2. 2009

Sheep Retrieval

A late fall trip up the Knik Valley to help a friend of a friend retrieve hunting gear and a sheep he was forced to leave behind during a helicopter rescue.
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The trail breaks into the open in an avalanche chute and Jason points out where we're headed.
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The trail breaks into the open in an avalanche chute and Jason points out where we're headed.

AlaskaJohn Beebe2009Matanuska Susitna Valley

  • The winding trails of the Knik Riverbed led us here, where we ditched the truck with the trailer and moved on with a six-wheeler and one truck.
  • Our starting point for the hiking portion was a small hunting camp in the woods at the base of the mountains. John and Jason prepare their gear for the hike uphill.
  • Jason moves through the woods up an old streambed.
  • Cottonwood trees rise around us as John follows through the woods.
  • The trail breaks into the open in an avalanche chute and Jason points out where we're headed.
  • A steep streambed shoots straight down the mountainside, offering a trail free from alders, but choked with lighter vegetation. John follows up behind, hidden in the thick foliage.
  • Fireweed blooms thick in the upper portions of this streambed.
  • The tip of the Knik Glacier peeks into this photo of the far side of the Knik River Valley.
  • John follows up a steep and slippery slope with the Knik Glacier far below.
  • The Knik Glacier Valley stretches away under a cloudy sky.
  • Mountains contrast sharply under a coating of fresh snow.
  • Termination dust coats the mountains across the Knik Valley.
  • Peaks stand high over us, looking all the more intimidating with a light coating of snow.
  • A scree slope slows us down as the valley falls away behind John.
  • The Knik Glacier, and several others, slowly moving down from the higher peaks.
  • Jason forges through a thick stand of brush.
  • Lunch break gives us a minute to enjoy the awesome views from way up here.
  • Jason is almost invisible, pushing through the thick brush to reach easy terrain again.
  • Terrain gets steep as we approach the area Jason got stuck in a week prior, requiring a helicopter rescue.
  • John lowers himself off a short steep section of the streambed with a small waterfall cascading alongside.
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