The ups and the downs

The waiting game between fly time can be testing. Haines isn't exactly the most exciting place in the world so we have been trying our best to keep somewhat entertained with some pathetic basketball, handball, amateur photography and some mean coffee slurping. The hammer museum was a highlight, not because of the hammers because who really cares anyway but because of the legend running the joint. Not short of a story.


Jake showing his versatility.


Damon with a sky hook.


Who said Victorians cant jump.


Not a bad view from the 33 mile diner.

But when its on its on...


The east face of Deflowered. Photo:: Chris Boadle


The friendly face of Caffeine. Didn't get to ride this but the snow looked sensational.


The legit spines of Caffeine. Pick your line. Photo:: Chris Boadle


From the top of Caffeine about to drop. I had pretty much every emotion invented by humans in the space of 3 minutes. New best run of my life. Photo:: Chris Boadle

Tea Bag | Haines, Alaska

After some fresh snow with a variable snowpack our guide Beanzy took us out to a bowl by the name of Tea Bag. We started off testing the stability of the snow on a bit of a mini golf line before heading up for the real deal. Our pilot 'Al', a Vietnam vet gave us what they call a toe in landing. A 'toe in' is when there is no safe zone to land so the pilot hovers with one skid touching the snow(not the side we got out of). This is when you get out... Are you kidding me!!! Hands down the best run of my life. Best thing is this is just the beginning. Photo:: Chris Boadle


No need for words. Photo:: Chris Boadle


Indy 5000. Hopefully we get a piece of this. Photo:: Chris Boadle


The one and only Jake Mcbride hard at it between drops. Photo:: Chris Boadle


The accommodations for our stay here in Haines, the Thunderbird is no super 8 but it will do. A room with a view I guess.


The contents of the riding pack.


Built for the movie 'White Fang', Dalton City lives on within sleepy old Haines. The majority of Dalton is closed or the winter however The Haines Brewing Company is open in one of the bigger spaces which would fit about 8 people or maybe 4 American sized folk. Cool place to check out and have a brew for sure.

Upstream from Juneau to Haines

So there are two ways to get from Juneau to Haines. By air or one of the most scenic boat trips available to humans. The journey takes about four hours and costs USD$37.00. You can take your car, motorized snow contraptions, pets, even your kids! The ferry has a cafeteria however if you are into nice food I would advise to take your own. Coffee's yuk too. I'm such a coffee snob.

Pretty bloody impressive for the eye balls even with the rank weather! Sore trigger finger from taking too many pics.

The Mendenhall Glacier AK

In true tourist fashion Chris and I take the short mission out to Mendenhall Glacier to check out what all the fuss is about. A 20 minute drive from downtown Juneau and about a 20 minute walk across a frozen lake and you are standing at the base of the glacier.

Wikipedia would probably say:
Originally known as Sitaantaagu ("the Glacier Behind the Town") or Aak'wtaaksit ("the Glacier Behind the Little Lake") by the Tlingits, the glacier was named Auke (Auk) Glacier by naturalist John Muir for the Tlingit Auk Kwaan (or Aak'w Kwaan) band in 1888. In 1891 it was renamed in honor of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall. It extends from the Juneau Icefield, its source, to Mendenhall Lake and ultimately the Mendenhall River.

The Juneau Icefield Research Program has monitored the outlet glaciers of the Juneau Icefield since 1942 , including Mendenhall Glacier. From 1951–1958 the terminus of the glacier, which flows into suburban Juneau, has retreated 1,900 feet (580 m). The glacier has also receded 1.75 miles (2.82 km) since 1958, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500. The end of the glacier currently has limited crevassing a negative glacier mass balance and will continue to retreat in the foreseeable future.

Given that average yearly temperatures are currently increasing, and the outlook is for this trend to continue, it is actually possible that the glacier might experience a period of stabilization or slight advance during its retreating march. This is because increasing amounts of warm, moist air will be carried up to the head of the icefield, where colder ambient temperatures will cause it to precipitate as snow. The increased amount of snow will feed the icefield, possibly enough to offset the continually increasing melting experienced at the glacier's terminus. However, this interesting phenomenon will fade away if temperatures continue to climb, since the head of the glacier will no longer have cold enough ambient temperatures to cause snow to precipitate.


The Mendenhall Glacier in all its glory




Mountain man Chris Boadle

Eaglecrest Ski Area, AK

Eaglecrest Ski Area is located about 30 minutes drive from downtown Juneau.

Stats:
Vertical Drop | 1400 Feet
Terrain Size | 640 Acres
Lifts | 4 x double chairs
Difficulty | 20% Novis, 40% Intermediate, 40% Expert
Avg Snowfall | 200 - 300 Inches

We meet up with Kirk the CEO of the resort who hooks us up with season passes and sends us on our way. Considering the last snow fall was over a month ago Eaglecrest looks to have more than enough terrain to keep us busy and allow us to find our feet before we hurl ourselves into the steeps of the Haines area. First run we find ourselves being followed by one of the local groms. "You guys look pretty good" says Max, a trues local grommet. Unsure if Max was commenting on our riding skills or our attire I accept the compliment with a "thanks man". We ride with Max for the morning and he shows us all the natural hits. Some pretty spectacular terrain to be had up at Eaglecrest with tons of natural hits, gullies, chutes, cliffs etc. The resort has a open bounds policy allowing punters full access to their outer bowls when the conditions are safe. I could imagine having a hell time at this place with a foot of fresh. Loose your mind material!


Really?




A 10 minute hike to the peak and the view is pretty mind blowing. Here is one of the peaks surrounding Eaglecrest

Juneau AK

First stop Juneau, the capital of Alaska and the home of a little over 30,000 unique characters. Landing in Juneau a few hours earlier than myself Chris made friends with a fellow by the name of Gary, a mental accountant inuit pulling beers behind the airport bar. Gary the verbal artist painted Chris a grim picture warning him not to look people directly in the eye. Luckily this wasn't the case, quite the opposite actually. We have more been treated like celebrities. Ok maybe like a big brother contestant! Everybody knows everybody here in Juneau and they know we're different. In 2 days we have made more friends than Susan Boyle has on facebook. Here are a few:
Max: The mini Eaglecrest shredder who is still hanging in there with the old Air Blaster leg bag.
Lisa: The snowboard instructor who owns her own tug boat.
Kat: Frontline at the Eaglecrest ticket office and amateur tour guide. Kat also introduced us to her room mate Jo, a well travelled local who likes to collect trinkets and listen Babs Streisand on vinyl. Kat and Jo take us on a tour through the historic mine ruins of Juneau and tell us of their dream to make the inside of their unit look like the outside.
Kirk: Eaglecrest Ski Resort CEO and true legend
Chris: Chris is a high talker who lives at the place with the gate made out of hundreds of skis. Chris is a local who can't find time between telecommunication and talking about his Kiwi boat to go skiing, nor time to change out of his fishing pants before going to the pub. Chis loves a chat. Mostly about his boat.

Our accommodation for the next 6 days will be at the Prospector Hotel in downtown Juneau. After reading a few reviews with titles like "avoid at all costs" and "this hotel is gross" how could I not book it. Really didn't turn out to be too bad with big rooms/beds and a epic central location.




A typical sight here in Juneau


Jo on a treasure hunt around the historic ruins.


Some local wild life and some sticks


Tour guide Kat getting the shot


Transformer?


Chris Boadle levitates in front of the amazing ski gate.

The Salty Blur

Taken with the Blackberry. No treatment.

Once Upon A Time