Alaska Outdoors

Scientist/explorer Ernest Leffingwell spent nine winters on Flaxman Island off Alaska’s northern coast. (Photo from the book “Conquering the Arctic ice,” by Ejnar Mikkelsen)

Alaska Science Forum: Ernest Leffingwell, fan of the far north

One hundred years ago, a group of men sailed to the northern coast of Alaska to find a land mass rumored to protrude from the… Continue reading

Scientist/explorer Ernest Leffingwell spent nine winters on Flaxman Island off Alaska’s northern coast. (Photo from the book “Conquering the Arctic ice,” by Ejnar Mikkelsen)
From left, Martin Truffer and Adam Bucki walk along the gravel moraine of Kennicott Glacier on an 11-hour hike to reach Fireweed rock glacier. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Long-pondered return to a pile of rocks

FIREWEED ROCK GLACIER — “I’ve been thinking of this stuff for the last 20 years,” says Adam Bucki. My friend, soon to be 50, was… Continue reading

From left, Martin Truffer and Adam Bucki walk along the gravel moraine of Kennicott Glacier on an 11-hour hike to reach Fireweed rock glacier. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
A young black bear carries away a chum salmon at Salt Chuck near the Amalga boat ramp on July 20. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

A young black bear carries away a chum salmon at Salt Chuck near the Amalga boat ramp on July 20. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
An Exobasidium fungus grows on a rusty menziesia leaf. (Photo by Michael Melampy)

On the Trails: Scrapbook of summer observations

Summer came, with the colorful blooming of tall fireweed. Hermit thrushes were still singing and, on two different trails, juvenile hermits lingered on the open… Continue reading

An Exobasidium fungus grows on a rusty menziesia leaf. (Photo by Michael Melampy)
Fireweed rock glacier flows within the massif near McCarthy in 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Glaciers made of rock, ice and bear scat

The grizzly hadn’t seen my dog or me, so I yelled and waved my arms. The bear stood, looked in our direction for three unforgettable… Continue reading

Fireweed rock glacier flows within the massif near McCarthy in 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
The author’s wife hikes along a 15-mile alpine trail. The two split the trek into two days. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A stirring experience

There is a point in a long, steep or heavy-pack hike when you look at your feet and accept the speed at which they are… Continue reading

The author’s wife hikes along a 15-mile alpine trail. The two split the trek into two days. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Berries along the Tolch Rock Trail on July 15. (Photo by Deana Barajas)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Berries along the Tolch Rock Trail on July 15. (Photo by Deana Barajas)
Craig George leads Ned Rozell on a snowmachine trail north of Utqiagvik in May 2010. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Craig George’s remarkable northern legacy

I was sad to learn recently that Craig George was missing and presumed dead when a raft he was floating upon hit a logjam in… Continue reading

Craig George leads Ned Rozell on a snowmachine trail north of Utqiagvik in May 2010. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
A pair of bald eagles out by the Salt Chuck at Amalga Harbor on July 7. (Courtesy photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

Wild Shots To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t… Continue reading

A pair of bald eagles out by the Salt Chuck at Amalga Harbor on July 7. (Courtesy photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Chenega Bay in 1964 following the great earthquake. A schoolhouse survived the earthquake and tsunami that followed. The tsunami destroyed houses lower than the schoolhouse. (Photo by George Plafker)

Alaska Science Forum: Feet on the ground right after the big one

On March 27, 1964, California geologist George Plafker was attending a research conference in Seattle when news came of a big earthquake in Alaska. “It… Continue reading

Chenega Bay in 1964 following the great earthquake. A schoolhouse survived the earthquake and tsunami that followed. The tsunami destroyed houses lower than the schoolhouse. (Photo by George Plafker)
The Alaskan wilderness has been the setting of countless stories which provide inspiration as much as entertainment. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Building your cabin

I am embarrassed to admit that I only recently read “One Man’s Wilderness,” the story of Dick Proenneke. Some stories are legendary and therefore become… Continue reading

The Alaskan wilderness has been the setting of countless stories which provide inspiration as much as entertainment. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Photos by Mary F. Willson Female goatsbeard flowers, left, are less conspicuous, so the inflorescence is less decorative. Male goatsbeard flowers, right, have visible stamens and slightly larger petals than females, making the inflorescence showy.

On the Trails: Cowee Meadows

On a cool, gray day just after the sunny summer solstice, a group of friends set out to enjoy the annual Cowee Meadow flower show.… Continue reading

Photos by Mary F. Willson Female goatsbeard flowers, left, are less conspicuous, so the inflorescence is less decorative. Male goatsbeard flowers, right, have visible stamens and slightly larger petals than females, making the inflorescence showy.
Albino Steller sea lion at Faust Rock on June 30. (Photo by Richard Fagnant)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Albino Steller sea lion at Faust Rock on June 30. (Photo by Richard Fagnant)
Common Merganser with five chics on Salt Chuck on June 17 in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Common Merganser with five chics on Salt Chuck on June 17 in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
The inflorescences of cow parsnip are sheathed protectively, often with an attendant leaf that may emerge before the inflorescence, as shown here. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)

On the Trails: Lupine and cow parsnip puzzles

From time to time, I venture out on the wetlands. I have to prepare myself to endure the racket from aircraft. In addition to the… Continue reading

The inflorescences of cow parsnip are sheathed protectively, often with an attendant leaf that may emerge before the inflorescence, as shown here. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)
Washboard roads form on dry, unpaved road surfaces, of which there are many in Alaska. (Illustration by Liza McElroy)

Alaska Science Forum: The ups and downs of washboard roads

While driving Alaska’s graveled highways, people sometimes wonder how an unpaved road can turn into a bed of corduroy. Keith Mather had the same question… Continue reading

Washboard roads form on dry, unpaved road surfaces, of which there are many in Alaska. (Illustration by Liza McElroy)
Brendan West, 17, left, and Jack Adams, 15, guide one sailboat while Wesley Torgerson, 16, helps guide another to the dock during a Juneau Youth Sailing course this week. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Youth Sailing makes waves, inspires young mariners

Participants navigate the waters of growth, confidence and adventure on Gastineau Channel.

Brendan West, 17, left, and Jack Adams, 15, guide one sailboat while Wesley Torgerson, 16, helps guide another to the dock during a Juneau Youth Sailing course this week. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)
The author’s backyard overlooking a forested ridge. (Photo by Peggy Barnhill)

Gimme a Smile: Welcome to my backyard

KINY is running a photo contest of pictures of your backyard to win a backyard BBQ set. Here’s a word picture of my backyard. After… Continue reading

The author’s backyard overlooking a forested ridge. (Photo by Peggy Barnhill)
The author and his wife stand on a ridge near Denali National Park earlier in June. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Timing doesn’t always matter

The bobber bobbed and I set. The trashing was immediate as I lifted the fly rod. In this moment, one can get a good idea… Continue reading

The author and his wife stand on a ridge near Denali National Park earlier in June. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
The author’s wife hikes down the ridge of a still snow-covered mountain. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: The summer bod

It’s summer bod time. Not in a show it off at the beach sort of way, but a maximize quality use variety. The last two… Continue reading

The author’s wife hikes down the ridge of a still snow-covered mountain. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)