Alaska

Alaska, the Last Great Frontier
By: L. Woodrow Ross
If you are looking for a great vacation idea and love nature and scenic vistas, consider Alaska. It truly is the last great frontier for US citizens. It is accessible by air and by sea. Flights are available into Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, and you can book shuttle flights into smaller cities. Even remote areas can be accessed by chartering a bush pilot to fly you to your desired destination. There are also some great cruises that follow the inland waterway and you can combine this with excursions from the various ports.
Alaska is a sportsman's and photographer's paradise. Be sure to carry plenty of storage for your digital camera or lots of film if that is your choice of equipment. The ultimate for the photographer is to experience a clear day with an excellent view of Mt. McKinley or Denali as the locals call it. Denali means "the great one" and it certainly lives up to the name. The majestic, snow-covered peaks and towering peaks are breathtaking.
The rivers are beautiful and the chalky green color caused by the glacial silt gives them a unique appearance. The Kenai, Talkeetna, Susitna, and Yukon are names that spell adventure and fantastic fishing opportunities for the vacationer. You can book a guide or stay at a lodge dedicated to servicing fishermen, but free-lancing is also an option.
If you are a competent angler, you can purchase guidebooks before your trip and make plans based on expert advice. It is still advisable to talk to locals when you arrive. Conditions can affect the fishing and choice of locations, flies, lures, and other gear.
Salmon are the favorite species here: Chinook, Silver, Pink and others. Trout are also abundant with lake trout, Rainbow and Char being sought after quarry. It is a sport fisherman's dream to fish these waters.
Wildlife is abundant and depending on the area that you travel, you may see moose, wolves, caribou, Bald Eagles and more. Keep the camera handy. You never know what is around the next bend.
If you are planning to drive in Alaska, purchase a copy of the Milepost. It is a publication that lists every major business, city, river access and every imaginable detail that the driver will need to know (especially the gas stations). It gives detailed maps and lists the details by every milepost on the major highways. It is the bible for the Alaskan driver.
Take a variety of clothing that can be layered to be able to adjust to the rapidly changing weather conditions. It may be sunny and warm one day and snowing fiercely the next.
There is a saying that advises travelers not to visit Alaska until they are old, because nothing else will ever compare to it.
© Copyright L. Woodrow Ross, March 2008
All Right Reserved

Winter Camping

Winter Camping

By: L. Woodrow Ross

Winter camping offers an interesting time to be outdoors enjoying nature. If you camp in an area with temperature extremes, it can be challenging, but if you are properly prepared, it can be an exciting adventure.

I live in upstate South Carolina. This is a state with moderate temperatures, but the upstate is in the foothills of the Appalchian Mountain chain and can get cool.

A friend and I just returned from a late February camping trip to game zone 2. We were in Newberry County. The lowest temperature was 24 degrees Fahrenheit. We were properly dressed in layers to be able to adjust to the various temperatures throughout the day and after sundown.

Rather than take a tent on this trip, we tooks tarps and slept under an open lean-to. It was breezy, but we had good sleeping bags and were comfortable.

One tip in sleeping outside in cold weather is to take a good stocking cap. It can be pulled down low and contain a lot of body heat. In addition, a fleece neck gaiter minimizes heat loss from the carotid arteries at the neck.

If you plan to do some winter camping, invest in a good sleeping bag and make sure it is long enough. If you are tall, it will pay to invest in a bag that will fully cover your shoulders. You want to be sure, when you are in the bag, that your toes are not crowded. If your feet are crowded against the end of the bag, they will get cold.

Camping in the winter allows you to enjoy the campfire and cook over an open fire without suffering from the heat. We were in a primitive campground, so we had to carry water and all needed supplies, but it was accessible by vehicle, so we could carry cast iron cookware and plenty of food. If you haven’t experienced food cooked over and open fire with cast iron, you haven’t lived.

We did a lot of scouting for wild turkeys, hiking and took a few photos. It was a great time to be out. Only one other person was in the campground and he only stayed a couple of days. We camped from Sunday to Thursday.

In February of 2007, we backpacked into the Joccassee Gorges and camped for a week. It was 19 degrees one night. We has snow one day and a violent storm another night. We were very isolated for a week and didn’t see any other humans.

When backpacking for extended periods, pack carefully. It is very easy to pack more than you can carry without becoming exhausted. You will have to make a list and plan carefully to include only the essential items.

One of the benefits of winter camping is the scenic visibility. The trees are bare and if you are in mountainous terrain, you can see the surrounding much better. It is a good time for landscape photography. You can walk for long distances without overheating. Just be sure to layer your clothing for proper temperature control. When you stop to rest, put on a jacket so that you will not cool down too fast.

If you are a hunter, you can combine camping with your favorite hunting activity. It will add to the adventure and will get you closer to the action. You will save valuable travel time by being closer to your quarry.

Winter is a great time to be in the woods. Try winter camping and you may be hooked just as we are.

© Copyright L. Woodrow Ross, March 2008

All Rights Reserved