October, 2011 - Alaska Coast Magazine

Transcription

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2 • October 2011 • COAST • www.coast-magazine.com
www.coast-magazine.com • October 2011 • COAST • 3
61° NORTH
Remembering technology
By Craig Medred
T
he headlamp came out the other night for the first time all
year, and I was instantly struck by how technology is our
friend — when, of course, it works. In this particular case, it
works brighter than ever and more reliably, too.
Yes, headlamps probably do still fail. It’s just been a long
time since one failed on me. One of the headlamps in the box
in the entryway is a many-years-old Princeton Apex. It might be
one of the original Apex that were introduced with a 200lumen LED, somewhere back
before the middle of the last
decade. I could somewhat
date it by people and places.
Melissa Devaughn, a talented Alaska writer, was then an
outdoor reporter at the
Anchorage Daily News and a
budding dog musher, and I
Craig Medred
was the outdoor editor. We
spent a fair amount of time
comparing notes on headlamps because, well, if you’re a musher in Alaska, you spend a lot of time following the beam of a
headlamp through the Alaska winter dark. Melissa eventually
got an Apex.
Then she left the incredible, shrinking Daily News, and got
seriously into bicycle racing. Unfortunately she shattered her
ankle in a bicycle crash, and started to move away from mushing in favor of devoting more time to family and working a family set net site in the summer. All of which is a reminder of
what a strange and interesting place Alaska is because of the
strange and interesting people who live here.
I thought of Melissa when I picked up the Apex the other
night to take the dogs out for a walk. The case has been
cracked for a couple years now. I keep waiting for the light to
fail, and the light keeps on going and going and going. The
rechargeable batteries need new juice every now and then. But
other than that the light is as reliable as a trusted old Labrador
retriever on the opening day of the waterfowl season.
This was not the case with headlamps as little as a decade
ago. I don’t believe I ever made it through a winter without a
bulb burning out. Sometimes the burn outs came several times
a month or even a week. It probably had a lot to do with overamping halogen bulbs, as most everyone did, to try to push out
more light. On a dark, dark Alaska night in the bowels of
nowhere, it is wonderful to be able to stick a proboscis of light
hundreds of feet out into the heart of nothingness to search for
a marker along the Iditarod Trail or identify that critter standing
in the middle of a snowmachine track.
I thought about that, too, when my hand passed over the
bicycle headlight retrofitted to become a headlamp of astounding power. It is a high-tech LED that cranks out 900 lumens.
That is almost five times as much light as put out by the Apex,
which put out an order of magnitude more light — or orders
of magnitude more light — than those old, hyped-up, overamped, halogen bulbs we all once thought were really something.
As a reference point here, the 65-watt-equivalent compact
fluorescent bulb installed in your standard home track light
produces about 700 lumens. The headlamp, about half the size
and powered by four compact, lightweight lithium batteries,
puts out about 25 percent more light. It isn’t quite car-headcontinued on page 34
PUBLISHER
John Woodbury • (907) 344-2937 • [email protected]
MANAGING
EDITOR
Justin Matley
ASSOCIATE
EDITOR
Mary Jean Lochner
FISHING
SAFETY
MATTERS
Debra McGhan
& DESIGN
Steven Merritt
Working Title Media
L AYO U T
COLUMNIST
Chris Batin
MEDIA
SPECIALIST
Leo Grinberg
K AYA K A L A S K A
Tom Pogson
DISTRIBUTION
MANAGER
Leo Grinberg
TRAILSIDE
GOURMET
Mark Bly
ADVERTISING
EXECUTIVE
Jill Tillion, Renee Baranov
AK
ON THE
GO
COLUMNIST
Erin Kirkland
FIELD
EDITOR
CONTRIBUTORS
Jack Bonney, Doug Lindstrand
Craig Medred
PUBLISHED
BY
Alaska Adventure Media
6921 Brayton Drive, Suite 207
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
Phone: (907) 677-2900
Fax: 677-2901
[email protected]
Distributed free throughout Alaska
The opinions expressed in the articles are those
of the writers and do not necessarily reflect
those of the magazine’s management or owners. Many of the activities covered in Coast
magazine are sports that carry significant risk of
personal injury or death. Coast, including its
owners, managers, writers, photographers, and
other staff, does not recommend that anyone
participate in these activities unless they are
experts, seek qualified personal instruction, are
knowledgeable about the risks, and are willing
to personally assume all responsibility associated
with those risks.
COAST
CONTENTS
Vol. 11, No. 5 • October 2011
Cover photo:
A captive grizzly plays with a
pumpkin at the Alaska Wildlife
Conservation Center in Portage.
Photo by:
Doug Lindstrand / AlaskaStock
13
Features
13
15
18
GET OUT!
Change of seasons means the fun is just beginning
WINTER'S OUTLOOK
Still anybody's guess
OXYGEN & OCTANE EXPO
Alaska's winter show returns bigger, better than ever
15
Regulars
29
4
6
7
20
22
61 NORTH
Remembering technology
TOAST
Keep the change
TRAILMIX
AFN begins • Hot sleds
KAYAK ALASKA
Paddling in the cold
23
24
29
30
SAFETY MATTERS
Winter warning
APRES
A howling good time
AK ON THE GO
Alaska Day holiday
COAST CALENDAR
ALASKA ANGLER
Big bucks
TOAST
Keep the change
By Justin Matley
A
utumn has a way of stirring your senses like none other.
Trees become emblazoned with vibrant color for our viewing pleasure. Chimney smoke, decayed plants and elevated tree
hormones form an unforgettable, aromatic soup that teases our
sense of smell. Flocks of sandhill cranes and varieties of geese
cackle and honk overhead, and the wind, too,
fills our sense of hearing with alarms that
winter is coming. And touch — we can all
feel the chill in the air or the fall rains on our
shoulders. As for taste, that particular sense
involves more than the change of a season,
but also a change in our physiques. Seasonal
expenses for fuel and winter preparations, a
sense of stress.
I find myself once again craving pastries
Justin Matley
and comfort foods rich with calories in supposed preparation for a long, cold winter when the natural
world will be short on wild eats. It’s as if I’ve taken a cue from
the bear, craving rich foods to fatten up for a hibernation that
will never come (unfortunately). Nor do I require any extra fat
to stay warm thanks to the invention of Patagonia puffy coats,
North Face fleece and Wigwam socks. I’ll be toasty as a bear
despite my lean stature. I’d have more to fear of the wind than
the cold. But, that too can be solved with some hefty bunny
boots keeping my feet firmly weighted to the ground.
Still, the hunger is there, if not for storing energy than to
replace that which is burned by all the rushing around autumn
incurs. Many of us paddle, bike, jog, hike, or anything possible
before the warmth and sunshine runs out. We pull in the docks
and patio furniture, store the boats and ATVs, fix our vehicles,
chop wood, and wear ourselves down with a list of chores that
MUST be complete before the first frost. And so, a few extra
calories and some sweet treats to reward ourselves after the
labor are justified.
Pastries cost money, coffee drinks too, dinners or the seasonal expenses like automobile winterization and furnace fuel are
the worst. My Northern Lights Coupon Book has been
thumbed through enough times to cause a permanent callous.
But, the BOGO offers (buy one, get one) are astounding.
Savings on other necessary services are also helping out.
However, the entire book is about to expire, one more reason
continued on page 32
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TRAILMIX
Cama’i: Anchorage
welcomes AFN
delegates
D
ELEGATES FROM TOWNS AND VILLAGES ALL OVER
THE STATE WILL ARRIVE IN ANCHORAGE FOR THE
ANNUAL ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES CONFERENCE
HELD OCT. 17-22 AT THE DENA’INA CENTER.
They’ll discuss and vote on resolutions addressing the most
vital issues facing rural and urban indigenous Alaskans today.
Ever since the first AFN convened in 1966 to determine
what political action Alaska Natives could take in response to
challenges to indigenous rights to land, the annual conference
has been a powerful force in Alaska Native communities and
Alaska culture and politics.
“This year, we’re going to try to make it more interactive
with the delegates,” said Alissa Grohall, special assistant to the
president at AFN.
Whereas normally delegates listen to resolutions and have
the opportunity to give feedback on a microphone addressed
A Tlingit carving in the form of a killer whale made of
walrus tooth and mother of pearl. The Alaska
Federation of Natives convention will host 100 artists
booths in the exhibit hall of the Dena’ina Center.
to the entire delegation, this year they’ll participate in break-out
sessions before deciding by a vote which resolutions they’ll
adopt.
At press time, the deadline for submitting resolution proposals had not yet passed; Grohall said each year AFN receives as
many as 180 from its member communities.
The resolutions adopted by the delegation will form the
framework for the organization’s political goals in the coming
year. In recent years, subsistence, economic development and
justice and public safety have remained high on AFN’s list of
priorities.
continued on next page
TRAILMIX
Winter Escape
Rail, hotel, ﬂight back – only $349 per guest
Board the Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Train this winter
and head for some serious adventure in the snow.
Call or click for details on this exciting
vacation package. Tour departs from
Anchorage or Fairbanks.
1-800-544-0552 t (907) 265-2494
Learn more at AlaskaRailroad.com/wintertours
While serious business is going on during the conference,
many people, both Native and non-Native, attend AFN each year
for its constellation of popular satellite events.
Quyana night (“Quyana” means “Thank You,” in Yup’ik,
Cup’ik and Alutiiq) is a big hit every year, with seven dance
groups performing each night of Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.
In the exhibit hall of the Dena’ina Center, 144 artists and
100 exhibitors offer a wealth of art, craft and information. It’s
an incredible opportunity to meet traditional Native artisans
from around the state and buy high-quality hand-crafted goods
at prices you won’t find in Anchorage at any other time of year.
Whether you’re a collector or just someone looking for a wellmade pair of knit socks, mukluks or beaver mittens, AFN is the
place to be.
The convention also includes Alaska Marketplace, an annual
competition that awards seed money for winning small business proposals in rural Alaska; the AFN President’s Awards,
which recognize individuals for their contribution to community; and, a first this year at AFN, a Health Fair organized in partnership with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, which
will offer free flu shots, blood pressure tests and diabetes
screening, along with other free tests and a host of educational
booths.
For more information on the AFN Convention and events, go
to www.nativefederation.org.
—Mary Lochner
Snowmachines on deck
2011-12 season’s hot developments
from the big four
Snowmachine manufacturers have a few new players on deck
for the 2011-12 season. But most the season’s hype is focused on
advancements in already-proven machines: advancements such as
electric power steering, increased rear suspension travel and fourstroke implementation. One thing is sure, every manufacturer in
the Big Four — Polaris,Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo and Yamaha — is producing a machine, with various component arrangements, to suit
the needs of every style and caliber of rider. So what do local reps
think are the heavy hitters in this year’s snow games?
Arctic Cat’s four-stroke
Alaska's outdoor
adventure
magazine.
To advertise
or subscribe:
(907) 677-2900
The big Minnesota-based snowmachine manufacturer has
found a new love for four-stroke muscle, said Carl Swenson,
general manager at Big
Lake Arctic Cat.
“Arctic Cat went to a
big line of four-stroke
motors, and they’re really
strong motors,” he said.
“They’ve had them in
their sleds for about five
years now.”
Swenson said the
Arctic Cat 1100 motor is a dry-sump system, which means you
could roll it over without having to worry about oil leaking out
or other problems that beset some other brands. For the com-
ing winter season, the 1100 motor is being used in Arctic Cat’s
new era of race chassis that are smaller, lighter, and now
include characteristics from the F-series twin spar chassis as
well as the M mountain chassis.
Power with the four-stroke engine is advertised at 127 horses standard and 177 with a turbo, and estimated 20 miles per
gallon fuel economy.
“The ProCross chassis weighs less with the 1100 than the F6
did last year, has more power and should be burning way less
fuel,” Swenson said.
Across the board, Cat’s machines are benefiting from forward-riding positions, and geometry changes to the front suspension to include taller spindles and wide A-arms. Steering has
been affected as well. In its official website and promo video,
Arctic Cat claims a decreased effort in steering.
Swenson said Big Lake Arctic Cat was already selling a ton of
the 1100s before September.
Polaris’ new rider order
Polaris raved about the Rush’s progressive suspension last year,
and it subsequently claimed a victory in the Iron Dog. But according to sales associate Ryan Ziegler at Marita Sea & Ski, the Rush
didn’t see high sales in Alaska. He said the Rush is made for
smooth trail rides, but Alaskan snowmachine riders place a premium on powder and mountain climbing. He said he’s expecting
larger sales figures with the new RMK.
“What they did new for 2012 in mountain is they came out
with an RMK with a 600cc weighing in at 431 pounds,” Ziegler
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said.“It’s the lightest
sled in its class. Other
than that they’ve really
refined their chassis
they already have.And,
you’ll see a lot of new
BNGs; bold new graphics.”
While local Polaris
dealers might push more mountain sleds and RMKs out the door,
Polaris national is pushing an integrated machine for a new class
of rider.
“They’ve come out with the industry’s first adventure class
sled,” Ziegler said.
The Switchback Adventure is marketed toward riders who
enjoy high-energy short rides one day, then load up with extra
gear for a long-distance tour the next.Those longer trips require
greater comfort and storage capacity.That’s where the Adventure’s
modular rear storage compartments come into play.They could be
removed or added without tools, quick and easy. Polaris calls it
their Lock and Ride technology.
The Adventure is built on the Rush frame and has an additional
seven inches of tunnel on a 136-inch track. It includes the same
independent front suspension as the 800 Switchback Pro-R with a
taller windshield, mirrors, and 12-volt and RCA outlets.What riders
are getting is a performance trail machine with luxury components for arduous trips.The Adventure was the sled of choice for
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TRAILMIX
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Ski-Doo suspension and power
When asked about Ski-Doo’s hot topics, two developments
stand out in Team CC’s sales expert Randy Bedard’s mind, and
both seem like winners for Alaskans.
“The first thing that popped into my mind is the new Snow
R-Motion suspension, which is new technology that is going to
give us a better ride, more comfort, easier adjustments; however,
it is available on the short track machines only at this point,” says
Bedard.“It’s a trail ride suspension; it’s not a mountain ride suspension.”
Ski-Doo claims RMotion provides the
longest range of
motion of any snowmachine on the market. Video animation
depicts a pivoting
mechanism that allows
the springs to handle
initial trail bumps
without engaging the
stiffer shock. Only larger bumps will cause the shock to be
engaged, and the track has plenty more distance to travel before
the shock is fully compressed. As an added bonus, an optional
easy adjustment system can be fixed to the running board providing quick and simple shock adjustments for those who get
really picky about their ride.
R-Motion is challenging Polaris’s Rush progressive suspension
system, which was a hot topic last year.
“From guys that have ridden both, and there’s pros and cons
both ways, but what guys are feeling on this is it’s the next level
of rider comfort and rider control. Just like when Ski-Doo came
out with the REV in 2003, that was a leap forward. Well, here we
are again.”
Next on Bedard’s list for Ski-Doo’s hot items is the ACE fourstroke, a 60-horsepower engine with good fuel economy, selfadjusting drivetrain with hydraulic valves and the low emissions
one would expect from a tuned four-stroke.
“This is kind of a neat product, especially here in Alaska with
our bush customers and local customers that are relying on good
fuel efficiency for going long distances between fuel stops,” says
Bedard.“They’re rating this at up to 29 mpg for fuel efficiency, so
on a 10-gallon tank that’s a range of 290 miles. Some of these
folks up on the Yentna River, they can go back and forth to their
cabin twice on a tank of gas.That’s huge.”
The ACE can be found throughout the Ski-Doo series of sleds
to include Tundra, Scandic, Renegades as a trail machine, and
Expeditions — all Alaska-type machines according to Bedard.
And for anyone with an older Ski-Doo Summit, they can consider upgrading their front suspension to the S-36 handling package, which comes stock on new Summits.
“That handling package really makes the machine feel lighter
and smaller than previous REV XPs,” says Bedard.“It’s a narrower
stance; it transfers the weight better when you accelerate and
when you decelerate, and it’s funner. It’s more fun to ride.”
TRAILMIX
Yamaha’s power steering
Yamaha has taken a hot item
from last year and adapted its use
to another machine, giving more
riders the benefit of effortless steering.
“What was gaining in popularity
last year was the power steering on
the Apex,” says Josh Estes, general
manager for Performance Yamaha.
“Four years ago Yamaha was first to
put power steering on an ATV and
the famous quote was, “What do you
need that for?” and now all the manufacturers are doing that.”
Yamaha is now offering the power steering on their more
subdued trail machine, the Vector, and Estes feels the power
steering trend is going to continue growing as folks recognize
the benefits of easy riding.
“Once you have the luxury of something new, once you’ve
tried it, you can’t go back,” he says. “Last year I ordered more
[power steering kits] than I was comfortable selling, and we
sold through them right away. So I definitely foresee it catching
on.”
As for the Vector specifically?
“I think it will increase sales for sure,” says Estes. “The guy
interested in a smaller motor snowmobile like Vector will cer-
tainly be interested in it.”
And for those who want a
really fast, robust machine, Yamaha
has something in store, literally.
Starting with Yamaha’s spring
early buy program, Spring Power
Surge, they offered Nitro buyers
supercharger kits valued at
$6,000 for roughly $2,000. For
anyone that might have hesitated
with installing a supercharger
due to void warranty concerns,
that is no longer an issue.
Yamaha themselves provide the superchargers and will install them for the customer.
This is a great time in the history of snowmachines with
new technologies seemingly springing up over night, design
methods facilitating lighter yet strong and dependable chassis,
and ignition methods that make the most of our fuels. There’s
an overwhelming buzz regarding four-strokes, which don’t create much more than a buzz themselves. Emissions, too, are getting better every year, despite the massive increases in horsepower. For the 2011-12 season, we’re looking at style, form,
function and refinement to nearly obtain what could be a peak
in smowmachine excellence… until the next giant leap in
motorized power occurs.
—Justin Matley
JOSHUA STRANG
Get
out
there
Change in seasons
doesn’t mean an indoor retreat
V
irgin blankets of snow are about to beckon the new season of outdoor pursuits.
While many Alaskans have routine seasonal outdoor activities, there are those who, for one reason or another, have yet to discover Alaska’s
most fun season. Snow quite literally provides
access to a whole new world of adventure.
Consider these activities to make winter in
Alaska your favorite time of year:
DOWNHILL/ALPINE SKIING – Ski in either public-use recreation
sites or privately-managed resort and ski areas. A popular option
for free (no lifts or services), backcountry skiing at Hatcher Pass
is where locals often take turns offering rides to the pass summit. Or, consider supporting the Anchorage Ski Club’s efforts to
maintain one of the area’s most breathtaking ski areas, Arctic
Valley, complete with lifts, a day lodge and a bar. Hilltop Ski Area
could be found on the edge of Anchorage and is widely known
for afterschool programs, training for all ages, and their evergrowing terrain park. For the full-blown alpine affect, consider
Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. In short, Alyeska makes memories
that last a lifetime.
CROSSCOUNTRY/NORDIC SKIING – Thanks to local Nordic clubs,
groomed cross-country trails could be found all over the region.
JOHN WOODBURY
By Justin Matley
Tour the Kenai Peninsula with trails in Seward, Moose Pass and
Kenai Lake, Cooper Landing, Kenai and Soldotna, and Homer.
Consider Girdwood’s groomed Moose Meadows trails. Nordic
ski in Anchorage at Hilltop Ski Area, Kincaid Park, Campbell
Hundreds of
skiers embarked
on a backcountry
retreat in Curry
during NSAA's
2011 Ski Train.
Creek and other sites. In Eagle River visit the Eagle River Nature
Center. Farther north take a ski on groomed trails in Hatcher
Pass, Nancy Lakes State Park, and more. Start learning at
www.anchoragenordicski.org.
SNOWSHOEING – Perhaps you don’t like trails at all, or you
find skiing a bit too strenuous. All public recreation sites support snowshoeing. All you need to do is strap the snowshoes
on and start walking. Ski poles can come in handy, especially in
really deep snow. And keep in mind that snowshoes are not
meant for packed trail. Boots are often adequate.
WINTER BIKING – Rent a fat bike, buy one new, or install wide
studded tires on your trusty mountain bike. Packed snowmachine trails provide access deep into the backcountry where
JUSTIN MATLEY
summer travel would be impossible on bike. Check with a local
bike dealer for the required gear or search online for a rental
shop.
SNOWMACHINING – Take a guided snowmachine tour to learn
the ropes. Or, check with a friend who rides. Snowmachiners
are usually more than happy to introduce their hobby to others.
It’s important to learn where and when you could ride, but
with a little help from friends or the Alaska State Snowmobile
Association, the fun will never end. Learn more at
www.aksnow.org.
ALASKA RAILROAD – The railroad offers special winter trips
and deals to see Alaska in a whole new, white light. Visit
www.alaskarailroad.com.
AURORA BOREALIS WATCHING – The northern lights really set
the mood. Watch them in the evening on clear nights. They
don’t appear every night, and it helps to be in a dark area away
from large communities. For forecasting, visit
www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast.
ICE SCULPTURES – Many communities showcase ice carvings.
In fact, Fairbanks hosts the World Ice Carving Championships,
www.icealaska.com.
ICE SKATING – In Anchorage, try a little ice skating at
Westchester Lagoon or downtown. In the valley, skate on
Long-range
winter
forecast
ccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration,Anchorage has been known to receive measurable amounts of snowfall as early as Sept. 20, which took place
in 1947. Snow fell as late as May 22 in 1964.Anchorage has seen as
little as 30.4 inches of snowfall during the entire season, a record
low set in the 1957-58 winter.The city has also been the recipient
of as much as 132.8 inches of snow during the 1954-55 storms.
And drastic changes could be seen from one year to the next.
Take the winters of 2002-03 and 2003-04, for example.The
prior year made the Top Five list for lowest snowfalls with only
36.8 inches.The following year, 2003-04, made the Top Five list for
the most snowfall with 111.5 inches.Anchorage and all of Alaska
does get snow, only with a broad spectrum of depths.
Erratic data like this makes it difficult to make long-range
weather predictions in Alaska.That was the case last year when
the NOAA Climate Prediction Center was completely undecided
as to whether or not Alaska, or at least our neck of the woods in
Southcentral, would have a warm or cold winter, high or low
snowfall, etc.This year they’ve made some solid claims.
Based on forecasts for three and a half, four and a half, and five
and a half months into the future, NOAA is calling for below-normal temperatures for all of the Pacific Northwest and much of
Interior Alaska.As for snowfall, their best guess is that the coastline
will receive average amounts of snow, 70.6 inches for Anchorage,
while Interior Alaska will receive less than the average snowfall.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is nearly on the same page as NOAA.
They too are calling for a much colder than normal winter for the
most of us. Northern Alaska, it seems, could have a mild winter, if
there is such a thing for those folks.As for snowfall,Almanac calls
for at or below average snowfall, pretty close to NOAA’s prediction.
All gadgets and technological data aside, one would think that
an Alaskan would really know best, as if he or she could feel in
their bones what was about to transpire in our regional atmosphere.
Diane Moxness, executive director for Nordic Ski Association of
Anchorage, isn’t relying on her bones for anything more than bodily support. But she’s using some past experience to gauge the
future weather.
“Okay, this is based on 30 years in Alaska; I predict that the winters look like the summers, and we’ve had a cool, wet summer, so I
think we’re going to have lots of really good skiing snow,” Moxness
said.
That doesn’t follow suit with the larger agencies, but what
about temperature alone?
“Because we’ve had, in my opinion, a cooler summer, I’d say
yeah, we’re going to have a cooler than usual winter,” Moxness
said.“Cooler, but not cold.”
Another local, who admittedly wants a lot of snow, has a pas-
MBZ1
A
By Justin Matley
The 2011 World Ice Art
Championships in Fairbanks
featured a team of sled dogs, a
lion attacking a gazelle and this
elaborate caged parrot.
sion about the weather and forecasts the winter regularly.
“I do, each and every year,” said Steve Brawn, sales associate at
Alaska Mining and Diving Supply.“I’m kind of a weather fiend if
you will.”
Each fall he starts looking at averages and attempts to determine when the first snow will fall, how much, and what the season will be like.This year, he’s jumping in line with Moxness.
“I think it’s going to be a snowier than normal winter,” Brawn
said.“I think we had a fairly wet end of the summer here, and I
think it’s going to carry on into the winter time, and hopefully it’ll
keep on snowing.”
As for temperature, four out of four sources are calling for a
chill.
“I think it’s going to be colder than it has been the last couple
of years,” Brawn said.“I think it will be more of an average year,
one probably in the upper teens to mid-twenties on average,
which will be good for lots of snow… hopefully.
Hopefully the above data and local opinions will provide a little
peace of mind for those who need to prepare for the coming season. For those who don’t like dark, cold and snow, it’s time to look
at those Alaska Airlines Hawaii flight discounts.
Magic 8 Ball
Q: Will Alaska get a lot of snow this winter?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Will it be colder than usual?
A: No Way!
GET OUT THERE
continued from page 14
Wasilla Lake.
DOG MUSHING – Take a guided dog mushing tour
through the backcountry. Better yet, learn from a
seasoned professional and then guide your own
team during a day-long or overnight adventure. A
high concentration of mushers can be found in
the Susitna River Valley near Willow, Talkeetna and
Trapper Creek. Or, consider touring into Denali
National Park with an outfit out of Healy.
Searching online will provide many options for
mushing.
Costumed participants run
down Fourth Avenue in a frenzy
during Fur Rondy's annual
Running of the Reindeer.
JUSTIN MATLEY
WINTER EVENTS – Mark the calendar for the Iron
Dog Race, Iditarod, Willow Winter Carnival, Arctic
Man, Fur Rendezvous, Ice Climbing Festival, Beer
and Barley Wine Festival, Colony Christmas and
others.
By no means should anyone consider this a
complete list of winter adventure in Alaska. The
options are as vast as the state, and there’s nothing stopping anyone from creating their own
adventure. However, for the individual learning,
and for those who are getting bored with the
same old thing, there’s probably a little something
above worth noting. The most important thing to
remember is not to let the season get away without taking advantage of the winter wonderland.
Revving up
for winter
The Big O show
DATES AND TIMES
October 7: 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
October 8: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
October 9: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission is FREE
FREE parking available
Oxygen & Octane Expo turns fourth
year into a bigger, better bash
LOCATION
Dena’ina Convention Center
600 West Seventh Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
By JUSTIN MATLEY
ON THE WEB:
www.oxygenandoctane.com
A
s northern dwelling people,Alaskans owe it to themselves to
grab winter by the horns (or the handlebars or ski poles)
and maximize the season’s fun potential.
Luckily the Oxygen & Octane Expo, which takes place October
7-9 at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage, has been created to quench the thirst for winter adventure just when snowsports enthusiasts need it most.When Alaskans start dreaming of
playing in the season’s first powder and the PFD check — this year
distributed on Oct. 6 — has padded the bank account, the “Big O”
show sets the stage for the best winter ever for fans of both oxygen- and octane-related sports.Additional vendors in both categories combined with a swap meet and new entertainment means
more Alaskans will find the winter inspiration they’re looking for…
and a beer garden, too.
Expo promoter John Woodbury expects a grand turnout to this
year’s Expo, if not for the added vendors and entertainment, then
for an added marketing venture.
“This year I’m proud to announce we have partnered with the
Anchorage Daily News, who will be inserting our official Oxygen
& Octane Expo guide into their Oct. 2, Sunday edition with almost
60,000 copies, plus overruns for the show five days later,” says
Woodbury.
Add that to the aggressive radio and TV schedule and additional
print ad campaign in the News,Anchorage Press,Alaska SnowRider
and Coast magazines, and the social media plugs, and vendors can
expect this to be the most well-attended Expo to date.
Some of the largest vendors include Marita Sea & Ski, which
sells Polaris snowmachines.They consistently bring in an enormous selection of top-name riding gear and offer rock-bottom pricing on everything in their booth.Team CC and Alaska Mining and
Diving Supply share the Ski-Doo/BRP booth, another huge booth
with expert displays and deals on wearables and snowmachines.
Arctic Cat will occupy the east side of the hall, and in years past
they have hung new sleds from the rafters, yet lowered prices to
the floor.The Cat folks usually include four-wheelers and side-bysides in addition to their snowmachines.Yamaha also brings in a
selection of snowmachine models, from the workhorse sleds to the
full-on performance rides and those ultra-quite four-strokes.
“I really do consider these key vendors as partners in the
Oxygen & Octane Expo,” says Woodbury.“Each commits to creating
a pleasing booth display, they offer up the best deals of the year on
their products at the show, and they very much help get the word
out to their shop regulars so the Big O increases in attendance
every year. Heck, some of them even dedicate ad campaigns that
focus on the show.They’ve helped establish the Oxygen & Octane
Expo as Alaska’s winter adventure show.”
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
You won’t want to miss…
• The first public showing of “7 Days To Survive,” the quickpaced and edgy film of last year’s grueling Iron Dog race, produced by Iron Dog and its partners.
• Ski & snowboard swap meet
• Snowmachine and gear swap meet
• Iron Dog meet-n-greet with current and former champs
• Film festival
• Win free alpine skis and gear
• Snowmachine raffle
• Daily door prizes and raffles for trips, gear, ski passes and
much more!
• The Alaska SnowRider stage featuring Snowshoe Shufflers
can-can dancers from the Yukon and a bevy of other acts
• Snowmachine dealers from the Big 4 showcasing the latest
sleds, technology and discounts
• Ski and snowboard dealers and gear
• Outfitters with clearance racks and the best deals on gear all
year
• Beer Garden to relax, enjoy the show and help you get to
know the winter recreation experts
• Climbing wall, bouncy boxing, charity dunk dank and other
family entertainment
• Food and concessions
• Official commemorative event guide will be published in the
Oct. 2, Sunday edition of the Anchorage Daily News, with more
guide copies at the Expo
While the big vendors are the most noticeable presence in the
show, all the vendors are important, from Marita Sea & Ski with
their 32 booths, down to the shared-booth vendors.All the folks at
the Expo are there to let folks know about their products, make
the best deals all year and to celebrate the coming of Alaska’s most
fun season:Winter!
Some of the key single-booth vendors include the North
American Outdoor Institute - which educates outdoor enthusiasts
of all stripes on the merits of safe backcountry practices and also
seeks grants for such things as helmet giveaways to youths and personalized safety seminars for most organizations. Big O will also
have the folks from Accupoint showcasing the newest in GPS technology.
“I know from personal experience that the Accupoint fellows
are lifesavers,” says Woodbury.“Case in point, I totaled three GPS
units in the week leading up to the Iron Dog trail class start, and
they were able to swap out my unit, load up the correct maps
ALASKA KAYAK SCHOOL
KAYAK ALASKA
Will Forsberg on an October outing
off the Homer Spit, playing in waves
in open water, enjoying fresh sea air
and practicing some rescue skills.
Kayaking in the cold
New season, old risks
By Tom Pogson
T
he changing of the seasons present some different opportunities for Alaskan sea paddlers, but some risks stay the
same.
As the days grow shorter and darkness spreads over Alaska
in autumn, the paddling cycles change all over the state.
Shorter days mean better planning is needed. You want a favorable weather window (winds slower than 15 knots and seas
lower than four feet), no storms in the
offing and plenty of daylight. Finding
and making camp in the dark is less
than desirable (even with a waterproof headlamp) if you get a late start
to the day. Headlamps are required as
it gets dark in October.
Weather forecasts are fickle in the
fall, so prepare to get weathered in,
miss work and stay safely on the
beach. You need to wait and paddle
TOM POGSON
into town when the weather and sea
www.alaskakayakschool.com
conditions are easy for you to navigate. Destination fever — the decision to move when conditions are truly not in your skill level — has brought many a sea
kayaker to harm.
This is the time of year when I switch my paddling plans
from possible mutli-day adventures in Kachemak Bay State Park,
to easier day trips mostly based on the Homer side of
Kachemak Bay. This allows for plenty of easy bail outs so I
could get to shore and go home if the weather and sea conditions turn horrid, which does occur on a regular basis after
around Sept. 15 every year.
I also switch my touring plans to shorter park-and-play sessions, just messing around in small-to-medium surf or tidal
streams of any kind off the Homer Spit for one or two hours of
paddling fun and exercise.
There are still lots of base camping opportunities in coastal
Alaska in the autumn: state parks cabins, U.S. Forest Service
public use cabins, and National Park Service and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service lodging. Contact the Alaska Public Lands
Offices to get more data on using cabins for intimate autumn
getaways. These soft camping adventures allow you a few creature comforts. Take kayaks with you, but if the weather turns
sour, go for a hike, read a book and set up the cribbage board.
The Alaskan Yurt Rentals network in Kachemak Bay starts to
close their operations in September. The weather gets too fickle
after that to maintain the yurts.
There are fewer boaters out after most schools start up in
August, and this means fewer motorboats to call for help if
you’re a sea kayaker who might need assistance. Calling for
help on your marine handheld VHF radio might not give you
any joy, so think about bringing a satellite phone so you could
call for help or call in to work to tell them you’re weathered in.
Cell phones will work in some areas. Just be sure you have
communications.
It can be unnaturally nice along Alaska’s coasts in autumn,
with days in the 50s with light winds, and nights without frost.
But the change in season is only a weather system away. The
termination dust that will come marching down the mountains
is surely coming in tomorrow on the next Pacific weather
front.
One thing that changes little as the seasons turn, is the sea
temperature. In Kachemak Bay, it barely hits 50 degrees
Fahrenheit in open water anytime in summer, and by August it’s
dipping into the high 40s, which is where it stays until we start
getting colder nights and days and strong winds that blow for
days.
The surface of the bay freezes in Homer every winter, and
starts freezing at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry suit savvy paddlers
wear their suits in summer just like they do in autumn or winter, so no big change there. Paddling clothing for summer and
winter changes only in the weight of the layers we wear
beneath our suits – lighter fleece in summer, thicker in winter.
But we keep paddling all the same, even with different goals
than in spring and summer.
THE ALASKA ANGLER
CHRIS BATIN
Big bucks
Hulking silver salmon
bring up the rear of the run
By Christopher Batin
I
n the fishing world, the phrase “big bucks” refers to those
slab-sided male silver salmon that eek their way into streams
at the tail-end of a run. Don’t expect a major migration of large
fish. Look instead for singles or pairs, working up the channels,
with the power to cover distance quickly.
What big bucks lack in numbers, they make up for in girth
and feistiness. These fish are also more aggressive than the
smaller silvers that entered the river earlier. You often see these
bruisers at low tide, their massive V wakes like nuclear subs
churning effortlessly against the current.
They rarely require more than a single cast to trigger a strike. The twitching
fly results in an aggressive take, and the
hookset triggers a surge of power that
keeps on giving: the type that induces
tendinitis and weakens the strongest of
forearms.
These fish qualities are wasted when
caught in major rivers, where the strike
is hidden in the depths. It’s best to travel to the intertidal flats of the coast,
Christopher BATIN
where you’ll find these fish out in the
open, pushing against the current through shallow water on an
incoming tide.
I remember an autumn coho trip near Volcano Bay on the
Alaska Peninsula near Dutch Harbor. The crests of the waves
would rise up from the ocean as it neared the creek mouth,
and with the backlight of morning sky, I could see the glints of
silvery bucks, their thick-slabbed flanks flashing dominance. The
waves crashed onto the beach, and the big bucks quickly sliced
V-lines through the shallows and into deeper water. Placing a
cast within two feet of any single fish would quickly divert it
into an explosive charge of seething aggression. Every seventh
wave, the process repeated itself, some holding a dozen or so
fish, others only a few.
You’ll find such fishing hotspots in many areas of Prince
William Sound that receive silver runs, as well as on Kodiak
Island and on the Alaska Peninsula. You’ll also find such fish on
the streams of the Lower Kenai Peninsula.
Don’t expect cast-after-cast action; hooking three to five in a
morning of fishing would be considered good.
Forget the eight-weight rods for these fish, which weigh up
to 20 pounds. I like a 10-weight, because it allows me to muscle
these brutes as required, without fear of snapping a rod. Also, I
recommend extra-strong hooks, because once these fish catch
the current, they’ll straighten standard flies. And forget the
tapered leaders for the short casts you’ll be making with
Silver salmon torpedo
through the shallows.
weighted flies. Tie three feet of 15-to-20-pound fluorocarbon off
a 30-pound butt section. This tippet seldom frays and will withstand the toughest beating these bucks could dish out.
Some anglers would consider this overkill, but I found heavy
tackle allows you to quickly subdue these fish with minimal
injury, so they could be quickly released into the current. If the
water is shallow and the
fish are spooky, go ahead
What big bucks lack in
and switch to unweightnumbers,
they make up for
ed flies and seven-to-ninefoot leaders.
in girth and feistiness.
I like to use a Batin
These fish are also more
Bunny Leech, which is a
aggressive than the
weighted pink fly with
lead dumbbell eyes, to
smaller silvers that
help it get down deep
entered the river earlier.
and impart a fluttering,
darting action, which
helps trigger strikes.
Flashabous and massive black leech patterns also work well.
A big buck quest is usually a solitary wandering, best done
wading a stream or river alone, hunting for in-migrating fish. If I
don’t see any migrants, I’ll blindly work the runs and pools. I
often walk the center of these lower tidal streams or salt
chucks, casting to either side of the channel. Deeper runs
against a bank will see me hugging one side, fishing the transition zone from shallow to deep water, where big silvers like to
migrate. Undercut banks clogged with root clumps and debris
are troublesome to fish, but they do create a natural current
break for the bucks to hold in and behind. Fish the fly on the
outer edge, about a foot out, which seems to be the answer to
trigger a strike. Any closer and you risk snagging, and they usually ignore flies drifted farther out.
Big buck silvers are a fitting way to end a season: fighting it
out, in style. Give it your best shot before hanging up your fishing tackle for the year. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Chris Batin is editor of The Alaska Angler and author of
numerous books and DVDs on Alaska fishing available
through www.AlaskaAngler.com
Winter
warning
Turnagain Pass avalanche
March 28, 2009
New season presents
another set of safety challenges
By Debra McGhan
O
ctober is that time of year when outdoor recreation lovers
start putting away Rollerblades, kayaks and bikes and start
pulling out our skis, sleds and boards to tune them up for winter.
This month, the big Oxygen & Octane Expo will feature all the
cool new products, sleds and information you need to get ready for
a great winter season.
It’s also a good time to remember that when you’re out there
playing, accidents could and, all too often, do happen. People get
hurt, sick, lost.The temperature drops, the wind picks up, it starts
to rain, the snow slides.
Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and when bad
things happen, sometimes the wrong care makes things worse. By
learning a few basic skills, you could make the difference between
a good outcome and a bad one.You might even end up saving a
life.
The worst feeling is not knowing what to do or not having the
tools and supplies you need to make a difference.
I remember driving along the road one fall day and seeing a
motorcycle lying in the ditch. I slowed down and looked around.
That’s when I spotted a young man lying on the other side of the
road. I pulled over and stopped. I was instantly overwhelmed with
SETH HILDEBRAND
SAFETY MATTERS
APRES
A howling
good time
BLACKALICIOUS
Blackalicious and Latryx
play the Bear Tooth
Theatre Pub Oct. 6.
Alaska’s best celebrations
of beer, spooks
By Mary Lochner
O
Event highlights
BLACKALICIOUS AND LATRYX play 8-11 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the
Bear Tooth Theatre Pub and Grill for First Tap. Tickets $30.
Presented by Bear Tooth and Synapse Productions. Tickets and
info, www.beartooththeatre.net.
TED KIM
AGAINST THE GRAIN plays at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Whaler
Bar and Grill.
WORKS BY ANCHORAGE
ARTIST TED KIM often feature
comic-style subjects set on
landscapes that evoke either
the natural world or
machines, and almost always
involve intricate repeating patterns that are fascinating to
look at and technically chal“Sisters,” 18x24 inches, ink on
lenging to create. His First
Bristol, by Ted Kim, will hang at
Friday show will be held at 5:30 the artis
t’s show at 5:30 p.m. on
p.m. on Oct. 7 at Snow City
Oct. 7 at Snow City Café.
Café in Anchorage.
THE ANNUAL ALASKA NATIVE FILM FESTIVAL runs from 1-6 p.m.
on Oct. 16 at the Anchorage Museum. Free and open to the
public.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME plays at 8 p.m. on Oct. 13 at
Chilkoot Charlie’s, and at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Club
Millennium. Tickets are $20 in advance
(www.groovetickets.com) or $25 at the door.
“NO BIG HEADS,” an annual juried self-portrait exhibition,
opens at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the Student Union Art Gallery at
University of Alaska Anchorage. Free and open to the public.
BLUEGRASS-JAZZ BAND THE BEE EATERS play at 7:30 p.m. on Oct.
29 at TapRoot in Anchorage. Tickets $22.
ZOMBIESKILLINGNAZIS and allied volunteers will host a spooky
show from 4-11 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Russian Jack Chalet
(1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane). Costumes, especially of zombies,
are strongly encouraged. The line-up includes The Rocket
Surgeons, Sky Is Falling, Thunderfish, Oakvale, Unseen Empire
and Zombieskillingnazis. $6 at the door.
ctober is host to two of the most fun holidays of the
year: Oktoberfest and Halloween. Liederhosen and beer.
Costumes and candy. Either way, you get to dress up and have
treats.
For an old-style and very German Oktoberfest, head over to
the Egan Center in Anchorage on Oct. 1 for The German Club
of Anchorage’s 45th annual Oktoberfest
with live music by Marge Ford and The
Alaska Blaskpelle. Alyeska Resort in
Girdwood hosts three nights of festivities, with Oktoberfest Blues and Brews
on Oct. 1, featuring live music by Rebel
Blues and Full Tilt; and Rocktoberfest on
Oct. 7 and 8, with live music by Nervis
Rex and The Council of Smokers and
Drinkers.
If a night out on the town isn’t your
MaryLOCHNER
stein of hefeweizen, it might be your
kolsch-golden opportunity to debut
your own annual Oktoberfest party. Under the traditional
Reinheitsgebot guidelines for German beer (codified under
German law until 1988), beer could only contain water, hops
and malt. Similarly, your
party needs
Luckily for you, Alaska Oktoberfest
only a few simple ingrediis a place where people ents to make a guten partei:
love beer even more than German beer, German food
Germans do, and we are and German costume.
Luckily for you, Alaska is a
uber (that’s American place where people love
uber, not German) good beer even more than
Germans do, and we are
at making it.
uber (that’s American uber,
not German) good at making
it. Glacier Brewhouse in Anchorage makes a smooth Bavarian
Hefeweizen, St. Elias Brewing Company in Soldotna makes an
Even Keel Kolsch, and the ubiquitous Alaskan Amber is, believe
it or not, an altbier, a German beer style that comes from the
German city of Dusseldorf.
For authentic German food, check out the selection at Eagle
River International Marketplace in downtown Eagle River (on
Old Glenn Highway north of Sleepy Dog Coffee Co.) or New
Sagaya Midtown (south of the corner of 36th Avenue and Old
Seward) or New Sagaya New City Market (on the corner of
ANTH ONY BUTLE R
13th Avenue and I Street).
Party World in Anchorage has several German-esque getups
including “Lil German Girl” and “Octobergirl.” Of course, you
and your guests don’t have to be limited by the usual caricatures. You could try: Oktoberfest founders King Ludwig I and
Princess Therese; the Bavaria Statue that has stood in the
Oktoberfest grounds since 1810, depicting an Amazonian
woman holding a sword and the wreath of victory; or a uniformed member of the annual Oktoberfest Costume and
Riflemen’s Procession.
There’s way more Halloween parties out on the town than
Oktoberfest ones, and more home-hosted party possibilities
than could be described here. But if you go to just one
Halloween party this year, make it the Sno White Halloween
Massive on Oct.
28 at the Egan
DJ Sno White
Center. This is not
headlines the
just a live music
Halloween
party with interMassive on
Oct. 28 at the
nationallyEgan Center.
acclaimed DJ Sno
White and a host
of extremely talented local DJs of
every genre. This is
an all-encompassing theatrical live
music experience
that puts the crowd in the middle of a dark and spooky Snow White story.
The headliner, Sno White, plays her namesake. DJ Dig Sista
is the evil queen. Live electronic music producer Contact is
the prince. Seven local DJs will play the seven dwarves.
Mike Mason is the owner of the production company, A
Dose of Know-How, putting on the event. At one point in the
show, he said, “We’ll carry Sno White to the stage in a glass coffin, set her down where she’ll be lit up very eerie in a fog
haze with lights coming through, and seven DJs will take turns
trying to wake her up and break the spell.”
Mason said the last two DJs will be banished by the queen
to the dungeon – the downstairs of the Egan Center – where
they’ll have a drum-and-bas- versus-dub DJ battle after Contact
wakes Snow White up with his performance. Special effects
will include a mirror image of the crowd projected onto the
ceiling, which becomes the talking face of the “Mirror, mirror,
on the wall” from the story.
Mason said the theatrical electronica music event will
include more than a few twists and surprises.
Restaurant to try
CAFÉ AMSTERDAM in Anchorage is the place for people who
have a love affair with good brew. They keep tons of local
brew and imported ales on tap, and their menu offers a taste
of old Europe along with the regular soup, salad and sandwich
fare. For a serving of something apropos to the season, try the
Bavarian Apple Pancakes for breakfast. www.cafeamsterdam.com.
ANCHORAGE CONCERT ASSOCIATION
APRES
events, shopping,
dining and mor e.
d friends.
times with family an
it doesnt' get any better.
Show time
End of summer marks
start of concert, play season
By Jack Bonney
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sign up for a free email or view
the Anchorage event calendar at
anchorage.net/hot
Photo © Anchorage Concert Association
I
’m having a hard time deciding what to do. Sure, trail runs are
getting frosty, and the best country ski outings are still weeks
away. But I’m not suffering from a lack of activities. Quite the
opposite; as I sit calendar in hand, there are simply so many performances to pick from that I’m having a hard time getting in
everything I want to see and hear. So there’s no excuse for rattling around the house or claiming we’re between seasons. We
are smack in the middle of concert season!
By the time you read this, the first performances of the
Anchorage Concert Association’s 2011-12 season have already
D I S C O V E R
v a l d e z
Alaska Day holiday
By Erin Kirkland
Owen Kirkland
explores Sitka’s
Castle Hill site during
a recent trip.
O
ur family fell in love with Sitka during a recent trip
around southeast Alaska. Everything about the city
enchanted us, from towering totems to family-friendly trails and
abundant activities. But it was history that really captured our
attention. Ever since the Russians unloaded Alaska to the
United States in 1867 for a paltry $7.2 million, Sitka has been
the touch point for much of Alaska’s
original story, told through dance, art,
music, and one big party held each
October.
Alaska Day, Oct. 18, is a state holiday,
and Sitka is the honored host for the
official celebration, a title held since the
first recorded event in 1949. Alaska Day
festivities reflect on an appreciation of
our state’s notable industries and individuals. Journeying to southeast Alaska
Erin KIRKLAND
might not be the cheapest family history lesson, but it certainly has the most potential for information
retention, especially among the school-aged set.
Live history is more interesting than the written kind, and
Sitka delivers a wealth of it during Alaska Day activities. With
the theme of “Celebrating Alaska’s Aviation” ringing in their
ears, 2011 festival organizers are planning a wealth of familyfriendly fun to keep youngsters of any age busy and engaged,
while perhaps learning a little more about the largest state in
the Union.
Alaska Day events aside, why not introduce the
kids to other Sitka treasures? Sitka National
Historical Park, the state’s oldest national
park, is home to 107 acres of ancient totems and
beautiful trails where children and adults
could become immersed in the rich culture of the
Tlingit people.
The military will be making a strong showing at this year’s
event, with the United States Coast Guard hosting an Open
House and Fly in and Marine Safety Fair, and the 9th Army
Band keeping time all weekend. A parade, fun run, and reenactment of the formal transfer ceremony between Russian
and U.S. dignitaries are just a few of the scheduled events, not
to mention the New Archangel Dancers, an all-woman Russian
dance troupe from Sitka who will perform throughout the festival.
Alaska Day events aside, why not introduce the kids to
www.AKontheGO.com
If you go
ALASKA AIRLINES flies to and from Sitka at least three times per
day. It’s not cheap; at $400 round-trip, using those miles is a
good idea, and worth the effort. www.alaskaair.com
THE SITKA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU offers detailed
descriptions for lodging, restaurants, and a full schedule of
events for the 2011 Alaska Day Festival. www.sitka.org.
other Sitka treasures? Sitka National Historical Park, the state’s
oldest national park, is home to 107 acres of ancient totems
and beautiful trails where children and adults could become
immersed in the rich culture of the Tlingit people. The park is
open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and features an informative brochure by which to explore the entire park.
Sheldon Jackson Museum, located on the campus of the former Sheldon Jackson College, is another historical treasure for
families. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday during the fall
and winter months, the museum features interesting artifacts
from Sheldon Jackson’s long tenure in Alaska, as well as one of
the finest displays of traditional Native clothing I’ve ever seen.
Have the kids try their hand at weaving a mat, sewing a grass
basket, or creating a rubbing on stone. Admission is a budgetpleasing $3.
Sometimes it’s worth traveling a bit for a true education.
Sitka is one of those places where history meets life in a most
interactive way. Take an Alaska Day trip to see why.
ERIN KIRKLAND
Celebrating the 49th state in beautiful Sitka
Alaska Coast
DCALENDAR
OOR
Tuesday, Oct. 4
at Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage. Non-competitive event. For more information, contact Tracey
Thomas, (907) 382-1232, [email protected],
or Sarah Robinson, (907) 273-2075, or
www.anchoragestrides.org.
BONNY SOSA TUESDAY NIGHT RACE SERIES
OCTOBER 2011
OUT
more information or to register, contact Megan
Spurkland, [email protected].
coast-magazine.com
Race meet-up is at 6 p.m. Race starts at 6:30 p.m.
(Check website for location). Races are of distances
up to 10K. Sponsored by Anchorage Parks and
Recreation, and part of the Healthy Futures Series.
For more information, call (907) 343-4217 or go to
www.muni.org/parks. To register, go to
www.active.com/running.
ALASKA ACES VS. COLORADO EAGLES
Hockey game starts at 7:15 p.m. at the Sullivan
Arena. Tickets range from $12-$26.50. For tickets
and information, www.alaskaaces.com.
Sunday, Oct. 9
OXYGEN & OCTANE EXPO Winter Adventure Show
See Friday, Oct. 7.
ARCTIC CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
This is the season finale race. Meet-up is at 10 a.m.
and race times are 11 a.m. and noon. Location TBA.
This is a cyclocross event, which includes cycling
and running through an obstacle course. For more
information or to register, contact Bruce Ross, (907)
230-7635 or [email protected] or John Lackey,
(406) 581-0588, or www.arcticcross.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
HAY BALE AND HEATH 6K
KLONDIKE ADVERTISING/FAST TIMES 5K
Race meet-up is at 4:30 p.m. at the Anchorage
Christian Schools parking lot. Race starts at 5 p.m.
For more information or to register, contact [email protected].
Race starts at noon at the Dog Mushers Hall in
Fairbanks. For more information or to register, contact Roger Sayre (907) 374-8105, [email protected]
Monday, Oct. 10
ALASKA ACES VS. COLORADO EAGLES
Get free promotion online and in print!
Events can now be posted on the COAST magazine
website free of charge! Events must be submitted
to the online calendar in order to be considered for
printing in the magazine.
Visit www.coast-magazine.com. Under the Events
tab, choose Add New Event. You may add an event
as a guest visitor without logging in; however, signing up for a calendar account will allow you to
make changes to the event information in the
future. COAST reserves the right to publish or withhold any information submitted.
All events will be moderated before appearing to
the public, so be sure they pertain to our region and
are appropriate. COAST magazine will make efforts
to print your events, especially those that would be
of interest to our readers, on a space-available
basis.
Saturday, Oct. 1
ROLLER DERBY
Rage City Rollergirls hosts a derby from 7-10 p.m.
at the Dena’ina Center. For more information,
www.ragecityrollergirls.org or Jen Schober (907)
272-4801.
ARCTIC CROSS SERIES RACE NUMBER FIVE
Race meet-up is 10 a.m. and race time is 11 a.m.
Location TBA. This is a cyclocross event, which
includes cycling and running through an obstacle
course. For more information or to register, contact
Bruce Ross, (907) 230-7635 or [email protected]
or John Lackey, (406) 581-0588, or www.arcticcross.org.
and info, www.alaskaaces.com.
Tuesday, Oct. 11
This high-powered annual expo showcases the best
in winter gear, travel, machines, seminars and more,
with 50,000 square feet of all the things Alaskans
love to do in winter. Free and open to the public.
The expo is held Friday, Oct. 7 from 4-8 p.m.;
Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday,
Oct. 9 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Dena’ina Center.
For more info, www.oxygenandoctane.com or
coast@alaskaadventure media.com.
Race meet-up is at 6 p.m., and race starts at 6:30
p.m. (Check website for location.) Races are of distances up to 10K. Event is sponsored by Anchorage
Parks and Recreation, and part of the Healthy
Futures Series. For more information, call (907)
343-4217 or go to www.muni.org/parks. To register,
go to www.active.com/running.
Friday, Oct. 14
Saturday, Oct. 8
ALASKA ACES VS. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS
See Friday, Oct. 7.
and info, www.alaskaaces.com.
ARCTIC CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Meet-up is at 10 a.m., with race times at 11 a.m.
and noon. Location TBA. This is a cyclocross event,
which includes cycling and running through an
obstacle course. For more information or to register,
contact Bruce Ross, (907) 230-7635 or
[email protected] or John Lackey, (406) 581-0588,
or www.arcticcross.org.
Saturday, Oct. 15
KIDS BOOGIE MAN 2K
Race starts at noon in Kincaid Park. Halloween
treats at finish line. Sponsored by Anchorage
Running Club and Skinny Raven Sports. Part of the
Healthy Futures Series. For more info, [email protected]. To register, www.active.com.
THE HOME RUN
Race starts at 10 a.m. at the Dog Mushers Hall in
Fairbanks. For more information, contact Chris
Garber Slaght (907) 455-9098 or Andy Sterns (907)
451-7663 or www.runnngclubnorth.org.
RUN TO THE ALTER HALF MARATHON
MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER
Race starts at 10 a.m. at Homer High School. For
From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood,
enjoy the last day of Alyeska’s first season of liftassisted downhill mountain biking..
Friday, Oct. 7
Meet-up is at 8 a.m. at the University of Alaska
Anchorage Central Parking Garage for these 2K, 5K
and 10K races on bike paths and trails around
Goose Lake and UAA and APU campuses. Race
times are 9:15 a.m. for the 2K, 9 a.m .for the 5K
and 8:30 a.m. for the 10K. Sponsored by the
Architecture and Engineering Club of UAA, and a
fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. For more information or to register, [email protected] or
www.AEclubUAA.com.
IT AIN’T EASY HILL RUN
ALYESKA RESORT COLUMBUS DAY BIKING
Race meet-up is 8 a.m. and stride starts at 10 a.m.
ZOMBIE MARATHONS
The Zombie Half Marathon starts at 10 a.m. at
Goose Lake; The Zombie Undead Marathon starts at
8 a.m. at Kincaid Park; and The Never Die Zombie
Ultra 50K starts at 8 a.m. at Kincaid Park. Costume
encouraged. For more information, [email protected]. To register, www.active.com.
RUNNERS’ SOCIAL
The Running Club North Social and Potluck will be
held at 6 p.m. at Fairbanks North Star Borough
Birch Hill Cross-Country Ski Facility. For more info,
SAFETY FIRST
continued from page 23
the sick dread of having no idea what to do next.
I had taken a basic first aid course, but this situation went far
beyond my skill level.The young man had broken his femur and
was rolling from side to side in excruciating pain. I immediately
called 911 and rushed to his side. I felt overwhelmed and terrified. I
tried to comfort him while we waited for emergency personnel.To
my huge relief help arrived within a matter of minutes and the
young man was carted off to the hospital.
If this had happened in the backcountry, and this guy was
depending on me, the situation would most likely have proven fatal.
A few winters ago I got a call from a man who had been out riding his snowmobile with friends when an avalanche struck. He said
he needed to buy a beacon, shovel and probe. Of course at this
point it was far too late to help his friend but he’d learned a valuable lesson and didn’t want to make the same mistake again.
He said there had been about a dozen people in his group, and
none had shovels, beacons or probes. His snowmachine broke
down soon after they left a parking lot, so he’d stayed behind to fix
it. He’d just got it running when another friend came racing back to
tell him there’d been an avalanche. One of his buddies was missing.
No one knew what to do. No one had gear to help find they guy.
They searched helplessly over the massive avalanche debris
field, a huge space.They dug frantically with their hands, all the
while knowing they couldn’t possibly find him in time.
It took more than a week and dozens of volunteers before their
friend’s body was finally pulled from the rubble.
Having the knowledge and gear doesn’t mean the worst won’t
happen. But it gives you a fighting chance.And, knowing what to
be aware of and what areas to avoid goes a long way toward keep-
BIG O SHOW continued from page 18
(Iron Doggers, be sure to check out the route map! There are hundreds of waypoints marked, making it nearly impossible to lose
that rugged trail) and solve my electrical surge problem before I
left the ice on Big Lake.”
Other notable vendors include Arctic Chiropractic and North
Star Chiropractic and their gratis massages.Alyeska Resort is planning to expand on their display and include logowear and more
information on all the latest trail and activities improvements they
have made over the last year, and clustered in the same areas as
Alyeska Resort are similar “oxygen” vendors, including Chugach
Powder Guides, H20 Heli,Arctic Valley and Hilltop and ski and
snowboard shops.
“We will also have financial institutions on-site so you can select
your snowmachine and get financing for it on the spot,” says
Woodbury.
For the budget conscious, a ski/snowboard and snowmachine
swap meet is planned for Oct. 8, with the Alaska State Snowmobile
Association taking the lead on organizing that event during the
Oxygen & Octane Expo.
“Expect to see a spectrum of sleds up for sale, from vintage
rides to last year’s race sled.There will also be a selection of ski and
board gear, new and used, on display at the swap,” says Woodbury.
Anyone interested in participating in the ski and snowmachine
swap is urged to contact ASSA president Kevin Hite
([email protected]).
That’s in addition to the ski and board vendors already present,
new skis given away and free advice on ski tuning and waxing for
both Alpine and Nordic skiers and boarders.
Another exciting twist this year is a section Expo staff refers to
ing you out of trouble.
This month the North America Outdoor Institute will host a
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities wilderness first responder course for anyone who works in a position of leadership in an
outdoor setting, or for individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry trips or
expeditions.
You could also find shorter, more basic wilderness first aid medical courses, available throughout the year.
Plus it’s always a great idea to take an annual refresher course
for backcountry survival and avalanche awareness. Even if you
know what to do, you need to stay sharp with practice. The North
America Outdoor Institute, along with our friends at the Chugach
Avalanche Information Center, the Alaska Avalanche Information
Center and the Alaska Avalanche School will host a full menu of
courses this winter to ensure anyone who wants to take the time
will have the opportunity to learn and practice important survival
and rescue skills.
We are also helping with the planning and delivery of the first
Snow Safety Conference to be held Nov. 4-6 at Alaska Pacific
University. For more about the conference, visit http://alaskasnowsafetyconference.webs.com/
Don’t let your fun, wilderness adventures end in tragedy.Take
the time to get the skills, knowledge and equipment you need to
ensure you have a safe, happy outcome.
October is also time for the annual membership gathering
for the North America Outdoor Institute. This is your opportunity to get involved and make a difference in outdoor safety education. Members receive discounts on training, gear and special
events.
To learn more visit www.naoiak.org or call (907) 376-2898.
as the “kitchen pass” aisle.The goal was to cluster spas, fitness
clubs, clothiers and more, in an effort to appeal to folks who may
be interested in more than just snowmachines and skis. If you are a
passionate rider or skier, you know just how important it is to keep
the person holding the apron string happy! This section, organizers
hope, will appeal to that person.
Speaking of playing, Expo entertainment includes the first public showing of “7 Days To Survive,” the fast-paced and edgy film of
last year’s grueling Iron Dog race, produced by Iron Dog, the
National Guard and Tim Delarm of 59th Parallel Productions.
Woodbury expects other films by local and national filmmakers
shown as well, including Warren Miller, Hybrid Color Films,
Destination Polaris and more. In addition to films expect a variety
of acts on the Alaska SnowRider stage rotating through, including
the world- famous Snowshoe Shufflers can-can dancers from the
Canadian Yukon and additional family-oriented acts.The stage acts
bolster other fun activities such as the ever-popular climbing wall,
bouncy boxing and rumor has it a volunteer for a new breast cancer awareness dunk tank has been secured.The sled dog puppies,
of course, will be back as well.
Kids love it, but the biggest cheers during the Expo often come
during the giveaway portions of the event.
“At the last three Big O shows, we’ve given away door prizes or
contest prizes valued at more than $20,000,” says Woodbury.“Most
of the prizes went to folks who just showed up to check out the
vendor displays and deals. Folks can walk out with hotel and lodge
stays, movie tickets, ski lift tickets, new skis, a raffle ticket to win a
snowmachine and loads of other neat things.All the prizes are generously donated by our vendors, or are sponsored by Coast and
SnowRider magazines,” he says.
TOAST continued from page 6
to rush on fall errands.
The food offers have resulted in the most torn coupons.
There are not only BOGO offers for pastries, cheesecakes and
blizzards, but even a donut decorating class! Who would have
guessed? Is there one for a free gym membership? A new,
longer belt perhaps?
Dinners don’t come cheap in Alaska ($8 plates in Michigan
this past summer were a treat), but the cost of living here is
greatly decreased with buy one entree get a second entrée free
offers. Putting a winter fat layer on doesn’t have to break the
bank.
As for the other autumn expenses, I’m tearing out savings
for oil changes and auto repairs, entertainment venues or guided trips to pack in some fun before the darkness strikes, even
free nights for lodging. After chopping wood for the fireplace
CALENDAR continued from page 30
the savings for chiropractic care could come in handy. And that
new map I received in the mail of Lake Louise snowmachine
trails, consider it laminated. Seriously, 25 percent off laminating.
Of course there are many options to find savings that help
us enjoy life in Alaska, whether they’re for food, fun or seasonal
errands and expenses. Online and email offers are taking off,
but you just can’t beat shopping local. Expos are probably the
most fun ways to save, especially on gear and equipment. The
important thing is we’re able to decrease the sense of stress
brought about by the changing season by alleviating financial
burdens. Taking advantage of BOGO offers and discounts means
money in the bank.
You can more freely tell that barista girl or pastry shop
employee to “keep the change.”
As for the change in season, I welcome it. My favorite time
of year.
gussy it up for Halloween. For ages six to 12 years old. Admission $8. Pre-registration required. For more information, contact Jennifer Thorne, (907) 343-4495.
contact Bob Vitale, (907) 322-0117, or www.runningclubnorth.org.
Friday, Oct. 28
Tuesday, Oct. 18
Race meet-up is at 6 p.m., and race starts at 6:30 p.m. (Check website for location.) Races are of distances up to 10K. Event is sponsored by Anchorage Parks
and Recreation, and part of the Healthy Futures Series. For more information,
call (907) 343-4217 or go to www.muni.org/parks. To register, go to
Thursday, Oct. 20
HAUNTED TRAILS
Tired of haunted houses? How about taking the family to a haunted trail, complete with carnival games, tricks and treats. The Trick or Treat Trail runs from
4:30-6:30 p.m. and the Spooky Trail runs from 6:45-8:30 p.m.; both are at
Goose Lake in Anchorage. Tickets are $10 per family in advance, or $15 per
family the day of the event. For advance tickets, visit the Fairview Recreation
Center at 1121 East Tenth Avenue (907) 343-4130.
Saturday, Oct. 29
ALASKA ACES VS. IDAHO STEELHEADS
Hockey game starts at 7:15 p.m. at the Sullivan Arena. Tickets range from $12$26.50. For tickets and information, www.alaskaaces.com.
HALLOWEEN FAMILY RUN
Two races, a two-mile and a 10-mile, start at 10 a.m. at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks Patty Center. Costumes encouraged, treats at finish. For more information or to register, contact Jane Leblond, (907) 457-3910 or www.runningclubnorth.org.
ROLLER DERBY
Friday, Oct. 21
Saturday, Oct. 22
Rage City Rollergirls hosts a derby from 7-10 p.m. at the Dena’ina Center. For
more information, www.ragecityrollergirls.org or Jen Schober (907) 272-4801
SPORTS SWAP
Sunday, Oct. 30
The Girdwood Community All Sports Swap runs from noon-5 p.m. at the
Daylodge at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. For more information, www.alyeskaresort.com.
HALLOWEEN COSTUME CRAWL
Race starts at 9 a.m. at Baycrest Trailhead in Homer. For more information or to
register, Andy Haas, [email protected]. Sponsored by Kachemak Runners.
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Race meet-up is at 6 p.m., and race starts at 6:30 p.m. (Check website for location.) Races are of distances up to 10K. Event is sponsored by Anchorage Parks
and Recreation, and part of the Healthy Futures Series. For more information,
call (907) 343-4217 or go to www.muni.org/parks. To register, go to
Thursday, Oct. 27
EAST POOL PUMPKIN SPLASH
Bobbing for apples might have tradition on its side, but it’s got nothing on
swimming for pumpkins. From 6:45-8:30 p.m. at the East High School swimming pool, catch a floating pumpkin and take it to the decorating station to
Ongoing
ANCHORAGE FARMERS MARKET
From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 15, the Anchorage Farmer’s
Market is held at 1420 Cordova Street in Anchorage.
CENTER MARKET
From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, through
Oct. 12, the Center Market is held at the Sears Mall parking lot on the corner of
Benson Boulevard and Denali Street in Anchorage.
NORTHWAY MALL WEDNESDAY MARKET
From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct., the South Anchorage Farmers
Market is held in the parking lot near the Subway Sports Centre, on the corner
of O’Malley Road and Old Seward Highway in Anchorage.
GUIDES and SERVICES
Advertise your
business here!
Call 677.2900
to find out
how!
Alaska's outdoor
adventure
magazine.
To advertise
or subscribe:
(907) 677-2900
made their curtain calls. But fear not! October has winners too.
“Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” tears up the playbill with a musical comedy that’s completely improvised.“Fiddler on the Roof”
has been pleasing audiences since 1964, and hits the stage in
Anchorage this month as well. But not all the acts this season
are on grand North American tours; Juneau’s Perseverance
Theatre is teaming up with ACA for a pair of titles in Anchorage
later in 2012.
In fact, when you get right down to it, a lot of our talent is
homegrown.Take Anchorage Community Theater; their production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” finishes in October, at the same
time they unveil “Fourplay: Four Short Plays by Alaskans.” Here’s
a taste of what you’re in for:Tom Moran’s “The Big Guy” deals
with Godzilla’s existential crisis.That’s worth the price of admission as far as I’m concerned.
Cyrano’s Theatre Company brings back “The Winter Bear” for
a special engagement at Wild Berry Theatre in October. But true
to their credo of a different play every month, they’ll put on
“Helen,”“Carnival,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life:The Radio Play” all
before launching into their 20th anniversary season in 2012.
The Anchorage Symphony has tunes from Tony Award titans
including “Wicked,”“West Side Story,”“Hairspray” and “The Lion
King” in the Best of Broadway October 14th and 15th. Keep
your eye on January for the symphony as well.“Out of this
MEDRED continued from page 4
light powerful, but you don’t want to shine it anyone’s eyes at
night. It will blind them.
It’s much more than you need when taking the dogs for a
walk, and just what you want when bombing down out of the
Front Range on skis or a fat-tired bike at 20 or 30 mph in the dark
of a winter night. It’s hard to dodge objects, such as trees, if you
can’t see them until you’re almost on them. Light makes travel so
much better.You just have to treat it with respect.
A neighbor and I who encounter each other as often as not on
skis or snowshoes on a neighborhood trail on the edge of
Chugach State Park late at night in the dead of winter are always
mindful to switch our lights off so as not to destroy each other’s
vision. At least on those nights we have the lights on.Truth be
told, there are plenty of nights in and around Anchorage when
the moon is so bright that the black spruce in the muskeg meadows cast long shadows. On those nights, you don’t really need a
headlamp.
On the nights when you really need light though, the headlamp of the 2010s is a godsend, as are most things when you really need them. On the coal-black nights, you wonder how exactly
people got along before the technology arrived even if you yourself got along well enough before the technology arrived.
It’s sort of weird, but I find myself thinking this thought about
a lot of things: about the Ski-Doo Tundra LT snowmachine that
will go just about anywhere in winter; about the Gamin Dakota
GPS that tells me always where I am while recording where I was
for later download and review in a computer; about the Pentax
waterproof digital camera that requires almost no photographic
intelligence whatsoever to take a decent picture; and about the
Simms Gore-Tex waders that aren’t quite waterproof-breathable,
perfect after a full day of trudging through duck-swamp hell.
ANCHORAGE CONCERT ASSOCIATION
SHOW TIME continued from page 26
World” tours the solar system to the tune of Mozart’s Symphony
No. 41 (Jupiter) and Gustav Holst’s The Planets. Speaking of epic
works, let’s not forget the Anchorage Opera either.Their season
begins with “The Grapes of Wrath” in early November and continues with “Macbeth” and “Sound of Music” in 2012.
So the next time someone whines about a chilly bike ride
after work, laments the end of fishing season or stares wistfully
at a snowmachine still cloaked in summer dust, grab a couple
tickets and head for the theater.We’ve only reached the start of
the season, and there will be plenty more on Anchorage marquees!
As noted above, the Simms waders aren’t perfect.They’re
merely close to perfect.
I remember when neoprene waders first arrived on the scene
a couple decades ago and everyone raved. For someone who
loves to hunt waterfowl as though they were upland game birds,
the neoprenes were, admittedly, a huge improvement over stiff
waders of vinyl or rubber-coated nylon. But I’d still come back to
the truck after a day of hunting, peel them off, pour a cup or two
of sweat out of each foot, and then peel off soaked socks.
Say what you will about Gore-Tex.The reality is that the twin
goals of absolute breathability and absolute waterproofness are
absolutely unobtainable. But even given that, if now at the end of
a long, tough day in the swamps the socks are more than just
damp, it has been a really long, tough day.Technology is our
friend.
Again, when it works. And when it doesn’t, well, it’s easy to feel
tempted to take a reliable, old-fashioned piece of equipment like a
semi-automatic Remington Model 11 shotgun first produced in
1905 and use it to just blow the malfunctioning computer to
pieces because the one problem with all this high-tech new gear
is that when it fails it tends to fail catastrophically, like the carbonfiber lever on an insanely expensive bicycle brake.
When things broke back in the day, as those halogen-bulbed
headlamps did, you at least knew you could fix them, or knew
how to fix them, even if you didn’t have the parts for the job. And
there was something calming in that knowledge. Or at least there
was for those of us who like to think we can fix things. Now,
when things don’t work perfectly, which they usually do, it’s easy
to be overcome with what might be called ‘technology rage.’
As anyone who has physically pulled out hair trying to sort out
an almost unsolvable computer problem knows, that’s not a good
thing.

October, 2011 - Alaska Coast Magazine

Transcription

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