Climb every mountain

We had 2 clear days in a row! *gasp* We took advantage of the beauty and hiked up to the High Country Shelter. This was my (Christina's) first time up to the High Country Shelter. There are many pictures of this place already on this blog. It's absolutely beautiful up there. You really feel like you are in a different world. It's so quiet, so peaceful and awesome! This hike took 4 hours altogether.


Flatter than flat!! We were on our way up Spur Road when an unexpected event happened. POP! The culprit was a really sharp rock on the side of the road.



It's a bird...it's a plane...it's ALASKA AIRLINES!! Up, up and away! (Look in the center of the picture at the little white shape.)

 

This is looking toward the north peaks of Etolin Island.




This was Quent's idea. He took a picture through his rifle scope.

 

Stepping down

Christina at the the top at the North Wrangell High Country Shelter, before the long journey back down.


I (Christina) remember the first time I saw a picture of the snow-capped mountains north of us. I could hardly believe my eyes! Being on the lower ground, you don't realize they are even there because of the mountains blocking the view.


SMILE!


This was one last photo before the sun went down and we were all the way down.

 

Packing Part IV

Made it! The hunting party enjoying the sight of pickup trucks that will take them home to recliners, couches, and hot baths and showers. (left to right, Quentin, Ed, Karl, Kevin)
Here is Ed packing one of the heaviest packs of the trip down the mountain. Not only did he have half the meat from the big goat to go along with his normal gear but he also had the complete head and cape from the big goat as well. Whew! It was work just watching him.
By the end of the hunt we had a pretty good tarp canapy rigged.
Day three of the hunt was spent enjoying scenery, recovering, and standing under the tarp for hours staying out of the showers. This is a view of camp from the first big nob with the Stikine River in the background.

 

Packing Part III

After packing Kevin's goat for about four miles up and down the mountain ridges and beginning to suffer from exaustion we came into sight of camp. "Almost there!" About that time a big billy goat appeared about eight yards to my right. He didn't notice me until I told Kevin to get the camera out of my pack. This is him as he ponders which way to dive off the rock. If only we had lounged around in camp and waited for this guy to appear. It could have been so much easier.
This is a formidable notch in the upper reaches of the bowl surrounding the valley. Our camp is set up on the last visible nob in the distance (about two miles away). Shortly after I exited this notch, Kevin found a goat he liked and I watched it tumble a good 1000 feet down the mountain. Although the meat was fine the goat wasn't particularly photogenic. Subsequently no photos were published of that particular goat.
It's getting away! Kevin decided to give this one a little extra life. Although I thought this was a young billy, there were kids and a nannies in the area.
Kevin takes aim.

 

Packing Part II

Just after Karl shot goat number 1, Kevin and I spotted a goat just before the next nob. This is Kevin doing his best stalk. The goat is on the other side of this ridge, out of sight.
Karl, due to his seniority-or something like that, obtained the rights to shoot goat number1. He shot it from the little cliff band behind his head. One nice shot was all it took, although there were several other "insurance" type shots as well.
Continuing the stalk.
Karl (camo) and Kevin - the two guys with goat tags - check out billy goat number 1, just visible above the ground in front of Karl.

Packing Part I

Heading out for the goat. You can see it on the right hand side of the photo.
Two tents and a tarp. We spent a lot of our time under the tarp and out of the rain. The guys are getting ready to pursue goat number 1.
Our (Karl, Ed, and Quentin) home for three nights. The mountain at the other side of the bowl is the primary peak on this particular ridge. (This is day two)
Karl is checking things out during a brief break in the weather after setting up camp on the first day.