Inside Out

Shake it off

There is a tree outside of our house still has leaves clinging to its branches. The leaves are dry and a dull brown, or bright orange in the right light. There have been winter advisories with high winds, freezing nights, rain and sunshine. Nothing has convinced the leaves to go on their final journey and return to the ground.

It’s a new year, 2023. I feel like this old tree. Can’t let go of the old. The new green is not there, yet.

I know.

“Hit the reset button. Whatever happened yesterday, forget about it. Get a new perspective. Today is a new day. Fresh start, begins now.”

Germany Kent

How is your start in the New Year?

Cheers

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Autumn

Termination Dust, Alaska

“Autumn is more a season of the soul than of nature.”

Friedrich Nietzsche


I had so many good intentions about documenting my adventures this year in the Arctic:

Months without sunrise or sunset.

The first fireweed flower of the season.

The scares of wildfires abound.

Floating through the Gates of the Arctic.

Climbing Mt. Dillon.

Where did it all go? Well, there were so many thrilling moments this summer, I found just enough time to breathe, eat, and occasionally sleep.

Hope your summer was a great one.

Officially we are still having fall, although winter is knocking heavily on its doors in some places of North America.

How does your soul feel about the impending transition?

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Sunday

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Do something wonderful,
people may imitate it.

Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer was a highly educated and accomplished musician and theologian, when he decided to make a difference in West Africa. At age 30 he studied Medicine and went as a doctor with his wife Helene to Gabon to start a health clinic. He returned to Europe several times due to World War I and health issues. Nevertheless, he always returned to the hospital, where he lived until age 90.

He wrote several religious and philosophical books, such as The Philosophy of Civilization. He also documented his life in Lambaréné in On the Edge of the Primeval Forest, which is available at the Gutenberg Project. For his work he was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. His wife Helene contributed greatly to the success of Albert. She was one of the first female students at the University of Strasbourg, became a nurse and anesthesiologist, fund raiser, lecturer, and mother.
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One Man's Paradise

After the storm

“Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder–no matter how old you became and how much you’d seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered.”

Candace Bushnell


Beautiful skies are back in all it’s splendor after the second snow this season.

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Summit Lake, British Columbia

 

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Sometimes I prefer traveling over arriving. This year’s road trip went from Salt Lake to Alaska. It’s the third time that I made the long trek up north. For the first time in July, which made for amazing weather and beautiful wild flowers along the way.

See for yourself.

On the Road

Road trip

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One Man's Paradise

Close to the heart

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May Weather in the Boundaries Range, British Columbia


“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing.
I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche.
I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens,
and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

John Muir


 

Those are the words of a great man.

Looking across the valleys and mountains of the Boundaries Range I imagine this is what John Muir had in mind, when he traveled to Alaska 130 years ago: Snow and ice covered landscapes. Even today, patches of that pristine wilderness still exist. Often times hiding in the clouds.

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Mixed bag

First ship

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“The traveler sees what he sees.
The tourist sees what he has come to see.”

G.K. Chesterton


The first cruise ship of the season has arrived in town. Spitting out 3000 passengers in search of memories and experiences.

For some travelers these memories consist of merchandise: T-shirts, hats, and diamonds…

Unfortunately the diamond hunters did return empty handed, as none of the 25 diamond stores in a town of 700 souls had opened their seasonal shops. The stores are closing in fall the day the last ship leaves and remain locked for the whole winter. The large window fronts collect dust, hiding the bare interior. In spring a row of nondescript, rusty containers roll into town. Overnight windows are cleaned, shop signs are polished, and display cases are overflowing with expensive jewelry, watches, and art work. Well, I assume the goods are expensive, since no prices are displayed.

This year the first ship beat the diamond stores to the punch. All we had to offer was a beautiful spring day. I wonder how many visitors appreciated the precious beauty of their surroundings and took home those memories free of charge.

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Spring time

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Into the Wild, One Man's Paradise

Safe

Masatoshi Kuriaki just spent 75 days alone in the Alaska Range attempting for the 9th time to solo climb Mt. Hunter in winter.

His accomplishments: First winter solo of Mt. Foraker  in 2007. Winter solo of Denali in 1998. Walked from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay 1998.

He lives in Japan with his family and has spent about two years of his life alone in Alaska in the winter time.

This year unfavorable snow conditions forced Masatoshi to activate his emergency beacon after 75 days on the mountain. Four feet of snow and warm temperatures created extreme avalanche danger, forcing him to stay put at 8000 feet. Before running out of food and fuel, or attempting to descend in extreme conditions he decided to request a rescue, the first time in his many years of mountaineering. On April 3, two days after the rescue call, Masatoshi was picked of the West Ridge of Mt. Hunter by Alaska Air National Guard helicopter pilot Andy Hermansky and short-hauled to base camp.

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St. Elias Mountains

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