Magic
Lot's of snow filling the sky as the Sun rose over the mountains to the north, the very top of the fireweed in bloom, everything covered in fresh dust. At the Canwell Glacier in the Alaska Range. blogpost: Camping in the Rainbow Basin
Canwell Glacier Dusting
Summer is over. The Sun rises over the Canwell Glacier in the Alaska Range on August 31, 2014. I had such a headache as I hiked out from my campsite in the Rainbow Basin because I forgot to bring my coffee. I managed to take a few photos as I sprinted down the icy trail to get on the road and hit up the IGA in Delta. Never forget coffee again, Lee. Never again. blogpost: Camping in the Rainbow Basin
Canwell terminus
How many seasons can you count in this photo? This is the terminus of the Canwell Glacier in the Alaska Range - east of the Richardson Highway. Taken August 31, 2014.
Waking up
In a snowstorm. August 31, 2014
Wishing the clouds would go away
This was the landscape I wanted with the aurora. For a few minutes the aurora was shining brightly enough that it was visible through the clouds. I will be returning for this shot.
A brief opportunity
It was cloudy almost all night. Then, at 3am there was a small break, and then the aurora exploded through it. This lasted for about two or three minutes before the aurora moved off to the south and out of my little window. Then the window closed, then it snowed.
Rocky Camp
My tent in the Rainbow Basin near the Canwell Glacier in the Alaska Range. It was a pretty sweet and quiet campsite.
A mountain disappears - black and white
Sometimes everything disappears
Even short-lived whiteout conditions on mountains and glaciers are incredibly disorienting. Everything becomes, simply, void. When fog comes in with snow there are times you can't see your own feet. It's best not to even try to travel at all when possible.
Jagged
Jagged peaks in the Rainbow Basin shortly before sunset - Eastern Alaska Range blogpost: Camping in the Rainbow Basin
Silvertip
Silvertip. Well, from what I could see of it through the clouds.
McCallum Peak
McCallum Peak with Institute Peak lurking in the background with some perfect evening light - Eastern Alaska Range
Fog
Cool cloud layer at about 4500 ft. elevation, above the Canwell Glacier.
The other side
Many people drive past Rainbow Ridge on the Richardson Highway - this is what the other side of it looks like.
Camp
Finally ready to settle in for the evening.
Canwell
Cool little green valley, turning red - above the Canwell Glacier.
It's three glacier valleys away.
Setting up camp
In the Rainbow Basin. My MSR Hubba Hubba, 17 year old Lowe Alpine Pack, multiple cameras and tripod.
Dreamlike
Dreamlike - View of Item Peak and Silvertip from the Rainbow Basin above the Canwell Glacier. Late August in the Alaska Range.
Evening Light
Last light of the day hits the glacier in the Rainbow Basin as the sun is about to drop below the mountains to the west. It's hard to describe how peaceful everything was this day. It was so quiet as I sat alone in front of my tent watching time pass. Occasionally I'd hear a crack from the ice or a rock tumble down a slope. Without those sounds I would never have had the sense that time was passing.
I just wandered around for hours
Carefully . . . the talus is steep and fairly loose.
A nice place to camp
Gorgeous view from my tent. It was flat-ish. Sharp rocks, but flat-ish. I recommend multiple pads.
Evening hike to the Rainbow Basin
Beautiful night in the Eastern Alaska Range
