When it comes to simple wooded hills, Interior Alaska has a lot to love. Sure, the hillsides of the Chena Rec Area may not be dramatic and exciting like trips into Fairbanks’ more distant mountainous landscapes. But they are pleasant, and enjoyable. And sometimes that’s just what your in the mood for.
Author Archives: sdohms
Fairbanks Aurora Hunting
And so I find myself bouncing, literally, north on Sheep Creek Road. North! Away from the sun, away from the city. Here cometh darkness my old friend. I line myself up on a straight section of road then I quickly turn off my headlights to check on the aurora. Click! Instant darkness. It’s nothing fancy or fast, but there is a big, green swath. A half second later; click! I turn my lights back on and make sure I’m still in my lane. I am. There is this one turn on Sheep Creek that…
Truth Peak
It was a Sanford attempt that fell apart due to an unpleasant weather forecast for the upcoming week. The reality that Sanford wouldn’t have happened was later cemented by boot fit issues for 2 out of the 5 in our party. But since we had already ventured nearly 20 miles deep (by snow machine), TruthContinue reading “Truth Peak”
Bivouac Peak
There isn’t a whole lot I have to say about this trip other than lessons were learned, I’ll be back for this one someday (soon?), and when I come back for attempt No. 2 I’ll bring a bivy sack instead of a tent (maybe the name of the mountain is a clue!). One more failedContinue reading “Bivouac Peak”
Peak 8230
The goal was big for the winter, Peak 8230′. We would make it to the 8,000′ contour on the second day, standing above a sea of fog… but for the summit we would have needed 3 more hours of daylight to feel comfortable making the push. Saturday February 6th 2020 Sean Marble and I departedContinue reading “Peak 8230”
Jack River Ice Climb
We were anchored half way up the Jack River ice climb. Grant Wilson belayed Sean Marble, I took pictures, and the sun entered the little window of our canyon. Suddenly, winter felt like spring. A rare moment. A reminder that summer is coming and if you aren’t making plans for it; you’ve already missed it.Continue reading “Jack River Ice Climb”
Rosie’s Roost
Sophie Tidler, Ian Borowski, and I entered the 2021 year with a failed winter attempt on Roost Peak. We were only 100 vertical feet and 700 horizontal feet from completing its north ridge, but alas, we were out of daylight and had to call it off. The views were, in their own right, phenomenal andContinue reading “Rosie’s Roost”
Granite Creek
Granite Creek in the Talkeetnas lies betwixt Granite Peak and Lava Mountain. Here goes a story of an overwhelming and complete failure where Sawyer Huffman and I spent 4 days covering a grand total of 8 miles in Granite Creek. This trip started off as an attempt to climb/ski some peaks in the headwaters ofContinue reading “Granite Creek”
November and December: little odds and ends in the Fairbanks area
The drive to get outside comes so naturally during the summer months. But after a long summer rallying as a weekend warrior, I wake up and find that its November, the air is -20oF, and the sun sets at 4:30pm now. As much as I’d like to, I just can’t go out and do asContinue reading “November and December: little odds and ends in the Fairbanks area”
A collection of trips from 2014
2014 is when the world of peakbagging began for me. I was an Eagle Scout at this point so I was pretty versed with following a trail, camping, boiling mountain house, and repeating it the next day. The level of peakbagging I do now comes with more risks, challenges, and joys and I love theContinue reading “A collection of trips from 2014”
From Rocks To Rivers 