Alaska Outdoors

Three birch trees stand in a field at the University of Alaska Fairbanks during a recent celebration for three scientists killed in a helicopter crash in July. From left, the trees honor Tori Moore, Ronnie Daanen and Justin Germann. (Photo by Alyssa Enriquez)

Alaska Science Forum: Memories of souls in a winter birch forest

On a recent afternoon, middle Alaska slipped into darkness. But a few hours after the 3:17 p.m. sunset, a golden light appeared in a field… Continue reading

Three birch trees stand in a field at the University of Alaska Fairbanks during a recent celebration for three scientists killed in a helicopter crash in July. From left, the trees honor Tori Moore, Ronnie Daanen and Justin Germann. (Photo by Alyssa Enriquez)
A flying squirrel launches a glide, with patagium spread wide. (Photo by Richard A. Wood)

On the Trails: Gliding in air

An eagle soars overhead, wings spread, making only minute steering adjustments of wing and tail feathers. It’s gliding on air currents and may travel considerable… Continue reading

A flying squirrel launches a glide, with patagium spread wide. (Photo by Richard A. Wood)
The Yukon River, seen here as a wide white band, is freezing later in fall and breaking up earlier in spring than it was a few decades ago. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Long-term views of a changed Alaska

As an instructor for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, I have stood before a group of Alaskans every Tuesday night this November. During the most recent… Continue reading

The Yukon River, seen here as a wide white band, is freezing later in fall and breaking up earlier in spring than it was a few decades ago. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Kristen Rozell skate skis in Valdez in January 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Surfing in winter on cross-country skis

With mild temperatures and ample snow, much of Alaska is now primed for cross-country skiing. It’s a sport for all ages, made possible by friction.… Continue reading

Kristen Rozell skate skis in Valdez in January 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
The author guides his skiff in the direction of muskegs free from digital connectivity, but there is no escaping thoughts of contemporary life. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Freedom of gratitude

I have fumbled for years attempting to put into words what the outdoor world means to me and succeed only in doing it well enough… Continue reading

The author guides his skiff in the direction of muskegs free from digital connectivity, but there is no escaping thoughts of contemporary life. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
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)