2. 2008

Archangel Valley - Pre-Season Toto Buttress

Snow trudging, homemade stoves, and some dry rock in the beautiful Archangel Valley with Richard Harrop and Tracy Borland.
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Richard Harrop goes in almost to the hip, with snow getting deeper and deeper along our route.
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Richard Harrop goes in almost to the hip, with snow getting deeper and deeper along our route.

Tracy BorlandAlaskaHatcher PassArchangel ValleyRichard Harrop2008Matanuska Susitna Valley

  • Richard Harrop pauses on the trek into the mountains to snap a quick shot of the party.
  • Tracy Borland, enjoying the Alaskan outdoors completely
  • The lofty walls of Archangel Valley loom overhead as Richard Harrop and Tracy Borland pause to take it all in.
  • The long road winds into the distance as Tracy catches up.
  • Richard Harrop goes in almost to the hip, with snow getting deeper and deeper along our route.
  • Showing off an impressive amount of gear, Richard turns back for a snapshot.
  • As the snow patches get deeper and wider, Richard wades across.
  • Hip-deep snow doesn't stop Richard completely, although he is considerably slowed.
  • The cabin is reached at last, and gear hung on the walls in preparation for climbing the next morning.
  • Dinner preparations were stalled somewhat upon realization that our stove and fuel canister were incompatible, but some quick improvisations using trash left behind by the area's winter users enabled us to boil several pots of water for our meals.
  • Soup boils over our tin-can stove.
  • Richard emerges from the cabin in the morning, readying himself for a day of climbing in the bright sunlight.
  • A hard crust of snow over a soft foundation makes travel difficult without skis, so we compromised, crawling the distance to the base of the climb.
  • Richard tops out on a small hill with the beautiful mountains of Archangel Valley all around him.
  • This is hard work. Richard stops to take a breather.
  • Tracy follows in our footsteps.
  • The downhill sections are a bit easier to keep on top of the snow, and even fun!
  • Richard works his way up <i>Toto 5.7</i> in the bright Alaskan sunlight.
  • Tracy follows up <i>Toto 5.7</i>, enjoying the warm weather while it lasts.
  • At the belay Richard grins happily, shooting things up with his camera.
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