This is where Alaskan skiers learn to love the climb as much as the ski down, and to prefer the freedom of telemark skiis over the weight and other limitations of alpine gear. Eagle River Valley bores twenty miles into the Chugach Mountains. At its widest near the ocean, it is barely two miles. We like to say to folks that one can walk behind our neighborhood for an hour, wander into the hills, then see no one for days. It is normal to keep company with cautious Dall sheep, not unusual to spot foraging Brown bear.
Most outings are quiet affairs.
Bill Ennis and Tom often shared housekeeping in winter-entrenched tents. On this November outing, Bill stands near a pitch on Lynx Peak in the Talkeetna Mountains. For many years he has been both a teacher of Physics at East High, and of Mountaineering at the University. Tom and Bill share a good friendship, even though Bill often demanded a larger portion of the floorspace. Fly fishing for Dolly Varden, Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Grayling has been one of our favorite activities over the years.