Photos by cgailey

Seth has had a lifelong dream of skiing in Alaska. Although a couple of weeks before this trip he made some turns in Hatcher's Pass, this trip truly fulfilled his desire. The only thing better than the weather on this trip was the abundance of quality turns we experienced all got to take part in. Here is Seth skiing the west fork of the Eagle Glacier on a sunny alaskan June afternoon wearing nothing other than an Alaska bike jersey!

The afternoon at Rosie's Roost provided some of the best lighting and best scenery any level of photographer would hope to enjoy...I couldn't stop taking photos. This cairn, contrasted by the Eagle Glacier below, reminds me of how rugged and remote Alaska can be, yet how welcoming MCA huts are. Viva la wilderness!

This photo captures the essence of our trip...moving fast and then finding a comfortable spot to enjoy a rest. Two days of incredible weather and fantastic glacier conditions allowed us to make the 50 mile Eklutna traverse in less than 43 hours. What a trip!!

Just something else for my profile. This was taken in the backcountry at Alpine Meadows during the incredible storms of early January this year. Great skiing in great snow!

Sandy getting ready the morning following an open bivy near the mint hut in October '04.

This is the route we took (standard route) on the traverse from Eklutna Lake to the Crow Pass Trailhead on the June 15-17 Eklutna Traverse trip.

I figured it was time for a new profile pic. Just getting in some "early" season climbing at a nice south facing crag. Fun climb on bad rock. Photo by coldclimb

This is a view of the Mint hut with backdoor gap above it. Photo taken in October '04

A pic of me routefinding on the Raven Glacier.

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Seth Near the top of physical attraction. Photo to show angle of the route

Here I am biting my fav piece of gear on Toto. Mmmm, alien....Photo by coldclimb

Thought this would make a nice profile pic...so here it is. It was a cold day in Hatcher's, and by the end of this pitch, my hands were frozen bricks. Ya gotta love Alaska. And oh, yeah, photo by coldclimb...

Grabbing a draw about halfway through this fun dihedral route.

Seth Tying in on a sunny morning before heading out on the ridiculously open Raven glacier on a Raven Peak summit attempt. Raven peak is smack dab in the upper center portion of the photo. The Raven Headwall, in the saddle to the right of the peak has a foreboding 'shrund that blocks off any easy ascents in the later summer months. Raven pass is barely visible trending left from the main glacier in the photo at the base of the peak.

Seth and I enjoying some dinner before heading out after a fun filled day of zig zagging through the gapers on Raven glacier. The perfect end to a beautiful day!

A pic of me on the middle, dirty section of Raven Glacier. Most of the crevasses in this area have closed up, leaving a tremendous number of shallow seams and humps to negotiate. Raven headwall and the gigormo 'shrund can be seen directly above my head.

This shot shows the two most common approaches to Raven Peak. To the left is raven pass, which takes you to the west fork glacier.

Seth is enjoying some zig zag routefinding on our descent from an attempt of Raven Peak. This was an interesting and harrowing area as a self arrest to secure a falling partner is not feasible in most circumstances. Securing your partner required a jump into the other side of the spine. Thankfully we stayed on top of the snow!

Seth is working the upper, and more difficult moves of "Voodoo Child", 5.10a. Photo mostly for route identification, but the rock contrast is kinda neat. Don't flame me for another butt shot!

Seth is on the friction super slab in the middle of Voodoo Child...this photo is mostly for route Identification. The lower section has to be protected (in the flake) but the remainder of the route is bolted (for obvious reasons).

Here's a pic of me near the top of Physical Attraction... photo for route identification purposes.

Seth is about 3/4 of the way up the first pitch of Toto. With a 60 m rope you can turn three pitches into one, and then walk off. This is recommended as the second and third pitches are short. One can continue up and left from the top of the third pitch to a nice splitter crack 5.8 and get some air under their feet. There is also a bolted 10a above the crack...see the online topo for route info.

Seth is opting for a little variation on Physical Attraction. The actual route stays out near the arete.

Seth and Boone enjoying some oatmeal on a sunny Alaskan morning in Archangel Valley. The Monolith can be seen in the background.