Icefield Adventures, meet Matilda and start to the fishing/boat season

It has been a busy past couple of months, including stretches of incredible weather. The month of May was almost entirely sunny, with temperatures nearing 75 on a daily basis. Juneau was actually happy to have a week off from sun to re-hydrate everything and give folks a chance to catch up on house work and laundry. Nobody does chores when it is sunny in the mountains!

At the end of March, Pat and I and three other members of Juneau Mountain Rescue traveled to Anchorage to evaluate and observe the Alaska Mountain Rescue group's 5-year certification (which our team went through last year). We didn't have much snow to work with, but clear skies and rock were welcomed. The following are photos from our high angle scenario down on Turnagain Arm.

Jeremy, with Pat packaged up in the litter (wearing the goggles).

 The re-accreditation team.


Pat spent another week up on the Icefield when we got back from Anchorage, and then had a day's worth of Icefield work to complete. I (Jackie) was able to join their 3 person team so we had groups of two to fly back and forth.

We flew up to the Canada border and worked our way all the way down the Gilkey Glacier, digging snow pits, collecting snow density, depth and core information, and using a steam drill to install ablation wires.

We also flew over the site we were dropped at last year, near the base of Glacier King.

Pat digging their first pit, while we were landing.

Pat and Chris working on the pit. Pat collecting a density measurement and taking core measurements.

One of my favorite sites. The 'view' is better than the others? Not really a fair thing to say...

Our transport for the day.

Joanna showing off the steam drill.

The lower Gilkey Glacier.

Gilkey.

If we ever send out a Christmas card, this would be it.

And this could be the black lab CC photo?

Anyways, early April we finally ordered our chicken shipment! Pat of course was out of town for the first week of their life, but they were still pretty small when he got to meet them.

I have to take a long lunch to go pick them up from the Post Office and take them to their new home. They were 3 days old when I pulled them from the box below. We have 18 birds that survived (lost of couple the first several days), 14 of which we will keep as egg layers, and 4 are meat birds and will be butchered in the coming weeks.

Chicken Delivery.....

All of the chicks huddled in one box for warmth!

One of our Easter Eggers that lays green/blue eggs. Call-out to Sarah!

We moved the chicks out to the coop at the beginning of May once it warmed up. Much more space and they were growing so fast!

Below is Matilda, our buffed laced polish chicken (we only have one). She is a very unique bird, and will have a headress. Looks ridiculous as she develops it....

Several days ago, two Months old now. Still has growing to do, but the head dress is filling out.

Not able to roam all around the yard yet, but go out into their run when we are home.

Can you tell the meat birds (giant, tan) from the other egg layers? Even as young chickens they are much larger.

We have bard rocks (black and white speckled), a columbian wyandette, Matilda (buffed laced polish), Americaunas (Easter Eggers) and rhode island reds. A nice mixed flock. I also found a woman in town that sells organic Scratch and Peck chicken feed and these guys love it!
Only a couple months to go and we will be cranking out some eggs.


Since it has been so nice out, thought I would leave you with some scenic photos from the month of May, including some views from some of our boating, camping fishing adventures. And some dog photos for anyone that misses them.

We head to fish the Outer Coast tomorrow.....whooo!

Bucket of Shrimp!

And finally....First king of the year!

Hope everyone is having a great summer, and more adventures to come. Get outside!