Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Jet Boat Operations
Probably one of my favorite things to do this summer was guide our jet boat tours on the Matanuska River. It gave me a chance to learn more about the land around me and it got me out on the fast-flowing waters created by my favorite glacier. While on the river when not splashing about in rapids, I got to point out features to guests, such as the braids of the river, the blue-gray color of the water caused by copious amounts of rock flour, the lateral moraine from the last glacial maximum of 20,000 years ago when the glacier reached Anchorage and the poor porcupine that was stuck on the hillside for days. Sadly, our Coast Guard Licensed Captain had to return to college, so our jet boat operations ended on August 17th. However, being out on the boat, jetting up and down the river with views of the glacier and the surrounding valley and mountains will be one of the joyful memories I take home with me from this Alaskan Summer of 2012.
The Matanuska River and the glaciated valley (and 20,000 year old lateral moraine!) it runs through
Leading my last jet boat tour, made especially fun as it was with the parents of one of my summer family members
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Final Family Climb Night
This week my summer family and I got out on the glacier for our final family ice climbing night and it didn't disappoint! We had 4 ropes set, the sun was out, the clouds were amazing and we were in a cool, sort of hard to get to location. And to make the night even better, a friend and I took a dip in a lake on the moraine on our walk out. Ice climbing is definitely one of my favorite activities from my 2012 Alaskan summer.
Thanks, Rich.
It's gotten way bigger over the course of the summer
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
New Kitchen
Here at the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska, our needs are very little. We get up, do our job, have some fun in the evenings and then go to bed. Rinse and repeat.
That being said, when there are over 15 people sharing a cramped, communal kitchen with only 3 propane burners, we quickly realized the need for for a new one. So we built one. Those with construction experience were more involved than others, but everyone contributed something to this endeavor. We now have 6 burners and open space! Cooking dinner last night was almost as comfortable as cooking dinner in my Portland home!
Enjoying a cold brew after a hard days work getting moved into our new kitchen!
That being said, when there are over 15 people sharing a cramped, communal kitchen with only 3 propane burners, we quickly realized the need for for a new one. So we built one. Those with construction experience were more involved than others, but everyone contributed something to this endeavor. We now have 6 burners and open space! Cooking dinner last night was almost as comfortable as cooking dinner in my Portland home!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Evening Picnic
A few nights ago, my friend and I were able to break away from work a little earlier than normal (thank you for covering, Joolee!) so we could go for a walk and have a picnic on the glacier. Neither of us had been out on the glacier since June so it was just what we needed! Not only did we get to see how much the glacier had changed during the summer melting season, we also got to have some quality time and even finished off the night with a refreshing, albeit slightly cold, swim in a lake on the moraine. Freedom!
I heart the Matanuska Glacier
Sun on our faces and a warm night for tank tops on the ice
Picnicing in crampons
I can't get enough of these sweet smelling flowers, the Alaskan Sweet Pea...featured with the Chugach mountain range in the background.
Monday, July 23, 2012
MICA Mocha
With beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains and the Matanuska Glacier, MICA Mocha is the newest espresso and ice cream truck around. Staffed by the logistics turned barista crew of MICA Guides, we can make you a fine cup of espresso while serving you up a delicious scoop of "Moose Tracks" or "Caramel Caribou" ice cream. So don't hesitate. Come see us!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The Matanuska in the News
This week, a local news crew from Anchorage came to do a piece on my summer home, the Matanuska Glacier. Though I seldom watch the news, even when I live somewhere where I have a tv, this is worth watching just to get a visual for that large chunk of ice I've fallen head over heels for. The guide, my cool and very expressive friend Alyssa, is featured throughout as well.
Unfortunately I can't embed the video, so click on the link below to watch.
Matanuska Glacier Tour
Matanuska Glacier Tour
Monday, July 9, 2012
One. Big. Zip.
This season, MICA, my summer employer, opened a new zipline, adding a minute long thrill ride to their ever-increasing repertoire of adventure activities at the Matanuska Glacier. And to make my summer of random jobs complete, ensuring my resume will never look the same, I am now a bona fide "zipline guide", sometimes sending zippers off of a 3 story tower and sometimes being a brake for them at the end of their ride. The zipline itself is a 1/4 mile long with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Matanuska River and since I often zip down after all others have been sent, I can vouch that it is an awesome ride.
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