This
Month's Newsletter:
Around mid-May there is always
a flurry of activity as folks who haven't finalized
their summer plans suddenly realize just how close
summer really is. And this year is no different. For
those who are still considering a trip for this summer
you should finalize plans as soon as possible.
Martin
Creek Exploratory
There is still a space available on this trek but it
will probably be full within the next week. If you're
interested let
me know.
Last month a polar bear was taken on a hunt in Canada.
But the hunters noticed some odd details about the
bear. He had some off the characteristics of a grizzly
bear. Genetic testing proved that the bear is the first
recorded offspring in the wild of a grizzly and polar
bear mating.
Read the full
story.
After the bugs and the bears,
one of the most common topics of inquiry I get is regarding
summer temperatures in Alaska and the weather in general.
Alaska is not locked in ice
and snow all year. We actually do have summer here
- it just doesn't last for long. Spring has just
exploded in the Anchorage area this week. It's been
a cool spring but the last several days have finally
produced some sunny skies and warm temperatures.
Spring happens suddenly in Alaska
and goes from brown to green almost overnight it seems.
But because it's been such a cool spring, there's still
a lot of snow on the trails. I was out the other day
on a hike up Pioneer Ridge and hit snow after hiking
up about 1300 feet. Since it had been so warm the snow
was soft and sugary resulting in knee deep to thigh
deep postholing. But once up on the ridge the snow
was mostly melted. Sometimes people ask about a May
hiking trip but it's really not a good time for backcountry
travel here. June typically produces better conditions
and July and August are ideal.
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In Wrangell-St. Elias the temperatures peak around
early to mid July when daytime temps average in the
upper 60s to mid 70s in McCarthy. There can be hotter
periods where the temps get into the 80s but 70s is
more usual. Nighttime temps for June/July are usually
in the low 50s or upper 40s though cooler in the mountains.
For the lower 48, August is the
dog days of summer when people finally break down and
buy that air conditioner. But in Alaska it's a transitional
month - there is a noticeable difference between the
beginning and end of August. Around mid August the
nights start getting noticeably longer and cooler.
This happens gradually of course but it always seems
to catch you by surprise. You get used to total daylight
at 10:30 at night. Then one night you step outdoors
and say "wow, it's really dark."
By the end of the month nighttime
temps at the freezing mark are possible. Day temps
are in the lower 60s. Late August and early September
usually see an increase in rain so plan accordingly.
By late August to mid September snow becomes a possibility
at higher elevations. I once hiked through 4 inches
of fresh snow on August 4th at about 6000 feet. Snow
that early won't stick around very long but it can
snow any month of the year depending on elevation.
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If you're doing a trip that's either early or late
in the summer you might want to take an extra layer.
On a late August trip I usually pack a pair of light
fleece pants for sleeping. My 20 degree bag is what
I use all summer and when it's chilly I augment with
some extra clothing layers. I also take an extra,
micro-fleece jacket when things start to cool off.
In many ways the weather the Wrangell-St.
Elias area during the summer months is not that different
from the Rocky Mountains. So if you have done a trip
in that part of the country plan for similar conditions
in Alaska. If you still have questions about weather
or clothing just send me an email.
Well that's it for this edition.
I'll be heading for McCarthy in a few weeks so this
will be the last regular newsletter until the fall.
I may send out one or two brief notices in the next
few weeks if a new trip gets added that has spots available.
Have a great summer!
Greg Fensterman
907.350.3710
info@trekalaska.com -
www.TrekAlaska.com
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