{"id":11074,"date":"2020-02-29T05:54:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-29T05:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/?page_id=11074"},"modified":"2025-04-10T22:30:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T22:30:54","slug":"archives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/archives\/","title":{"rendered":"Photo Blog Archives 2008-2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
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\n2019\nSunset on the Bering Strait.\n \"\"\nAnd with fall the tundra comes alive with color.\n\"\"\nOutside\u00a0of Nome, near Solomon, Alaska, the Last Train to Nowhere lays\u00a0testament to a bygone era.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nAs do the many gold dredges that are all around this part of Alaska.\n\"\"\nFortunately I spend a lot of time flying around remote parts of Alaska and I never tire of seeing the landscape from the air.\u00a0 Here are the many lake near Wales, Alaska along the Bering Strait.\n\"\"\nAnd the Alaska Range from the air is always spectacular.\n\"\"\nFlying into the evening hours in Eagle River, Alaska\n\"\"\nInitiating launch sequence before getting high.\n\"\"\nA recent work trip to Little Diomede found me cruising in the cockpit of a Bell 212 along the northwest coast of Alaska.\n\"\"\nLanding on Little Diomede on the Bering Strait is always thrilling….with Big\u00a0Diomede(Russia) in the background.\n\"\"\nPanoramic of Little Diomede Island, Alaska.\n\"\"\nA look at life on Diomede.\n\"\"\nThe shell of a skin boat on Little Diomede, once used for whale, walrus, and seal hunting.\n\"\"\nMy favorite rock to photograph just south of the Diomede islands….Fairway Rock.\n\"\"\nLittle Diomede on a normal gloomy day.\n\"\"\nA great horned owl hanging around my place in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nA fox\u00a0out exploring old mining remnants near Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe Russian Orthodox church on Dutch Harbor\/Alaska in the Aleutians.\n\"\"\nThe bald eagles are plentiful this time\u00a0of year in Dutch Harbor.\n\"\"\nSmoke from forest fires in the interior of Alaska have produced some\u00a0very surreal sunsets.\n\"\"\nSeveral flighs over the Alaska range recently have allowed me so see some great views of the range. Here, Denali is\u00a0showing through the clouds on the horizon.\n\"\"\nDenali and Mt. Foraker just above the clouds.\n\"\"\nDenali and Mt. Foraker up close.\n\"\"\nSummer days in Denali can be glorious!\n\"\"\nThe summer flying season is upon us!\n\"\"\nSummer in Seward from the top of Mount Marathon.\n\"\"\nA work trip to the Pribilof Islands found me in the village of Saint Paul for a week.\n\"\"\nIt’s\u00a0just about mating season for the Northern Fur Seal.\u00a0 In a few weeks there will be 100,000 seals on the island.\n\"\"\nOne of two wooden water towers on Saint Paul.\n\"\"\nAn island cabin with an ominous sunset.\n\"\"\nThe\u00a0Russian Orthodox church on Saint Paul\u00a0island.\n\"\"\nAlthough spring is near, it’s not here yet.\u00a0 With massive amounts of snow this winter in northern Alaska, the kites keep flying.\n\"\"\nAnother night exploring in the Kigluaik mountains\u00a0near Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSpring flying in Alaska can be spectacular.\u00a0 This day had views of Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and Denali on the horizon.\n\"\"\nCommitment.\u00a0 Launching Loveland peak in Thompson Pass.\u00a0 Valdez, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSpeed flying Thompson Pass, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSunset in Thompson Pass, Alaska.\n\"\"\nFeeling small, snowkiting in Thompson Pass.\n\"\"\nFlying is always more fun with friends.\n\"\"\nRidge soaring in Thompson Pass, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe snowkiting in Nome has been off the charts.\u00a0 Lots of wind and tons of snow.\n\"\"\nA view from Little Diomede to Big Diomede(Russia) across the Bering Strait.\n\"\"\nFarway rock in\u00a0the middle of the Bering Strait.\n\"\"\nGetting foxy out in the snow.\n\"\"\nThe last remnants of winter are starting to fade from the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nAnother classic spring sunset in Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nPans and pans of sea ice,\u00a0in the far north on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nThe sea ice is just beginning to disappear and winter fades to spring in Alaska.\n\"\"\nParagliding season is happening early this year in Alaska.\n\"\"\nInitiating launch sequence at Baldy Mountain.\n\"\"\nGold dredge #6 just outside of Nome, Alaska……just as the fog rolls in.\n\"\"\nA stunning day in Broad Pass, Alaska.\u00a0 With the Alaska Range lit up, the North and South Peak of Denali show through, above the clouds.\n\"\"\nA full moon in Denali\u00a0Park.\n\"\"\nThe kiting in Nome just keeps getting better and better.\n\"\"\nThe storms this season keep the snow and wind coming to the Bering Sea Coast.\n\"\"\n50 mph winds over the weekend blew all the sea ice out.\u00a0 Pretty early for that to happen this year.\n\"\"\nKiting out past gold Dredge #5, just outside of Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nKiting on the Bering Sea this winter has been fabulous!\n\"\"\nLonger days mean more time to have fun in the frozen North.\n\"\"\nEscaping winter in Alaska, and chasing wind in Okinawa, Japan.\nWhile Loki looks on!\n\"\"\nOkinawa, Japan.\n\"\"\nKitesurfing in Okinawa Japan.\u00a0 A nice reprieve from winter in Alaska.\n\"\"\nParticularly challenging driving conditions in northern Alaska during a series of storms that lasted 12 days.\n\"\"\nThe Kigluaik mountains outside of Nome, just after sunrise.\n\"\"\nKiteskiing on the sea ice in Nome has been fantastic this winter.\u00a0 The Taguik Provider seems to be iced in for the winter.\n\"\"\nKiteskiing at sunset on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nExtreme cold weather and open water on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nA flight over Denali, Mt. Foraker, and the Alaska range is always inspiring.\n\"\"\nThe mighty Yukon River in north west Alaska.\n\"\"\nFlying back to Alaska always reminds me how much I miss this place.\n\"\"\nOn a recent trip to Japan the cherry blossoms were just starting to present themselves.\n\"\"\nA traditional wagasa\/umbrella in Tokyo.\n\"\"\nA ceiling masterpiece in the performing arts center in Fuchu City, Japan.\n\"\"\nWith little snow in Alaska, the ice skating has been really great. 15 miles on Eklutna Lake.\n\"\"\nEklutna Lake is in prime condition this winter.\n\"\"\nThere’s no place like Nome in the winter.\u00a0 Short days and cold temperatures.\n\"\"\nA small section of the Alaska Range at first light.\n\"\"\nWinter 2018<\/strong>\nDecember 16th\u00a0sunrise at 12 noon on the Bering Sea in Northern Alaska.\n\"\"\nOn a stormy, December Alaska afternoon………..this is what the evening commute, and final approach into Shaktoolik looks like.\u00a0 Some days are nail biters.\n\"\"\nSunrise in northwest Alaska, just as the sea ice is starting to form.\n\"\"\nKite skating on Big Lake this year was epic!\nVideo<\/a>\nOne of my favorite things is when the\u00a0ice freezes hard before a big snowfall.\u00a0 Skating with friends on Fire Lake is the best this time of year.\n\"\"\nOne last ride on the TW along the Bering Sea before everything turns to snow and ice.\n\"\"\nGetting in the last of the kiting before the Bering Sea freezes up.\n\"\"\nThe sunsets this time of year in northern Alaska can be quite dramatic.\n\"\"\nSwanberg dredge in Nome, Alaska.\u00a0 A reminder of the deep history rooted in gold mining in this part of the world.\n\"\"\nDownwinder from Cape Nome to Nome.\u00a0 Nice wind but cold water.\n\"\"\nSome\u00a0days on the water or just like this.\n\"\"\nA flight diversion on my way from Wales to Nome found me landing in the middle of the Bering Strait on Little Diomede\u00a0Island.\u00a0 One of the more remote outposts I’ve been to.\n\"\"\nA very tempestuous day on the Bering Strait.\n\"\"\nDrama along the Bering Sea coast.\n\"\"\nAs fall fades to winter in the Arctic, the landscape loses its summer luster.\n\"\"Summer 2018\nCarving turns in Sumner Bay in Dutch Harbor.\n\"\"\nA lookout from World War II towers over the Dutch\u00a0Harbor horizon.\n\"\"\nBald Eagles sorting out their differences in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.\n\"\"\nDutch Harbor with Unalaska in the background.\n\"\"\nUnalaska and the old Russian Orthodox church.\u00a0 It’s the oldest Russian built church in the US and on the National Historic register.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nFishing boats provide the only real traffic in the Aleutian\u00a0islands.\n\"\"\nSunny days in Seward, in summer, are like no other!\n\"\"\nExit glacier pours off Harding Icefield in wild display of what nature has to offer.\n\"\"\nThe small boat harbor in Seward on a rare clear night.\n\"\"\nThe kitesurfing in Dutch Harbor has been a real treat.\n\"\"\nA few weeks in Dutch Harbor\/Unalaska have proven to be off the charts fun.\n\"\"\nThe\u00a0fishing industry is huge in Dutch Harbor, but so is the bald eagle population.\n\"\"\nThe old Russian Orthodox church in Unalaska seems to always be home to a bald eagle.\n\"\"\nThe Russian Orthodox church dwarfed by Pyramid peak in Unalaska.\n\"\"\nCrab pots and bald eagles in Dutch Harbor.\n\"\"\nThe Nirvana has seen better days.\n\"\"\nMotorcycling on Unalaska Island is fantastic!\n\"\"\nA rare sunny day in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.\n\"\"\nRight next door to Dutch Harbor is Unalaska.\n\"\"\nPackrafting Moose Creek in Kantishna, Alaska.\u00a0 Deep in Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nDenali Park bears are always\u00a0a treat to see close up.\n\"\"\nAnd I mean really close up!\n\"\"\nA Mom and her yearling.\n\"\"\nHigh contrast near Golovin, Alaska.\n\"\"\nA stellar sunset over Golovin Bay.\n\"\"\nNot getting far in Golovin.\n\"\"\nA summer trip to the Virgin Islands did not disappoint. It’s been nearly 25 years since I lived on Saint John, so it was a welcomed opportunity\u00a0to go back.\u00a0 I’m not sure why I ever left.\n\"\"\nThe kitesurfing on Anegada looked spectacular.\n\"\"\nLong, lazy days were followed up by long, slow sunsets.\n\"\"\nDust in the air blown in from Africa made for some ominous sunsets\u00a0over St. Thomas.\n\"\"\nCaribbean colors.\n\"\"\nA sailboat running from a storm near Tortola.\n\"\"\nDespite hurricane damage, some of the vegetation is starting to come back.\n\"\"\nCruz Bay, Saint John and Saint Thomas on the horizon just after sunset.\n\"\"\nJoost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.\n\"\"\nDenali Park in summer can produce amazing light.\u00a0 It’s starting to really warm up, so the snow is going fast.\n\"\"\nMountain biking over Sable Pass in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nThe ice climbing goes well into summer on Fox Falls in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nSpring 2018\nFeels like spring, but it still looks like winter in northern Alaska\u00a0 I’m still kiting in 2 feet of snow in the first week of May!\n\"\"\nThe paraglider flights off Baldy in Eagle River have been stunning to say the least.\u00a0\"\"\nWinter 2017\/2018<\/strong>\n-20F on the trail from Shishmaref to Serpentine.\n\"\"\nLogging mile after mile on the start of the North expedition.\n\"\"\nSunrise on Bering sea ice.\n\"\"\nA rare blue moon setting on the Bering Sea ice.\n\"\"\nThe cemetery in Shishmaref during an auspicious storm.\n\"\"\nIditarod dog\u00a0musher on the Bering Sea ice near Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nJoar Leifseth Ulsom, from Norway, finishes in first place at 3am on Front Street in Nome, Alaska.\u00a0 Iditarod 2018.\n\"\"\nForays onto the sea ice, training for the next polar expedition\n\u00a0\"\"\nI can see for miles and miles and miles in Arctic Alaska.\n\"\"\nYou know you’re in Alaska when the license plate says so………….\n\"\"\nAnd the caribou get up close and personal.\n\"\"\nWith a series of back to back storms pummeling the Bering Sea coast, it’s been perfect training weather for my expedition up north in a few weeks.\n\"\"\nThe Alaska Range on a spectacular day.\nI’ve seen a lot of things but I’ve never seen a Honda Dream hanging from\u00a0the ceiling.\u00a0 This one at my friend Dale’s studio in Kansas City.\n\"\"\nTime back in Iowa is always a treat when I’m able to be a roadie for a Box 10 show.\n\"\"\nA classic sunset along the Bering Sea\u00a0Coast.\n\"\"\nAfter work forays into the Alaska wilderness, always prove to be interesting along the Bering Sea coast.\n\"\"\nA lone fox near Brevig Mission, Alaska.\n\"\"\nLost River Mine in remote northwest Alaska.\n\"\"\nField testing a new tent on the Bering Sea, from sponsor Hilleberg..\u00a0 It’s extremely well engineered and by far the the best I’ve ever used.\n\"\"\nBack into the\u00a0deep freeze on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nSeeing the Alaska Range from the air is always stunning.\n\"\"\nWind and waves in Oahu, a great combination.\n\"\"\nThe sunsets on Oahu are worth being on the beach for.\n\"\"\nThe latest craze in kiteboarding is riding a hydrofoil.\u00a0 It’s very difficult to learn but I’m getting there.\n\"\"\nThe waves on the north shore of Oahu have been pretty darn good.\n\"\"\nThe north shore of Oahu is proving to be extremely fun.\n\"\"\nResting in peace in the Shumagin Islands, Alaska.\n\"\"\nIt’s always great to come back home to\u00a0Alaska.\n\"\"\nTop Golf in Arizona sunshine is a good beak from an Alaska winter.\n\"\"\nTaking flight in the Caribbean.\n\"\"\nKitesurfing in paradise.\u00a0 The Grenadines\u00a0in the Caribbean.\n\"\"\nSailing into the night near St. Vincent.\n\"\"\nThe Anchorage Yacht Club on Union Island in the Grenadines.\n\"\"\nKitesurfing in the Grenadines is sublime.\n\"\"\nThe Gran and Petit Piton in St. Lucia.\n\"\"\nSundown in St. Lucia.\n\"\"\nEscaping winter in Alaska is half the fun.\u00a0 St. Lucia and the Gran Piton on a\u00a0perfect night.\n\"\"\nA rare calm day in Sand Point, Alaska.\n\"\"\nCrab pots lie in wait in Sand Point.\n\"\"\nThere’s snow on the mountains, but not at ground level yet.\n\"\"\nI happened across another pair of eagles on a power pole.\n\"\"\nSunset is coming pretty early in King Cove, Alaska.\n\"\"\nWinter storms are happening in the Aleutians making for some interesting views of the surrounding mountains.\n\"\"\nFall 2017\nThere’s always something to see flying around the Aleutians.\n\"\"\nGoing from King Cove to Cold Bay was an amazing flight.\n\"\"\nMates for life in Cold Bay, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe King Cove church and cemetery.\n\"\"\nThe weather in the Aleutians has proven to be varied and dramatic.\n\"\"\nDespite the typical deplorable weather, it’s been great to experience the\nAleutian islands.\u00a0 King Cove offers some epic ridge lines to hike.\n\"\"\nFishing buoys in King Cove.\n\"\"\nThe fleet is prepaing for\u00a0King Crab season.\u00a0 Dangerous duty on dangerous waters.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nMy annual migration to Iowa in the fall did not disappoint.\n\"\"\nEgret in a small pond near Iowa City.\n\"\"\nNothing like Hawkeye football on any given fall Saturday in Iowa.\n\"\"\nOn final into the northern outpost of Shishmaref, Alaska.\n\"\"\nFlying over the Kigluaik mountains near Nome.\u00a0 Winter is not far\u00a0off.\n\"\"\nSoaring in Eagle River.\n\"\"\nFall paragliding in Eagle River is the best.\n\"\"\nMt. Brooks shining bright through a stormy Denali Park.\n\"\"\nDespite biking on Stampede Trail in 1992, the day they found Chris McCandless, I’d never visited Bus 142.\u00a0 After a best selling book and feature movie, the bus has become a destination for people from all over the world.\u00a0 After 25 years, I finally biked the 40 miles round trip, to see for myself why this bus has become such a popular destination.\u00a0 Seven hours later, I still don’t know.\n\"\"\nBoreal owl deep in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nSpectacular colors on Mt. Fellows in Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nAfter\u00a0a hike into the mountains, the packraft came out to paddle down the east fork of the Chulitna.\n\"\"\nClearly\u00a0winter is not far\u00a0off.\n\"\"\nDora Peak lit up during a storm in Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nMt. Brooks and Wonder\u00a0Lake in fall.\n\"\"\nCathedral mountain in Denali\u00a0National Park.\n\"\"\nFlying just below cloud base.\u00a0 Storm clouds that is.\n\"\"\nThe colors are starting to change.\u00a0 But the paragliding still goes on.\n\"\"\nSummer 2017<\/strong>\nFairway Rock in late afternoon light.\n\"\"\nClassic light show over Big Diomede.\u00a0 Yep, that’s Russia!\n\"\"\nMy favorite island to photograph anywhere….Fairway Rock in the middle of the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nPuffins in flight.\n\"\"\nPuffins are everywhere on Little Diomede.\n\"\"\nAn immature bald eagle near Council, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSummer in Nome offers beach for as far as the eye can see.\nWhen the wind blows\u00a0the kiteboarding is endless.\n\"\"\nKitboarding the\u00a0Bering Sea coast.\n\"\"\nUpside down during a kite\u00a0session in Teller.\n\"\"\nSeveral good days of\u00a0paragliding in Eagle River have been on my list for weeks.\u00a0Finally we had several blue bird days with spectacular flying.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nPackrafting in Denali National Park.\u00a0 Revine\u00a0Creek to the Yanert to the Nenana.\n\"\"\nBig rivers, big water, and big fun.\n\"\"\nAnother day down Riley Creek.\u00a0 Narrow, fast,\u00a0and wild.\n\"\"\nA rainy\u00a0and windy day on Resurrection Bay.\n\"\"\nPerfect conditions for catching air.\n\"\"\nA great day on the water in Kenai Fjords National Park where the scenery is stunning.\n\"\"\nHarbor seals napping on ice.\n\"\"\nA great display from the Orca’s.\n\"\"\nThe puffins don’t mind the rain.\n\"\"\nStellar sea lions.\n\"\"\nThe Northwestern Glacier.\n\"\"\nAs summer progresses, darkness begins to take hold and a full moon graces Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nThe Alaska Range from the air is never a disappointing site.\n\"\"\nIt’s salmon season in Northweast Alaska.\u00a0 Locals drying local fish in Teller.\n\"\"\nMid summer in Alaska and the shades of green are endless.\n\"\"\nSunrise and stormy weather in Nome.\n\"\"\nWe finally had some sunny days with wind.\u00a0 The kiting has been off the charts\u00a0on the Bering Sea in Nome and Solomon.\n\"\"\nOne fine day found me doing a roundtrip from the Solomon bridge to the end of Taylor Lagoon with my 15 meter kite.\u00a0 The highlight was seeing a grizzly and two cubs swimming a channel to escape the strange guy with the kite.\u00a0 A really good session.\n\"\"\nI had the good opportunity to return to Wales on a good weather day.\u00a0 It’s always great\u00a0seeing old friends that I met on past expeditions to this part of the world.\n\"\"\nA view of Wales on that rare calm day.\n\"\"\nAcross the Bering Strait, Fairway Rock still stands resilient in the turbulent ocean currents.\n\"\"\nAnd King Island in a very different mood on the same day.\n\"\"\nA rare nice day in Wales offered views all the way to Russia.\n\"\"\nThe view looking North past Wales, just above Tin City.\n\"\"\nThe artifacts at Tin City are all over the place.\u00a0 Leftover from over 50 years ago when tin was actively mined in this area.\n\"\"\nThe circle of life in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nThe perfect getaway in Kantishna Alaska.\n\"\"\nMoose Creek\u00a0packrafting, Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nGlacial pond in Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe hiking list grows with each flight around Denali.\n\"\"\nDeep in Denali Park under low cloud cover.\n\"\"\nFlying over the Alaska Range always offers new climbing discoveries.\n\"\"\nThe rivers in Denali Park are finally open and running high enough for packrafting.\u00a0Here’s one of the scenic stretches on the Nenana.\n\"\"\nMy oldest nephew Ryan ready to hit the water.\n\"\"\nEarly summer ice at Fox Falls in Denali National Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe last train to nowhere in Solomon, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSpring\u00a02017<\/strong>\nWinter fades to spring slowly in northern Alaska. Shaktoolik with thawing snow.\n\"\"\nThere’s nothing better than spring\u00a0climbing on Dragonfly falls in Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nWith a\u00a0steady breeze the kiting on Stampede, north of the Alaska Range, is stunning in springtime.\n\"\"\nThe Alaska Range south of Stampede.\n\"\"\nThe northern lights in Denali Park have been spectacular this week.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nWinter 2017<\/strong>\nIt’s still winter in northern Alaska. Sea ice in Shishmaref.\n\"\"\nAn epic night of dog mushing on the Yanert River, Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nAfternoon light in the Chugach mountains.\n\"\"\nReflections on the Chugach Range.\n\"\"\nAn entire week of high pressure in Alaska proved to be just what was needed for some fine days in the mountains.\n\"\"\nWith a great snowfall in south central Alaska, it was possibly the last week of great skiing in Turnagain Arm.\u00a0 Lots of lines to be skied in fresh powder.\n\"\"\nI was fortunate enough to be in Nome for the finish of the Iditarod sled dog race.\u00a0 Mitch Seavey finished in record time.\n\"\"\nHis son Dallas was not far behind.\u00a0 Here he is on the Bering Sea just outside of Nome.\n\"\"\nThe full\u00a0 moon over\u00a0the Arctic ocean has been spectacular.\n\"\"\nI\u00a0was lucky enough to spend\u00a0a few days on Little Diomede in the middle of the Bering Strait.\u00a0 It’s quite a place this time of year.\u00a0 The island in the background is Big Diomede(Russia).\n\"\"\nThere’s less than a 100 people living on Little Diomede.\u00a0It’s one of the most remote communities I’ve been to.\n\"\"\nWith little solid sea ice, the only way in or out this time of year is by helicopter.\n\"\"\nA view of the Bering Strait and the south end of Big Diomede.\n\"\"\nOne of my favorite islands to\u00a0photograph, Fairway Rock.\n\"\"\nI never tire of this view of the Alaska Range.\u00a0The flight back to\u00a0Nome for work was a special one.\n\"\"\nLow morning light on Panorama Peak\u00a0in Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nDenali Park by early morning light.\n\"\"\nFlying back to Anchorage after being away for 120 days was a sight to see.\n\"\"\nAfter 100 days on the road and 20,012 miles, Tracy and I arrived at the end of the road in Tierra del Fuego.\u00a0 See the full expedition report\u00a0here.<\/a>\n\"\"\nOctober 2016<\/strong>\nThe lakes are frozen, but there’s still wind on the ocean.\nThe final kite session on the Bering Sea before freeze up.\n\"\"\nOne last motorcycle foray into the wilderness before winter.\n\"\"\nFlying into Brevig Mission along the Bering Sea coast.\nWinter has finally come to the country.\n\"\"\nOne of the best times of year in the northern Alaska is fall.\nLow angle light lights up Gold Dredge #6, just outside of Nome.\n\"\"\nIt was one of those special days flying north.\u00a0 The Alaska Range was out in full glory.\n\"\"\nThe paragliding is even pretty good for this late in the season.\n\"\"\nParagliding in Eagle River, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSeptember 2016<\/strong>\nThis month has been filled with travels all over northwest Alaska.\u00a0 First snow on the Kigluaik mountains near Nome.\n\"\"\nAutumn colors and light engulfed in clouds on the edge of the Kigluaik mountains.\n\"\"\nLakes forever near Shaktoolik.\n\"\"\nThe York Mountain range in northwest Alaska, near Brevig Mission.\n\"\"\nThere’s no place I’ve ever been that’s quite like Little Diomede.\n\"\"\nFlying into Little Diomede in the middle of the Bering Strait is always a welcome and exciting opportunity.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nAugust 2016<\/strong>\nThe Last Train to Nowhere near Solomon, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe Solomon Roadhouse was built in 1904 during the height of the Alaska gold rush.\u00a0 It was open for business until the 1970s and has been quiet every since.\n\"\"\nThere is no place like Nome this time of year.\n\"\"\nLooking across Grantley Harbor just after sunrise.\n\"\"\nFish drying in the sun in Teller, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe main orphanage building at Pilgrim Hot Springs.\n\"\"\nAnother magical night at Pilgrim Hot Springs.\n\"\"\nThe ghost town of Pilgrim Hot Springs on the Seward Peninsula outside of Nome.\u00a0 After the flu epidemic in 1918 a large orphanage was built at this site.\n\"\"\nAs summer quickly fades to fall in Alaska, there’s a chill in the North wind.\u00a0 This night found me exploring the far reaches of Safety Sound.\n\"\"\nThe biggest storm of the summer slammed the Bering Sea coast bringing waves in epic proportions and wind!\n\"\"\nWide open spaces on the Bering Sea. Kitesurfing rarely gets finer than this.\n\"\"\nJuly 2016<\/strong>\nDenali, hiding in the clouds.\nDenali National Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nAny day driving in Denali is a good day, even if it’s cloudy.\n\"\"\nAn impressive display of light and water along the Bering Sea coast near Unalakleet.\n\"\"\nDuring the gold rush of 1897, there were 10,000 people that lived in St. Michael, Alaska.\u00a0 Today there are less than 400\u00a0and still a lot of rust litters the beach from the turn of the century.\n\"\"\nSt. Michael, Alaska.\n\"\"\nNot only rust, but lots\u00a0and lots of sea glass are on the beaches in St. Michael.\n\"\"\nBeautiful beaches are the norm in St. Michael.\n\"\"\nJune 2016<\/strong>\nThe clouds over the midwest have me wishing I was on the ground launching my paraglider.\u00a0 With these clouds I could fly for miles and miles.\n\"\"\nSummer in Iowa means hot, humid weather and semi-pro baseball in Farley\u00a0with my Dad.\u00a0 It doesn’t get any better than this.\n\"\"\nFarmers Market with Pete and\u00a0Bluebell Orchard.\n\"\"\nSunset slacklining in the paradise.\n\"\"\nCherry picking season is always a great time to be home.\n\"\"\nThere’s no place like the Midwest for wildflowers!\n\"\"\nOne of my favorite pieces of rock to photograph, Fairway Rock in the middle of the Bering Strait.\u00a0 If you look close you can see Mother Russia in the background.\n\"\"\nWork never disappoints.\n\"\"\nThe evening commute in Shaktoolik, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThis gives an entirely new meaning to rowing your boat in Brevig Mission, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThere are\u00a0basketball hoops in all shapes and sizes all over bush Alaska.\n\"\"\nIt’s hunting season and the spotters in Shishmaref\u00a0are on the lookout for Wales along the Bering Sea coast.\n\"\"\nFish camp in Shishmaref.\n\"\"\nEven though it’s June, there is still\u00a0plenty of sea ice along the Shishmaref coast.\n\"\"\nMay 2016<\/strong>\nSingle track paradise on the Victor Creek trail near Moose Pass, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe avalanche chutes are still full of snow in the back-country of Alaska.\u00a0 With epic single track on the other side, it’s worth the traverse.\n\"\"\nThe Slaughter Ridge hike in Cooper Landing offers commanding views of Kenai Lake.\u00a0 Hopefully next time there won’t be any wind so I can paraglide back down.\n\"\"\nGreen is REALLy green on the Kenai Peninsula.\n\"\"\nForget-Me-Nots are everywhere this time of year.\n\"\"\nSummer has arrived in Alaska, despite snow still\u00a0on the mountains.\n\"\"\nParagliding off Anvil Mountain in Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nIt’s still winter in Northern Alaska.\u00a0 Ice formations on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nBering sea\u00a0ice.\n\"\"\n11:30pm sunset in Shishmaref, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe rock formations in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve are pretty spectacular.\n\"\"\n55 miles South of Shishmaref is a really special place, Serpentine Hot Springs.\u00a0\u00a0Not an easy place to get to, but well worth the effort.\n\"\"\nApril 2016<\/strong>\nThe windsports festival, Parapalooza, turned out to be a huge success in Thompson Pass this year.\u00a0 The paragliding and snow kiting was off the charts.\n\"\"\nFlying Thompson Pass, Alaska.\n\"\"\nHanging out above the clouds.\n\"\"\nEven the skiing was great.\u00a0 Skin up, ski down.\n\"\"\nLate evening flight.\n\"\"\nCatching air in Thompson Pass.\n\"\"\nSnowkiting in Thompson Pass.\n\"\"\nPerfect wind made for a perfect day along the Bering Sea Coast.\u00a0 25 miles of exploring far and wide made for an epic evening.\n\"\"\nA squall on the sea ice on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nA temperamental day in the Kigluiak mountains near Nome.\n\"\"\nThe last time I had to follow a “flagged” route was in Antarctica on the Search and Rescue team, nearly 20 years ago.\u00a0 This flagged route, Alaska style, got me across a section of frozen sea ice between Teller and Brevig Mission.\n\"\"\nIt’s still winter at the Teller Trading Company in Teller, Alaska.\n\"\"\nA weekend storm in Nome created some pretty full on\ntraveling conditions.\n\"\"\nMarch 2016<\/strong>\nParamotoring with the Alaska Range as a back drop always inspires me to fly as often as possible.\n\"\"\nDenali from the Parks highway.\n\"\"\nThe\u00a0aurora borealis lighting up the sky behind Dredge #6 outside Nome, Alaska.\n\"\"\nJeff King mushing the final few miles into Nome on the Iditarod trail.\n\"\"\nJeff King on the Bering Sea coast on the final push into Nome.\n\"\"\nMy good friend Jeff King finishing Iditarod 2016 on\u00a0Front Street in Nome.\n\"\"\nI count myself lucky when work sends me to the village of\nLittle Diomede.\u00a0 It’s like no place I’ve ever been.\n\"\"\nThe first polar bear paw that I’ve ever seen up close.\n\"\"\nThe locals caught their first polar bear of the season.\n\"\"\nBig Diomede\u00a0island, up close, from the middle of\u00a0the\nBering Strait.\n\"\"\nThe morning\u00a0commute to Little Diomede\u00a0in the middle of the Bering Strait.\u00a0 Big Diomede\/Russia shrouded in clouds in the background.\n\"\"\n30 miles kite\u00a0skiing on the Iditarod trail\u00a0was chilly but great to get out on the trail before the\u00a0Last\u00a0Great Race.\n\"\"\nFebruary 2016<\/strong>\nIt was in 2005 that Dixie and I attempted to walk across the Bering Strait.\u00a0 11 years later, a couple guys from the UK are headed North to give it a go.\u00a0 Follow their progress\u00a0here<\/a>.\nJames Bingham and Neil Laughton the night before embarking on the\u00a0deadliest journey”.\n\"\"\nWith extremely warm temperatures in South Central Alaska this time of year, the ice skating explorations have been off the charts.\u00a0 Particularly up the Knik River valley.\n\"\"\nThe Redwoods in California\u00a0are nothing short of mind boggling.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nAround Nome, remnants from an earlier gold rush boom still litter the landscape.\n\"\"\nIn the Alaska bush, home is where the cabin is.\n\"\"\nWind and snow and the setting sun.\n\"\"\nThe sea ice near Shishmaref is spectacular this time\u00a0of year.\n\"\"\nKiteskiing in\u00a0Nome during a whiteout.\n\"\"\nThe ice conditions on the Bering Sea are perfect this time of year for some great\u00a0motorcycle riding.\n\"\"\nStudded tires are a necessity this time of year.\n\"\"\nNellie Lawing was an Alaskan pioneer woman at the turn of the Century.\u00a0 She’d be thrilled to know her cabin still stands on the shores of Kenai Lake.\n\"\"\nOne of the most amazing places in Alaska.\u00a0 Lawing and Kenai Lake.\n\"\"\nThe locals of Moose Pass give new meaning to “pond hockey” on Trail Lake.\n\"\"\nThe ice on Tern Lake is perfect for skating this winter\n\"\"\nLate afternoon light on the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.\n\"\"\nJanuary 2016<\/strong>\nA great day of ridge soaring in Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe Kigluaik mountains in northern Alaska are stunning!\n\"\"\nMushing in Willow, Alaska.\n\"\"\nWithout much snow in certain parts of Alaska this year.\u00a0 Some dog mushers are having to drive to mush.\u00a0 The commute is still pretty scenic.\u00a0\"\"\nThe transition from sea to land is quite dramatic this time of\nyear near Unalakleet, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe drama continues……\n\"\"\nDenali and the Alaska Range\u00a0never cease to amaze me.\u00a0 I will never tire of these mountains.\n\"\"\nOne wild ridge in the Alaska Range.\n\"\"\nIcebergs south of Elim, Alaska.\n\"\"\nIt’s been warm on the NW coast of Alaska\u00a0and there is still a lot of open water on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nThe Bering Sea Coast is stunning this time of year.\n\"\"\nEarly afternoon light in Elim, Alaska.\n\"\"\n17 miles in the Grand Canyon on New Years Eve doesn’t get any better than this.\u00a0 Having never seen the Grand Canyon before, I was in awe.\n\"\"\nBright Angel bathed in afternoon light.\n\"\"\nThe South Kaibab trail.\n\"\"\nSnow and freezing temperatures feel much different in Arizona than in Alaska this time of year.\n\"\"\nDecember 2015<\/strong>\nThis time of year in Arctic Alaska, the sun only gets this high.\nA chilly morning on Grantley Harbor, near Brevig Mission produced some amazing sun dogs.\n\"\"\nThe wind along the Bering Sea coast has been intense.\n\"\"\nShort days, long runs, and spectacular mountains.\nForaker, Hunter, and Denali in mid day light.\n\"\"\nCold\u00a0and there is not much light this time of year, but Denali is still stunning to see, even just driving down the highway.\n\"\"\nNovember 2015<\/strong>\nJust fly,\u00a0fly, fly!!\n\"\"\nThe mountains near Brevig Mission are very\nreminiscent of the Royal Society Range in Antarctica.\n\"\"\nThe Alaska Range by early morning light never disappoints.\n\"\"\nThe shadows from the peaks are intense.\n\"\"\nAlaska Range, morning light, November.\n\"\"\nGolovin cabin with fog coming off Golovin Bay on a frigid November morning.\n\"\"\nGolovin by early morning light.\n\"\"\nParagliding Alaska.\n\"\"\nA chilly day flying the friendly skies.\n\"\"\nA stunning sunset over Sl\"\"edge Island in the Bering Sea.\nA colorful sky along the Teller Highway outside Nome.\n\"\"\nFall in Montana.\n\"\"\nPointed South!\n\"\"\nPine needles, bark, and snow provide a nice contrast.\n\"\"\nNovember in Montana is full of pastel paintings.\n\"\"\nOctober 2015<\/strong>\nMotorcycling along the beach along the Bering Sea is a cold proposition this time of year, but endless fun.\n\"\"\nA view of the endless fun.\n\"\"\nSunset and the Nome River.\n\"\"\nWith abundant bird life in Northwest Alaska, most are heading South this time of year.\n\"\"\nFall has come to Northern Alaska.\n\"\"\nSunset along the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nFall along the Iditarod Trail.\u00a0 These markers guide in the dog mushers traveling across Alaska headed for Nome.\n\"\"\nA crescent moon hanging over the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nFall has arrived.\n\"\"\nThe sunrises over Bluebell Orchard in Iowa are nothing short of stunning.\n\"\"\nApples, apples, apples.\n\"\"\nThe apple picking machine.\u00a0 These guys pick all day, everyday, all fall long.\u00a0 Sam, Pete(Dad), and Smile.\n\"\"\nFall in Iowa presents some hidden treasures.\n\"\"\nMotorcycling along the Cripple River is like exploring in the old West, Alaska style.\n\"\"\nSeptember 2015<\/strong>\nMy job once again allowed me to spend a week on Little Diomede in the middle of the Bering Strait. This Village is home to around 65 people and sits right on the International Date Line, only a few miles away from Big Diomede\/Russia.\u00a0 It’s like no place I’ve ever been.\nLittle Diomede village in the foreground.\u00a0 Big Diomede three miles across the Strait, and Mother Russia on the horizon.\n\"\"\nPanoramic standing on the deck at the school.\u00a0 Whale bone in the foreground and Russia in the background.\n\"\"\nPuffin taking flight on the north shore.\n\"\"\nLittle Diomede is entirely steep and rocky.\n\"\"\nOne of my favorit things to photograph, Fairyway Rock, just South of Little Diomede.\n\"\"\nThe North American continent as seen from the top of Little Diomede.\n\"\"\nFairway Rock and King Island in the distance.\u00a0Dixie and I ended up South of King Island in 2005 when we tried to walk across the Bering Strait.\n\"\"\nBig Diomede, as seen from Little Diomede.\n\"\"\nThe village of Little Diomede.\nThe highest peak in North America, Denali.\n\"\"\nRoaming free in Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThis peak, shrouded in ominous weather has been haunting me for years.\n\"\"\nSpending time in a remote cabin in the middle Denali Park is always magical.\n\"\"<\/a>\nFull moon over Safety Sound.\n\"\"\nAugust 2015<\/strong>\nWith storms slamming the Bering Sea coast, the waves and kiting have been pretty out of control!\n\"\"\nExplorations on the TW200 out the Council highway always yield something interesting.\n\"\"\nI stumbled upon an abandoned mine called the Big Hoorah.\u00a0 Fascinating old buildings and a lot of rusted metal scattered about.\n\"\"\nAnd one curious fox who seemed to have the run of the place.\n\"\"\nAt sunset, on the ride home, I came across the graveyard in Solomon.\u00a0 I had never noticed it before. During the gold rush it was a thriving community but now it’s a ghost town.\n\"\"\nFall is starting to present itself in the Northern Latitudes with colors changing in the Tundra.\n\"\"\nHeading out fishing on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nMotorcycle explorations found me at Dorothy Falls, outside of Nome.\n\"\"\nAn old miner shack is testament to what once was.\n\"\"\nA room with a million dollar view.\n\"\"\nMy two weeks off were spent in Denali Park visiting a friends cabin.\u00a0 It’s quite a place!\u00a0 On a clear day the view of the Alaska Range is off the charts.\n\"\"\nA lone caribou in Denali.\n\"\"\nI had the fortunate opportunity to make it to the Kantishna music festival.\u00a0 Some of the finest musicians around and a strong sense of community.\n\"\"\nA typical late summer day in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nThis time of year the Northern Lights are out.\u00a0 This particular night I drove out of the Park and was graced with the lights for four hours.\n\"\"\nDenali Park northern lights.\n\"\"\nFlying back to Nome for work always provides spectacular scenery.\u00a0 Denali showing up through the clouds.\n\"\"\nLittle Switzerland in the heart of the Alaska Range.\n\"\"\nA week long trip to see family in San Diego and Phoenix proved to be warm and fun.\u00a0 Beach volleyball at sunset just doesn’t happen in Alaska, ever.\n\"\"\nWe took in a Major League game, which was part game and part amusement park.\u00a0 The ballpark had so much other stuff going on, it was hard to focus on the game.\u00a0 This park was complete with hot tub and pool where you could watch the game from.\n\u00a0\"\"\nPoolside view of all the action.\n\"\"\nIt’s never a bad day up Crown Point on motorcycles.\n\"\"\nJuly 2015<\/strong>\nA couple of good weather days found me in Hatcher Pass where the paragliding was spectacular!\"\"\nA good day at Hatcher Pass\n\"\"\nI had the opportunity to explore the area North of Denali National Park via motorbike.\u00a0 Spinning mud on Stampede Trail.\n\"\"\nContemplating all the wild horses.\n\"\"\nBoot hill, Ferry, Alaska on a picture perfect day.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nSunset over Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nJune 2015<\/strong>\nThe winds have been good and the kiting on Turnagain Arm perfect.\n\"\"\nWith clear skies and temperatures in the 80s, Alaska seems like paradise.\u00a0 And from Eklutna Lake, it looks it.\n\"\"\nWith sunny skies and strong winds I anchored my kite to old train parts from the turn of the Century and was able to put in 10 miles kitesurfing down the coast.\u00a0 A really good night out.\n\"\"\nThe Last Train to Nowhere. Solomon, Alaska.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nThe start of June found me in Northern Alaska.\u00a0 Back on the Bering Strait to see the last of the ice for this season.\nWalrus hunters head North to the pack ice.\n\"\"\nMay 2015<\/strong>\nA classic Denali Park sunset over Primrose ridge.\n#DenaliNationalPark, #Primroseridge, #Alaska\n\"\"\n35 miles in Denali National Park never disappoints.\u00a0 Looking out from the top of Polychrome Pass.\n\"\"\nPackrafting the Sanctuary River in Denali National Park.\n16 miles of mountain biking, 9 miles of hiking, and 9 miles down the river.\u00a0 Not a bad day out!\n\"\"\n\"\"\nAn after work epic adventure in Nome.\u00a0 I finally made it up Mt. Osborn, the highest peak in the Kigluaik Range.\u00a0 In 45 mph winds I managed the summit ridge and made it back home by midnight\n\"\"\nThe Kigluaik Range has some impressive peaks to say the least.\n\"\"\nIt’s always a treat to be back on the Bering Strait this time of year.\u00a0 It’s still winter in Wales, Alaska.\n\"\"\nIt’s been 10 years since the\u00a0Bering Strait Odyssey.<\/a> Dixie Dansercoer and I tried to walk across this precarious piece of ocean, all the way to Russia.\n\"\"\nApril 2015<\/strong>\nDenali National Park is spectacular this time of year.\n\"\"\nWilliam Marx, 1878 -1923.\u00a0 Teller, Alaska\n\"\"\nI happened across a herd of Muskox in the mountains.\n\"\"\nEven though I missed the Iditarod this year, I was fortunate to spend some time on the Iditarod trail.\u00a0 A long 15 mile downwinder from Safety Sound back to Nome proved to be sensational kiting.\nKiting along the Bering Sea coast.\n\"\"\nSeveral great days of wind found me in the mountains behind Nome kiting as far and wide as I could.\u00a0 Up and over Mt. Newton found me logging 27 miles by kite and making it back to town.\u00a0 A very good night out.\n\"\"\nArriving back in Alaska I’m always reminded how much I miss the mountains.\n\"\"\nMarch 2015<\/strong>\nWith six weeks off work I headed to the South Pacific to warm up from a winter in Alaska.\u00a0 Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for the Japan story and pictures.\u00a0 The rest of the trip was spent exploring Guam.\nGeisha in Kyoto.\n\"\"\nSunset over Agana Bay never disappoints.\n\"\"\nKitesuring at Cocos Island.\n\"\"\nFebruary 2015<\/strong>\nThe rare winter flight at sunset off Anvil Mountain is always a fun way to end the day.\n\"\"\nLate afternoon hikes in the hills offer up some pretty frosty conditions.\n\"\"\nThe Muskox are running amuck in the mountains around Nome!\n\"\"\nFlying with Mt. Foraker on the horizon always proves to be a spectacular day in the air.\n\"\"\nA surreal and frigid sunrise over the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nJanuary 2015<\/strong>\nDespite brittle temperatures in the Chugach Range(-5F with windchill), I couldn’t resist the perfect soaring conditions, and spent several hours in the air over the weekend.\n\"\"\nFlying out to the LZ with Sleeping Lady in the background and Knik Arm with a slight cloud cover.\n\"\"\nArctic sunsets are pretty compelling in January.\u00a0\"\"\nSunset on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nDuring this time of year in Alaska, the low angle light and endless mountains can provide some stunning results.\u00a0 Denali and Mt. Foraker on the horizon.\n\"\"\nEarly sunrise over the Alaska Range.\n\"\"\nSunrise coloring the Alaska Range orange.\n\"\"\nDecember 2014<\/strong>\nA week of skiing in Utah offered up great powder and bluer skies than I’ve seen in quite some time.\n\"\"\nSolstice in Nome saw the sun coming up and skirting the horizon for three hours and 53 minutes.\u00a0 Cold, clear, and beautiful.\n\"\"\nWith the low light during this time of year the colors in the sky and on the mountains has been phenomenal.\n\"\"\nFront Street in Nome is looking quite festive this time of year.\n\"\"\nThe old St. Joseph’s church on Anvil City square in Nome is lite up this time of year.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nWhen Jason calls and says let’s go flying(in his airplane), I always say YES!\nWe spent a fine afternoon exploring around the Knik glacier.\n\"\"\nBlue ice on the Knik glacier.\n\"\"\nSunset and glacier ice from the Knik glacier.\n\"\"\nAlthough the weather has been a bit dismal, we still try to get out and paraglide.\u00a0 Preparing to launch off Baldy with Denali on the horizon.\n\"\"\nNovember 2014<\/strong>\nKing Island is still out there on the Bering Strait.\u00a0 Last time I was close was in 2005 on the\u00a0Bering Strait Odyssey<\/a>\u00a0expedition.\u00a0Oh what a time we had.\n\"\"\nWith clear nights, the Aurora Borealis have been decorating the northern skies.\n\"\"\nNorthern Lights in Golovin.\n\"\"\nThe sea ice is around in spots on Norton Sound.
\nThe ocean near Elim looks like this.\n\"\"\nGolovin sea ice.\n\"\"\nSnow still eludes the landscape around Nome.\n\"\"\nThe traveling around northern Alaska has been amazing at this time of year.\u00a0 There’s been little light and little snow,\nbut amazing views none the less.\nSunrise over Norton Sound.\n\"\"\nSunset over the mountains near Nome.\n\"\"\nParaglidng this time of year offers an interesting perspective on how Upper and Lower Fire Lake have been freezing.\n\"\"\nThe weather has been cold and clear.\u00a0 On a recent paraglider flight off Round top, I flew just below cloud base with Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and Denali off on the horizon.\n\"\"\nFire lake froze with fall foliage still hanging around.\n\"\"\nFire lake air bubbles.\n\"\"\nOctober 2014<\/strong>\nGold dredges and gold filled beach’s………..Nome.\n\"\"\nSurprisingly there are some serious mountains outside of Nome.\n\"\"\nThe lakes are already froze up North…and daylight is\ngetting sparse.\n\"\"\nSnow covered mountains outside Nome.\n\"\"\nThe shores in Shishmaref stretch to the horizon\n\"\"\nShishmaref on the Bering Sea.\n\"\"\nExploring in Golovin along Norton Sound turned up\nsome real treasures.\n\"\"\nLion’s mane jellyfish.\n\"\"\nEven more Lion’s mane jellyfish.\n\"\"\nEven though it’s early in the season, the sea ice is already forming on the shores of Golovin.\n\"\"\nSunset and sea ice.\n\"\"\nLake ice forming in Golovin.\n\"\"\nMt. Foraker and Denali from the air is spectacular.\n\"\"\nAs fall quickly fades to winter, sunset runs on the Bering Sea, no matter how cold, are always something special.\n\"\"\nRoadie work for\u00a0Box10<\/a>\u00a0was an unforgettable experience!\n\"\"\nSeptember 2014<\/strong>\nThere is never a dull moment when flying near the Alaska Range.\n\"\"\nThe kiting on the Bering Sea has been REALLY good!\n

\"\"<\/p>\nThe explorations and adventure continues in NW Alaska!!\nAn afternoon in White Mountain, the last checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail.\u00a0 Friendly people and spectacular this time of year.\n\"\"\nThe geese are leaving NW Alaska by the thousands.\u00a0 It’s been quite the site to see and hear.\n\"\"\nThere’s no place quite like Nome!\n\"\"\nDog and horses on display in Nome.\n\"\"\nTwice in one day I HAD to capture images of the Swanberg dredge.\u00a0 It was brought to Nome in 1906, was only in use for one year, and has been parked in this spot ever since.\u00a0 The new hospital is in the background.\n\"\"\nThe setting sun reflecting on the Swanberg Dredge.\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fall flying at Hatcher Pass is spectacular!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nThere’s no place on earth like Denali Park in fall.\nDenali at sunset from Reflection Pond.\n\"\"\nDeep in Denali National Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nDenali reflected in Wonder Lake.\n\"\"\nDenali from Stony Dome.\n\"\"\nFall has arrived at Broad Pass, south of Denali.\n\"\"\nThe blueberries are ready for eating!\nBlue\"\"The geese show the first signs of fall, headed South.\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A spectacular day flying off Bear Mountain with<\/p>\n

Foraker, Hunter, and Denali in the background.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Flying off Bear Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even the dogs are mesmerized by the views of the<\/p>\n

Alaska Range on a clear day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Circling in over Fire Lake to the landing zone.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

August 2014<\/strong><\/p>\nKiting on the Nome River has been fantastic.\u00a0 My new friend Tattoo caught some great images with a huge gold dredge in the background.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nExploring on the TW200 provides discovering some real treasures.\n\"\"\nScrews leftover from a turn of the century gold dredge.\n\"\"\nAn old gold dredge on the Kougarok Road outside of Nome.\n\"\"\nA work trip to Teller is always a treat.\n\"\"\nIditarod musher Joe Garnie and Dale pulling in some nice silver salmon from Joe’s fishing net on the beach in Teller.\n\"\"\nRandomness on the outskirts of Nome.\n\"\"\nHanging out upside down on the Nome River.\n\"\"\nA pit stop at the Safety Roadhouse on the way home from cutting firewood.\u00a0 I haven’t been in this Roadhouse since Iditarod 1994. It’s still exactly the same.\n\"\"\nAlpenglow outside the Safety Roadhouse.\n\"\"\nSetting sun on the Last Train to Nowhere.\n\"\"\nOminous weather approaching Safety Sound.\n\"\"\nAnother trip cutting firewood found me at the Last Train.\u00a0 I never tire of this piece of machinery.\n\"\"\nOn the way home from cutting firewood with Dale.\n\"\"\nDale loaded with wood for the winter.\n\"\"\nIt takes more than one vehicle to get wood from the beach\nback to home base in Nome.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nAnother session at Beluga Point did not disappoint.\n\"\"\nStand up paddle boarding in front of the Spencer glacier and back down the Placer river was great fun.\u00a0 The river was near flood stage and looked quite different from when I did the same trip a few months ago.\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\"\"\n\"\"\nMy old friend Joe from grade school was up visiting and we made it into Kantishna on a 206.\u00a0 My expedition partner Jason is flying for\u00a0Kantishna Air<\/a>\u00a0this summer and took us for a ride.\u00a0 The return bus trip out through the Denali was equally impressive.\n\"\"\nEast fork of the Toklat River, Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nLooking north from Denali Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nJoe and I at the end of the road, Denali National Park.\n\"\"\nA small group of kiters have been pioneering a new spot on Turnagain Arm, Beluga Point.\u00a0 A precarious entry\/exit makes it a challening spot to say the least. \u00a0 But access to huge rollers and big waves is well worth the effort.\u00a0 Today we nailed it!\n\"\"\nCatching air with the Alaska Railroad in the background.\n\"\"\nIn the waves.\n\"\"\nWith two Yamaha TW 200s in Nome, and warm, sunny weather, I’ve been out motorbiking as much as possible.\nThe Kougarok road seems to never end!\n\"\"\nStunning scenery out the Kougarok\n\"\"\nPanoramic on the Kougarok Road.\n\"\"\nAt midnight there’s still plenty of light.\n\"\"\nA ride into Pilgrim Hot Springs was well worth\nthe side trip.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nAn old trike from when Pilgrim was an orphanage with 200 kids.\n\"\"\nThe views on the road into Pilgrim are stunning.\n\"\"\nExploring the Buster Creek drainage with Dale\n\"\"\nThis 52 mile trail winds through some amazing back country.\n\"\"\nDale showing how to navigate the deep mud.\n\"\"\nT-shirt weather and endless trail.\nIt can’t get much better than this!\n\"\"\nJuly 2014<\/strong>\nAfter two unsuccessful expedtions I finally made it to Little Diomede in the middle of the Bering Strait.\u00a0 Wow what a place!\u00a0 I had quite a bit of work to do while there, but there was no shortage of activity on the island.\u00a0 I did make it to the top for a hike the length of the island.\u00a0 The International Date Line is in the middle of the Strait and Big Diomede is only 3 miles away.\u00a0 And I must say Diomede has some of the friendliest people I’ve met anywhere.\nPanoramic looking North.\u00a0 Big Diomede on the left and Mother Russia in the background.\u00a0 Alaska on the horizon on the right and Fairway rock on the far right.\n\"\"\nFairway Rock…just south of Little Diomede Island.\n\"\"\nArriving Little Diomede by Zodiac.\nThe village proper is lower left.\n\"\"\n

Little Diomede village from above.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Three Russian swimmers ready to swim to Big Diomede.\u00a0 They did end up making it.\u00a0 These guys are tough, no westsuits!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Panoramic of Little Diomede from the helicopter pad.<\/p>\n

Lucky for me the new job sent me back to Wales.\u00a0 Despite the typical horrendous weather, I never tire of this place on the Bering Strait.\u00a0 I’ve spent a wealth of time here on expeditions and always enjoy seeing old friends.\u00a0 And there are still places to explore all around Wales.<\/p>\nWhale bones and fish drying near the beach in Wales.\n\"\"\nFishing nets at wait on the beach in Wales\n\"\"\n

A group of South African swimmers loading skiffs to head across to swim between the Diomede Islands.\u00a0 They<\/p>\n

made it, using wet suits.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nI had opportunity to visit an old White Alice site in Tin City.\u00a0 It was in use from 1958-1975 and served as a long range radar system.\u00a0 These towers are about 5 stories high!\nThere are constant reminders that we are not far from\nRussia here.\u00a0 This sign was on one of the buildings at\nthe White Alice site.\n\"\"\"\"\nThere’s a radar dome still in service above Tin City and Wales. This is the panoramic view from the top.\u00a0 Wales is below the mountain on the left.\u00a0 To the left is the Bering Strait and on the horizon the Diomede Islands and mainland Russia.\n\"\"\nDespite the nice weather, there are plenty of reminders that summer is passing.\u00a0 Most notably the fire weed and cotton grass are in full bloom.\n\"\"\nCotton Grass and Fireweed.\n\"\"\nReally great weather in Nome brought out people for a summer festival along the ocean.\u00a0 Complete with live music dunk tank and Sumo wrestling.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nThe gold dredge exploring is never ending with multiple dredges littering the landscape around Nome, some dating back from the turn of the century.\n\"\"\n\"\"\n\"\"\"\"\nThe Musk Ox have been out in full force around Nome this summer.\n\"\"\nThey are staying close to town to keep their young safe from bears, who don’t tend to stay away from town.\n\"\"\nThey certainly can be a road hazard.\n\"\"\nI made the Nome Nugget!!\u00a0\"\"\nThe book is now for sale at Northern Lights Gift Shop in Denali Park.\n\"\"\nMy brother and nephews were in Alaska for a week and there was no lack of high adventure activities.\nThe Matanuska Glacier\n\"\"\nThe access to great ice for climbing on the Mat Glacier is unbelievable.\n\"\"\nClimbing ice on the Matanuska Glacier.\n\"\"\nA wall of perfect ice for climbing, in a T-shirt!\n\"\"\nExploring an ice ridge on the glacier.\n\"\"\n\"\"\nWe geared up and jumped on the Alaska Railroad for a trip up to the Spencer glacier and a packraft run back down\nthe Placer river.\n\"\"\nHeading out onto Spencer lake.\n\"\"\nPackraft and a Standup board heading down the Placer river.\n\"\"\nSeveral days found us hiking the Kesugi Ridge trail in Denali State Park.\u00a0 Rainy weather provided for dramatic clouds and views.\n\"\"\nAnd brilliant colors on the trail.\n\"\"\nTroy, Jackson, Todd, and Ryan geared up for an overnighter\ninto the Chugach mountains and Symphony lakes.\n\"\"\nJackson and I on top of Peak 4764, high above our camp.\n\"\"\nI was in Nome for July 4th and ran the 12.5 mile Anvil Mountain Race.\u00a0 It was overcast, foggy, and cool.\u00a0 I had a great race and placed 10th in 1:37:36.\nJune 2014<\/strong>\nParagliding Hatcher Pass has been unbelievable.\n\"\"\nA recent trip found me in the heart of Denali National Park with spectacular views of the Alaska Range.\n\"\"\nNear the end of the road in Denali park on my BMW.\nA perfect day for riding!\n\"\"\nDenali from Wonder Lake on a rare clear day.\n\"\"\nParagliding in Nome!\n\"\"Once again in this lifetime, I was able to kitesurf on the Bering Sea.\u00a0 The last time was when I attempted to kite to Russia from Alaska in 2010.\u00a0 Like always on the Bering Sea, it did not disappoint.\n\"\"<\/a>\nAs it turns out there is a paragliding club in Nome…The Anvil Mountain Flyers.\u00a0 Very excited to have some really good paragliding so close by.\u00a0 I never imagined there’d be great flying this far North!\n\"\"\nIt’s been really great to get out to some remote ares in Western Alaska.\u00a0 The old Solomon Roadhouse is a must see.\n\"\"\nWomen surveying the Bering Sea ice in Shishmaref.\n\"\"\nThe Last Train to Nowhere outside of Nome.\u00a0 This\ndates back to the Gold Rush days of the 1880s!!\n\"\"\nIt sits out on the tundra east of Nome between safety and Solomon.\n\"\"<\/a>I came across this right on Front(Main) street in Nome.\u00a0 Amundsen(and Wyatt Earp) spent time in Nome and it’s not the first time I’ve cross paths with Roald Amundsen….he was the first to the South Pole, he made it to the North Pole, he was on the first Belgica expedition in 1897-1899(I was on the second in 2007\/2008), I saw his monument in Eagle, Alaska, and now in Nome.\u00a0 The guy got around…and I guess maybe I’ve been extremely fortunate to visit many of the same places he did.\n\"\"\nAmundsen Plaque in Nome, Alaska.\u00a0 2014.\n\"\"<\/a>\nMay 2014<\/strong>\nThe kiting has been nothing short of epic so far this spring.\n\"\"\nThere is no place like Nome!!\u00a0 Spending time in Nome for a new job has been great.\u00a0 I haven’t spent any significant time since the last two Bering Strait expeditions.\u00a0 Nome is steeped in gold mining history and there is no shortage of interesting things to see.\nIce blocks piled up on shore from moving pack ice, on the Nome beach.\n\"\"\nArtifacts in the tundra outside of Nome.\n\"\"\nRusting metal and interesting shadows.\n\"\"\nGiant buckets on an old gold dredge.\n\"\"\nGears and patterns on old machinery.\n\"\"\nAmazing weather in Alaska has produced some equally amazing paraglider flights.\u00a0 Best flight yet…….Eagle River to Knik – 12 miles.\n\"\"\nApril 2014<\/strong>\nA new job in Nome found me once again walking on the Bering Sea.\u00a0 The last time I did that was in 2005, with Dixie, when we tried to walk to Russia from Alaska.\u00a0 Read about the expedition\u00a0here.<\/a>\n\"\"\nWith the lake ice just starting to melt in Alaska, it was the last weekend for biking the length of Eklutna lake.\u00a0\u00a0The 25 mile round trip was nothing short of epic!\n\"\"\nA cloudy day in Seward made for a spectacular day exploring Kenai Fjords National Park.\"\"\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nApril 6th was the first day we got out on water kiting this year\nIt was a bit chilly, but really great wind.\n\"\"\nKiting McHugh along Turnagain Arm, Alaska.\n\"\"\nFirst day on the water, April 16th, 2014.\nMarch 2014<\/strong>\nThere was one last day of snowkiting, at sunset, at the base of Blacktail Rocks.\u00a0 It was a beautiful night with a steady wind.\u00a0 Unfortunately, my friend Matt accidentally got launched and landed hard on his ribs.\u00a0 It took us three hours to get off the mountain and to the hospital……with 8 broken ribs.\u00a0 Not the ending of a great kite session that we’d hoped for. \"\"\nSnowkiting at Blacktail Rocks, Eagle River, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSpring is happening in Alaska.\u00a0 With an unprecedented stretch of clear weather, the paragliding has been heating up.\u00a0 Several days have been spent soaring(literally) with eagles!!\nSoaring high with Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and Denali in the background.\n\"\"\nFlying over the Chugach Mountains, Alaska.\n\"\"\nSouth Pacific 2014 Trip report is\u00a0here<\/a><\/strong>\n\"\"\nKiting in Western Australia.\n

January 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mt. Gordon Lyons<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A few of us hiked above the clouds to some sunshine for some speed wing flying!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jason having a toast on the summit just before launching.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With light winds, the kiting was just okay on Big Lake, but the Paramotoring was really good.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The inevitable GoPro self portrait.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kite view looking out over Big Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Once again this year one of my images was selected for the USHPA calendar.\u00a0 My image is December 2014.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A recent weekend in Denali Park with clear skies and -40F temps offered up some epic scenery.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Panorama Peak<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nDecember 2013<\/strong>\nVery cold weather produced fog down low and snow up high.\u00a0 There was no lack of interest in getting off the ground after a long hike up Bear Mountain.\n\"\"\nLaunching off Bear Mountain with the crew waiting to initiate launch sequence.\n\"\"\nLooking for a landing zone in the fog.\n\"\"\nThe crew, all safely landed on Mirror Lake.\nA recent work trip to Beluga on a chilly, clear morning allowed for some great vistas from the airplane seat.\nA Turnagain Arm sunrise.\n\"\"\nThe Tordillo Mountains at sunrise.\n\"\"\nForaker, Hunter, and Denali from Cook Inlet.\n\"\"\nFoggy, warm weather in the Anchorage bowl has left the flying community wondering when we’d get in the air again.\u00a0 On a fine Sunday, we hiked up Flat Top mountain and got above the clouds for an afternoon of flying in sunshine and warm weather.\"\"\nFlying into the setting sun.\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Soaring over the Chugach Mountains, Alaska.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

November 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winter and cold temperatures are upon us.\u00a0 Perfect weather for a flight!\u00a0The summit of Denali just peaking out of the clouds in the upper right corner.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The lastest issue of\u00a0Signature Luxury Travel and Lifestyle<\/em>\u00a0Magazine in Australia has a really great two page spread!!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0 Inset text………<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kiting in Alaska in November!\u00a040F and 50 mph winds made for an interesting day on Turnagain Arm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nOctober 2013<\/strong>\nThe new\u00a0Aerostich\u00a0poster is a picture of me with the BMW.\"\"<\/a>\n

Fall always finds me back home in Iowa to help with the apple harvest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dad selling produce, me selling books at Farmer Market.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Early morning farmers market, Dubuque, Iowa.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After picking comes sorting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nSeptember 2013\nAs fall melts into winter, we loose daylight in Alaskaand the sunsets have been outstanding.\nSetting sun over Turnagain Arm, Alaska.\n\"\"\nTurnagain Arm Sunset.\n\"\"\nThe few sunny days we’ve had found me out flying paragliders and speed wings.\nSoaring off Bear Mountain.\n\"\"\nSpeed flying over Turnagain Arm, Alaska.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nSearching for a landing zone over Turnagain Arm.\n\"\"\nOn a recent trip to Beluga, the signs of fall were everywhere.\nIce on standing water in early Sept!\n\"\"\nFireweed gone to seed in Beluga.\n\"\"\nTundra colors are changing quickly.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nMeandering river near Beluga, Alaska.\n\"\"\nThe Tordillo Mountains under full moon.\nAugust 2013\n

There were quite a few weekends spent in Denali National Park this month. It’s a place that I will never tire.\u00a0 Have a look at some of the images and you’ll understand why.\u00a0Spending time in Denali allows one to appreciate the many moods of the Alaska Range.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sable Pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Denali from Wonder Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Detail of the Wickersham Wall, Denali.<\/p>\n\"\"\nMt. Brooks and Mt. Silverthrone at sunset.\n\"\"\nMama and baby in Denali\n\"\"\nDenali’s summit from Rainy Creek.\n\"\"\nMt. Brooks and Silverthrone from Rainy Creek.\n\"\"\nThe Alaska Range from Rainy Creek.\n\"\"\nThe Alaska Range at sunset from Wickersham Dome.\n\"\"\nJust after sunset from Wickersham Dome.\n\"\"\nA great motto for life!!\n\"\"\nThe Kantishna Music Festival 2013, at Kantishna Air.\n\"\"\n

Kantishna Music Festival, 2013.<\/p>\n\"\"\nWinter comes early in the high country.\n\"\"\nJuly 2013\nThe weather in Alaska this summer has been like no other summer I’ve ever experienced here.\u00a0 As a result there has been some really great paragliding in Eagle River and Hatcher Pass.\nFlying with Denali in the background.\u00a0 Eagle River, Alaska.\n\"\"\nLaunch at Hatcher Pass.\n\"\"\nHatcher Pass paragliding.\n\"\"\nI raced the Crow Pass race this year.\u00a0 24 miles of wilderness mounting running complete with extremely cold river crossings and zero support.\u00a0 I placed 45th with a time of 4:10:52.\u00a0 Several friend Josh and Matt raced as well.\u00a0 Here are the before and after shots.\u00a0 Not too bad, but afterwards, all of us could barely walk!\nBefore ………….Matt, Josh, Troy.\n\"\"\nAfter…….Josh(9th), Matt(100th), Troy(45th).\n\"\"\nCrown Point near Moose Pass, on a nice day, has some of the most spectacular views ever and some fine motorcycling.\nTracy high on the Crown Point Trail above Trail Lake.\n\"\"\nTroy and Tracy taking a break on the trail.\n\"\"\nThe Fireweed is in full bloom!!\n\"\"\nJune 2013\nA weekend in Kantishna in the middle of Denali Park with friends proved to offer up some fantastic views of Denali, despite the marginal weather.\n\"\"\nThe day after summer solstice three friends and I finally pulled off the biggest kitesurfing trip in Alaska to date. 58 miles in 4 and a half hours.\u00a0Downwind from 20 Mile River to Fire Island.\u00a0 Here is my google earth\u00a0GPS track.\u00a0 Although Turnagain Arm can be somewhat dangerous, we managed the downwinder without incident.\n\"\"\nJune has arrived in Alaska with a vengeance.\u00a0 This has been the warmest and sunniest summer in recent memory.\u00a0 Several days of 90 degree weather, coupled with the long daylight hours, it has been fabulous.\u00a0 Like every Alaskan, I have been playing hard and not getting much sleep.\u00a0 The paragliding, kiteboarding and biking have been unbelievable.\nParagliding in Eagle River, with Denali on the horizon.\n\"\"\nExploratory flights just South of Denali Park provided for some amazing flights!\n\"\"\nFlying towards Broad Pass.\n\"\"\nWith good winds on Turnagain Arm, a friend and I pulled off the longest downwinder kitesurfing to date.\u00a0 Just past Girdwood all the way to slime beach.\u00a0 Nearly 30 miles!\u00a0 It was an epic ride!\n\"\"\n

With a friend working in Bristol Bay for the summer, I decided to spend a long weekend visiting, as I had never been there before.\u00a0 It turned out to be a really interesting part of Alaska.<\/p>\nFull moon over the Naknek Yacht club.\n\"\"\n\u00a0Believe it or not, gas in Bristol Bay, Alaska is $6.12 a gallon!\n\"\"\nSunset over Bristol Bay, Alaska\n\"\"\nMay 2013\nWith 6 “of new snow on May 18th, no one in Alaska knew what to think.\u00a0With the sun shinning for the next three days it only meant it was time to hike and fly!\nNew snow, shorts, and hiking up the switchbacks.\n\"\"\nStill winter in the Chugach Range, Alaska.\n\"\"\nHigh over the Chugach.\n\"\"\nApril 2013\nThe first day of kiting on the water this year!\u00a0 April 21st.\u00a0 With snow still piled up, the wind at 30 mph, and 38F…..six of us had a great early morning session.\n\"\"\n

With a high pressure system hanging out over Alaska this week the paragliding has been mostly good and sometimes wild.\u00a0 I’ve logged over six hours of airtime in the past week.<\/p>\n

My best flight, 2 hours and 20 miles, all on the new Ozone Delta 2.<\/p>\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Jim Weatherby<\/em>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Jim Weatherby<\/em><\/p>\n

The First Annual Fat Tire Festival in Denali Park entailed some fantastic weather and perfect riding conditions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And the snowkiting on the Nenana River wasn’t so bad either.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There was just enought time to fit in a spring ski trip to Utah.\u00a0 There is nothing quite like spring skiing in the Southwest!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Rumen from the Belgica Expedition got married in Bulgaria and I was there.\u00a0 With early morning runs along the Black Sea and a wedding steeped in tradition, it was a trip of a lifetime.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

An ancient church overlooking the Black Sea.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A soak in natural hot springs in Varna, right on the Black Sea.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

March 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Iditarod is always the first weekend in March.\u00a0 Once again this year I was at the start helping my friend Jeff King.<\/p>\n

Zig getting ready for 1000 miles of running with legendary mushers Jeff King and Joe Runyan talking strategy in the background.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ominous weather at the starting line of the Iditarod.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nFebruary 2013<\/strong>\n

Warmer tempertatures and longer daylight have allowed for some great hikes into the Chugach.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With Southeast winds blowing through the Chugach Range, it allowed for a perfect day of kiting just below Blacktail Rocks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ocean Rodeo has picked some of my images to post on their Facebook page and banner.\u00a0 One of these may be destined for a broader market.\u00a0 Stay tuned.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Windy, warm, and snowy in Alaska.\u00a0 Turnagain Pass has pretty ideal conditions for kiting at the moment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kiting in flat light Turnagain Pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

January 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

A very successful book and speaking tour!<\/p>\n

Here was my booth at one signing.\u00a0 My publisher went all out on the display.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Pretty wild to be on stage presenting while I’m also on the giant screen.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Iowa speaking and book tour schedule:<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Welcome on board new Sponsor\u00a0Onepolar<\/a>!<\/p>\n

2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

Escaping an Alaska winter is always nice in December.<\/p>\n

Phoenix and Mexico are great this time of year. Not too hot, not too cold!<\/p>\n

Sunset in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n\"\"\n\u00a0<\/em>\nPalms in Phoenix, Arizona.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em>\n\"\"\nMy book,\u00a0Life on the Edge, is now available!\n

You can buy it\u00a0here<\/a>, and on\u00a0Amazon<\/a>!<\/p>\n

A great\u00a0post<\/a>\u00a0from Laurent who took the epic image on the cover of the book.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\nDecember 2012<\/strong>\nMore clear and cold weather found me out on Big Lake searching for wind.\u00a0 None to be found, instead some friends were out towing paragliders to 1200 feet.\u00a0 And the lake ice is surprisingly thick and is displaying some amazing cracks.\n\"\"\nTowing up at Big Lake.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels\n\"\"\nBig Lake ice cracks.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em>\nNovember 2012<\/strong>\nEpic good(but cold) weather in Alaska has allowed some great hike and fly opportunities.\u00a0 Pepper Peak and Harp Mountain over the Thanksgiving weekend.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\nWith a brisk wind blowing off Flattop, it was to windy to launch.\u00a0 But, several hundred feet lower on Half Peak,\nit was perfect.\n\"\"\nRidge soaring with Denali on the horizon in the background.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nWinter flying in Alaska and my new Oakley Bandito!! It’s a lifesaver.\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nRidge soaring in front of the Chugach Range.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nSeptember 2012<\/strong>\nThe end of the month found snow on the ground in Alaska.\nThe sun came out, so a long hike up Mt. Eklutna found a\ngroup of pilots getting in the air in some pretty cold\ntemperatures.\u00a0 Good fun none the less.\n\"\"\nA small gaggle getting ready at the lower launch.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nFlying high over Knik Arm.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nSoaring in front of Mt. Eklutna with Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter,\nand Denali in the background.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0 Photocopyright Troy Henkels.\nFall is in full swing and winter is not far off.\u00a0 Fall storms\nhave been full strength with several great days kiting on\nTurnagain Arm.\u00a0 Too wet for pictures though.\n\"\"\nBroad Pass, Alaska.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\n\"\"\nBroad Pass, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nAugust 2012<\/strong>\nThis rainy month went by in a blur with me gone every weekend, either deep in Denali Park, the mountains in Wrangell-St. Elias, or high in the the Chugach Range.\nDenali Park<\/strong>\n\"\"\nDenali peeking through bad weather.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Copyright Troy Henkels.\n\"\"\nDenali Park, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nChugach<\/strong>\n\"\"\nThe view from the top of Crown Point.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Copyright Troy Henkels.\n\"\"\nStanding on top of Crown Point, a peak that had been on\nthe list for quite some time, but I’d never been up.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nA nice ride to the start of the climb up Crown Point.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.\nKennecott\/Wrangell-St. Elias National Park<\/strong>\n\"\"\nKennecott mill site, deep in the Wrangell’s.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, August 2012.\n\"\"\nJumbo mine, high in the Wrangell’s . \u00a0Copyright Troy Henkels.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nJuly 2012<\/strong>\nAlaska has been rainy and cold this summer.\u00a0 As a result there have been only a few good days of paragliding.\u00a0 Hatcher Pass last weekend was one of them.\n\"\"\nRick Young soaring over Hatcher Pass.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.\nSoaring over Hatcher Pass.\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nJuly 4th some friends and I decide to ride bikes to Fire Island.\u00a0 An island across a three mile stretch of ocean that drains to mud flats when the tide is low.\u00a0 Needless to say it was a pretty interesting experience.\u00a0 We were able to ride almost the entire way except for a few key muddy sections.\u00a0 The trip back proved grueling as we battled a 40mph headwind.\n\"\"\nScouting out the route at Kincaid Park.\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nTesting the mud near the Fire Island shoreline.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.\nCrossing a channel on the mudflats.\n

\"\"<\/p>\nDave Calkins knee deep in it.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.\nJune 2012<\/strong>\nSummer in Alaska has arrived and it has been fabulous.\u00a0 Although there have been some good days paragliding and kiteboarding the real highlight has been a road trip into Denali National Park.\u00a0 Great weather and close bear encounters made for a memorable weekend.\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>The most brilliant, and double rainbow I think I’ve ever seen.\nBroad Pass, Alaska. (I need a wider lens!)\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels 2012.<\/em>\nGrizzly Bear, Denali National Park, Alaska.\n\"\"\nDenali (20,320′) seen from above the McKinley River bar.\nDenali National Park, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nRemote access rope training course.\u00a0 A good refresher for\nthe skills I learned on the Antarctic Search and Rescue Team.\nMay 2012<\/strong>\nThe paragliding has been unprecedented this month in Alaska.\u00a0 Numerous sunny days have offered up prime conditions.\u00a0 Like never befor, pilots have been going cross country in all directions.\u00a0 For three days in a row I logged 12 miles,\n15 miles(3 hours in the air!!) and 12 miles respectively.\nReally great flying.\n\"\"\nFlying over the Chugach Range, Alaska.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.\n\"\"\nLooking deep into Eagle River Valley, Alaska.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\nApril 2012<\/strong>\nKiteboarding season has begun in earnest with some really great days at McHugh Creek on Turnagain Arm.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.\u00a0 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.\u00a0 2012.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.\u00a0 2012.<\/em>\nParagliding season is underway!\n\"\"\nParagliding Mt. Baldy, Eagle River, Alaska. 2012.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nHigh over Knik Arm, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nA great view of “Sleeping Lady\/Mt. Susitna.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nRick Young checking out the Chugach Range, Alaska.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\nMarch 2012<\/strong>\n

The last day of the month, myself and two buddies made an unprecedented appearance kiting on Turnagain Arm.\u00a0 This is the earliest in the season anyone has been out on the water in Alaska.\u00a0 With favorable winds, tide, and a nice channel we were able to pull it off in 38F temperatures.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Late winter, early spring kiting at Roadside Attraction,<\/p>\n

Turnagain Arm, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Tom Schmid, 2012.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Turnagain Arm, Alaska. March 31st, 2012.<\/p>\n

Photo copyright Dave Calkins, 2012.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Early sunset on the Arm.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Dave Calkins, 2012.<\/em><\/p>\nBack in Alaska for my favorite time of year.\u00a0 It’s not so cold anymore and the longer days are a bonus.\u00a0 The unbelievable snowpack this year has made for some epic days of kiting.\n\"\"\nKiting near the big stuff, Portage Glacier.P<\/em>hoto copyright Troy Henkels 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nCatching air at Twenty Mile.\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Tom Schmid. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nJust hanging around at Twenty Mile.\u00a0Photo copyright Marc Whizdorf. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nCruising the flats at Twenty Mile.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\nThere have been several nights with spectacular Aurora Borealis. These were taken one morning at 4am.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\nFebruary 2012<\/strong>\n

Several light wind days have provided some of the most\u00a0 pleasant and epic kiting I’ve had in Australia.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Catching air at Point Cook at sunset.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

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Keeping it in the air at Point Cook, Victoria.<\/p>\n

Photo copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em><\/p>\nTorquay<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photos copyright Troy Henkels\n\"\"\nThe kiting in Torquay is the best I’ve had with the most\nunbelievable waves to date. An old sponsor and friend from\nStonker, Alex, was kind enough to show me around.\n\"\"\nA bit south of Torquay I spent a day kiting at Guvvo’s beach. Endless waves and spectacular kiting.\nYarram<\/strong>\nThe weekend was spent in a small country town called Yarram.\u00a0 Ten minutes away is the famed 90 mile beach.\u00a0 It’s incredible!!!\u00a0 Sandy beautiful beach for as far as you can see!\u00a0 I was itching\nto kitesurf here, but as luck has it, no wind.\u00a0 And for the\nrecord, the beach is actually 93 miles long.\n\"\"\nDriving around the backroads of Yarram we came across some country Cricket.\u00a0 A bunch of guys playing Cricket out in the middle of nowhere.\u00a0 Looked pretty fun for a Saturday afternoon.\n\"\"\nAnd in town, outdoor bowls.\u00a0 Considered an old persons sport, I’ve been wanting to give this a try since 1996 when I first came across it in New Zealand. \u00a0It’s sorta like shuffle board, but with balls.\u00a0 I still have yet to give it a go.\n\"\"\nThe entire reason for the weekend in the country was my brother\nTerry had a basketball tournament.\u00a0 I got recruited to play and\nwe had 5 games in two days.\u00a0 We lost in the championship by 1 point.\u00a0 Great games and good fun.\n\"\"\nThe local kiting has been unreal.\u00a0 The locals have been saying\nit’s the windiest summer they can remember.\u00a0 Kiting daily is something I never experience in Alaska.\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\nJanuary 2012<\/strong>\nTime spent Down Under has been nothing short of amazing.\n\"\"\nHanging out upside down, down under.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Terry Henkels<\/em>\n\"\"\nHanging with the locals at Point Cook.photo copyright Troy Henkels. 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nKitesurfing the Homestead with Melbourne in the background.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nCourt side, the Australian Open,\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\nSkiing for a week in the Wasatch Mountains was a great way to ring in the New Year….and it wouldn’t be complete without one night in Vegas.\n\"\"\nSunrise over the Wasatch.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels 2012<\/em>.\n\"\"\nFull moon rising over the Luxor in Las Vegas.\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\n\"\"\nLas Vegas.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright<\/em>\u00a0Troy Henkels, 2012.<\/em>\nDecember 2011<\/strong>\nSolstice in Alaska.\u00a0 Dark, snowy, and cold.\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em>\nNovember 2011<\/strong>\nOne special Sunday found the perfect wind for ridge soaring Kincaid Bluffs.\u00a0 An absolute epic day of flying.\n\"\"\nParagliding Kincaid Bluffs.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 November 2011.\nphoto copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\n\"\"\nRidge soaring the Bluffs.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels. 2011.<\/em>\nWinter has slammed into Alaska with full force.\u00a0 Strong winds, snow, chilly temps, and storm after storm have been the norm.\u00a0 None the less, there have been a few breaks in the weather to test the ice on the lake for skating(it’s not ready yet, trust me, I know) and some cold, but epic paragliding in the Chugach Range.\n\"\"\nParagliding in the Chugach Range, Alaska.Photo copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\n\"\"<\/em>\nParagliding in the Chugach.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels, 2011.<\/em>\nOctober 2011<\/strong>\nNice October weather and no snow on the ground.\u00a0 With a few last sunny days before winter, the little bit of heat left from the sun has provided some great paragliding conditions.\n\"\"\nLaunching off Bear Mountain, Alaska. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Photo copyright Matt Bonney.<\/em>\n\"\"\nRick Young flying off Bear Mountain.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.\nSeptember 2011<\/strong>\nKiteboarding Turnagain Arm<\/strong>\nThere has been no shortage of wind in Alaska this month. The kiting sessions on Turnagain Arm have been nothing short of spectacular!!\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Steve Conger.\"\"Photo copyright Steve Conger.<\/em>\nNorthern Lights – Denali Park<\/strong>\nAnother weekend in Denali Park, at 2am, and the northern lights were on fire!\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em>\nSpencer Glacier\/Placer River<\/strong>\nOne perfect weekend before the train stops running for the winter found me boarding for a whistlestop at Spencer Glacier.\u00a0 After a mile hike, the inflatable Stand Up(SUP) came out and the fun began.\u00a0 Spencer lake allows easy, and perfect, access to paddle right up to the glacier.\u00a0 A spectacular place.\u00a0 Afterwards, several hours paddling down the Placer River.\u00a0 A day in Alaska doesn’t get much better than this!\n\"\"\nSUP near the Spencer Glacier.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels collection.<\/em>\n\"\"\nSUP on the Placer River.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels collection.<\/em>\nJack<\/strong>\nHello to my friend Jack Clemens in Peosta, Iowa.\nHe asked me to say HI to Mrs. Mulerts second grade class\nat Seton Elementary.\u00a0 Check out my photos\/gallery page for some pictures of my time spent in Antarctica.\n\"\"\nAugust 2011<\/strong>\nAlot of rain this month made for some great pack rafting.\u00a0 Peters Creek out to the ocean is always a treat, but Glacier Creek in Girdwood was running wild after a day and night of an absolute downpour.\n\"\"\nPackrafting Glacier Creek.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels Collection.<\/em>\n\"\"\nPackrafting Glacier Creek.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels collection.<\/em>\nWith fall rapidly approaching in Alaska we have been\ntreated to some amazing storms and fantastic sunsets.\"\"\n\"\"\nSunset over Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and Denali, 2011.\nphotos copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\nJuly 2011<\/strong>\nThe big news this month is that a team of two Russians successfully crossed the Bering Strait kitesurfing.\u00a0 I was following the two expeditions to the Strait this season very closely.\u00a0 Geza was back for a month with a new team making several unsuccessful attempts to get across.\u00a0 The great news is, my friend from last year Gene, aka:the Honey Bucket man, is doing well and has new glasses!\n\"\"\nGeza Scholtz, Gene Angnaboogok, and Bjorn Detre in\nWales, Alaska. 2011.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0photo copyright Bjorn Detre<\/em>\n\"\"\nGene Angnaboogok, 2010.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0phtoto copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\nJune 2011<\/strong>\n

With epic storm fronts out of the east this summer the kiting has been really, really good.\u00a0 I finally pulled off a complete crossing of Turnagain Arm.\u00a0 Although somewhat risky, everything lined up to make it happen.\u00a0Even though short on distance, 10 miles round trip, the crossing did offer up plenty of excitement.<\/p>\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels collection, 2011.<\/em>\nMay 2011<\/strong>\nStormy weather provided some great wind early in the month and the kiteboarding on Turnagain Arm has been nothing short of epic!\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels collection.,<\/em>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels collection.<\/em>\n

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Photo copyright Troy Henkels collection,<\/em><\/p>\n\"\"\nPhoto copyright Troy Henkels collection.<\/em>\nApril 2011<\/strong>\nSome great days paragliding resulted in the local Eagle River newspaper, the Alaska Star, doing a feature article.\n\"\"\nTroy flying off Baldy in front of Mt. Susitna.\nPhoto courtesy of Melissa DeVaughn, copyright Alaska Star, April 2011.<\/em>\n\"\"\nJosh launching off Baldy, with Troy soaring out front.\nPhoto courtesy of Melissa DeVaughn, copyright Alaska Star, April 2011.<\/em>\nOver the weekend SuperDave called to see if I wanted to fly into the mountains to paraglide and ski.\u00a0 He had access to a PA12, so we grabbed Jason and loaded up the plane with our gear and flew to a spectacular spot in the Chugach Range.\u00a0 An unbelievable day of paragliding, speed flying, skiing, sheep burgers, and Jason even got some kiting in.\u00a0 Nothing short of epic!!\u00a0 Check out the videos\u00a0here.<\/a>\n\"\"\u00a0Dave in the PA12.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.\"\"<\/em>\nDave bringing the PA12 in for a landing.Photo copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\n\"\"Hanging out on the glacier with the ski hill directly in the background.\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \"\"<\/em>\nJason getting a kite session with his speedwing.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em>\nThe spring weather in Alaska has been unbelievable!\u00a0 As a result the paragliding has been out of control.\u00a0 My best flight this season sp far, I was able to cover about 15 miles and was in the air three hours.\u00a0 A couple views from flying in the mountains of the Chugach Range.\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\n\"\"\nLooking back to Eagle River and launch.Photo copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\nMarch 2011<\/strong>\nPossibly the best kiting day of the season was late in the season, on Eklutna Lake.\u00a0 Perfect surface and perfect wind.\u00a0 It was so good that Jason and I were even able to make it twelve miles to the far end of the lake, where the weather was a bit daunting.\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo Copyright Troy Henkels<\/em>\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels \u00a0\nCrisp, clear nights in Alaska have provided some great northern lights.\u00a0 This shot was taken from the deck where I live.\u00a0 Pretty good for how many other lights are in the area this time of year.\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 photo copyright Troy Henkels<\/p>\nFebruary 2011<\/strong>\nA photo of\u00a0Laurent’s<\/a> from the Belgica expedition is being featured in the SF Oceans Festival.\u00a0 It’s a great shot and that just happens to be me climbing ice in Antarctica.\u00a0 Click here<\/a>\u00a0for the official site.\n\"\"\nJanuary 2011<\/strong>\nThe weather has been warm and the wind fickle, but kites still\nfly in Turnagain Pass.\n\"\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels\nDecember 2010<\/strong>\nThe weather has been cold and clear.\u00a0 None the less Christmas weekend did not disappoint.\n\"\"\nParagliding Baldy Mountain, Eagle River, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo: Troy Henkels<\/em>\nNovember 2010<\/strong>\nHunkered down in Alaska for the winter writing a book, which is due to the publisher by April 1st.\u00a0\u00a0 Plenty to do to keep me inside these days.\u00a0 None the less, I get out when I can.\n\"\"\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\nOctober 2010<\/strong>\nCheck out the latest video trailer, it’s a\u00a0classic!<\/a>\u00a0 See the blog for the rest of the story.\nSeptember 2010<\/strong>\nSeveral epic long hikes in the mountains and some out of control paragliding lately have supplied plenty of excitement.\n\"\"\nParagliding Eagle River, with Denali in the background.\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Pioneer Peak to Twin Peaks\/Eklutna Lake, Chugach Range.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A 15 mile, 9.5 hour, 12,000′ elevation gain hiking odyssey.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Paragliding Hatcher Pass, Alaska.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Photo copyright TroyHenkels.<\/p>\n

Mulitpeak 9 hour hike in Denali Park across Carlo Ridge<\/p>\n

offered up epic views of Denali(far left on the horizon).<\/p>\n

August 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

Geza Sholtz and I attempt to be the first to kiteboard from Alaska<\/p>\n

to Russia across the Bering Strait.\u00a0 Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for my full expedition report.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Bjorn Detre.<\/p>\n

July 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

The close of July found me ramping up experiences in the water in preparation and anticipation of the Bering Strait expedition. Namely, 36 miles and over 7 hours on a SUP(StandUp) board from the Knik River to the Port of Anchorage.\u00a0 And an amazing 30.6 mile down winder with the kite from Twenty Mile River to Bird Creek.\u00a0 Playing in 69 miles per hour wind gusts kiting on Turnagain Arm.(yeah this was sorta wild and I have the stitches to prove it!)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0photo courtesy of Tom Schmi<\/em>d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

A strong southeast wind found me on Turnagain Arm and<\/p>\n

Eklutna lake training for the Bering Strait crossing in August.<\/p>\n

Epic strong winds but beautiful days.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kiteboarding Eklutna Lake, Alaska.July 2010<\/em>.Photo: Troy Henkels<\/em><\/p>\n

June 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Miracle Mile.\u00a0 It really doesn’t get any better than this.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finally the rivers are high enough for some packrafting! See<\/p>\n

the\u00a0Youtube<\/a>\u00a0page for the latest videos.Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Photo copy right Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

May 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summer has shown up with a vengance.\u00a0 Epic warm and sunny weather has not allowed much time indoors.\u00a0 There has been some great days out paragliding and kiteboarding.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kiteboarding ‘Weedwhacker’ on Turnagain Arm, Alaska.<\/p>\n

Spring 2010.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

April 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

The North Bound Quest team has returned from the ice!!<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here\u00a0<\/a>for the latest video by Beeldharing Productions.\u00a0 Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for Doug in the news in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for pictures from the expedition.<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for video clips from the expedition.<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for the full report.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

North Bound Quest team on the Arctic ocean, April 2010.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo copyright Troy Henkels<\/em><\/p>\n

March 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

Departure for the North Bound Quest Expedition is just around<\/p>\n

the corner.\u00a0To get the proper muscles into shape requires specific training.\u00a0 The best way to do that is to drag an old spare tire around.\u00a0 This is taxing on the body in similar ways to a sled, both physically and mentally.\u00a0 And fresh snow and it can be down right grueling!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photos copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

For the past 15 years I’ve been helping my friend Jeff King at<\/p>\n

the start of the Iditarod. This year was no different, except Jeff announced that this is his last year running competitively.\u00a0 With<\/p>\n

any luck he’ll pull off a fifth win!!\u00a0 See my ‘YouTube’ page for<\/p>\n

video clips of the start and restart.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

February 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some great weather in Alaska found me up at the base of Blacktail rocks in the mountains above Eagle River.\u00a0 With a nice east wind blowing, I put up the 11meter kite and had a great session.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Snowkiting above Knik Arm, Blacktail Rocks, Eagle River,AK<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Photos copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

January 2010\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a stretch of nice weather the paragliding has been fantastic.<\/p>\n

\"\" \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

December 2009 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally got up to Arctic Valley and figured out how to use the<\/p>\n

speed wing that a friend is letting me use for the winter.\u00a0 See the video on my ‘YouTube’ page in the news section. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

Finally we have snow and wind.\u00a0 With that, I spent the weekend in Turnagain Pass snowkiting and it was nothing short of amazing\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

November 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

On a recent flight to work I snapped this of the setting sun over Cook Inlet, near Tyonek Village.\u00a0 It was a good day out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

October 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is nothing quite like a full moon over the Alaska Range.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

September 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

With snow in the mountains and an Alaska fall coming to a close, a group of friends and I hiked up Bear Mountain for one last paraglider flight of the season.\u00a0 No better word for it than spectacular!(see the photo gallery for more from this flight and the video’s page!)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

With fall quickly coming to a close I was fortunate to be able to spend a long weekend deep in the heart of Denali National Park, exploring some backcountry. With perfect weather for three days straight, it’s hard to imagine a more stunning place on earth.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Denali from Wonder Lake.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

August 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

On a recent trip to Cordova in the midst of a weekend of torrential rain I pack rafted a section of the Copper River past<\/p>\n

the Million Dollar Bridge and Childs glacier.\u00a0 It was pretty wild to say the least.\u00a0 The picture below gives you an idea of the scale of this glacier! (I’m in the raft in the center of the picture)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Photo courtesy of Tracy Stiehr.<\/em><\/p>\n

With icebergs all around, calved off from the Miles glacier upstream, I hoped on one and floated underneath the Million<\/p>\n

Dollar Bridge with my packraft in tow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Tracy Stiehr.<\/em><\/p>\n

In Whittier ferry terminal I came across this poster for Chugach National Forest of me standing on an iceberg in front of a glacier<\/p>\n

in Prince William Sound.\u00a0 Surprised to see this image as I’d never seen it on this poster for the national forest before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo Troy Henkels collection.<\/em><\/p>\n

July25th 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

After eyeing a ridge-line that runs deep into the Chugach Range,<\/p>\n

for several years I finally got around to hiking it.\u00a0 After 14 hours<\/p>\n

on the trail I crossed over Peters Creek Valley and began the<\/p>\n

long climb over two mountain passes to cross back to Eagle<\/p>\n

River Valley.\u00a0 It was a long, but good day out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

June\/July 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

With unbelievable warm temperatures and endless sunshine it<\/p>\n

has been hard to sit still this summer. The paragliding and kiteboarding have been out of control.\u00a0 Kiteboarding on Turnagain Arm, though challenging, offers some spectacular conditions and scenery.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Paragliding at Aleyska is equally enjoyable.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

June 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

The rivers have been running somewhat high this year and the packrafting has been really great.\u00a0 A long day hiking in and<\/p>\n

rafting out Peters Creek, which proved to be challenging Class III, IV, and nearly V rapids.\u00a0 This river the North Fork of Eagle River was running fast but pretty mellow.\u00a0Such a great way to see the countryside.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

May\/June 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

5600 miles on the BMW motorbike across the Trans-Labrador highway Newfoundland.\u00a0 Sometimes it is difficult to keep<\/p>\n

the thing upright!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Tracy Stiehr.<\/em><\/p>\n

May 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

Water temperatures are finally warming up and the kiteboarding community is showing up on Turnagain Arm. Nik(pictured), Jeff and I had a nice session on Turnagain Arm on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/em><\/p>\n

The weather and paragliding have been excellent in Alaska the<\/p>\n

past few weeks. Here’s a sequence of pictures my friend Kjell<\/p>\n

took and pieced together of me launching off Mt. Baldy in Eagle River.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Kjell Sporseen.<\/p>\n

Although the image is blurry, it was taken by a friend of the<\/p>\n

first kiteboarding session in Alaska this spring.\u00a0There was plenty of wind and it was somewhat chilly, but the kiting was quite amazing.\u00a0 The really interesting part are all the ice slabs stacked up on shore…..it was even more interesting trying to avoid the ice chunks in the water.\u00a0 That’s just how kiting in Alaska in April tends to be.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Marc Wizdorf.<\/p>\n

April 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

Springtime in Alaska is one of my favorite times of year.\u00a0 It’s<\/p>\n

getting warmer and the daylight hours are longer.\u00a0 The Snowkiting and Paragliding have been spectacular this year.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Paragliding above the Chugach Range.<\/em>\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Snowkiting in front of Portage Glacier.<\/em>Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Paragliding high over Eagle River.P<\/em>hoto copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

March 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dixie and I spent 10 days in Isafjordur, Iceland guiding a group of Belgians who are ambitious about skiing to the North Pole in 2010.\u00a0 We did a 50-60 mile traverse of the Drangajokull Icecap.\u00a0 The weather proved to be challenging at times with high winds, blowing snow, and even driving rain.\u00a0 Much of the trip was in whiteout conditions. The group proved to be impeccable and all are looking forward to their quest to reach the North Pole in April of next year.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

Iditarod 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first Saturday March is the start of the Last Great Race, Iditarod.\u00a0 For the past 15 years I have helped my friend Jeff<\/p>\n

King at the start of the race and several years at the finish in<\/p>\n

Nome.\u00a0\u00a0 This year was no different.\u00a0 Under beautiful skies,<\/p>\n

Jeff, pictured here left Anchorage at the Ceremonial start on<\/p>\n

his way to Nome.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

March 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alaska in March is fabulous.\u00a0 The daylight hours are longer<\/p>\n

and temperatures warmer.We started the month with fresh snow<\/p>\n

and some interesting and intense kiting conditions in the Portage Valley area.\u00a0 Kiting in front of Portage Glacier proper was unbelievable.\u00a0 The next day with favorable winds, we were<\/p>\n

able to climb off of the Lake and into the mountains to some<\/p>\n

amazing terrain lined by snow capped peaks and blue skies.\u00a0 It really doesn’t get any better than this during springtime in Alaska.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

February 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is not to many times in the middle of winter, in Alaska that the lakes are good for ice skating.\u00a0 Typically there is to much snow.\u00a0 This winter presented some very warm temperatures and the opportunity for some Kiteskating on Eklutna Lake.\u00a0 Imagine a<\/p>\n

large kite pulling you around a large lake at high speed.\u00a0 Great<\/p>\n

fun and it does have the tendency to be somewhat precarious.<\/p>\n

After a great session with the kite, a friend and I skated the<\/p>\n

length of the lake and back…about a 15 mile round trip.\u00a0It was a good day out!!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

January 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

The past week in Alaska found temperatures in the 40s and even 50s.\u00a0With the snow melting and city streets flooding, some friends noticed that Eagle River was flowing strong with minimal ice jamming.\u00a0 January in Alaska, can there be a better time for running rivers??\u00a0 With temperatures above 30F and partly sunny skies, I grabbed my packraft and myself and two friends paddled for three hours down the main section of Eagle River.\u00a0 Spectacular trip and mostly done on TOP of the ice that is still lining the river bottom.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

December 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the wind howling in Palmer and Wasilla a few friends<\/p>\n

and I decided to see how it would be for snowkiting.\u00a0 It’s one<\/p>\n

of the few times I’ve been out that my smallest Kite was too big!\u00a0 The wind was gusting in excess of 40mph and it was 5 degrees F, WITHOUT the windchill. When big gusts came, we’d be kiting in whiteout conditions.\u00a0 It was pretty wild and very fun. My friend Dave described it as ballistic! Oddly enough, we were right out in front of Sarah Palin’s house…..she did not come out and join us.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo copyright Troy Henkels.<\/p>\n

November 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

Preparations are coming together for the upcoming guiding<\/p>\n

expedition to Isafjodur, Iceland in March with Dixie.\u00a0 We will not only be training a determined group of guys that we’ll take to the North Pole next year but also testing gear for an upcoming Antarctic expedition.<\/p>\n

October 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was finally able to kite the epic Bore tide\/wave on Alaska’s notorious Turnagain Arm.\u00a0 See the ‘In Action’ gallery for images<\/p>\n

and the news section for the latest articles in Kiteboarding magazine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Ron Niebrugge\/www.wildnatureimages.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2019 Sunset on the Bering Strait. And with fall the tundra comes alive with color. Outside\u00a0of Nome, near Solomon, Alaska, the Last Train to Nowhere lays\u00a0testament to a bygone era. As do the many gold dredges that are all around this part of Alaska. Fortunately…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11074","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11074"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16203,"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11074\/revisions\/16203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/troyhenkels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}