An Afternoon in the Mountains
In July the road in Hatcher Pass opens, allowing unmitigated exploration deep into the wild. Lining the start of the trail is a massive field of flowers. The plants grow taller than people and bears are frequently spotted by hikers. During this trip we were headed for snowbird hut. This mountaineering hut offers a place for sleep and rest located only a few hundred feet from a glacier!
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After climbing the first of many inclines, we paused for a moment and looked back into the valley. The river originates from glacial lakes high in the mountains and feeds into the valley for miles. Vibrant green dominates the landscape as the winter snow has melted and fed the growth of new plants.
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We crossed a massive boulder field and had to jump from rock to rock to get across. At this point our group split in half and went separate ways. Mainly because the second half of our group was a lot slower ;)
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After about 3 miles we finally reached the glacier. This glacier is different than many others in the state and had only a few crevasses. There was only one incredibly scary part that you'll see later in the post. The glacier has carved out a valley of it's own and is surrounded by towering peaks.
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We started climbing up another boulder field. When we reached the top we finally saw the mountain hut. After 4 or 5 miles of intense climbing it was a welcome sight.
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This is Phoenix. As you can see, she was exhausted from the long hike but always led the way. Not too tired that she couldn't pose for a photo though.
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This is the Snowbird hut, named after the snowbird glacier that it sits next to. The hut has enough beds for 4 people but can easily fit at least 10 if you're willing to sleep on the floor. Trust me, when there is a blizzard raging outside, the floor sounds like an amazing alternative. This is just 1 of 3 huts in this area that can be accessed by hiking in. The other huts are Bomber, named after another glacier, and the mint hut. I plan on getting to the other two huts this summer when the snow melts.
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This is the scary part of the glacier I was talking about. As you can see, my friends are walking back towards the trail. In front of them is a massive hole that disappears into darkness. We were very careful to avoid it. One wrong step and you could fall into the unknown. Also, this is not a black and white image. The landscape was really devoid of color like this!
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On our way back we hiked through colorful tundra as the fog was coming in. The fog got so dense it felt like if you stepped off the edge, you were stepping into a cloud.
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Here is a cairn. These are markers made by other hikers using small rocks or stones to indicate where the trail is. It can be incredibly easy to get lost up in the mountains and these markers are vital to ensuring safe travels. As you pass, each person adds a stone. This ensures that the marker will remain strong and visible. Although you have no idea who is coming after you, you feel a sense of responsibility in keeping them safe. One of the many things I love about outdoor culture.
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Vibrant yellow flowers lined the trail as we descended down the mountain. A far cry from the barren glacier and a sight that lifted our spirits for the long journey back.
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Here is Phoenix again coming back to check on us. You could see on her face she was tired of waiting for us to catch up. If you want to get to a destination quickly while hiking, take a dog.
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This was another amazing adventure in Alaska and I hope you enjoyed reading. I will definitely be heading back here this summer when the road opens. Hatcher Pass is one of my favorite places in all of Alaska. It is easy to get to, but to truly experience it, you need to put in the effort. As always, I'd love to hear your feedback!
-Chase :)
The incredible journey! Your dog is beautiful - looks like a border collie/cross which means a ton of energy!
The photo with the black hole was phenomenal - I'm glad to see your friends there as it really shows the perspective of the area.
Pheonix doesn't look too sure in the hut....was the wind whistling around?
Nice post Chase....really nice.
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Lovely hut, hope it is warm enough for a cozy stay.
What an amazing journey! Your photographs are truly breathtaking. Has anyone tried looking inside the glacier using a climbing harness?
this just amazing travel photos....where is it look so beautiful...
Did you even read the article?
My favorite post so far on steemit, Thank You I love You Phoenix!
Beautiful photos my brother! A place to breathe peace and tranquility.
Your editing style and colors are always on point. Great work man!
Beautiful photos, man! Your colors blow me away
These are beautiful. You should post more of these on your Instagram! @chaseburnett_