I’ve finally made it to the McCarthy, the town I lived in last year. My priorities since arriving have been to: 1) Find a place to stay 2a) Find a place to work 2b) Study for the written test for my Private Pilots License (more later) 3) Write, Read, and other lofty goals.
Category: Bulavinaka
Bulavinaka!
Backpacking around Mount Eielson in Denali National Park
Moody Night 1 on the eve of Summer Solstice. My buddy Jesse, who I met serendipitously when our road trips intersected in time and place at Mesa Verde National Park, is working for a flight-seeing operation called Denali Air. Similar to my shuttle gig last year for Wrangell Mountain Air, it’s his responsibility to Read More …
Unexpected Unemployment & Arrival in Anchorage
Interesting news: I was laid off from my job recently – last day was May 19th. It’s too bad because I was excited to get into water infrastructure engineering, but we just didn’t win the proposals we hoped to and I was low man on the totem pole. Never fret, I’m back in Read More …
Overnight trip to Bremner Historic Mining District
Last week I was dropped off at Bremner Historic Mining District (wiki) by our flagship bush plane, a 1949 de Havilland Beaver. We approached with a slight tailwind and landed in a heap.
Alaskan Get-togethers
I’ve glimpsed something that those who don’t know, hope still exists.
Living in McCarthy, Alaska
Work work work I’ll shut up about work for a minute and jog you through a few other notable goings-on in McCarthy and Kennecott. Three weeks ago (June 4th) McCarthy held a community yard sale. Anyone looking to free up valuable storage space could get rid of unused clothes, blankets, and knick knacks. Read More …
Working in McCarthy, Alaska
I drive the shuttle van between McCarthy and Kennecott 6 or 7 times a day. Each full circuit takes an hour. It’s an ok gig.
Overnighter Backpacking Trip to Donoho Basin
Donoho Basin is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. I met a guide with five years of experience, and she described it as the most scenic single day hike-in site in Alaska.
Introduction to McCarthy and Kennecott
The remote mining town of Kennecott and its supporting outpost McCarthy have their roots in the early 1900’s, long before the Wrangell St. Elias National Park was established in 1980. In 1899 two prospectors bushwhacked their way into the Kennicott Glacier Valley and discovered what was then the richest copper deposit in the Read More …
Orange County to Seattle to Anchorage to Glenallen to McCarthy
Last Saturday I flew into Anchorage from Orange County after a quick lay-over in Seattle. Two days later I caught an eight-seater dual prop plane from Anchorage to Glenallen (186 miles / 300 km) and then squeezed into a Cessna mail plane to get from there to McCarthy (100 miles / 160 km).