying to pass while no one can see anything. Or, that some moose doesn't pick that moment to cross the road.
Get to the lake, unload and get all the gear on the snowmachines and sleds. At first it is no problem as we are on land and the trail is well defined, if rough. But on the river the flat light makes it hard to see the trail. But they have been this way before and we pick our way between giant sheets of ice and some smaller one's that look like a sharks tooth farm.
We separate at my place where I shinny up the 8' bank to get a snow shovel so I can build the ramp. Snow varies from knee deep to just up to my crotch. Everything looks fine, except fibreglass is all over the snow. The varmints, ground sqirrels, have ingnored the insulation I left out for them and have chewed their way into my floor to get their own. Nothing like a varmint to create a lot of work for me hauling in and installing new insulation!
But something just isn't right. That's it! The fuel shed is gone! It is an 8x8 kit building that I put up several years ago and has weathered well as POL storage. It is outside the alarmed area but has never been bothered before. Vandals have struck! In this case a vandal bear has literally taken the shed apart and scattered contents all over the area. Fortunately I had used up almost all the fuel last Fall. Well, that will have to wait till later; I've a fire to start and a ramp to build. It is warm for here but still +10F.
After starting the fire I set to building the ramp. It is a judgement thing of how little snow to shovel versus getting enough angle the snowmachine won't come over on me as I use it. I had my machine come over while climbing off the Yukon a few years ago and I don't want to repeat that.
After getting the ramp built and the snowmachine and trailer in the yard I shovel out the trail from the house to the outhouse and to the wood pile. These are 100' and 50' respectively. One is set off for hygiene and the other for fire protection.
After getting settled in it is time for dinner. A perfect night to grill with a +10F temp and very light winds. So, I crank up the grill and settle in for a pleasant evening.
Up at about 2:00AM to a clear sky and not a light anywhere. There must be a million stars in the sky. I've seen this lots of times over my years out here but I am always awed by the sight. It is so clear that my 4D cell LED light shines clear across the river with no backscatter. Temp is still warm at +5 or so.
Sunday it is clear but the wind is ripping. Snow being blown off the trees hits my face like sleet. Digging out the fuel shed remnants will have to wait. It isn't going to cause any more damage to let it stay buried in the snow for now. Also the other trails I had planned to break out will just have to wait for another day. So, it is a day to do small chores and recharge in the quiet majesty of nature.
Monday it is time to go back to town. This trip out will be solo as I want to be back in town by dark and my traveling companions won't be coming out for awhile. Besides, the worst that can happen since they are behind me is that I might lay injured for awhile until they come along.
When I get to the lake I discover that human vandals have struck. A guy tells me that last night someone broke the window of a SUV, stole some CDs and used the guy's jack to steal his tires. Then stole some other tires and stuff from other rigs. We agree that it is too bad none of us was around to stop the vandal, with deadly force if necessary. Coming off the river cold, wet and possibly injured makes the vehicle waiting a possibly lifesaving machine. Vandals of that machine cannot be tolerated.
This is the first incident of vandalism we've enountered in the memory of any of us. It is a reflection of an increasingly self-centered and rude society that has little or no consideration for anything or anyone else.
Other than the vandalism the entire trip was wonderful. Sunday and Monday had clear skies with the Alaska Range looking like it was at arms length instead of miles away. Weather was mild for Feb with temps from -5F to +15F.
Now if I just had a StarTrek Transporter so I could go from the river place to scubadiving in a flash the world would be perfect.
).
