Friday, July 25, 2008

Angel Dust



The clouds lifted up and out peaked a few spots of blue today. And, something besides blue. Angel dust. Now, I am not complaining, angel dust is beautiful. But it's weird to have Angel dust in July, on top of gullies full of last years snow. A long time ago, Manelek, the great Eskimo Shaman, said "The snows of one winter will meet the snows of next". This year, in the midst of global warming, it happened. According to the Anchorage Daily News, that is because of La Nina. La Nina is colder than normal waters near Peru rather than the warmer than average waters of El Nino.

Whatever kind of year we are having and why, today was a great day for a long hike. I decided to do one of my favorite hikes, an approximately 12 mile loop up onto a ridge, back to MC Hugh Peak, and then along another ridge that eventually drops down into Rabbit Lakes. It's a beautiful hike, with views of the inlet, Suicide peaks, several lakes, and valleys below on either side. To finish off, it's a great four mile downhill run to the shuttled car.



Notice the light dusting of fresh snow near the top.



Looking back towards the sunshine.

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