Winter Solstice Stuff

The Eclipse!

Winter is officially upon us, even though that really happened back on Halloween.  It's been clear and cold the past few weeks, although it did warm up to 15, but then it went right back down.  Anyways, here's a few shots of the past days: one from the eclipse, then a fantastic sunset over the Cook Inlet and Mako in backcountry ski form.

Mako on Turnagain Pass

Sunset over Cook Inlet, looking south

Last Days of 2010

With the year winding down, I put together a best of 2010 slide-show on the side bar. There may still be more to add in the next 10 days or so, but here's the bulk of it. Lot's of fun and great memories!

Thanks to everyone for being a part of it!

Cheers!

December in AK

It's been super cold the past week or two, but that also means clear skies and great photo ops! The winter solstice is coming up and the alpenglow lasts just about all day and there has been a low rising moon that lights up the sky.

Here's a few shots of Mako and I on a x-country ski yesterday. It was about 0.0 degrees, so the frost built up on us quickly, but we kept moving to keep the blood pumping and our cores warm. It really wasn't too cold after the first couple hundred yards, although I bet Mako would have preferred sitting in front of the heater at home.

Holiday Cheer

Our tree is now up!  It's not straight out of the Chugach National Forest, but it'll do for us.

Today we went for a little x-country tour with Mako and Bosco down to Portage.  Bosco's owner hurt her knee, so we took him with us for a little exercise.  The weather was a bit chilly at 18 degrees or so, but with a little exercise it didn't seem so chilly. 

Around The Mountain

Yesterday I took a little break and went for a ski around the resort.  There has been a beautiful alpenglow the past few days and I was able to catch a little of it.  These were taken, mostly with Sandy in mind for her website, but why not show them here too. 

December 5th

The three of us went out to Turnagain Pass yesterday after the snow had settled from the day before.  There was about a foot and half of beautiful sugary snow that just waited for us to ski through.  We went up Tincan which is the popular route on the pass.  It was a long time coming for us to make it up this route, since it seems everyone else goes up there regularly.

    The weather in Girdwood was thick with fog, but as we hit the pass the weather cleared and an Alpine Glow lasted all day.  Here's a north facing picture from just under 2,000 feet where you can see the fog and the alpenglow.  We're all a bit sore from the hike, but it was a great day!