WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 1 w.wsen.n ww et Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Vol. Twenty-Three Issue Four July & August 2014 $2.50 The sights of summer

NPS photo

WSEN staff photo Photo courtesy Eric Yould PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 A note from the publisher

Long-time subscriber and Kenne- he last time I checked cott Kid, Inger Jensen Ricci, and The Second Annual McCa- the outdoor thermom- her daughter Linda Brown, both of rthy Creek Packraft Race and eter today, it read 78 Anchorage, were on hand to catch White Water Festival was a huge T the McCarthy mail plane back success. It took place July 19-20. degrees— summer temperatures home. We enjoyed the reunion with The Race Results are: for McCarthy! The date is July Inger and the opportunity to meet Up & Over: 22. We apologize for the lateness her daughter, Linda. They had flown 1st—Killian Sump 3 hours in getting this issue into your out to spend some time in Inger’s 51 minutes; 2nd—Mat Brunton 4 hands. This season seems espe- old stomping grounds, Kennecott. hours 10 minutes; 3rd—Eric cially busy to us when it comes Both ladies thoroughly soaked up Mundahl 4 hours 19 minutes the memories of yesteryear as Inger to our bed and breakfast, Aspen Z—Rock: Meadows B & B. I found it quite revisited the once, famous mining town where she was born. 1st—Paul Lafrance 1 hour 50 challenging “keeping” my writ- minutes; 2nd—Cody Landen- As I complete this last page, I er’s hat donned. Thankfully, a burger 2 hours 27 minutes; can hear the printer in the back- couple of quiet days arrived and 3rd—Wil Brown 2 hours 45 min- ground. When it is done Rick will we are on the roll to the finish utes need this final column. I better get line: a completed July/August this winging its way to him. This year there was an excit- WSEN! Thank you for your pa- ing new event, The Boater Cross. Just in case I haven’t mentioned Results from this race had not tience! it lately...you, WSEN readers, are yet come in by printing time. First of all, I want to thank the greatly appreciated! contributors to this publication. Craig Medred, a reporter for Alaska Dispatch, willingly shares many of Table of Contents his articles with our readership. This issue of WSEN contains two of The sights of summer...... 1 his pieces. Thank you, Craig. A note from the publisher...... 2 On the cover of this issue are Items of Interest...... 3 two photos that were posts on Face- Alaska Grown-1982-1983...... 6 book. Eric Yould and his wife, Patty, In Alaska bear encounters, could old advice be completely wrong?...... 8 have a homestead out the Nizina Road and his numerous animal pho- Federal subsistence hunting permits for Wrangell-St. Elias National to shots are excellent. Thanks, Eric, Park and Preserve available starting July 28...... 10 for the great bear picture. It was NPS issues decision on Subsistence Collections Environmental As- difficult deciding which one of your sessment...... 11 bear photos to use. Keep up the BLM announces adjustments to mining related location and annual good work of capturing these amaz- maintenance fees...... 11 ing creatures for our enjoyment. McCarthy Solstice...... 12 By the time the results from the local Packraft Race came in, we ADOT&PF and ADFG Work to Improve Traveler Safety...... 13 were chocked full. We decided to Plans for Subsistence Hunt of Chisana Caribou Herd Announced...... 13 include the information here on the Why do reality shows make Alaska look insane? The sad reality of “note” page. Our congratulations Alaska reality shows...... 14 to the winners and thanks to Kenni- Upgrades planned on McCarthy Road...... 15 cott Wilderness Guides and all the Arctic Alaska a different kind of place...... 18 supporters of this event for making it happen again! 4G LTE Wireless Service Expansion is Underway in Glennallen and Copper Valley...... 20 On June 19th, Rick and I were pleasantly surprised to see a famil- Cooking with Peggy...... 28 iar face at the mail day gathering. A look at the weather...... 29 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 3 Items of Interest Sharon says they haven’t seen near Two weeks later her grandson, George Cebula: George and dog enough of him. Thus, her trip to Mc- Robert McGonigle, arrived with his Shane arrived in McCarthy safe and Carthy. friend Meghan Wilt. Both hail from sound from their winter quarters in Next month Sharon’s dad, Ted, is North Carolina. This was Meghan’s Tucson. In late June they were hosts making his annual trip north. Sharon first visit but Robert’s second trip to to brother Ted’s daughter, Sharon, hopes her next trip here will coincide McCarthy. In 2002 he, his mom Lau- and her two children, Jacob,11, and with her dad’s visit. In the meantime, ra (Barbara’s daughter), husband Maya, 9. All would agree that the I’m stocking up on coffee, Ted! Bob, and Robert’s sister Kate came time went much too quickly. John, Barbara and Clark Rice: to McCarthy. Although Rick and I After arriving in Anchorage from Other summer neighbors arrived on didn’t know John and Barbara very Richland, WA, Sharon, Jacob and schedule. John, Barbara and dog, well at that time, they all stayed in Maya boarded the train to Fairbanks, Clark, drove in the end of April and our two B & B cabins. Now, of taking in the sights along the route. found their home in fine shape. Be- course, the Rices have a house that The 8-hour excursion was an adven- fore long they were settled in for the bears a strong resemblance to the ture and enjoyed by all three. George season. Clark who is 14 years old is historic Kennicott Cottages. was on hand at the railroad station finding winter life in St. Louis less Meghan and Robert did the to greet them. Shane was delighted than desirable, but his other life in whole “nine yards” while they were to have more family members to give McCarthy is high on his list. He here: hiked to Bonanza where they him attention! seems to forget just how old he is discovered snow, did an overnight Before long they were headed when he is here. camping trip out near the Nizina Riv- back to McCarthy and the sights in Shortly after they parked their er, a packrafting trip, a glacier hike our local area. This was not Sharon’s truck and began unloading their sup- and ice climbing, took an historic first visit to George’s summer home. plies, Clark disappeared into the tour of Kennicott and McCarthy and In fact, neither was it for Jacob. woods. He was SO glad to be back in participated in Trivia night at the However, I suspect Jacob didn’t re- his old stomping grounds— chasing Golden Saloon. They didn’t leave member his first trip. He was only 6 off bears and moose. Since he is much to do on their next trip! months old when he, his dad and very hard of hearing now, Barbara The Rices are very popular with mom, came to visit Uncle George. went in search for him. While she family and friends so a newly-built He also doesn’t recall the numer- meandered around looking for signs guest house is in the making. Last ous backpack trips he made with his of Clark, he circled around, found his fall John Adams, along with the help folks when they took in the sights of way back to the truck. The back door of Joe Russo, framed in and had the the glaciers and mines for the first was open and there right within his building enclosed before winter. Now time, eleven years ago. At least he reach was a box of muffins. Feeling a the finishing touches on the inside will remember this visit. spurt of energy, he scarfed them up and outside of the building are keep- ing John and Barbara occupied. Nu- Since Uncle George started fly- in no time. Yep, he was home and merous shopping trips to Anchorage ing south instead of driving and mak- feeling like a youngster once again! for woodwork, paint and other sup- ing his annual visit to Sharon and (Needless to say, Barbara wasn’t im- plies have been on the “to-do” list. Dave’s home in Washington state, pressed.)

Wrangell St. Elias News (USPS 011301) VOL. Twenty-Three, Issue Four, July & August 2014. Published every two months at McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX 1-866-487-7657. E-mail: [email protected]. “Copyright © 2014 by Wrangell St. Elias News. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers.” Contributors to this issue: Peggy Guntis, George Cebula, Craig Medred, Maria Shell, Rick Kenyon Jr. and Ned Rozell. Subscription price is $14 for one year in the USA. Canada $16. Other countries $23. Advertis- ing rates upon request. Deadline for publication in next issue is August 15. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wrangell St. Elias News, McCarthy #42, PO Box MXY, Glennallen AK 99588-8998. PAGE 4 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 This “item” may trigger a line of couple years ago he acquired his own funds to help support his winter golf friends and family members wanting piece of property. Now he has his games!) to visit our town and the Rices. Bar- own business venture— Alaska The drive up the Alcan begins at bara may need a reservation book to Homestead Services. His rubber- their winter home in Titusville, Flori- keep track of them all! tracked mini-excavator is busy at da. Tom’s family home is in Wiscon- One of Barbara’s trips to Anchor- work these days moving dirt, per- sin as well as the home of his two age brought back her close friend forming brush work, digging holes, brothers, Bill and Barry. He and (and ours), Marcheta Long from Bat- drainage work, making trails, remov- Mary Kaye always make a stop there tle Creek, NE. She returned again to ing stumps and trees and even help- on their way north. manage the McCarthy Lodge’s gift ing folks design their gardens. Writing about Tom’s brothers shop in downtown McCarthy. Outhouse packages are available, he brings me to the “highlight” of Mary Welcome back, John, Barbara, says, and he is helping folks com- Kaye’s summer. Brother Barry of Marcheta and last, but not least, dog plete their Fire-wise forestry proj- Madison, WI and brother Bill (and Clark. ects. (Don’t miss Jason’s ad located wife Sue) of Neenah were just here on the inside back cover of this is- Jim and Peggy Guntis: The Gun- visiting. “We had a wonderful time,” sue.) tis’ made their entrance to the says Mary Kaye. Trips to the Nizina neighborhood the end of May. Since While Rick was printing some and the glacier were enjoyed by all. making a very important decision posters for Jason the other day, I On their way back to catch their this last winter to sell their McCarthy managed to get an update from his flights out of Anchorage, Bill, Sue house, they have their own (very winter activities. He certainly trav- and Barry (Tom joined in on the fun, long) to-do list. Daughter Kim, hus- eled to some out-of-way places in our too) stopped off at the Klutina River band Richard and son Robbie, of state while working for the Alaska for an adventure-packed fishing ex- Homer, arrived mid-June to assist in Division of Subsistence. From Janu- cursion. Bill and Sue each caught a many of those items on the list. ary through May, he visited several large salmon. (Mary Kaye says Sue Their week-long stay included a lot of Alaska villages performing subsis- caught the biggest! Congratulations, hard work, but Robbie made sure tence surveys, interviewing native Sue.) there was time for “play.” He is the Elders and recording their many sto- A raft trip on the river capped proud owner of his own RC helicop- ries. their Alaskan vacation. ter. He was eager to show my Rick Once he returned home he got Maggie and Molly, the Goldens’ what a fine pilot he was. On one of his saw mill set up, the Bobcat exca- Cairn terriers, are thrilled to back in his visits to our house, Rick gave vator humming (it is so quiet) and Alaska, guarding the homestead Robbie, who is a very smart 5 year Jasons been running ever since. “It’s from marauding moose and bear. Of old, his first lesson flying Rick’s RC more than one guy can handle, but course, we are always glad to have Champ. Robbie did very well. While I’m having a lot of fun!” Tom and Mary Kaye back in the Kim, Peggy and I visited, Rick also In-between his new services in neighborhood! introduced Robbie to a computer town, he is managing to start up a Mark Vail: I decided the best flight simulator called Real Flight. McCarthy Community Fishwheel time to catch Mark inside his cabin Robbie was instantly “on it.” I expect project. He’s also just recently been was “before” the day was too far by now Kim has purchased one for appointed the new Chairperson for along. When he answered the phone him (and her!). the Residents of the Wrangells’ orga- this morning, he was still sipping on Although we would rather not nization. Says Jason: “It’s time for a his morning coffee. Good timing. lose such wonderful neighbors as the broader representation of the people Dog sitting, Max, for his neighbor Guntis’, we are assured that they will which are as environmentally impor- Jim Kreblin who is presently in An- still be summer visitors. They also tant as the natural resources.” chorage recuperating from knee sur- own another nearby piece of property Congratulations, Jason, on all gery, is high on Mark’s list these that has a small cabin on it. Jim is fronts! Now, if you can just remem- days. Gardening is always a daily ac- already thinking of ways to improve ber which hat you are to wear at the tivity this time of year. Most of the it and ensure a reason to continue proper time! time, it is a pleasant experience. returning to their summer stomping Tom and Mary Kaye Golden: Like today Mark is planning to har- grounds on the west side of the Ken- The Goldens are back at their cabin vest his bok choy to ready it for pick- nicott River. This came as very good on the McCarthy Creek side of town. ling and canning. Pickled cabbage is news to Rick and me! (Be sure to Tom is already busy building ice always a good treat for those long look for the Guntis’ ad on the back cream cones at the McCarthy Cen- winter months. cover of this publication.) ter. It’s always a pleasure to see One of the down sides of garden- Jason Esler: I don’t recall the Tom’s smiling face behind the coun- ing is discovering a mama moose and last time I wrote an “item” on Jason, ter greeting us ladies on our way her calf eating a good portion of your but a lot has happened since then. A home from mail. (I hear he’s raising WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 5 cole crops! He says 24 broccoli called the other night for an item, kale, chard, zucchini and more. My plants were eaten, not counting the that’s where Dian was. Sonny was on first round of cucumber plants trans- cauliflower and cabbage plants. Ac- kitchen duty, he said, but he was plant shocked with the cold spring cording to Mark, Mama didn’t like glad that Dian was enjoying the fruits temps but my second batch is just the hot mustard plants, however, so of his labors. starting to develop female flowers so they were safe. Thankfully, Mark has Dog Mac is another one of our I have high hopes for a late cuke har- other garden plots yet undiscovered neighborhood dogs that is relishing vest! by the area moose and he hopes it on being back in Alaska where life “Preserving season is upon me stays that way. is...well, let’s just say different! for the garden so I will be busy the Three batches of Pine Grosbeaks Squirrels in abundance, those elusive next two months with berry picking, visited him recently— adults with voles and even the huge sort that garden harvest, and jelly making. I their new fledglings. A friendly Hairy meander through his domain. Yes, am glad I was able to put up all my Woodpecker returned with her 2 ba- this is a dog’s world! smoked salmon in June so I will have bies to let them sample Mark’s pea- Tim, Tenley, Conner and Sylvia some free time in September before nut butter offering. Nelson: Rick and I recently recon- Tim returns home and we begin the August is a full month for Mark, nected with the Nelson family at a butchering season. He brings home he says. He is preparing to teach memorial luncheon for our mutual Dall sheep and moose meat and we three homesteading classes at the friend and neighbor, Larry Turnbull. go caribou hunting at the end of Oc- Wrangell Mountain Center: Jams & I asked Tenley if she and her family tober for our protein needs. Jellies, August 5; Pickles and Relish- would join the ranks of “Items of In- “Conner is 7 and Sylvia is 4. Con- es, August 19; Root Cellaring and terest.” She graciously accepted the ner will be returning to school Au- drying food for storage, August 26. invitation. gust 25th to start second grade at According to Mark he has re- The Nelsons live at Mile 12.1 of Kenny Lake School. It is a big com- ceived about 6 reports of black bear the McCarthy Road on Sculpin Lake. mitment to attend school so far away sightings in the local McCarthy area. Tim’s grandparents ran the Nelson’s and summer is a nice break from The soapberries are ripening now, so Lakeside Campground before their having to get up early. It is a 1 ½ the bears are on the hunt for one of deaths. Thus, long-time area resi- hour commute each way for him to their favorite meals. It’s a good re- dents may remember Sculpin Lake go to school and he leaves at 7:15 to minder to keep your eyes open to being called Nelson Lake. Tim, Ten- return at 4:30. Needless to say, he is your surroundings if you are out for a ley, Conner and Sylvia live on the enjoying some lazy summer days! We hike or just doing a chore in the Nelson Homestead which Tim’s are also trying to spend some time yard. grandparents homesteaded starting playing on the lake. This past week Mark passed on some interesting in 1968 on a ten-acre “territory” of has been hot and sunny and we have news. DOT is making use of their family land. been swimming and playing on the brush hog on the McCarthy Road so Here is the Nelson’s item in Ten- floaties.” some of those infamous blind cor- ley’s own words: “We are very busy Thank you, Tenley, for allowing ners are being (thankfully) brushed. this time of year as Tim will head up us a peek into your daily lifestyle! Thanks, DOT! And thanks, Mark, for north to guide big game in the Fred Denner: The Wrangell-St. keeping us informed from your neck- Brooks Range for two months, and Elias National Park/preserve recently of-the-woods. we are trying to finish up all his proj- announced the winner of the Wilder- Sonny Asbury and Dian Cook: ects before he goes. It is hard on the ness Act 50th Anniversary Digital Sonny and Dian are back from their kids to have their Dad gone for so Photo Contest. The winner is Fre- winter stay in Texas. They are set- long but this year we have purchased drick C. Denner of Dan Creek, AK. tling in and unpacking. Chores like our own sat phone and we are really His photo of the Mile High Cliffs, lo- tweaking and/or repairing the two 4 looking forward to hearing Tim’s cated near McCarthy, AK, displays wheelers was at the top of the list of voice. In previous years the flight what many people envision as true late spring projects. It seems there is service was nice enough to wilderness. The Park is displaying a always something to repair some- deliver/post mail for us— 4 or 5 let- framed copy of his photo in their where! Sonny did manage to get the ters a season. main visitor center in Copper Cen- U-Haul truck running so they can use “We are working on our ongoing ter. They are also giving out free it for an upcoming town supply run. addition to our cabin where we hope postcards of his photo to visitors. Dian says she is thrilled with to have Conner and Sylvia in their We add our congratulations to their new and improved water system own bedroom by Christmas. And as you, too, Fred, for a job well done! this year. It provided them with the always in the summer, I am in the means for Sonny to build a classy garden and greenhouse every day. It outdoor shower. In fact, when I is the time of plenty and we are eat- ing lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, PAGE 6 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 Alaska Grown-1982-1983 ter and the holi- all rapidly edged out days soon to be the short summer and celebrated: Fit was time once again Thanksgiving and to put away the summer tools we Christmas. All too used on a daily basis. The sea- soon, another year sonal changes brought a differ- was over and a ent perspective in the way daily new one began. life was conducted. As the tem- Little did we know peratures dropped and the snow that 1983 would made its way down the mountain prove to bring peaks, we put away the summer many changes in clothes in exchange for warmer the faces of our ones. The clouds dropped into community. the valleys, and rain began pre- Many friends and neighbors Carthy but thought nothing of it paring the ground for the win- left to be with family by the time other than the Park Service fly- ter's covering of snow. To look the holidays came. On our side ing around. As was our custom, out the windows and see bare of the “river” were the Edwards we checked into the state-wide branches that once were full of and us. At Long Lake, there was ham radio net around 6:00 pm. green leaves was somewhat de- Harley King; then a family who John from Valdez requested us pressing; this year was no excep- built a house at the top of the to go off to another frequency tion. I would stare out the Long Lake hill. In McCarthy, the which Dad did. He then proceed- window to the north as I did my Heglands (who lived at the air- ed to patch a phone call from a schoolwork, lost in thought and strip) and ran the weather sta- reporter to ask questions about daydreaming of adventures to tion. Gary Green was also in for the “tragedy in McCarthy.” come with Sam, our dog. the winter. Kennicott was quiet When we did not know what the We woke up to snow falling also, with 4 or 5 folks. Most mail reporter was referring to, it was one morning, and this time, it days, one of us (Dad, Mom or I) brought to our attention that did not melt off. The blanket of would drive the snow machine the news reports were about a clean white snow covered up the over for mail, unless the Edwards shooting in McCarthy. At least 6 ugly tree branches and brown walked over. folks died and several injured. grass. Our spirits were lifted by One particular overcast mail This information was shock- the breath-taking beauty of win- day began like many others. Sev- ing and we were dumbfounded eral folks stopped that it could happen in our com- by on their way to munity, of all places. It appeared town to pick up that a part-time resident who their mail. There lived in Kennicott went on a was no need for shooting rampage that cost the us to leave the lives of six of our friends and cabin that day neighbors. A couple from Kenni- and I recall taking cott, the Heglands, Maxine Ed- Sam on a hike to wards and Harley King lost their the winter creek lives that March 1st. Chris Rich- for water after ards and a lady from Long Lake lunch. Later, that were injured and survived. (Gary afternoon, we no- Green was able to fly Chris to ticed a helicopter Glennallen for medical treat- flying over to Mc- ment and notified the mail plane WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 7 to turn around and not to land lings would be transplanted into Arrangements were made to in McCarthy. The State Troopers the large garden and temporary rent a forest service cabin in Ga- were also alerted and sent a greenhouse. The summer birds lena Bay, in the Prince William SWAT team by helicopter from migrated north and soon the Sound. It was approximately 15 Anchorage. As the team flew the robins and swallows became our miles from Valdez, and accessi- McCarthy Road, they landed in closest neighbors. We cleaned ble by boat or floatplane. One of front of a snow machinist who out the swallow bird houses for our fishing boats pulled the flat- turned out to be the perpetrator the new arrivals and families. bottom skiff there where we an- of the crimes. Lou Hastings was Our summer chored it captured and later sentenced to creek thawed 100 feet off six life terms in prison. While and began to shore. There the motive was not clear, evi- flow, elimi- was a large dence pieced together by investi- nating the fuel tank in gators pointed to a diversion need to walk the skiff that was likely to allow Hastings down to the which would time to escape and continue his winter creek. refuel the heinous crimes. Thankfully, We made floatplane as those plans were stopped by the a quick trip needed. A quick thinking of that brave to get sup- green canoe SWAT team.) plies and en- would take The weather began its tradi- joyed a few us back and tional spring thaw as our com- days in An- forth to the munity regrouped and focused chorage. Dad killed a black bear plane and shore. on moving past the event that that wandered into our yard, and Our cabin sat on a bluff threatened to destroy it. More the meat was put to good use. about 12 foot high, overlooking than ever, the need for commu- One project was to build a guest Galena Bay. While rustic in con- nication with the outside world cabin, close to the old cabin. veniences, it did boast of bunk was important. Our ham radio Trees that were felled during the beds, a table and a small oil was just that source and we winter were cut and brought up stove. We brought a Coleman three took to the yard camp stove and cooked on it. turns daily, to peel and There was no electricity, and it making varnish. was not needed for the short contact The ranger stay. Oil lamps gave off enough with friends was put light when darkness fell. Sam throughout into good was having the time of his life, the state use, pulling checking out new territory and and new those logs encountering new critters. The ones across out of the scenery was lush and green; the seas. woods. The common for the coastal areas. As Bellezza's The berries we discovered were spring con- came out appreciated and welcomed just tinued to to visit and outside the cabin. Fishing was a melt the assisted in daily activity, even when we had winter's the raising enough to eat. We dug clams a snow and of the cab- short distance from the cabin. ice, our living room turned into in. We stopped working on the Sometimes one of the boats a temporary greenhouse. Seeds cabin when salmon season ar- would pull a crab trap. Dad could germinated in trays and were set rived and all three of us (and eat seafood three times a day, close to the large living room Sam) went to Valdez. The PA-12 and soon Mom and I were look- window. When the time and was put on floats and ready to ing for other items for the weather was right, those seed- spot salmon. menu! PAGE 8 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 In Alaska bear encounters, could old advice be com- pletely wrong?

video camera, which captured no Sinnott, former Anchorage- ometimes you have to video. The camera was apparent- area wildlife biologist with the wonder if the efforts ly turned on with the lens cap Alaska Department of Fish and Sthat go into trying to still in place. Game, is a proponent of bear teach people how to handle bear Would pepper spray have spray. So am I, though I do have encounters in Alaska aren't helped? a special place in my heart for largely a waste of time, given the Treadwell's advice to Hugue- firearms, having once shot a amount of luck involved in these nard was good. The only thing grizzly off my leg, thus stopping things. you can hope to do to survive a it from doing further damage. Some people do everything predatory attack by a bear is Guns are great if you know how wrong and never have a problem. fight back. In his case, it didn't to use them well. Some do everything right and work. The bear killed Treadwell Most people don't. Some are end up getting mauled or worse. and then Huguenard. simply unfamiliar with firearms. Joel Bennett, a former mem- One has to wonder how Many others can't shoot for ber of the Alaska Board of Game things might have turned out if beans. and a respected Juneau camera- they'd had some pepper spray to Thus pepper spray is much man who specializes in wildlife use in their defense. The efficacy better for them than a bullet, films, once described the late of pepper spray — a non-lethal which needs to hit a specific, Timothy Treadwell as the best bear deterrent — is well docu- not-very-big target in a very diffi- he'd ever seen at reading the be- mented. cult shooting situation. But havior of grizzly bears and know- As Alaska Dispatch columnist that's not why I'm a proponent of ing how to handle them. Rick Sinnott noted after a group pepper spray. Sadly, though, things did not of teens were mauled by a grizzly I'm a proponent because a) it work out well for the Californian in Alaska three years ago, “bear can stop bear attacks; and b) it who spent 13 summers in the spray was effective in 92 percent largely makes people deal with wilderness of Katmai National of the 50 cases involving griz- bears in the proper way, though Park and Preserve trying to zlies in Alaska and 90 percent of there really is no proper way. make friends with the bears. the 20 cases involving black Why aren't runners mauled? Treadwell touched and petted bears. No one who used bear As noted earlier, you can do massive grizzlies. He babysat the spray was killed. In the nine in- everything wrong and never get cubs of some sows. He obviously stances where a grizzly charged touched by a bear. Despite the figured out which bears were a person, the bear broke off the oft-repeated advice that you approachable and which were encounter after it was sprayed, should never run from a bear, not, or he never would have last- and only one person was injured. over the years I've talked to doz- ed so many summers. The injury was relatively minor: ens, possibly hundreds, of people In the end, of course, all that Deep scratches requiring stitch- who've run from bears. None knowledge couldn't save him. es. Eventually, someone who us- were victims of maulings. Treadwell was killed and then es bear spray will be severely And sometimes, counter-in- eaten by a bear. His last words injured or killed by the bear. But tuitive as this might seem, run- before his death on a fateful eve- it seems clear that bear spray ning from a bear or past a bear is ning in October 2003 were a promises to be at least as effec- the right thing to do. tive at preventing maulings as a shout to companion Amie Hu- Which brings us back to Jes- firearm.” guenard to hit the bear with a sica Gamboa, who was mauled pan. His voice was recorded on a while jogging on a trail at Joint WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 9

Base Elmendorf Richardson on — we'd all be in a big trouble. she's looking at the cub when May 18. She did nothing wrong. But bears don't do that. They she looks over her shoulder to In fact, she did largely what peo- generally try to avoid us. see momma bear coming, not at ple are taught to do when en- Enter Gamboa. She's jogging a full run but more of a gallop. countering a grizzly in Alaska. down a road on JBER somewhere So, Gamboa partially turns to She stayed calm. She turned out of sight of her husband, who face the mother bear, which is and faced the bear. She tried to has run ahead. She spies a griz- again the thing to do. But then, indicate she meant no harm. The zly bear cub. If she keeps run- as she describes it, “I put my bear responded by mauling her ning and pretends she hasn't back kind of maybe toward her.” badly. She might have been a lot seen anything, she might well be How does this look from the better off if she'd just kept run- fine. sow's perspective? All wrong. ning and pretended she'd never I've watched a small parade What the sow sees is that the seen any bears. of runners go past a sow bear human has just turned her atten- How can anyone say that, with cubs on the Anchorage Hill- tion away from momma and back given all the good advice about side without the bear paying toward the cub. Momma is sure not running from or around them any attention. She was to take that as some sort of bears? feeding and kept on feeding threat. So she flattens the threat 250 black bears, 65 griz- though the runners were some- and works Gamboa over. zlies in Anchorage times within 100 feet or less. Gamboa smartly and proper- Let's take a minute to look at I know at least three moun- ly plays dead, and she comes out this from the standpoint of the tain bikers who have ridden be- of the encounter beat up but bear, in this case a sow with two tween sow grizzlies and their alive. It is a testament to clear small cubs near Anchorage. Most cubs in Anchorage's Hillside thinking and a strong resolve on bears near Anchorage are habit- Park. They got a big scare. But her part. uated to runners, mountain bik- they were not attacked. The And the rest of it? Well, ers, dog walkers, cars and other bears seem accustomed to our someone who has spent a lot of human means of movement. going past. time around Alaska grizzlies, or Radio-tracking studies done Gamboa, however, didn't thought a lot about the behavior by biologist Sean Farley of the keep going past the JBER bear. and adaptation of bears in An- Alaska Department of Fish and Startled by the cub encounter, chorage, might have handled the Game found many bears live she did a very normal thing. She situation differently. But that's a among us. As you read this, stopped. It's pretty much what pretty small group of people. there are an estimated 250 to people are told to do if they Bear spray makes a differ- 350 black bears and 65 grizzlies meet a bear. But it's not neces- ence roaming the city. sarily what a grizzly sow wants to Most people don't know All parts of the city. see. enough about bears to begin to Farley's radio collars docu- She has likely seen runners understand the nuances involved mented bears regularly using on this or other trails. She has, in any confrontation. And even if Anchorage trails. On-the-ground quite possibly, watched people they do, it might not make any investigations found sign of run past her cubs and concluded difference, as Treadwell's case bears sleeping alongside trails in it's no big deal. proved. Anchorage greenbelts. These This one, however, doesn't Bear spray will make a differ- bears know people. People run run past. This human gets near ence. To use it, people need to past them. The bears ignore the the cub and stops. At that point, turn and face the bear and act traffic. the mother can't help but be brave — the mere display of Thankfully. thinking, "Oh-oh. What's going which has been known to deter on here?" If bears made a practice of bears. sometimes hunting people — as So she comes running. If you So maybe instead of trying to lions and tigers are known to do listen to Gamboa's videotaped teach people how to deal with account of what happened next, bears, we should just be telling PAGE 10 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 them to go to the store, buy Not that it hurts to study up Editor’s note: This story origi- some bear spray, study how to on bears. Knowledge is a wonder- nally appeared in the Anchorage use it — practice would be a ful thing. But in this case, an Daily News June 4, 2014. It has good idea — and take the spray 8.1-ounce can of prevention been reprinted here with permis- with you on Alaska trails. might be worth a lot more than sion. any bear lecture.

Federal subsistence hunting permits for Wrangell-St. Elias Na- tional Park and Preserve available starting July 28 Permits will be available for physical address can include a ederal subsistence reg- moose hunts in Unit 11 and a voter registration card or a utili- istration permits for portion of Unit 12, goat hunts in ty bill listing your physical ad- Fpermit hunts in Unit 11, and sheep hunts for per- dress. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park sons 60 years of age or older in Permit applicants must be and Preserve will be available Units 11 and 12. federally qualified subsistence starting Monday, July 28, at the There is no federal registra- users and meet special eligibility park’s Visitor Center in Copper tion permit for the general requirements for lands managed Center and the Slana Ranger sheep hunts in Units 11 and 12. by the National Park Service. Station. The Visitor Center is Federally qualified hunters wish- They must have their primary open seven days a week from 9 ing to harvest sheep in Units 11 permanent residence in rural a.m. to 6 p.m. through Septem- and 12 during the regular season Alaska, and their community ber 19 and Monday to Friday, 9 may do so under the federal har- must be listed in the “Species/ a.m. to 4 p.m., from September vest limit, but must obtain a Customary & Traditional Use 20 to October 31. The Slana state harvest ticket and comply Determination” (C&T) column Ranger Station is open seven with the state’s reporting and of the Federal Subsistence Man- days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 horn sealing requirements. Note agement Regulations Booklet for p.m. through the end of Septem- that the state sealing require- Wildlife for the intended species ber. Permits will be available at ment for Unit 11 applies to all and location. Individuals wanting the Chitina Ranger Station start- rams, even rams with less than to hunt on National Park lands ing July 31. The Chitina Ranger full-curl horns. Sealing is not (as opposed to in the National Station is open from 10 a.m. to required for sheep harvested un- Preserve) must additionally have 4:30 p.m., Thursday through der a federal registration permit their primary residence in one of Monday (closed Tues.-Wed.) during the elder hunts. the park’s 23 resident zone com- through Labor Day. In the McCa- Please bring your State of munities. rthy-Kennecott area, contact the Alaska resident hunting license, For more information, con- District Ranger at 554-1144 for a photo ID (such as a drivers li- tact Barbara Cellarius, Subsis- permit information. cense), and proof of local physi- tence Coordinator, at (907) cal address when you come to 822-7236. get a permit. Documentation of

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626): "One of the Seven [wise men of Greece] was wont to say: That laws were like cobwebs, where the small flies are caught and the great break through." Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): "In questions of science the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual." American author Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862): "Must a citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right." WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 11 NPS issues decision on Subsistence Collections Environmental Assessment Superintendent before making years of analysis and discussion he National Park Ser- collections. of public comments, resulting in vice (NPS) has issued a The NPS undertook this ef- the selection of this action (Al- Tdecision to develop fort because system-wide regula- ternative D with minor modifica- regulations to allow the subsis- tions prohibit these types of tions) in the Finding of No tence collections of wild, renew- collections and uses; however, a Significant Impact signed April able resources from purpose of the Alaska National 14, 2014. This selected action NPS-managed lands in Alaska Interest Lands Conservation Act includes mitigating measures to where subsistence is authorized. (ANILCA) is to provide opportu- minimize potential adverse ef- When these regulations are in nities for rural residents to con- fects on resources and values of place, NPS-qualified subsistence tinue a subsistence way of life. affected park areas. The action users will be able to collect re- Many rural residents near park also provides flexibility to ad- sources to make and use handi- areas indicated they thought dress local situations and condi- crafts for personal or family ANILCA authorized them to col- tions. The NPS intends to begin uses, to barter them, or to sell lect shed or discarded animal drafting regulations within the them as customary trade. NPS- parts and plants to make handi- year. qualified subsistence users are crafts for personal uses, to bar- The EA and the final decision residents of communities and ter, or to sell because these are available with responses to areas already specified in NPS activities were traditional since public comments on the NPS regulations. These subsistence before and after ANILCA. Planning, Environment and Pub- users would receive written au- This decision is the result of lic Comment (PEPC) website at: thorization from the local NPS an environmental assessment http://parkplanning.nps.gov/doc released in 2012 and nearly two ument.cfm?parkID=1&projectID =35955&documentID=58841 BLM announces adjustments to mining related location and annual maintenance fees he Bureau of Land claims or sites have been re- on the change in the CPI from Management has quired to pay a one-time loca- December 31, 2008, through published in the tion fee. Claimants must also December 31, 2013 (a 9.96 per- T pay an annual maintenance fee cent increase), as reported by Federal Register a final rule in lieu of performing annual the Bureau of Labor Statistics. that adjusts for inflation the assessment work and making agency’s fees for the location The adjusted annual main- annual filings. The Mining Law tenance fee is due on or before (or “staking”) and mainte- of 1872, as amended, requires September 1, 2014, for existing nance of unpatented mining the BLM to adjust these fees claims and sites. Those who claims, mill sites, and tunnel every five years to reflect chang- have already paid their annual sites. The location fee will es in the Consumer Price Index maintenance fee for the 2015 increase from $34 to $37, (CPI). assessment year will be given an and the maintenance fee will The BLM has not adjusted opportunity to pay the addition- rise from $140 to $155. location and maintenance fees al amount without penalty upon Since Fiscal Year 1993, min- since 2009. The adjustments notice from the BLM. ing claimants staking new made in this final rule are based PAGE 12 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 McCarthy Solstice Once the blocks were gath- Donohue, Jenny Rosenbaum, n a rainy day in Au- ered, I began moving them Paul Hanis, (of course I had to gust of 2011, the around into various composi- put the engaged, now married Ocommunity of McCa- tions. I like to create pieced couple, next to each other!) Ar- rthy, Alaska gathered at the Old blocks that mimic the appliquéd dia Thurston-Shaine, Nancy Hardware Store to make quilt blocks. I enjoy trying to free Cook and Emmett Gregory. blocks for a community quilt I form piece The hoped to stitch. trees, gla- follow- When I make community ciers, braid- ing row quilts, more often than not, the ed rivers, fea- community members involved do and moun- tures not know how to make a quilt tains. I work block. I prep lots of sheets of pieced al- by Ava fabric by placing a fusible, heat- most the Grego- activated adhesive to the back- entire quilt ry, side of the fabric. The communi- top at our Sunny ty members then cut their cabin in Mc- Cook, a images out of the fabric and ad- Carthy. Man here, with heat, the images to a Last travel- Photo courtesy Maria Shell background fabric. This method summer in ing to works well as it allows the maxi- Anchorage, I spent hours and ends of roads (This is true. He mum number of individuals in a hours on my long arm quilting asked Jim Drewry if the parking community to participate. machine stitching all three lay- was the end of the road, and Jim I asked each quilt block mak- ers together. sent him on into town where he er to make a block that repre- This quilt, thanks in part to ended up at the Hardware Store sented them in the community. the Art Acquisition Fund and the making a quilt block.),Ozzy It could be something they loved Rasmuson Foundation, is now Tague, Mark Vail, and Brita or something about themselves. part of the McCarthy-Kennicott Mjos. I did not limit or control the size Historical Museum's permanent In the next row, there is art- or topic of the quilt block. collection. work by Christine Johnson, De- The museum is filled with nise Lopez, Roni English, Jeremy wonderful artifacts documenting Pataky, Lyn Plomaritis, and Rob the copper and gold mining days Rosenbaum (Jenny's Dad). of the community. In recent The final row features images years, the museum has dedicated created by Allene Hanis (Paul's more energy and space to the Mom), Barbara Rice, Chris Greg- years following the mining days. ory, Nancy Cook, Karen Loso, What I like best about mak- Leif Mjos, and Allison Sayer. ing these types of quilts is the All of the filler surrounding opportunity to stitch a commu- the appliquéd community mem- nity together. ber blocks was made by me. At the top of the quilt is a I hope you will take a mo- lone snowflake created by long ment this summer to stop by the time community member Meg museum and enjoy the quilt in Hunt. person. I think it's a beautiful In the next section from left representation of McCarthy and to right is art work by Joe its community.

Photo courtesy Maria Shell WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 13 ADOT&PF and ADFG Work to Improve Traveler Safety Moose collisions can result in Ÿ Decreasing shaded areas to in- he Alaska Department of serious injuries or death as well as crease the effectiveness of snow and Transportation and Pub- significant damage to vehicles. The ice maintenance efforts. lic Facilities Department of Fish and Game sup- Vegetation management addi- T ports effective vegetation manage- tionally helps to reduce asphalt de- (ADOT&PF), in consultation with the Alaska Department of Fish and ment along roads and highways to terioration, preserve guardrails, reduce the risk of vehicle collisions Game (ADFG), is conducting fences and other roadway safety fea- with wildlife. tures, and controls or eliminates statewide vegetation management The two agencies collaborated invasive and noxious weeds. on state highways this summer to identify highway corridors that ADOT&PF and ADFG recently with the primary goal of improving require special maintenance atten- formed the Wildlife and Highways traveler safety. tion. The following tactics are being Workgroup to promote traveler Left uncontrolled, roadside veg- implemented to improve traveler safety, efficient transportation, and etation can obstruct motorists’ line safety on Alaska’s highways: economical ways to plan, design, Ÿ of vision and limit their view of the Removing and disposing vegeta- and operate Alaska’s highways while road ahead, traffic control devices, tion that attracts wildlife species to reducing negative impacts to wild- approaching vehicles and wildlife. the roadside. life populations. Abundant woody vegetation along Ÿ Improving sight distance and visi- roadsides provides winter browse bility of signs and markers. and can encourage moose to spend Ÿ Removing possible roadside haz- time near roads. ards, such as trees. Plans for Subsistence Hunt of Chisana Caribou Herd Announced southeast from Pickerel Lake to bill listing your physical address. lans for a federal subsis- the Canadian border. For residents of other eligible areas tence hunt for the Eligibility for the hunt is limited and for Tok residents after July 29, Chisana caribou herd to permanent residents of Chisana, contact Barbara Cellarius, Subsis- P tence Coordinator, at 822-7236 for were announced today by Chistochina, Mentasta Lake, North- Wrangell-St. Elias Superintendent way, Tetlin, Tok, Unit 12 along the permit information. Rick Obernesser, the designated Nabesna Road (mileposts 25-46), The Chisana caribou herd is a federal manager for the hunt. The and that portion of Unit 12 east of small international herd occurring Federal Subsistence Board autho- the Nabesna River and the Nabesna in Yukon and Alaska on the Klutlan rized a limited harvest from the Glacier and south of the Winter Plateau and near the headwaters of the White River. In the United Chisana caribou herd at its Janu- Trail. For residents of Chistochina, States, its range is primarily within ary 2012 meeting. Consistent with Mentasta Lake, Northway, and Tet- lin, permits will be distributed the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias the cooperative management plan through the tribal council offices in National Park and Preserve. From for the herd, the harvest quota will those communities. Contact the the late 1980s through 2003, the be 7 bull caribou, and a maximum council offices for additional infor- herd experienced a decline in popu- of 18 federal registration permits mation, including any application lation and almost all hunting was will be issued to federally qualified deadlines. Permits will be issued to stopped in 1994. From 2003 to subsistence users. The hunt will residents of Tok on a first-come, 2006, a recovery effort designed to open on August 10 and close on first-served basis at the Tetlin Na- increase recruitment and calf surviv- September 30 or when the quota tional Wildlife Refuge office in Tok, al was conducted. The herd popula- has been reached. Hunters are between 11 AM and 1 PM on Tues- tion currently appears stable at asked to report back within three day, July 29. Please bring your State approximately 700 animals. The days of harvesting an animal or at of Alaska resident hunting license, a herd management plan provides the end of the season if unsuccess- photo ID (such as an Alaska driver's recommendations and strategies to ful. The hunt area is Federal pub- license), and proof of local physical guide its management and conser- lic lands in Unit 12 that lie east of address. Documentation of physical vation. The conditions for this hunt the Nabesna River and Glacier and address can include a voter registra- are consistent with the plan. south of the Winter Trail running tion card or a telephone or electric PAGE 14 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 Why do reality shows make Alaska look insane? The sad reality of Alaska reality shows will no doubt be plenty of back- the only elk are at the farm he 49th state is quickly woods beer-drinking, bear-fear- where the hunt was staged. approaching a point ing and beard-sporting, too, for The average Alaskan is more Twhere it has more real- people who haven't gotten at home in or near civilization ity shows than salmon —and enough from the other Alaska than in the wild, though you there are a lot of salmon up shows. wouldn't know it from watching here. Unfortunately, the call of Whatever reality Slednecks Life Below Zero. That's the show the wild, ratings dreams and tax depicts, it will probably have lit- in which Sue Aikens lives “All credits haven't always attracted tle to do with how most Alaskans alone” at the Kavik River Camp Hollywood's finest. live. Alaska isn't as wild and cra- —except for the film crew, the When the reporting staff of zy as seen on TV. Internet connection and the Alaska Dispatch sat down one “Any other place you go, any many visitors who drop in to go day to rank the 10 worst Alaska place down south, it's all been hunting, fishing or hiking. She's reality shows, there was no prob- mapped, logged, hiked, game- a rarity. lem coming up with contenders. managed,” Marty Raney, a cast More than half of Alaska's The difficulty came in deciding member of "Ultimate Survival 730,000 residents live in Anchor- which was the worst among the Alaska," claimed in a New York age or just north in suburbs bad. Daily News interview. “In Alaska, known as the Valley. (Former About the only reality show if you go a mile off a road almost governor and Wasilla mayor Sar- that looks real to the people who anywhere in the state, you're ah Palin grew up a Valley girl.) live here is Deadliest Catch, putting your foot on ground that Add in the people of Fairbanks which has picked up 10 Emmys has never been walked before by and Juneau, the capital, and in nine seasons. Most of the rest any human being. Ever.” you’ve captured two-thirds of the do a spectacular job misrepre- Truth be told, if you go a state population. senting the state and the people mile off the road in most places, Wild Alaska does sometimes who call it home. Some, like Ulti- aside from where the road goes interject itself —it's not unusual mate Survival Alaska, are fake, through federally protected to spot a moose, or even a bear, fake, fake. lands, you're probably trespass- in Anchorage —but at the foot Others, such as Wild West ing in someone's yard. Beyond a of the awe-inspiring mountains is Alaska, make us look like de- mile, the state gets wilder, but a pretty mundane landscape, ranged misfits. it's all been mapped and trod- with sprawling subdivisions of And then there is Alaska den, and Alaskans are game- cookie-cutter houses, plenty of Moose Men, which would be bet- managing the hell out of it. fast-food restaurants and the ter if it were about creatures We're busy killing wolves and usual big-box stores. who are half-human, half-moose, bears to help "Grow more Of course, crazy people do- as its title suggests. moose," as the Alaska Moose ing crazy things in crazy places Into this mix comes MTV's Men would say. Though some- makes for better TV. So the Alas- planned reality series Slednecks. times when we want big game, ka reality programs play up the Segments being screened for we just farm it. When Wild West freak-show aspects. “Hitch a advertisers are reported to fea- Alaska went on a wild elk hunt, risky ride along with the Ice ture snow-machine riders (snow- the stars scrambled into a float- Road Truckers as they drive mobile riders, for you in the plane at Lake Hood in Anchor- headlong into bone-chilling dan- Lower 48) crashing, arguing and age and made a short hop across ger,” hypes Ice Road Truckers. jumping into a frozen lake Cook Inlet —to a place where Experience “Forty-foot waves, through a hole in the ice. There hurricane force winds, heavy-ma- WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 15

chinery and massive icebergs, trailer for Bering Sea Gold fea- powerful, noisy machines shat- proclaims Deadliest Catch. And tured mourners and implied that tering the great white silence. Bering Sea Gold promises every- a character had died while un- But young snow-machiners have thing “from possible jail time to derwater, mining for gold, it embraced it, marketing outdoor injury and even death.” turned out that 26-year-old John gear under the Slednecks brand It's true that the real Alaska Bunce had, sadly, committed and posting videos of their sometimes kills people. Witness suicide. Suicide is a serious issue stunts at Slednecks.com. You Timothy Treadwell, star of the in Alaska, which has one of the can go there to watch them documentary Grizzly Man, who, highest suicide rates of any launch themselves off mountain- along with his girlfriend, was eat- state. The reasons are complicat- tops into big, big air. en by a bear. Or Chris McCand- ed and unfortunately don't make Alaskans are likely to find less, subject of the book and for good TV. MTV's version of Slednecks as movie Into the Wild, who starved MTV's Slednecks appears unreal as most of the rest of the to death near Denali National ready to follow the same formula crop of reality shows. Then Park. as many of the shows that have again, nothing would make the This is real, not reality. come before it: tracking a co- state happier than a hit show On Alaska reality TV, cut to a hort of the Alaska population promoting the joys of snow. It commercial, and somehow every- naturally inclined to engage in would be a big boost to Alaska's one is always fine when the show risky activities in some of the economy if some of the many returns. Producers don't want to wilder parts of the state. The tourists who overrun the state assume liability for someone be- show borrows its title from Alas- each summer came north in the ing seriously injured or actually ka slang for someone who spends winter to enjoy Seward's Icebox. dying on set. They employ safety a lot of time on a snow machine Editor’s note: Reprinted from officers to make sure that and doesn't care about much a story in the Alaska Dispatch doesn't happen. Ultimate Surviv- else. The term used to be consid- May 9 al is even rumored to use stunt ered pejorative—something Craig Medred is a reporter doubles for some of its trickier greenies mumbled under their for Alaska Dispatch. shoots. Although the Season 2 breath about those people on Upgrades planned on McCarthy Road he Department of provides a nonstructural but du- reviewed the public comments Transportation and rable and highly functional pave- and there was not a clear majori- TPublic Facilities ment surface when constructed ty either for or against the High (DOT&PF) has announced sever- properly with good materials. Float project.” al major projects on the McCa- Within certain limitations, ASTs Miller also said that the na- rthy Road. offer lower life-cycle costs than tive corporations nor the NPS The first is what they call competing paving options. They objected to the project. The stat- High Float surfacing for mile 3 give a long service life where ed goal is dust control and re- to mile 17. Mile 3 gets beyond traffic intensities are low and duced maintenance costs. the unstable Kotsina Bluff area, thicker pavements are inappro- The second, much larger and mile 17 is where the Kusku- priate. ASTs are typically less project is the replacement of the lana Bridge is located. than 1 in. (25 mm) thick. Lakina Bridge slated for 2015. Typically a high-float emul- Originally scheduled to start The bridge was damaged several sion asphalt surface treatment in July, the project was delayed years ago, causing closure of the consists of a thin layer of asphalt when some in McCarthy objected McCarthy Road for some time. concrete formed by the applica- to the hard-surfacing. Meetings More project details are available tion of emulsified asphalt or where held in McCarthy and Chi- at the DOT&PF website: emulsified asphalt plus aggre- tina. According to David Miller, http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/laki gate to protect or restore an ex- Director of Maintenance and Op- na/ isting roadway surface. An AST erations at DOT&PF, “We have PAGE 16 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 The McCarthy Weekly News 1923 July & August editions WORKMAN SERIOUSLY ups could understand her language. Mrs. Harding personally wrote let- INJURED The little miss to whom life is a series ters to all roadhouses on the Highway, Wm. Smith, an employee of the A. of investigations – mostly for new dish- expressing regret at having had to R. C. at a camp eight miles above the es to tempt the palate – last Tuesday abandon that trip. Sourdough Roadhouse on the Richard- found a dish with a bit of gasoline in it. Frank McCafferty, the A. R. C. son Highway was seriously injured on She drank it. It acted as sedative, mak- mechanic who chauffeured the presi- Tuesday. His horses ran away, throwing ing her dopey. Acting on the advice of dent's car on the drive out of Fairbanks Dr. Gillespie, who was telephoned to, him, and the heavy wagon passed over and again at Valdez, stated that the the child was taken to Kennecott his body, fracturing two ribs and break- winning personality of the man made where a dose of epicac was adminis- ing one leg in two places. He was everyone eager to service him. tered. Next morning when she awoke, brought to Chitina, a distance of 108 Announcement to Military posts she was as chipper as ever. miles in a truck, being very weak from of President's Death HEAD WORK pain and loss of blood. Dr. Gillespie Valdez, Alaska, August 3, 1923 A want ad for an office boy brought and a nurse were rushed down on a The following order from Washing- many applicants. One little fellow gave speeder, and were there when the in- ton from the secretary of war announc- the young lady at the information desk jured man arrived in town late Tuesday es to the army the death of Warren a scribbled note for immediate delivery night. After a brief rest, the patient Gamaliel Harding, President of the to the boss. When opened it read, "I'm was placed on an improvised bed on United States. the side of the speeder and taken to the last kid in the line. Don't do any- "It is the painful duty of the secre- the hospital at Kennecott. thing until you see me." He got the job. tary of war to announce to the army – Printer and Publisher McCarthy has had a spell of rather the death of Warren Gamaliel Harding, warm weather this week, the mercury July 14 President of the United States, which climbing to 95 in the shade and close Mrs. John E. Barrett was hostess occurred at San Francisco, California, to 110 in the sun on several occasions. at a dinner Thursday evening. Home at 7:30 p.m. August second, nineteen If we'd had a palm leaf fan and a ba- grown new potatoes and freshly picked hundred and twenty three. The grief of nana tree to sit under, we'd all have strawberries were included in the the nation in the untimely death of the been real hot. But we kept right on menu. president is keenly shared by the Army working without even trying any Coue July 21 of the United States, in the welfare of on ourselves, and before we knew it, which he displayed at all times a deep evening had come and the cool breezes McCARTHY AND CHITINA MOURN interest and solicitude. His kindly wis- from the Kennecott Glacier had blown dom and strength, his consistency to away the heat and cares of the day. The news of the death of President duty, and his loyalty to our national July 7 Harding came as a distinct shock to ideals entitle him to the respect of PERSONALS the community on Friday morning, as every American citizen. no apprehension was felt concerning Appropriate funeral honors will be Capt. J. P. Hubrick is enjoying a his recovery, because of his rugged paid to the memory of the late presi- brief vacation, which he is spending at constitution. On receipt of the news, dent and commander-in-chief at the the Kennecott Hospital, where he had flags were lowered to half mast and a headquarters of every corps and every an operation Tuesday. He expects to hushed silence settled over all. return home Sunday. Mrs. J. P. Hu- department at every military station Mrs. Wills of McCarthy, who with brick and Mrs. John Barrett walked to and every camp of troops in the United her little daughter, Verna shook hands Kennecott Thursday. States in the field. with the president at Cordova, stated The vice president of the United Friday evening Sig went for a spin that she had been much impressed States, Calvin Cooledge has taken the up the Mother Lode trail. The trail with his appearance of health. His eyes, oath of office and assumed the duties proved rather elusive and Sig couldn't she said, were the most kindly she had of president, in accordance with the find his way home until Saturday ever seen. morning. provision of the constitution." At Chitina, flags which had been Dwight F. Davis Baby Tries New Drink ready to greet the president in event of As a beverage gasoline is not to be the trip over the Highway, fluttered at Acting secretary of war. recommended. That is what little Mary half mast. Alaska mourns, as never before, O'Neill would tell us if we stupid grown- the loss of the hand that was guiding, WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 17 with a calm, unswerving purpose, the pneumonia last winter, has sold her antelope in Brigham Young's valleys nation to prosperity. We feel the loss – home to V. J. Dwyer and left for Seattle and lastly brown bear in Alaska, whith- oh so keenly – because it is but a few on the last sailing of the Alaska. She er he came with the Klondike stam- days ago since we felt his sympathetic will permanently reside in Seattle, her pede in 1897. handclasp and looked into his kindly former home. New babies – eighteen of ‘em – face, as we learned to love him as a Mrs. O. A. Nelson, with her two have arrived at the Iverson ranch with- man – a friend. small sons, has taken over the Lynch in the last two weeks to gladden the Our hearts bleed for his wife, who cottage at Strelna for a month's outing. hearts of two swine mothers. The in her visit with us, endeared herself, August 11 youngsters are to be brought up ac- for all time, to Alaskans. HUNTING PARTY LEAVES FOR cording to Hoyle, so Mr. Iverson says. PERSONAL HAUNTS OF BIG GAME August 18 A party of Kennecott people spent Mr. Russell Mott, an attorney of NEWS FROM CHITINA the day at Nikolai Wednesday. Little Chicago, and his son, Cutler, arrived in Chitina August 25 – The Chitina Eleanor Tjosevig and Dickie Lander, town on Sunday's train and left for an school will commence this year on or accompanied by their mothers, spent extended trip in pursuit of game, on about September 10. Miss Elsie Spen- Tuesday at the Tjosevig cabin on the Tuesday. Capt. J. P. Hubrick, of McCa- ce, who formerly taught in Cordova, Mother Lode trail. Just above the first rthy is conducting the party, Carl An- and last year at Circle City, will have tunnel the party saw a good sized derson and John Nickell acting as charge. sheep. The animal stopped several packers, while Jimmie Brown with his Miss Spence is an experienced times in its ascent of the cliff and gave train of pack horses, is chief "horse teacher, and is exceptionally well qual- the car and its occupants "the once wrangler." Steve Kansky accompanied ified, having been engaged, before over" most indifferently. It would have the expedition to bring home the limit coming to Alaska, in normal school made an excellent target for gun or in denizens of the wild. work. camera as it stood on the cliff, barely The party will take its time, cross- A nine months school, with a 100 feet above the spectators. ing the Nizina River, going up the Chit- monthly salary of one hundred and Copper Tints istone, over the "Goat Trail" into Skolai seventy five dollars, will be maintained. At the McCarthy Drug Store can Basin, thence over Russell Glacier to Considerable repairs will be made to be had copies of Cordova's contribu- the head of the White River. From the school, for which a liberal allow- tion to the literature on Alaska. The there, it will proceed to Shushanna, ance has been granted. At least eight book is "Copper Tints" written by Kath- down the Shushanna River to the pupils will be enrolled, representing erine Wilson. Miss Wilson is one of the mouth of the Nabesna; from the four grades. competent staff of the Cordova Daily Nabesna to Chistochina, then to Gul- When the truck owned by C. D. Times, a paper that any town might kana. At this point the party will di- McCauley, horticulturist and carpen- well be proud of. vide; Jimmie Brown returning to the ter of Fairbanks, left Chitina last Fri- "Copper Tints" is well named; it is Nabesna, where he will winter his hors- day morning it may not have had the a series of sketches of persons and es and trap, and the rest continuing earmarks of a wedding chariot, yet that events, that add color to the history of their way by auto stage to Chitina, a is exactly what it was. The previous day the Copper River valley. It is written in distance of seventy five miles, then Mrs. Alma Hathcock and Mr. McCauley an easy, readable manner, with a returning to McCarthy by rail. had been married at Chitina. wealth of description, that give to it a In all they will have traveled about Mrs. Hathcock, with her three year value apart from its historical signifi- five hundred miles expecting to be old son had just arrived from the cance. gone from six weeks to two months. states, having come from Atlanta, The value of the book is enhanced Capt. Hubrick, the pioneer guide Georgia. She was met here by Mr. Mc- by the illustrations, done by Rev. Eu- and hunter, says that this will be his Cauley, with his nine year old son, and stace P. Ziegler, the minister-artist of last trip as guide. In the future he will the wedding occurred immediately. Cordova, who painted the mural deco- devote his time to "shooting" the Next morning the luggage was put rations for the Alaska Steamship Com- mountains and rivers, as he admits aboard the Ford truck, leaving just pany's palatial new liner, Alaska. that photography has more thrills for space enough behind the seat for the The book is well printed on a good him now than even sighting the most two youngsters; the bride and groom paper, and is altogether a valuable ferocious bear, the biggest buffalo or slipped cozily into the seat and they addition to the library of the lover of the fleetest antelope, had in the days were off on the three hundred mile things Alaskan. when he was know as "Winchester honeymoon jaunt to their interior Jack." home. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley both August 4 The veteran hunter has wielded a come from Atlanta, but they had not Sam Seltenreich has completed a gun on every frontier in the West and met previously, the courtship having new hay barn at his ranch. North, having hunted buffalo on the been carried on by correspondence. A FEW NOTES FROM CHITINA plains of Texas, sheep in the moun- August 25 Mrs. Thomas Lynch, formerly of tains of Colorado, cougar in Wyoming, Strelna, whose husband was a victim of PAGE 18 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 Arctic Alaska a different kind of place Hobbie is a founding researcher by the warmth generated by licing through the top of the Toolik Field Station. their bulging flight muscles. quarter of the Alaska Land of Extremes is full of Some butterflies and moths in- Smap, the Arctic Circle reasons why arctic Alaska, in par- stead depend on the sun to marks the boundary of perpetual ticular the North Slope, is a warm their flying machinery. On light. North of the line, the sun place like no other. early summer days, moths and won’t set on summer solstice. While driving north on the butterflies will cease flying when But somehow the breezy, Dalton Highway and passing the clouds block the sun. treeless tundra of Barrow has a final spruce tree in a narrow val- Creatures that appear better more arctic feel than Fort Yu- ley north of Coldfoot, people suited for a land of eight months kon, also poleward of the line have contemplated why there are of winter include the snowy owl, but home to dense spruce for- so few trees in the Arctic. The with white plumage that traps ests and Alaska’s all-time high authors write that while there body heat better than any bird temperature of 100 degrees. are several factors that contrib- except the Adelie penguin, and A more “ecologically sound” ute, cool summer temperatures the arctic fox, which fattens up definition of the Arctic is any are probably number one. in summer and autumn with area with an average July tem- Abundant woody shrubs that such vigor it can survive a month perature of 50 degrees Fahren- don’t get much taller than a in winter without eating. heit or less. Alex Huryn and John moose have the advantage of Caribou are probably the Hobbie wrote this in their book, growing closer to the ground, most visible of the large animals Land of Extremes: A Natural His- where it is warmer. Hovering living on the North Slope. The tory of the Arctic North Slope of within the shrubs are a species authors calculated that one cari- Alaska. no writer would omit from a bou exists for every square kilo- While that definition applies book of Alaska fauna. Huryn and meter between the Brooks to Adak, Shemya, Wales and a Hobbie wrote of the Toolik Field Range and the Arctic Ocean. few other cool places south of Station mosquito record: in Caribou “were essential for the circle and excludes Umiat 1994, a researcher there killed the existence of humans” in the (with a long-term July tempera- 278 with one slap. Extrapolating interior of the North Slope for ture average of 54.7 degrees), it from the size of the man’s hand, thousands of years, the authors includes most other towns and the authors calculated that a wrote. After both the Western villages in what most people con- naked person stranded on tun- Arctic and Central Arctic herds sider Alaska’s Arctic. When plot- dra in such conditions would die crashed from about 300,000 to ted as a line, that temperature from blood loss in 22 hours. 15,000 animals from 1890 to standard somewhat marks the “True flies” including mos- 1900, the Nunamiut Inupiat Na- northern limit of trees. quitoes make up 50 percent of tives began to abandon their Huryn, a professor at the insect species in North Ameri- camps in the foothills and moun- University of Alabama, Tuscaloo- ca’s Arctic. Beetles rule every- tains. sa, and Hobbie, with the Marine where else on the planet, but up “By 1920 there were essen- Biological Laboratory at Woods north four fly species exist for tially no human residents in the Hole, Massachusetts, have spent each beetle. interior of the North Slope,” the many hours on Alaska’s North Bumblebees of the North authors wrote. That area re- Slope, a Nebraska-size region Slope are sometimes active when mained quiet until caribou herds extending from the backbone of the air temperature is colder recovered in the 1930s, and, in the Brooks Range to the pale than freezing. They pull it off by the late 1960s, the discovery of salt water of the Arctic Ocean. maintaining a body temperature oil at Prudhoe Bay brought many warmer than a human’s, in part humans northward. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 19

stress-free MV SERVICES holiday Shopping “We can do that.” This season, get fabulous gifts for everyone on your v list...all from the comfort of your home. Just call me or Building Construction – visit my Web site. You’ll find pampering products, Foundation through Finish fragrances and more at your convenience! v Building Remodels and Repair Tammy Rowland v Independent Beauty Consultant Mechanical Repairs www.marykay.com/trowland1 v (907) 581-5881 Welding v Cargo Transport to/from ANC area (7x14 enclosed trailer with "We often do good in 5000lb payload capacity) order that we may do evil with impunity." - Francois 907-244-4074 De La Rochefoucauld [email protected] (1613 - 1680)

MOTHER LODE COPPER MINES COMPANY OF ALASKA Matt and Amber Vial - Owners 201 Barrow Street #1 • Anchorage, AK 99501

Copper Ore Jewelry Store In downtown Kennecott Alaskan Stones in Silver Making Copper Ore Jewelry in Kennecott since 1979 Kennecott Copper Ore Dan Creek Copper Nuggets Alaska Jade Alaska Agate

Larry Hoare [email protected] 907-554-1049 www.jadealaska.com PAGE 20 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 4G LTE Wireless Service Expansion is Underway in Glennallen and Copper Valley

opper Valley Telecom The company reported that Ÿ Willow Mountain announced this week handsets and data cards are reg- Ÿ Nelchina that its Glennallen ularly achieving speeds 10 to 15 Ÿ Chistochina C Ÿ cell site has been upgraded to times faster than was formerly Glenn-Rich (at Tok Cutoff) 4G LTE and higher data speeds available in the area. Ÿ Silver Springs (Copper Cen- are now available when using Thirteen additional cell sites ter) that site. The Glennallen cell will be upgraded throughout the Ÿ Slana site is located at the Copper Val- Copper Valley, Valdez, and Cor- Ÿ Cannon Hill (Chitina) ley Telecom office at mile 188.8 dova by the end of June. The Ÿ Sourdough and McCarthy (Mc- of the Glenn Highway. sites are: Carthy) Ÿ Tazlina Ÿ 7-Mile/Alpine Woods (Valdez) Ÿ Tolsona Ridge Ÿ Eyak River (Cordova)

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961): "Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism." Historian Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998): "Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find crit- icism subversive." Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965): "If you have 10,000 regulations, you destroy all respect for the law." WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 21

University of Alaska National Park Service Facilities and Land Management Alaska Region

PUBLIC NOTICE Proposed Land Exchange in Long Lake/McCarthy area, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, for University of Alaska Lands in Seward, Alaska

The National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Alaska (University) are proposing an exchange of lands. The federal authority for this exchange is section 1302(h) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of December 2, 1980, 16, U.S.C. 3192(h). The NPS would acquire from the University approximately seven hundred seventy-two (772) acres just north of Long Lake, Alaska, located in sections 31 and 32, T. 5 S., R. 12 E., Copper River Meridian, described as:

Section 31: Lot 4, SE1/4SW1/4, NE1/4, W1/2SE1/4, NE1/4SE1/4, N1/2SE1/4SE1/4 Section 32: E1/2, E1/2SW1/4 in exchange for two parcels of an equivalent value located at 212 and 220 Fifth Avenue, Seward, Alaska 99664, also described as: Lots Twenty-Six (26), Twenty-Seven (27), and Twenty-Eight (28), Block Eight (8), ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD, according to Plat S-1, and Lot Twenty-Nine A (29A), Block Eight (8), ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD, NORMAN REPLAT according to Plat No. 97-23, filed in the Seward Recording District, Alaska;

The University of Alaska Long Lake Parcels Disposal Plan and map are available for review online at www.ualand.com or upon written request at the University of Alaska address listed below. Parties interested in commenting on the disposal plan or public notice may submit written comments to the NPS and/or the University at the addresses below no later than 5:00 P.M., Monday, August 25, 2014 to be considered.

NPS at [email protected], OR National Park Service, Attn: Chuck Gilbert, 240 W. 5th Ave., Rm. 114, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, and/or University of Alaska, Facilities and Land Management, Attn: Tina Schimschat, 1815 Bragaw St., Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99508-3438 (907) 786-7733 (fax). PAGE 22 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014

of McCarthy

formerly

w Private cabins for 2 to 6. w Convenient access by automobile. w Historic homestead setting. Enjoy Alaskan bush living. w Quiet, Peaceful location away from the crowds! Private or shared bath Phone (907)554-4454 or Email [email protected] See us on the WEB at http://www.wsen.net/AspenMeadows/ Your hosts Rick & Bonnie Kenyon

Cabin for Sale on 2.5 acres near McCarthy

Good access, on the west side of the Kennicott River. Well drained, aspen-poplar-willow mix

Located 2.4 miles from the McCarthy Road near mile 58.

12’x16’ cabin with stand-up loft. Cabin is dried-in and has wood siding and a metal roof. The interior is not finished.

Owner financing available with half-down. $37,500

Rick & Bonnie 907-554-1194 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 23

If you are living in or visiting the Copper Valley Wireless service are - and you have a COMA phone - you should have great cell (talk and datal service. Copper Valley Wireless's service footprint is vast as shown in the map by the dark shaded areas.

While exploring the great state of Alaska , as long as you have service from CVW or one of our COMA partners you' ll be connected!

Copper Valley Public Wi-Fi Hot Spots Valdez: Glennallen area * Airport * Hub of Alaska * Civic Center * Caribou Motel * Mancamp * Small Boat Harbor Chitina & McCarthy * Kelsey Municipal Dock * Downtown * Ferry Terminal

Regular $4.95/hour ·1 $8.95/day $24.95/wk - ~ $39.95/mo -I (~) 5121<8 I Enhanced (~) $7 .95/hour I $14.95/day I $32.95/wk I $79.95/mo I

Valdez Billing#: Help#: 835-2231 834-4357 Copper Valley Glennallen Billing#: Help#: Telecom 822-3551 822-4357 PAGE 24 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 Thank You for your Support! The McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum would like to thank all those who helped make our 4th of July fundraisers a wonderful success! We couldnʼt have done it without you!

Dave Adams Kennecott Trading Company Rowcon Services John Adams Kennecott Wilderness Guides St. Elias Alpine Guides Aspen Meadows McCarthy Lodge Tailor Made Pizza Scott Clendaniel Mountain Mama’s Wild Alpine Copper Oar Patt Garret Wintercreek Fred & Ann Dure Jurgen Ogrodnik Wrangell Mountain Air Elbows Massage and Body Works Roadside Potato Wrangell Mountains Center Glacier View Campground Rob Retherford Wrangell‐‐St. Elias National Kennicott Glacier Lodge Park Visitors Center/Alaska Geographic Wrangell‐‐St. Elias News

[email protected] Scheduled Air Service from Anchorage to McCarthy with stopover in Gulkana!

Now you can leave Anchorage at 8:30 on Monday or Thursday morning and arrive in Gulkana at 9:45, McCarthy at 11:00. Or, you can leave McCarthy at 11:15 and be back in Anchorage by 2:00pm the same day! (Leaves Gulkana at 12:45) This service is year around.

www.coppervalleyair.com

Phone 822-4200 RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEPARTURES, ARRIVALS, CONNECTIONS. Copper Valley Air will not be responsible for damages resulting from the failure of flights to depart or arrive at times stated in this timetable, nor for errors herein, nor for failure to make Or toll-free 866-570-4200 connections to other airlines or of this company. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Schedules shown are based on expected flying times. Because weather and other factors may Gulkana Airfield Box 234, Glennallen, AK 99588 affect operating conditions, departures and arrivals cannot be guaranteed. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 25

McCarthy's Grocery & Hardware Center All your grocery needs. Fresh produce. Fully stocked hardware store. New services have been added this season! Freshly made sandwiches for your day trips. CENTER MCCARTHY

Ma Johnson's Hotel - McCarthy Lodge Bistro - Golden Saloon - Mountain Arts Gifts - Nugget Liquors - Lancaster's Hotel

Caribou Hotel Getting tired? Stop at the Caribou Hotel! The coffee pot’s always on!

Warm atmosphere — Hot Tubs — Satellite TV Full Menu Restaurant

Mile 187 Glenn Hwy. 822-3302 Glennallen, AK PAGE 26 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014

We’ve Been A Part Of The Local Scenery Wells Fargo was one of the Since 1852® first companies to do business around here. So, you might say we’ve grown up together. Thanks for all your support over the years. Glennallen Team Mile 187.5 Glenn Highway

© 2008 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. AS-3216 9551 wellsfargo.com

CROWLEY FUELS First in fuel, fi rst in service and family-owned since 1892, COPPER RIVER BASIN Crowley supplies heating oil, propane, lubricants and accessories to homes and businesses year-round in Glennallen and the Copper River Valley.

Alaskans know Crowley for quality, reliability and competitive prices. Be sure to ask how you can save with our auto-fill services.

822.3375 Mile 188.5 Glenn Highway Crowley.com/glennallen

Worldwide Logistics • Liner Shipping • Petroleum & Chemical Transportation • Alaska Fuel Sales & Distribution • Energy Support Project Management • Ship Assist & Escort • Ship Management • Ocean Towing & Transportation • Salvage & Emergency Response WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 27

ROWCON SERVICES Keith Rowland, Owner GENERAL CONTRACTOR Lifetime Alaskan McCarthy, Alaska 554-4498 Excavation & Gravel Products DEC-approved septics

¯ Over the river and ¯ through the woods, a-freighting we will go. Lowboy & Heavy Freight Service

Sourdough Drilling WRANGELL MOUNTAIN Water Wells TECHNICAL SERVICES Paul Barr Providing Civil Engineering and Sourdough Drilling Land Survey Services PO Box 721 Soldotna, AK 99669 Serving the Copper Basin and throughout Alaska 907-262-5494 or cell 907-398-7898 On-Site Water and Wastewater Designs Engineering Consultation Residential Home Inspections COPPER RIVER Construction Inspection and Management RECORD As-built Surveys, Boundary Surveys, Sub- divisions, Construction Surveys & Sanitary Community Newspaper Surveys for the Copper Valley ALLEN MINISH, PE PLS Subscribe * Advertise * Contribute! Mile 32.1 Edgerton Hwy P.O. Box 277 Glennallen, AK 99588 P. O. Box 118, Chitina, AK 99566 907-259-5277 fax 888-870-3167 907-823-2280 [email protected] PAGE 28 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 Cooking with Peggy pureed cranberries, as well as In a medium bowl with an appy summer every- the ½ cup of remaining cranber- electric mixer, mix cream cheese one! It's still spring ries. until creamy. Mix in Pesto Hwhen I'm writing this Drain noodles and mix into sauce, tomatoes and Parmesan but soon it will be a hot summer. sauce. When you are ready to cheese until blended. Spread Isn't it wonderful, though, that serve, just place the chicken over into peppers. no matter how the weather is, we the meal and garnish with shred- Arrange peppers on 1 or 2 still want to eat! ded parmesan cheese. I loved baking dishes or sheets. Drizzle I just got back from Crook- this! with oil. Bake for 12 minutes or ston, MN after attending my Now I'd like to share one that until cheese is melted and pep- grandson's graduation from the a friend sent me. I would love to pers have softened slightly. University of Minnesota Crook- share the name of the friend but Serve warm or at room tempera- ston. He was expecting his Mom due to my "fading memory" I ture. and a friend but five more of us can't remember who sent it. I'll Makes about 39 peppers. went and surprised him. What probably remember after the pa- Doesn't this sound like a fun! We surprised him at the res- per is already printed. wonderful appetizer to serve dur- taurant where he is one of the CREAMY PESTO-STUFFED ing the summer! chefs/cooks. Of course he sat us MINI PEPPERS Now, another friend, DuAnn, all down and prepared a great (I have wonderful friends!) from meal. I would love to share one (Can be made ahead of time; my Bible Study group shared of the recipes that he sent to me when you are ready, pop them in these next two with me. They are last month. the oven) so.....good. CRANBERRY TORTELLINI Prep time: 20 minutes PORK POZOLE Bake Time: 12 minutes (she for- 1 ½ cups of sun dried cranber- got to tell me what temperature (slow cooker recipe) ries (divided) the oven should be but I'd try 2 chicken breasts 2 cans (15 to 16 ounce each) 325-350 degrees). You can yell 15 ounce jar of Alfredo sauce of hominy, drained at me if I'm wrong. your choice 3 cans (10 ounce each) green Frozen tortellini-either chicken 1 package (2 pound) Sweet Mini enchilada sauce or cheese Peppers—Safeway has them 1 large onion, chopped 1 tablespoon white wine under their brand name 3 cloves garlic, chopped (I usual- Shredded Parmesan cheese 8 ounce Lucerne (or your pre- ly use 3-4) ferred brand) cream cheese, 2 teaspoons ground cumin Mix cranberries in a contain- softened 1 teaspoon salt er with hot water. Place in the 1- 7 ounce package Pesto Sauce, ½ teaspoon pepper refrigerator, covered, and let sit (the one with basil in it is One 2 ½ pound boneless pork for at least 2 hours. good) loin roast, well trimmed When ready, puree 1 cup of ¼ cup chopped sun dried toma- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro cranberries in blender. toes 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice Broil or bake chicken with 2 tablespoons finely shredded Flour tortillas and salsa desired seasoning. At the same Parmesan cheese Mix all the ingredients ex- time heat up noodles and Alfre- 2 teaspoons olive oil cept pork, cilantro and lime in a do sauce separately. Add 1 ta- Cut peppers in half, leaving 4 quart or larger slow cooker. blespoon of wine to sauce. When stem end intact. Open peppers Add pork; spoon hominy mixture the Alfredo is boiling, turn down out and scoop out the seeds. over top. Cover and cook on low the heat to low and mix in the WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 PAGE 29

7 to 9 hours or until pork is ten- 1 egg With tongs, carefully place 1 tor- der. salt tilla at a time in hot lard. Hold Remove pork to a cutting 1/4 cup lard in lard 3-5 seconds until soft- board. Stir cilantro and lime 8 corn tortillas ened. Quickly turn tortilla and juice into the cooker. Shred 4 ounces Cheddar or Monterey soften other side, 3 to 5 seconds. pork into bite-size pieces; return Jack cheese, shredded (1 Drain over skillet or on paper to cooker. cup) towels. Ladle into bowls, serve with Guacamole Place 1/8 of the chicken flour tortillas and salsa. 1 cup dairy sour cream mixture on each tortilla, press- 3 or 4 radishes, sliced DuAnn's note: Impossible to ing the mixture to make it com- 2 cups shredded lettuce mess up. It's great for crowds, pact. Roll tightly and place pot lucks at church, and family 12 ripe olives seam-side down in a 12" x 7 1/2" get-togethers. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Pour chile-cream large pot or Dutch oven. Add mixture over enchiladas and I was lucky enough to receive water to cover, onion, bay leaf, sprinkle evenly with 1 cup shred- two recipes from DuAnn. She peppercorns and salt to taste. ded Cheddar or Monterey Jack loves to cook! ENCHILADAS DE POLLO Bring to a boil; reduce heat. cheese. Bake 20 minutes, or Cover and simmer 45 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. (Makes 8 plump enchilladas) until tender. For each serving, place 2 enchi- 2 whole chicken breasts Cool chicken in broth. ladas on a plate and top with Water Drain, reserving broth for anoth- about 3 tablespoons sour cream. ½ small onion er use. Shred chicken with 2 Place a mound of Guacamole 1 bay leaf forks or with your fingers. Mix over sour cream, and garnish 8 peppercorns shredded chicken, chopped on- with radish slices. Place ½ cup Salt ion, Parmesan cheese and 1 cup shredded lettuce next to enchila- ½ medium onion, chopped shredded Monterey Jack cheese. das, if desired. Place a mound of 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan Taste and add salt if needed. Set Guacamole on lettuce. Top Gua- cheese aside. camole with 1 tablespoon sour 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, In a blender or food proces- cream and 2 ripe olives if de- shredded (1 cup) sor, combine green chiles, toma- sired. 1 (4 ounce) can green chiles tillos or tomatoes, cilantro, This recipe is fantastic, folks. 1 (13 ounce) can tomatillos, whipping cream and egg. Blend Give it a try. Well, better get drained OR 1 3/4 cups drained until smooth. Add salt to taste. packing. We'll get in the car and canned tomatoes Set aside. head for Alaska in about a week. ¼ cup cilantro leaves Preheat oven to 350 degrees Can't wait to get there and see ¾ cup whipping cream F. Heat lard in a small skillet. everyone. Happy Eating. A look at the weather on Apr. 4, ‘12, 9 on Apr. 11, ‘11 The precipitation for April 2014 pril 2014 saw average and 5 on Apr. 10 ‘10). The aver- was below average, with only 0.15 temperatures and be- age temperature for April was inches of liquid (1.02 in ‘13, 0.04 low average precipita- 32.4, compared to 26.6 in ‘13, in ‘12, trace in ‘11, 0.11 in ‘10, A 0.20 in ‘09, 0.50 in ‘08, 0.01 in ‘07, tion. The high temperature for 37.1 in ‘12, 34.6 in ‘11, 34.8 in 1.14 in ‘06, 0.08 in ‘05 and 0.77 in the month was 58 on the 24th ‘10, 34.0 in ‘09, 34.1 in ‘08, ‘04). There was 1.8 inches of snow (48 on Apr.8, ‘13, 59 on Apr. 26, 34.4 in ‘07, 33.1 in ‘06 and (6.9 in ‘13, 0.4 in ‘12, 0.3 in ‘11, ‘12, 57 on Apr. 23, ‘11, and 62 37.4 in ‘05. The lowest average 1.6 in ‘10, 2.9 in ‘09, 7.0 in ‘08, on Apr. 28, ‘10) The low was -5 temperatures for April were 22.4 trace in ‘07, 10.2 in ‘06, no snow in on the 12th ( -7 on Apr.6, ‘13, 4 in 1972 and 24.7 in 1986. ‘05 and 8.7 in ‘04). PAGE 30 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014

McCarthy started April with 18 0.68 inches in ‘11, 0.25 inches in The first week of June was inches of snow on the ground and ‘10, 0.86 inches in ‘09, 0.12 inches cloudy and cool with highs in the ended the month with 1 inch on in ‘08, 2.50 inches in ‘07, 0.47 low to mid 60s. The lows were most- the ground. inches in ‘06, 1.64 inches in ‘05 and ly in the upper 20s and low 30s. The temperatures were a bit 1.05 inches in ‘04. There was no There was more than ½ inch of rain. above average for May 2014. The snow observed in May. There was a Summer should be in full swing high temperature for May was 74 on trace of snow on the ground on the by late June. June and July are the the 16th , 17th & 18th (81 on May 1st and it disappear on the 2nd. warmest months with the highs usu- 28, ‘13, 71 on May 23, ‘12, 81 on The total snowfall at McCarthy ally in the low 80s. The tempera- May 29, ‘11 and 82 on May 28, ‘10). for ‘13-‘14 was not observed (80.9 ture begins to cool in August with The low temperature was 24 on the in ‘12-‘13, 84.6 in ‘11-‘12, 66.6 in highs only getting into the low 70s. 1st (20 on May 20, ‘13, 20 on May ‘10-‘11, 85.2 in ‘09-‘10, 121.3 in The all time high recorded at McCa- 17, ‘12, 20 on May 16, ‘11 and 20 ‘08-‘09, 73.4 in ‘07-‘08, 44.7 in ‘06- rthy was 88 on July 8, 2009. Freez- on May 16, ‘10). The May average ‘07, 84.0 in ‘05-‘06, 79.4, in ‘04-‘05, ing temperatures should be back by temperature was 49.1, this com- 110.6 in ‘03-‘04, 46.0 in ‘02-‘03, the end of August, although they pares with 44.3 in ‘13, 43.6 in ‘12, 74.2 in ‘01-‘02, 85.2 in ‘00-‘01, 65.8 can be observed at any time. Aver- 45.7 in ‘11, 47.6 in ‘10, 47.2 in in ‘99-‘00 and 38.9 in ‘98-‘99). age monthly rainfall is about 2 inch- ‘09, 44.8 in ‘08, 45.5 in ‘07, 45.0 in The ice on the West Fork of the es (June-August). Hidden Lake ‘06, 48.8 in ‘05, 49.3 in ‘04 and Kennicott River began to break should empty sometime in July, with a rapid rise of the water level in 44.4 in ‘03. There were 9 days with apart around April 18th and water the Kennicott River and some possi- a high of 70 or above and 2 days was moving over the top. The river ble flooding. The first snow usually with the low of 25 or lower. was clear of moving ice by April 23rd arrives sometime in late September. The precipitation for May 2014 and all the shore ice was gone by ENJOY THE SUMMER WHATEV- was well below average with 0.33 April 30th . inches of liquid. This compares ER THE WEATHER! with 1.54 in ‘13, 2.19 inches in ‘12, 90

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Mini-excavator Rental Rubber tracked, light footprint machine Bucket with thumb and front blade Dirt work, brush work, cold holes, drainage, trails, stump removal, tree work, garden design Full Day (8 hours of time) $700 Half Day (4 hours of time) $400 Outhouse or Cold Hole with 3 barrels $250 Hole with no barrels $150 All prices include operator, fuel, and delivery to anywhere other than McCarthy Creek. Bridge fees for going over McCarthy Creek are split between everyone by grouping work together in single week blocks.

4’ x 6’ Outhouse Packages Dead-standing Spruce lumber Built by local professional carpenters No stain or paint added Hole, materials, delivery, and construction $700 Hole, materials, delivery, DIY $500

Fire-wise Forestry Completion Forestry Quoted Rate Half of payment can be made after Forestry reimbursement is received New 10mm Includes use of the excavator on property for other projects Double Walled Site visit with Forestry Asessor also included Lexan Polycarbonate Local references available from previous Fire-wise Completion customers Greenhouse Panels 4’ x 8‘ $75 Flatbed Dump Truck Rental $200/day 4’ x 16‘ $175 Comes with driver and fuel 4’ x 20‘ $220 4’ x 24’ $250 For Sale Barrels (burn, fuel, open ended, plastic, bear lids, water) $40 each $35 if you buy 2 or more Rough-Cut Lumber Call for order pricing/options Raised garden beds (with or without hoop system) Call for order pricing/options Firewood $300/cord Firewood Bundled for Toursits (pay as you sell it) $5/bundle Pier Blocks with 4” x 4” brackets $20 PAGE 32 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2014 For 180 Degree View Ø Kennicott SALE River Valley Ø Wrangell McCarthy, Alaska Mountains Ø Kennicott Wrangell St. Elias Mountain Cabin Mines

Well Water – Indoor Plumbing!

Solar Electric System

2 Story Vaulted Great Room

Southern Exposure

Workshop

Root Cellar

No Property Taxes

Margaret Billinger Realtor ABR,GRI CABIN ON 10 ACRES (907)841-2188 Enjoy the peace and comfort of this finished cabin with an open floor plan and log details. The hard work of building and outfitting has been done, so you can relax and enjoy the windows and the spectacular views.

$279,000 MILLION DOLLAR VIEW