November ll$ December 1996 The fate of our for8sts Research exposes past · , and possible future · of white ,.spruce in the Kennicott Valley page 7 .. ·· .. ·. ..
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~. .~. PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. EL1AS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996
BY BONNIE KENYON reetings from chilly autumn as a roofer for Jim September 16 by Gilbert Merritt G McCarthy! It is October Miller's crew on the Kennicott of Nashville, TN. Someone had 18 and it was -16 degrees Mill Building. Mike has been in taken his red Trek 990 Mountain F. this morning - a sure sign and out of the valley since then, Bike in McCarthy from where he winter is here. often just to visit or to fly out to had locked it to a tree on the 9th. Our first snowfall occttrred the St. Elias range for a climbing The bike was valued at over on September 23. It didn't expedition, and this past $1,000. amount to much but it did summer, he collected data for his We offer our sympathy to succeed in spurring Rick and I on thesis. To fund his research, Mike Denise, F...athleen and Gilbert for to finish pulling the Brussel obtained grants from the their losses and pray these kinds sprouts and parsnips. We Untversity of Vermont and the of events will not be a norm in managed to get the garden all National Park Service, and also our town! harvested and tilled before 6 taught part-time for Jenny Subscribers Charlie and inches fell on October 7. The Carroll in the Wildlands Studies Inger (Jenson) Ricci sent us a snow has since settled to a nice, Program at the Hardware Store. copy of the obituary of a former comfortable 4 inches. You may notice there is no Kennecott Kid which I include a I want to call your attention editorial this issue. Rick says, "If portion for the benefit of our to a couple of articles in this you miss this infamous feature of readers who may have known issue of WSEN. First of all, my . WSEN, please send one for next Mary Jean Presley Vaudrin deepest apologies go to Nancy issue!" Truly, "For your Bowles. "Pres" died quietly at Ferrell who wrote "An Historic consideration" is open to our home in New York City on Event." Nancy submitted this readers to express their opinions Sunday, July 21, after living article in plenty of time for our on issues that affect the nearly two years with cancer. Sept./Oct. issue, and I typed it in McCarthy-Kennicott area. Pres was born in Latouche, on my computer. However, qfter Speaking about issues that Alaska, on November 14, 1922, the issue was already printed and affect our area -we were sorry where her father was manager of mailed, Rick and I realized we to hear about two incidents in a copper mine. In 1925, the had left Nancy's article out. (I September that greatly touched family moved to the remote forgot to save it on Rick's disk several people, two are well mining camp at Kennecott, for him to layout.) Please be sure known to us and one is from out Alaska, now a national historic to read "An Historic Event" on of-state. site. In 1932 the family moved on page 5 and thanks, Nancy, for On Friday, September 6. to Seattle. Her parents, BeVan being so forgiving! Denise Jantz and Kathleen and Margaret Thaanum Presley, The next article I want to call Sustrich who own and operate died soon after arrival in Seattle. your attention to is on page 7 - the Roadside Potatohead, Her grandmother made her a "The fate of our forest" by Mike discovered that approximately loving home as she completed Loso. This is the first time Mike $3,000 of their earnings was high school. After graduating has written anything for WSEN so missing. All of us who know from Scripps College for Women I'd like to introduce him to you. Denise and Kathleen realize how in Claremont, Ca., she went Mike first came with a friend to hard they worked for that money. straight to New York City to find the Kennicott Valley in the .. Denise is offering a reward for her way in book publishing. She summer of 1990, climbing information leading to the arrest worked for Oxford University mountains and plodding around and conviction of the person or Press, Simon & Schuster, the back country. He worked the persons responsible. Western Publishing, McGraw-Hill, and Vineyard Books. following summer for Bob Jacobs The Alaska State Troopers in as a climbing guide and that Glennallen were contacted on (continued on page 31) WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 3
BY BONNIE KENYON unpack the groceries and get chosen {I use that word rather Kris Rueter and Matt them stowed away before her loosely!) To participate in a yo-yo Hambrick: The fall colors were hungry boys devoured everything contest. If I remember correctly, fabulous this year in the in sight. I suppose now with Doynewon. McCarthy area. One day in mid Tailor Made Pizza closed for the Ted, who is a twin to Tom, September, shutting my lawn winter, Matt and Aaron are arrived on September 12 and tractor off, I sat admiring the having to look elsewhere for brought his own toy! One thing is hillside behind our cabin where those in-between snacks! nice when "boys" grow up -they Kris's cabin sits. From her I did discover daughter are quicker to share their toys. direction I heard hammering and Stacie's whereabouts these days. And that's what Ted did. He and laughter. Somehow that day's Jeannie managed, "She is in George came over sporting a weather succeeded in drawing us Fairbanks attending college and "potato gun." They wanted to all outdoors to work on those liking it. She also has a job in a know if Rick could come out and end-of-the season projects. restaurant." Anyone who can play! And play they did, using my A few days later Kris and create pizzas like Stacie newly-dug potatoes as Matt dropped in and brought shouldn't have any trouble ammunition. A shot of Lysol Kris's dad, Eugene Rueter, of finding a job. spray was supposed to act as the Barrington, IL to meet us and to I ask about the Millers's propellent, but it just didn't have join WSEN's list of subscribers. "animal kingdom" and I am enough zip to it. Someone Hoping Kris and Matt informed that 2 out of their 6 suggested hair spray which isn't wouldn't think I was complaining pigs joined the list of fall harvest. something one finds on the about the noise, I asked them "It's also shelves in what all the hammering was time to McCarthy! producing. They informed me butcher However, in they, along with Eugene's timely chickens," the back assistance, were putting shingles says recesses of on Kris's cabin. Jeannie. my After hearing Matt say he "They bathroom just purchased a new Bravo multiplied closet, I snowmachine, I realize he was like rabbits found a doing his best to get those "fall this near-empty projects" nailed down before the summer." can of Aqua winter snow makes George Net hair spray. I can snowmachining a must! Cebula and WBEN staff photo Congratulations all around and brothers: Ted Cebula shows Bonnie fine testify to the welcome aboard WSEN, Eugene! Rick and I points of shooting potato gun fact it works are always much better Jim, Jeannie, Matt and than Lysol. Aaron Miller: I just got off the delighted when George's phone with Jeannie. She was brothers visit George! Seeing Things are much too quiet somewhat distracted, I could tell. that George lives next door, we now in the neighborhood. The Matt and Aaron were trying to get to enter into the "fun" they Cebula brothers returned to their decide what they should sample generate. Ray and Tom were here homes in the lower 48 and first. You see, the Millers recently in June and after church one George is presently house sitting returned from their fall trip to Sunday, Ray surprised us all with for Gene and Edith Coppedge at the big city of Anchorage. When I a demonstration of his fancy Silver Lake. He should be back in called, Jeannie was "trying" to yo-yo tricks. (He collects yo-yo's.) our neck of the woods the end of Doyne Houghton and Rick were November. PAGE 4 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996
Andy, Cynthia and Matthew Matthew's not quite old enough I visited a couple of times Shidner: One interesting and to join his mom's class so Andy is tllis summer and each time I sometimes challenging aspect of getting a lot of quality time with noticed another project our telephone service is him these underway. remembering the correct days. The There's number combinations. As most day prior to Kenny's new of you know by now, McCarthy's Cynthia's potato patch prefix is 554 and after that many call, Andy at the of our phone numbers are only had his bottom of one digit different. That's the hands more their hill, a case between our phone and than full, small pasture Howard Mozen's. says underway The other night the phone Cynthia. He with Cady's rang and after I answered I could filled in as a freshly-driven tell there was a slight pause at substitute fence posts the opposite end. (That's usually teacher and and green a sign to me, someone is trying school bus WSENs~phmo grass Big toys for big boys to decide what they did wrong!) driver. I'm growing Anyway, this particular call was a sure where it blessing in disguise. It was Matthew gave dad quite a hand, hadn't been before. And, then, Cynthia who was really trying to however, to help make the day just the other day after we call Howard but, instead, got me. one to remember. received our first significant She reports she, husband Kenny and Carly Kritchen: If snowfall of the winter, Rick and I Andy and son Matthew are doing you haven't been down to visit decided we'd give the just fine and enjoying their Ken and Carly recently, you snowmachines a test drive down · winter employment in Teller, AK. probably won't recognize the Kritchen's way. Wouldn't you Cynthia's teaching job consists of Kritchen homestead. They are know it! A new structure was a combination of pre-school and growing more than vegetables going up and Kenny was kindergarten age children. this year. hammering away on it. The bam, when done, will provide shelter for their ever increasing farm equipment and, would you Wrangell St. Elia~J News believe, a horse or two? VOL. Five, Issue Six, November& December 1996. Speaking of farm Published every two months at McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX (907) equipment- Kenny's most 554-4454. E-mail Wsenews@aoLcom. "Copyright@ 1996 by Wrangell recent addition is a John Deere St. Elias News. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any 350 dozer which he brought in means without the express permission ofthe publishers." from Palmer. He's been giving Contributors to this issue: George Cebula, Carly Kritchen, Mike it a good work out since it Loso, John Killoran, Ron Simpson, Tom Betts, Nancy Ferrell, and Kim arrived in September. In fact, Northrup. Subscription price is $10 for one year in the USA. Canada Rick hired him to do some dirt $12.50. Other countries $20. Advertising rates upon request. Deadline for publication in next issue is December 15. work for us and Kenny and his Wrangell St. Elias News is wholly owned by Rick and Bonnie new toy (I mean piece of Kenyon. Publishers and Editors Rick and Bonnie Kenyon. Paid equipment) did an earth subscribers this issue 381. Complimentary copies 19. Issues sold shattering job. The only through retail stores 45. Press run this issue 525. problem I can see for the PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. Kritchens is that there just POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wrangell St. Elias News, aren't enough hours in the day McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. for them to do everything they want to do. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 5 An Historic Event
BY NANCY FERRELL th a combined being deposited in the area. McCarthy Trail Rides B & B were W effort (an event With lightening speed, NPS conscripted for the labor to right there carry the parts and in itselt) several local pieces of the outhouse businesses built the first, from the end of the the one and only road out to the building outhouse in the site (and what a Wrangell-St. Elias gorgeous sight it is; it National Park. Ya-hoo! looks right out onto the The location of this glacier. It's as pretty as monument, shrine, a picture!). building for bodily The outhouse was functions is out by the assembled, placed over Root Glacier. the hole and painted John Adams, owner green. Direction signs of McCarthy Trail Rides B have been provided by & B, contacted the the NPS, so that you National Park Service don't miss it. No (NPS) in June of 1995 kidding folks, hike on and asked to build an Photo courtesy Jobo Adams out there to see this outhouse where it would Left to right: John Adams, Scott Ferrell, outhouse. IT'S THE really do some good. Chris Richards and Adam Adams ONLY ONE IN A 12 It was fairly obvious MILLION ACRE PARK. that most people just couldn't approval was granted in June Take a picture of it. Hey, you hold it long enough for that hike 1996. John Adams prefabricated could be the FIRST. back to town. an outhouse at his shop in Now hiking to the Root The project actually has two McCarthy. Chris Richards and Glacier will be much more purposes. First-to improve the Gobi Harris from Kennicott enjoyable. But you will still have sanitation of the area. McCarthy Wilderness Guides to watch out for the bear scat. Second-(don't ask me how they volunteered to dig the hole. P.S. Bring your own T. P. do it) to be able to determine Scott Ferrell from McCarthy how much human waste was Lodge and Adam Adams from lennicon River footbridge goes to bid
BY RICK KENYON After several delays, the between $1,000,000 and construction firms have come to footbridge project was offered for $2,500,000. All work must be look at the project site. It is not bid on October 2, 1996. Bids completed by October 31, 1997. known if construction will begin were accepted until October 22. As we go to press the bid has this fall or next spring. Engineer's estimate is not been awarded, but several
"Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not faithfulness; days of joy, but not peace or happiness." - Henrik Ibsen PAGE 6 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 University moves on to Phase II of land sale BY BONNIE KENYON cCarthy:- Surveyors either consider McCarthy home development. In a recent M under contract to the or their home away from home. telephone interview, Ms. University of Alaska Mari Montgomery, Senior Montgomery told WSEN the (UOA) arrived in McCarthy on Property Manager, for the University recognizes the September 27 to begin Phase II University's Statewide Office of "well-traveled trail" that of University land development Land Management, says UOA meanders through 15 acres of in the McCarthy area. Kean and will be going at a slower pace on the above property. "The Associates of Anchorage are this particular tract which University wants this particular presently surveying a couple consists of 18 lots of 9 to 10 acreage to be public property hundred acres located on the acres each. ''We have no plans to and desires to preserve the east side of the McCarthy/May sell this in the next several existing trail which goes to the Creek Road known as the years." lake." Sourdough Subdivision. Sensitive to the input and A public easement will be The initial land sale under impact to the community, Ms. provided around the lake. It is Phase I resulted in 7 out of 28 Montgomery has visited the University's hope that the lots selling at an average cost McCarthy often to answer state will take this land back per acre ranging from $2,600 to questions and address local after the plat is completed. $3,500. At least 3 of the 7 were concerns for UOA land purchased by familiar faces who McCarthy phone service area to expand BY BONNIE KENYON cCarthy:- How about it is not available at their other areas for CVTC on a M a phone call to a homestead. All this could regular basis. The Sourdough neighbor at May Creek, change within the next few Ridge repeater site is located at Dan Creek or on the banks of months if New Horizons the 3550' level and, says the Nizina River? Well, it's not Telecom, Inc. and Copper Valley Gilmore, is expected to reach possible yet, but it looks like a Telephone (CVTC) have their out and include McCarthy's soon-to-be dream come true for way. surrounding areas such as Dan some of our outlying neighbors. 1\vo helicopters and 3 Creek, May Creek, Long Lake AI and Fran Gagnon who semi-tractor trailers arrived on and much of the McCarthy Road. make their home at May Creek the west side of the Kennicott A Bell 204 helicopter was at the present must rely on the River on September 20 to begin brought in to do the work of unpredictable CB radio to transporting buildings, propane slinging such things as two 8' x contact a neighbor, or fly or tanks, solar panels and other 10' fully-assembled buildings, 2 snowmachine to the nearest necessary equipment to a site on 1,000 gallon propane tanks and phone in McCarthy some 11 nearby Sourdough Ridge. solar panels. A Star helicopter miles away. Kelly and Natalie Bay Superintendent Hal Gilmore shuttled a crew of at least 4 whose home is approximately 9 of New Horizons Telecom from construction workers back and miles out the McCarthy/May Palmer, AK was on the scene forth from John Adams's place Creek Road lose their McCarthy supervising the operation and on the west side to the remote phone privileges once they move wishing they hadn't gotten such mountain site. back to the homestead for the a late start on this particular New Horizons plan to return winter. Their summer business project. According to Gilmore, in about a month to transport which is located in downtown New Horizons Telecom services the radio gear to the new site. McCarthy has phone service, but WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 7 The fate of our forest Reseanh exposes past and possillle future of white spruce in the KennicoH Valley BY MIKE LOSO atisthefuture of the trees are almost identical, currently see was not initiated W:four spruce dating back to the last major by fire. Some (20% of the study orests? Does it fire. Foresters call this a mosaic area) developed on the barren, matter that the local of even-aged stands, and it is not recently exposed moraines and populations of spruce bark what I found. The Kennicott river channels of the retreating beetles, local residents, and Valley turns the general rule on Kennicott Glacier, which as summer tourists are its ear. Before the miners recently as 1860 covered most of simultaneously exploding? Are arrived, most of our forests the land below the Blackburn the days of the wood-burning hadn't burned in centuries, if Road. But most of the unburned stove nearly over? they ever burned at all. forest, more than 40% of the Should we learn to love Using a combination of tree entire study area, is composed of alder? ages, buried charcoal, historic a mixture of young and old trees Prompted by these questions photographs, and old newspaper that date back as far as 1564 and more, I spent this past articles, I found evidence of only AD. Some of these trees have summer bushwhacking through five fires, burning only 39% of been cut for firewood or the spruce forests of the eastern my study area (forests of the building, but surprisingly few. In Kennicott Valley, seeking Kennicott Valley east of the the mining era, most firewood answers. Armed with the tools of Kennicott Glacier and north of was supplied by the standing the forest ecologist's trade McCarthy Creek- see figure 1). dead trees on old burns, or was (canvas overalls, mosquito Moreover, three of those five gotten outside of the valley; now, netting, bear spray, and a lot of fires, covering 2/3 of the burned what little wood is harvested tobacco), I peered into our area, were either accidentally or comes from small pockets that forest's past, hoping to predict deliberately set by people. The are generally near roads or its future. timing of the 1906 fire that trails. I wouldn't have guessed it, but in spite of a century of What I found surprised me. burned much of the McCarthy mining, burning, and cutting, Most white spruce forests (in area strongly suggests that it those deep, dark woods on the fact, most forests) burn was set by John Barrett to clear hillsides above Kennicott and regularly. The frequency of fire land and provide firewood for his McCarthy are largely old growth varies from place to place, but it homestead. The McCarthy forest. is becoming a well-known fact Weekly News blamed a 1923 fire that a century of fire that burned across the south The term "old-growth" suppression has created very ridge of Porphyry Mountain on conjures visions of the Pacific unnatural conditions in forests arson. And a fire that burned the Northwest, spotted owls, angry throughout the western United upper reaches of Sweet Creek in loggers, and 200 foot trees. States. Fire suppression has the late 1920's or 1930's was Old-growth has a different been less effective in the vast probably started by a spark from meaning in the boreal forest, boreal forests of interior Alaska the CR & NW railroad. In other where white spruce less than ten but the general rule holds true:' words, what little fire has inches in diameter might be 430 Alaskan forests love to burn, occurred in the valley was mostly years old (like two trees I found despite the massed efforts of our caused by people. slightly north of, and above, the 20th century technology to stop Physically isolated by glacial new airstrip). In reality, no one them. ice and tundra, broken up by really knows what old-growth avalanche paths and rock means in the Alaskan interior, So what I expected to find in because most forests burn down the Kennicott Valley was this: a glaciers, and protected by a persistent down glacier wind, a before they ever reach that forest composed of numerous stage. That's what's interesting, discrete stands in which the ages majority of the spruce forest we PAGE 8 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996
and exciting, about the forests therein lies the rub: there are will the increasing local demand in our own backyard. precious few white spruce for firewood and house logs This might seem irrelevant seedlings in those hills. Spruce affect that balance? And that in the face of a devastating seeds germinate and grow best brings us right back to those spruce beetle outbreak. After all, on bare soils in moderate dying trees. By examining the beetles have already killed sunlight, so spruce seedlings are distribution of tree ages in the between 10 and 40% of the total most commonly found where the hillside stands, I was able to useable volume (trees greater forest canopy is sparse and the construct a mathematical model than 4.5" diameter) of white thick, moss-covered organic of the recruitment and maturity spruce in the old-growth, hillside forest floor is somehow rates that have prevailed in these stands of the study area, and disturbed. Glaciers. fires, old-growth stands over the last experience from the Kenai roadcuts, and clearcuts create few hundred years. Based on the Peninsula suggests that these these kinds of conditions, and assumption described above, numbers may ultimately reach as that is why there are 3-4 times that these rates (derived from high as 80%. Especially since more white spruce seedlings and old-growth stands) provide a beetles typically attack and kill saplings in the lowland stands suitable model for the the oldest, largest trees in a than in the hillside stands. In conditions that will develop stand, the immediate prospects the absence of these large-scale valley-wide over the next few for old growth are poor. disturbances, however, favorable centuries, I was then able to Ironically, it is the rapidly conditions for the recruitment answer these questions. In growing young trees of the of young trees rarely occur, and simpler terms, I counted the burned and cut-over and recruitment rates gradually itty-bitty growth rings from four glacially scoured lowland stands decline. Consider the future of hundred and twenty-four white that are, so far, surviving the the Kennicott Valley: a spruce trees under a cheap beetle outbreak. Much of the readvance of the Kennicott microscope, stumbled up to Dan rest is dying, prompting the Glacier is unlikely, the valley is Doak's cabin with blurred vision, question: what can a bunch of now a complete fire suppression a terrible headache, and a dying trees tell us about the zone, road-building has mostly computer disc full of tree ages, future of our forests? ceased, and clearcutting isn't and worked with him to develop A lot. To understand why, we allowed in the National Park. a scary looking equation that must consider the ways that Neither can we expect beetle further blurred my vision, spruce forests grow: individual outbreaks nor winter firewood intensified my headache, and trees get larger (volume gathering to disturb the forest ultimately convinced me that growth), and new trees are floor enough to create favorable yes, we better learn to love alder. added to the population germination sites. The point is Why? Because there isn't (recruitment). Volume growth this: over the next few centuries, even enough recruitment in the isn't really an issue in the it is reasonable to suspect that old-growth stands to maintain Kennicott Valley. Spruce do nearly all the forest of the current densities of mature grow slowly in this part of the eastern Kennicott Valley will white spruce, even if there was Copper River basin, more slowly gradually take on the no beetle outbreak and no human than in the Matanuska, Susitna, characteristics of old-growth harvest. There. are simply not or Tanana valleys, but the forest, and one of those enough young spruce being current rate of firewood harvest characteristics is a very low "born" to keep up with the in our valley (around SO recruitment rate. number of old spruce that are cords/year) could be supplied With this in mind, I asked dying. The margin is relatively sustainably by as little as 1/10 of myself two questions: A) is the slim, however- according to my the study area if trees kept low recruitment rate of an calculations, a thirty-six percent growing at the current density. old-growth forest sufficient to rise in recruitment might be But maintaining current balance the natural mortality of sufficient to maintain old-growth densities requires continually white spruce and maintain white spruce in some sort of adequate recruitment, and current densities? And B) how WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 9
"/ The Eastern Kennicott Valley l l , ...... ,.J -' ...... _ Minor Road!Trail I ,.,,.--...... I ...... Major road Beetle kill areas I I I Boundaries of study area and stand types !I I D I I ~:) I I %· I ~ I ~
I ~- I tl) I ... I I l N I ( 1920-1930?) !
Figure 1. Topographic map of the eastern Kennicott Valley showing the study area, stand disturbance history, and areal extent of the current spruce beetle outbreak. PAGE 10 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996
equilibrium. Given the potential decades, all without ever killing mimic wildfire and bring for error in my model, this figure a tree. That's true, except this recruitment rates back isn't too alarming. It simply firewood bonanza won't last that up. explains a puzzling aspect of our long. The dead trees will decay, + Like the establishment valley's forests, the fact that and within fifty years we'll be of small community older stands are actually the stuck with a much thinner forest woodlots (essentially most open spruce forests in the of young, green, healthy spruce small clearcuts) that are valley, choked with alder but and a lot of rotten logs. If you accessible by a summer ironically lacking the great want to burn a spruce or build road, thus providing numbers of spruce trees found in with it, you're going to have to spruce and at the same younger, lowland stands. But kill it. time causing the soil this result is based upon the That's the problem. In the disturbance necessary to assumption that there are no short term, a few local residents spur recruitment. beetles and no people. If cutting a few beetle-killed + Like the greater use of woodcutters kill just one percent spruce for firewood and heating oil and natural of the mature trees each year, houselogs isn't any cause for gas, and/or firewood less than one tree per acre, the concern. But if my data are from outside the valley. recruitment rate would need to correct (and who knows? even rise one hundred and forty six + Like a limit on the the best mathematical models valley's population. percent to maintain long-term are mighty poor substitutes for equilibrium. And right now, the complexity of real There are other options, and beetles are killing trees at more ecosystems), cutting live spruce quite fortunately some time yet than three times that rate, at even moderate levels is an to think about them. At this many, many times faster than unsustainable practice in the point, the discussion moves from the young trees can replace Kennicott Valley. the realm of science to policy, them. and into the hands of the local That doesn't necessarily We all know which shrub is community. What will it be? mean the days of the Spruce forests or alder thicket. likely to replace them. wood-burning stove are over, but Of course, it could he it does mean that local With ideas, questions, or to argued that it doesn't matter, landowners should at least start see a copy of my entire report, because the current bark beetle thinking about some creative you can reach me at the Field outbreak has provided such a solutions. Naturalist Graduate Program, wealth of standing dead spruce University of Vermont, Botany + Like burning more Dept. #MLS, Burlington VT that we could build a thousand wilt ow and poplar. saunas and still have enough 05405; (802) 656-2930. Or keep + Like a program of small wood left over to fire them for an eye out for me around town. contr~lled burns to
Wilderness rafting in the Iienuieott-MeCarthy Wrangell-St. Elias National Park lrdderness Guides "In the heart of the WraniJ.ell Mountains 11 Co QOar Chris Richards PO Box MXY McCarthy Box#l, Kennicott via Glennallen, Ak 99588 Glennallen, AK 99588 (907) 5511: 44114 1-800-523-4453 or (907)554-4453 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 11 Afirst class fleet More • flte CIIIAY rolling stock BY JOHN P. KILLORAN n Simpson's article operating condition and was a "Kennecott" and what did it look ruontheCR&NW star in a recent Emmy-award like? One possible scenario is quipment is superb. winning television mini-series. that the car was numbered 100, Some additional information Car 100 was sold to the and retired in 1923 when the may help round it out. Chicago, Burlington and Quincy "Stephen Birch" was built? "Old Number 50," which was R.R. in 1940 and renamed Someone may know: I am clearly the pet engine of Michael Aleutian. In 1966 it was certainly curious. I plan to do Heney and his construction purchased by the Missouri some research, and I'll let you crew, was not a Mogul (2-6-0) Portland Cement Company and know. If you find out, I'm certain but a Ten- Wheeler (4-6-0). It operated as their private car I can look for it in a future was, as noted, engine 50 of the Accommodator. Four years later WSEN. Valdez-Yukon Railway It was they donated it to the St. Louis American Locomotive probably a Southern Pacific Museum of Transportation where Company records indicate only locomotive originally, though it was renamed Barrett Station. six ALCo-Dickson 0-4-0 this is not indisputable. Number The CR&NW' s only office car "standard construction" 50 was the CR&NW's only achieved recent fame as a locomotives were built for the engine of this wheel stand-in for the presidential Katalla Company, contractor for arrangement. It also served on office car Ferdinand Magellan the building of the CR&NW. the Alaska Central out of during the filming of the 1995 They were shipped new from the Seward. If any historic Alaskan mini-series "Truman" by HBO. Scranton (Penna.) works in locomotive should have been Actor Gary Sinese, who played January and May 1907. While preserved it was engine 50! Harry Truman, received an several were also used on later I cannot debate history "Emmy" award for best actor Bering River coal projects the regarding the car used by earlier this month. The Barrett engines were originally used for Stephen Birch on his Station is back on display at the construction of the main rail honeymoon in 1916. However, it St.Louis museum, far from the line. wasn't car 100. Car 100 is a Copper River country where it Engine 6 (builder number standard heavyweight office, or once served. 42767) was later abandoned in a business, car. It was constructed I said that the car was the marshy field about 80 miles east by the Pullman Company in "only" such car on the railroad. of Cordova by the Alaska 1923 for the CR&NW and named Actually, it probably was not, but Anthracite Company, a Stephen Birch. It is typical of I have seen no description of the subsequent owner. such cars, having an open other car, except for some The company failed to observation platform at one end published notations that the complete a 1920's rail line and containing several private car "Kennecott" was project from Goose City (an bedrooms, a dining room, used by Mr and Mrs. Birch for undeveloped town site) to the porter/cook quarters, and a their honeymoon trip. I assume Bering River coal fields. An large observation room. It is of it was also an office car. uncompleted attempt was made all steel construction, 85 feet It is correct, however, that in 1986 to move the engine to long, and weighed about 80 the "Stephen Birch" is car 100. Cordova for display. Little tons. Records at the St. Louis Museum Number 6 still sits in the The former Stephen Birch is of Transportation clearly wilderness awaiting rescue. It is unquestionably the finest delineate the heritage back to the only surviving locomotive example of equipment built for its construction in 1923 for the used on the CR&NW. the CR&NW which survives CR&NW as car 100. Other remaining equipment today. It is in magnificent What happened to the includes two of the wooden box PAGE 12 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996
cars that the CR&NW converted restored by the museum and propelled by a brace of into bunk cars for work train Alaska Railroad volunteers. locomotives behind it. As service. They are restored and on When it was moved to the recently as five years ago, former display at the Museum of Alaska museum in the late 1980's, it Copper River plow X-4 was still Transportation and Industry was driven over the Alaska in service on the Burlington near Wasilla. A similar car is Railroad mainline to Palmer with Northern Railroad as their No. abandoned in Chitina, and the passengers that included the 972559, stationed at Alliance, remains of another are near the railroad president and Alaska's Nebraska. It was sold in 1940 to site of the McCarthy turntable. Governor. It is driven the Northern Pacific Railroad as Other hulks are in McCarthy, occasionally in parades and for their No. 4 7. They converted it along the right of way in various special events. in 1966 from steam to electric spots, and in Cordova. One of the railroad's truly power. A total of three of the The famed "Chitina magnificent rotary snow plows CR&NW plows went to the NP Auto-Railer," a 1935 Ford bus probably exists. That a 196-mile but two were scrapped in 1962, with guide wheels allowing it to railroad owned four of these and in 1970. There is no record run on the track or highway, is awesome machines is testimony of what happened to CR&NW also restored to full operating to the severe operating X-1. condition and on display at conditions in wintertime. The I hope this helps round out MATI. The bus was used on the plows were of a standard "Leslie the colorful history of the rail Chitina-Kennicott line after Patent" design with 12 foot, 6 equipment. It was, as Ron abandonment in 1938. inch cutting blades, powered by Simpson wrote, "a first class It was saved by famed aviator their own steam boiler, but fleet." "Mudhole" Smith, and eventually
Editor's note: I ]weed a copy He is correct about "Old Mike Heney and resume his of John's letter to Ron Simpson Number 50," in that it really was original construction from Eyak, thinki"TW he might want to a "Ten-Wheeler," not a Mogul. which was renamed "Cordova." respond. TypicaUy for Ron, he This engine was cut up for scrap One of the photos in "The went beyond the caU of dut;y, in Cordova by the army soon Copper Spike" shows one of the made a trip to Fairbanks and after they arrived. original Saddletanks on its side researched the newspaper The rosters I have do at Katalla after the November archives there. Here is his indicate that there were seven storm. response. Dickson Saddletanks in Finally, there is the matter My sources for the CR & NW possession of the CR & NW, but of Car 100. I have seen one article include original CR & NW according to Lone Janson, this is other reference to such a car documents, Lone Janson's "The disputable. She referred to which may have been built in Copper Spike," Alfred 0. Quinn's Number 50 as the "Seven Spot," 1923. I have never found any "Iron Rails to Alaskan Copper," because it may have actually photos of this car, as described two CR & NW engine rosters been the seventh of the original by John Killoran, to prove such a provided by Lone Janson and the group even though it was an car was ever shipped to Cordova. Anchorage Museum, a letter entirely different type of All the original coaches were written by C. L. Siebert, Jr., who locomotive. The Dickson wood-sided 70 foot Pullmans, of was in charge of army operations Saddletanks were all shipped to which the earliest photos seem at Cordova during the early part Katalla in 1907, as this was the to date their arrival to 1910. of World War 11, numerous original "mainline" route (if you After reading John Killoran's interviews with A. C. Swalling don't count Valdez) from port letter, I researched the "Cordova who worked on the railway from into the interior. A storm in Daily Times" for the year 1923, 1928 until its closing in 1938, November wiped out the and found absolutely no and extensive photo analysis of breakwater and port at Katalla, reference to the arrival of such a the CR & NW rolling stock from convincing the railroad owners car. In that year President my own collection. to pick up their option with Warren Harding did visit WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 13
Cordova. On July 17 he rode the the army took over the railway this coach was purchased by CR rails to the Miles and Childs facility in 1942, and according & NW and then named the glaciers at Mile 49, site of the to C. L. Siebert, Jr. (captain, U. "Stephen Birch," it would be a famous Million Dollar Bridge. If S. Army Corps of Engineers and safe guess that this was actually the car was to ever be used in head of the project at Cordova), the personal business car of Alaska, one could safely assume the combination observation and Stephen Birch himself and other it would have been shipped to dining car was numbered 100. high banking members of coincide with the arrival of the An eighty foot car of the Kennecott Corporation for use president. Again, no reference is type John Killoran described on the stateside railway lines. available in the Cordova paper to would not have been practical on My collection of photos, this elaborate business car. the CR & NW in any case. The books and documents is I have a copy of a letter from railway line, particularly west of available here for anyone who Eugene McCracken, dated 1937, Chitina was not designed for wishes to view the sources for to F. A. Hanson, the last such a long coach. In fact, there themselves. I can be reached via superintendent of the CR & NW, were even problems with the the "Copper Rail Depot Bar," in which McCracken (an early seventy foot coaches early on formerly the "Copper Center Alaskan Railway buff) asks which required modifying the Bar," at 822-3522, or at my Hanson about the existence of trucks on all those coaches. home at 822-3647, or by mail: P. such a car. Hanson replied that Bear in mind that the CR & 0. Box 265, Copper Center, AK no such car existed, but the NW was actually headquartered 99573. original coaches still on hand at New York City, with Thank you for this consisted of three combines, one operations headquarters in opportunity to respond. day coach and one observation Seattle. The president of the line Ronald N. Simpson car. was in New York, the vice Kennecott-Alaska & Copper These were all on hand when president in Seattle. Assuming Rail Project
McCarthy--Kennicott $T. tLfA$ AL PINt qM!Jt$ Tours & Transportation ~(:"@~ BACKCOUNTRYCONNECTION Full range of guided trips available Scheduled Van Servics 8r Day Tripi Phone (907) 277-6867 P.O. Box 243 Glennallen, Ak 99588 Bob Jacobs, Owner, Certified Alpine Guide Phone or FAX (907) 822-5292
;~Ke-..y· l.,aRe: Met-c.ltJtile~ - ;._' ' ' r ~~ ..,· '~ ' ~· ~ • • V":"".!;. • RV Park-Water & Sewer Dump for Campers-Hotel Laundry and Showers Patty Ryan's "Silver Fox Cafe" Propane-Hardware-Gas-Grocery-Auto Parts-Feed I Phone· 822~9863 rill'lle 7:5 Edgert~n HViy. 'May 3'1--Sept .. 30 Hours 9-9· '--7 days a week . PAGE 14 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 Body of British hiker mund in Wrangell t. Elias GUU
Ed LaChapelle gave a short look into uses for the money. M.A.C. news update on the Aquifer Protec An update was given on the BY CARLY I Reprinted from the McCarthy Weekly News, November & December 1921 issues. Editor C.F.M. Cole PAGE 18 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 Co111mon sense about sno-obiling nowmobiles are for many life threatening situation, might The first layer of clothing, next § the vehicle of choice from be only an inconvenience. Com to your skin, should be something November through March in mon sense about snowmobiling that ventilates. Begin with a layer the McCarthy area. Vast areas that includes making sure you have the of underwear with a wicking abil are not accessible in the summer gear and equipment you need to ity. This allows moisture from your become within our reach when the survive in open country, and the skin to be absorbed by the under snow covers the ground and the tools and parts you might need if wear to maintain your body tem rivers freeze over. If you are plan your machine breaks down. Check perature. ning a winter trip to McCarthy off these items: • The second layer should pro 4 aboard that shining new machine, Personal Survival Equipment: vide comfort, utility and durabil consider the following information Personal survival gear can be ity. This is usually several gar condensed from Common Sense stored in a day pack so that it is ments such as a turtleneck, or About Snowmobilifll1 -A guide to accessible and easily stowed on flannel shirt, a wool or pile trip preparatian, an-the-trail travel, the snow machine for each trip. If sweater, jacket or vest. Wear wool and survival informatianfram the you don't have it with you, it won't or insulated pants, wool gloves Alaska State Troapers. do you any good when you need it with liners and a wool or pile hat. Trip Planning: the most. The outer layer of clothing Every time you plan to travel Personal Snowmachine Equip should be water repellent and/or long distances, you should let a re ment Kit: wind proof. It should be snug fit sponsible person know where you TUBE TENT OR TARP ting so it doesn't catch in the ma are going and when you will re- EMERGENCY BLANKET chine but it should be loose turn. GAS STOVE enough to allow free movement. Your travel plan should include SIGNAL FLARES OR ELT Choose outer wear appropriate this basic but important informa- WATERPROOFMATCHESORUGHTER for the weather: for cold and snow tion: CANDLES wear a synthetic or down parka, THE ROliTE YOU'LL USE COMPASS double boots with super gaiters, WHEN YOU EXPECT TO ARRNE FOOD BARS OR CANDY BARS wool or silk balaclava and mittens; WHAT GEAR YOU HAVE WITH YOU TOILETRIES for wind or rain wear a rain parka WHO IS WITH YOU . THERMOS BOTTLE OF WATER or gortex/nylon with wind break Complete a SAR Prevention SIGNAL MIRROR ing capabilities, gaiters, mittens Travel Plan Form (available at WHISTLE over your gloves, and a hat. State Troopers office); or leave a FLASHLIGHT Don't just dress for the weath list of the information with a re- PORTABLE RADIO er at the time of departure but sponsible adult. SNOWSHOES carry gear needed if weather This information could save SUNGLASSES changes. Carry extra clothing and your life in case you become lost SUN BLOCK gloves even on a short trip. or disoriented and a search is nee- CHAPSTICK If you routinely ride on rivers, essary. The rescue team will know Clothing : streams, lakes, pack ice, or any where to begin looking, if you are It is important to understand waterway, consider wearing flota reported overdue, and how well how your body can overheat even tion coveralls. If you break equipped you are to survive until in cold weather. If you do get through the ice and fall in, these help arrives. stuck in the snow, get caught in coveralls will help keep you afloat Every time you travel outside of water overflow or the weather gets with some degree of warmth, and your community, file a new travel warmer than you expected, you usually come in colors appropriate plan to make sure the rescue team might begin to get too warm and for high visibility. has the most current information. perspire. When you layer your Rules of the Road Equipment and supplies: clothing, you can remove some If you must travel on an estab An emergency is defined as an layers of clothing while you work lished roadway shared with cars unexpected event. When you have to free your machine or allow your and trucks, there are some laws prepared for the unexpected, a body temperature to moderate and some common sense guide situation which might have been a and avoid the possibility of hypo lines. These laws are described thermia. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 19 completely in Alaska Statute Determine the distance to be make your travel across ice safer. 28.05.30. 13AAC02 and 13AAC04, traveled and fuel needed to travel Ice on a lake or pond is gener and they include: that distance under all conditions ally consistent with the weather. If Bring your snowmobile to a including changes in the weather it has been cold, the ice is proba complete stop before crossing and or trail conditions. bly stable. If it has been warm and yield to any traffic on the highway. Slow down and use extra cau- sunny, the ice may be varied in Cross at a right angle to the tion when traveling unfamiliar or thickness depending on the depth roadway. seldom used trails. Snow or ice of the water and closeness to If crossing a bridge or culvert may cover hazardous wires, trees, shore. on a highway, drive only at the or rocks which might otherwise Ice on rivers and streams, extreme right-hand edge of the have been visible. At slower where there is a current or tide, bridge or culvert and only when speeds, you'll also have greater tends to be most unstable and the crossing can be completed reaction time for trail dangers. unpredictable. The condition of with safety and without interfering Be familiar with commonly the ice can change quickly and with other traffic. used and standard trail signs and without warning. Strong river cur A snowmobile may be used on markers including directional rent combined with warm temper a highway when use of the highway arrows and barrier or hazard mark atures and sunshine can weaken by other motor vehicles is impossi ers. ice in a matter of hours. ble because of snow or ice accu Travel at night only when nee- Use these common sense mulation or other natural condi essary. Allow more time for slower guidelines for safe ice travel: tions. travel. Obstacles and road hazards Never trust ice. It is unpredict A snowmobile can be used on a tend to be harder to see in the able. Open leads and thin spots highway when it is posted or oth dark. could take you by surprise. erwise designated as being open If you become disoriented or Warm sunshine and unseason to travel by off-highway vehicles. lost in a snow squall or darkness, ably warm temperatures can make A person driving a snowmobile stop until you regain your sense of ice thin in some areas and not so may ride only on a permanent seat direction. thin in others. attached to the vehicle. Do not drink alcoholic bever Check the ice before you head A snowmobile can not be used ages before or during a snowmo out. Look for overflow (pools of to carry passengers unless the bile trip. Driving a snowmobile water on top of the ice), ice crys vehicle is designed and equipped under the influence of alcohol or tals and cracks. with a seat for a passenger. drugs is illegal. Learn to identify "clear ice" A snowmobile needs to be reg- Alcohol slows you down physi- and the weaker "cloudy ice." istered with the State of Alaska if cally and mentally so that you may A thin cover of ice or light operated in any area other than on not be able to react to trail condi- snow can disguise an open lead private property. Registration will tions and emergencies. and make travel hazardous. assist in determining ownership if Cold temperatures can cover Limit the weight on your snow the vehicle is stolen and will pro up the effects of alcohol; you machine. might feel warm when you're really vide documentation in the event Travel single file with a com freezing. the machine is involved in an acci panion. Each of you should have a dent. The combination of wind, sun, 50 to 100 foot piece of heavy rope Common sense guidelines to glare, vibration, motion and cold and other survival gear. temperatures can make you feel make your traveling safer. Never stop your snowmachine Make yourself and your ma tired faster. Your vision, judge ment, decision-making ability, on the ice and let it idle. chine visible by wearing bright Listen for the sound of ice colors and using reflectors. balance and reaction time can all be effected. cracking. If you hear it, don't Do not travel in whiteout con panic. Spread your body weight Thin Ice: ditions or when a snow storm is evenly across the ice and slide either predicted or ongoing. People routinely cross the ice yourself back in the direction you If you have a mechanical break on foot, 3-wheeler and snow ma came; you know that ice is safe. down, stay with your machine. You chine to hunt, trap, fish, or just Slide yourself to a stronger loca have a better chance of survival for personal travel. There are tion and proceed with extreme and being located. some common sense things to caution. PAGE 20 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 Hypothermia: into dry clothing outdoors. Insu and many times by loud noise Learn how to identify and late against the cold by wearing like a rifle shot or machine en treat hypothermia. This is the layered clothing, wool and water gine. loss of body heat caused by expo proof outerwear, and a cap. If you If you travel in areas where sure to cold and made more haz think you are getting too cold avalanches can occur, get to ardous by wet, wind and exhaus and can not get indoors, build a know the local and specific loca tion. If the body temperature is fire and make camp while you tions and then avoid those areas, lowered too much and efforts not still have the energy, and at even if it makes your trip a little made to restore it, mental and tempt to drink hot liquids. longer. Learn what you need to physical collapse can occur. Treatment for hypothermia do if you or a companion are Watch for these signs in your must be made with great care. caught in an avalanche. self and in your travel compan Shelter the victim, get him/her It's your responsibility to use ions: into warm, dry clothing, and common sense in planning your UNCONTROLLABLE FIT OF SHIVER· keep them awake. Seek medical trip, carrying enough survival ING attention as quickly as possible. gear, operating your machine in VAGUE, SLOW, SLURRED SPEECH Avalanche: a safe and courteous manner, MEMORY LAPSES, INCOHERENCE Avalanches occur when loose maintaining your snowmobile, IMMOBILE, FUMBLING HANDS snow or a slab of snow starts understanding and remembering FREQUENT STUMBLING moving down a slope. They are the limitations of your machine, DROWSINESS, EXHAUSTION triggered by a variety of slope, and of yourself. Avoid hypothermia by staying snow and weather conditions, Have a safe journey. dry even if it requires changing ''The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time." - Willem de Kooning ] lnDwmaDbininglhe Wrangell Mounlain1/ lbe p\ace to stay during your snowmachine visit to tbe MeCartby area. local frail information antl lllilfancs McCar-thy Trail Rides John Adams POBoxMXY Glennallen, AK 99588 (907) 554-4433 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 21 The Care and Feeding of Lead-Acid Balleries BY ED LACHAPELLE Lead-acid batteries are what charging source and a load at The plates become even weaker start our vehicles, anchor our the same time and serves an as they convert to lead sulfate solar power systems and run just electrical flywheel, providing during discharge. For this rea- about everything else requiring current (discharging) when the son, auto batteries do not stand 12 volts direct current. If prop- load current exceeds the charge up well to prolonged high cur- erly maintained and used, they and absorbing current ( charg- rent use (warped plates) during will last for many years. If abus- ing) when the charge current deep discharge. Auto batteries ed, they die early and quick. exceeds the load. should not be used in deep-cycle ,; The funerals (replacements) are Such batteries normally oper- service; they have no more than expensive. Given the number of ate off the top 25% or less of 25 or 30 deep cycles in them stalled cars, expensive funerals their capacity. In a deep cycle before they die. and accumulated piles of dead battery, the battery is drained Deep cycle batteries are built batteries around a bush commu- down 75% or more of its capac- with much thicker and heavier nity like McCarthy, it's time for a ity and then separately re- plates and with a higher anti- review of basic battery care. charged. Examples of float ser- mony content. They are me- Basic Chemistry vice are auto batteries and tele- chanically much stronger and A storage battery has positive phone batteries such as the ones electrically much more durable. and negative plates immersed in supporting our local cell phone It is easy to recognize a deep an electrolyte. In a charged sites. Fork lifts and electric ve- cycle battery because it has a lot lead-acid battery the positive hicles use deep cycle batteries. more lead and weighs a lot more plate is lead peroxide and the Solar power systems also use than an auto battery of the same negative plate is lead. The elec- deep cycle batteries but if prop- size. Such batteries can last trolyte is sulfuric acid with a erly designed will operate most through many hundreds of deep specific gravity about 1.280 of the time closer to float mode discharges, depending on the tol.300. A chemical reaction to improve battery life. kind of service they are in. The takes place during discharge, Regular lead-acid batteries batteries supporting the new generating an electric current have removable vent caps that Sourdough Ridge cell site near and converting both plates to allow distilled water to be added McCarthy (3% tons of them) are : lead sulfate, using up the sulfu- to replace water lost during deep cycle L-16 batteries oper- ric acid and leaving the electro- charging. The so-called main- ated in float service. Their ex- lyte mostly water. Charging tenance-free batteries are sealed pected life is 20 years. puts a current into the battery except for a small, one- way vent Self-Discharge · and reverses this process. It also which allows gases to escape but All lead-acid batteries slowly electrolyzes some of the water, not the addition of water. Seal- discharge themselves. The inter- breaking it down into hydrogen ed, or gel-cell, batteries have no nal chemical reaction proceeds and oxygen, which escapes vent at all but can be operated even when no current is flowing through vents and must be re- in any position because the elec- out of a battery. At room tern- placed by adding more (dis- trolyte has a jelly-like consis- perature, the loss is around 6% tilled) water. Like all chemical tency. of capacity each week. The reactions, the speed of this one Construction of Batteries chemical reaction, and this dis- depends on temperature. The Auto batteries have the extra charge, slows down as tempera- lower the temperature, the slow- requirement of being able to ture falls. Below freezing, there er reaction. This is important- deliver very large starting cur- is hardly any self-discharge. At the reasons why will appear be- rents for very short periods. warmer temperatures it is neces- low. This is met by having many thin sary to recharge the battery oc- Kinds and Sizes of Batteries plates to achieve a large surface casionally or maintain it with a Batteries are designed for area. This leaves the plate as- constant small current called a two basic kinds of service, float sembly lll.echanically weak. A trickle charge. and deep cycle. In float service, small amount of antimony is al- Batteries intended for a battery is connected to both a loyed with the lead to stiffen it. standby service, say in back-up PAGE 22 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 telephone service, are some Battery Capacity ed at a rate between 5 and 10 times made of lead alloyed with A battery's capacity, the amps. If the battery is fully dis calcium instead of antimony. amount of electrical energy it charged, an initial "hot" rate This reduces the self-discharge can store, is measured in am higher than this can be used, rate by a factor of about five at pere-hours (ah). The rated ca but must be tapered off as the any given temperature and pacity is usually figured at a fair battery becomes charged. It hence greatly reduces the re ly low discharge rate, say 5 am must be tapered off even more charging requirement. peres. A 100 ah battery would as the battery approaches full Low Temperatures and be able to deliver this 5 amperes charge. Overcharging at any Freezing for 20 hours (5 x 20 = 100). As state of charge, and especially A fully charged lead-acid bat the discharge rate goes up, the near full charge, is bad. If se tery (sulfuric acid specific grav capacity goes down. At 20 am vere it can permanently damage ity close to 1.300) will not freeze peres discharge rate, this same or destroy the battery. At any until the temperature falls below battery might last for 4 hours, level, it causes rapid electrolysis, -70 degrees Celsius (-103 de not five. At 200 amperes it excessive venting of gases, and grees Fahrenheit). If your bat might last for 8 minutes, not 30 loss of water from the electro tery is up, don't worry about the minutes. These numbers vary lyte. In maintenance-free or gel weather. Starting your car at with the design of the battery. cells, this alone can be terminal. low temperatures is another The symbol for ampere-hour "Cooking" a batterywith too matter. Low temperatures mean capacity is C, which will be dis powerful a charger leads to a lot low battery capacity (the chemi cussed below in regard to charg of funerals. cal reaction slows down). At 32 ing. Summary of Battery Care degrees Fahrenheit a battery has Some batteries are labeled as 1. Choose the kind of bat already lost almost 20% of its offering so many "cold cranking tery designed for the intended capacity. At 40 below Fahren amps." This is the ability to de use. Do not use auto batteries heit it has lost 60%. This why liver large amounts of current at for deep cycle service. Do not the smart Alaskan car owner a specified low temperature and use batteries for very high cur installs a battery heater along is not the same as ampere-hour rent demands, such as engine with an engine block heater for capacity. To get ampere-hours, starting, that are not designed cold morning starts. divide cold cranking amps by for it. A fully discharged lead-acid 5.25 2. Select a size of battery battery will freeze at 17 degrees State of Charge suitable to the power demands. Fahrenheit. Now you do worry How can the state of battery Auto batteries are typically 60 to about the weather. Freezing will charge be determined? The only 90 ah. Marine/RV deep cycle destroy a battery. Remember reliable way is to measure the batteries, usually 90 to 120 ah, the self-discharge business and electrolyte specific gravity with a are a hybrid with improved deep don't let a low battery and low hydrometer. Full charge is cycle capacity but still able to temperatures sneak up on you at 1,280-1.300, full discharge is deliver heavy starter currents. the same time. Top off charge about 1.150. This obviously is Golf cart batteries, typically 220 on all your batteries in the fall. impossible in a maintenance-free to 260 ah at 6 volts (you need Sulfation or gel-cell battery because the two of them in series to get 12 When a battery sits around electrolyte is inaccessible. An volts), give medium-grade deep partially or fully discharged, alternative is to measure the cycle service at reasonable cost some of the lead sulfate tends to voltage at the battery terminals. and are often used in solar recrystallize into a form that This depends in a complicated power systems. Industrial-grade resists the reversion to sulfuric way on battery temperature and deep cycle batteries are the opti acid during charging. This is rate of charge or discharge, the mum for long life and for econ called sulfation. A badly sulfated scope of which is beyond the omy in the long run, although battery quits working and the present discussion. they have a higher initial cost. acid concentration in the elec Charging 3. KEEP YOUR BA'ITERIES trolyte remains low even after Optimum charging rate is AS FULLY CHARGED AS POSSI charging, making it vulnerable around C/20 to C/10. Thus a BLE. This is the single most to freezing. Sulfation is a com 100 ah battery should be charg- important rule for long battery mon cause of battery death. life. If a battery is deeply dis- WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 23 charged, recharge it immedi tered clean rainwater or snow ately replaced this with a top ately. Don't let it sit around dis melt will do) periodically to keep grade new battery, but kept the charged. All sorts of bad things the electrolyte level well above old one since it still worked. I can happen to discharged bat tops of the plates. Keep the ter used it for years to start my gen teries, some of which are de minals and cables free of corro erator. Today, in 1996, I am still scribed above. sion. A good coating of Vaseline using it for auto and generator 4. Don't overcharge batter on all the exposed metal helps a starting and miscellaneous light ies, either at too high a rate or lot. 12 volt loads. All I have done to for too long. A good charger or Here is an object lesson in it over 11 years has been to keep charge controller appropriate to battery care. In 1985 I bought a it FULLY CHARGED at all times. the battery size is the best way used van which included the It's not ready for a funeral yet. to do it right. usual used battery. I immedi- 5. Add distilled water {fil- lennecon land deal at Park Service for review BY RICK KENYON The recent land appraisal of nating the property to the fed fund decided to go ahead with the nearly 3,000 acre tract of eral, state or local government. the project anyway, but to rely land at Kennecott is being re Wrangell-St. Elias Park Su on the federal government - viewed by the National Park Ser perintendent Jon Jarvis told rather than the Melon Founda vice. That's the latest word from WSEN in March of 1995 that tion- to pay for acquisition. Brad Meiklejohn, Alaska there had not been a clear con In June, the fund put up representative for the Conserva sensus within the park service $10,000 in earnest money for an tion Fund. concerning the acquisition up to 18 month option on the prop· The fund is a Virginia-based that time. "Frankly, the agency erty, giving the government un non-profit group that has pur is concerned about costs to the til November 1997 to come up chased historic sites, wildlife taxpayer - the cost of with the balance of the purchase habitat and open space in more acquisition, the cost of manage price. than 30 states, reselling or do- ment, liability, stabilization. So In August, a preliminary ap there's been a praisal of between $4 million pretty heated in and $4.5 million was completed ternal debate go and turned over to NPS for re ing on over that," view. said Jarvis. The subsurface rights are still According to owned by the Kennecott Copper Jarvis, the fund Corporation. Meiklejohn believes was approached they will be willing to donate the with the idea that rights in return for a tax write .. the Melon Foun off . dation, who works "I will be disappointed if the closely with the government does not appropri fund, would put ate the money, but not sur up the money for prised," said Mieklejohn. He the purchase. said it has at times been frus Later, however, trating working on this project. the foundation "I come to McCarthy and people decided that tell me they believe this is the Kennecott did not worst of a bunch of bad op meet its criteria tions." for donation. The PAGE 24 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 Church update BY BONNIE KENYON There is a song in our hymn encouraged us all to look to Je Another blessing of this sum book that reminds us to count sus as our first love. He must mer, was meeting and fellow our blessings, name them one by increase in our lives; we must shipping with the guests who one. That particular phrase decrease. We cannot thank took time out of their vacation came to mind as I sat down at Danny and his youth group to the McCarthy-Kennicott area the computer keyboard to begin enough! to attend Sunday service at our this issue's church page. WSEN In September we received little church on the island. is bimonthly and a lot can hap word from the Internal Revenue Kathy Millar and her sister were pen in two months time - so I Service that McCarthy-Kennicott two such people. I would like to must backtrack and literally re Community Church, Inc. now end this issue's church page with count the blessings since our qualifies for the tax-exempt sta a portion of Kathy's recent let- last issue. The thought also oc tus as an organization described ter: curred to me how honored I am in section 501 (c) (3). The Dear Church, to regularly write this column church is grateful to attorneys What a blessing it was to and share with our readers the Margaret Stock and Neil come across your church during "good news" of what is happen O'Donnell of the law offices of our Alaskan adventure. You ing with the McCarthy-Kennicott Atkinson, Conway & Gagnon, blessed my sister and I both with Community Church. Of all the Inc. of Anchorage who assisted your wann & friendly congrega items I may tion, joyous write, this is music& the dearest message& to my heart! simple life. On Sep McCarthy tember 6we was the had the highlight of pleasure to our trip & it welcome to will never our area be forgotten. Danny fd like to Green, share my youth group tithe with leader at the your church Valdez As- when it's semblyof possible God in some lit Church, tlewayfd along with photo courtesy Julie Hardy Happy congregation. Near center is AI Nikolaus, who worked at the lO'Ve to be a some 13 Bonanza Mine in the late 30's. AI is 84 years young. part of the young peo great work ple who gave that you are doing ... of their precious time and tal us in our paperwork and were ents (and plain old hardworking wonderful examples of faith and Thank you again & I wish you all of God's finest. fm sure fU be labor) to us all. Out came the patience! back. paint brushes, paint and varnish, Because we do not have a And without faith it is impos and by Sunday morning service heating stove in the church yet, sible to please Him, for he who on the 8th the inside and out we are now meeting back at the comes to God must believe that side of the church building had Kenyon's cabin until spring. Ser He is, and that He is a rewarder received a fresh coat of paint. vices are still at 11:00 a.m. and Him. The young people shared their everyone is welcome. If you de of those who seek faith in song and testimonies sire any information, you may Hebrews 11:6 and Danny gave a message which call (907) 554-4454. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 25 September 4, 1996 Phone: 269-8775 -NOTICE- OF FINAL DETERMINATION OFSTATELANDAVAILABLEFOR EXPLORATION LICENSING The Department ofNatural Resources gives formal notice under AS 38.05.945(a)(7.) that the commissioner has made a final written determination that, unless otherwise withdrawn, all state-owned or state- selected land, including Alaska Mental Health Trust land managed on behalf of the trust by the department, shall be open for oil and gas exploration licensing under AS 38.05.132- 134 and 38.05.801 except: 1) All land on the North Slope north of the Umiat Baseline and all land in the vicinity of Cook Inlet within the area bounded by the north boundary of Town ship 17 North, Seward Meridian; the Seward Meridian; the south boundary of Township 7 South, Seward Meridian; and the west boundary of Range 19 West, Seward Meridian, are excluded by statute, in accordance with AS 38.05.131. 2) All submerged land within the area designated as the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve is excluded in accordance with the policy set forth in AS 38.05.140(£). 3) The Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Island chain south of 55 degrees 30 minutes north latitude and all land east of 138 degrees west longitude are excluded as a result of negligible oil and gas potential. In addition to submitting a proposal for an exploration license to the Division of Oil and Gas, proposals affecting Alaska Mental Health Trust Lands are to be submitted to the Trust Land Office of the Department of Natural Resources. Exploration licensing statutes and regulations applicable to other state land will be applicable to Alaska Mental Health Trust Land if consistent with trust principles imposed upon the state by the Alaska Mental Health Enabling Act. Kenneth A. Boyd Stephen C. Planchon Director Executive Director Division of Oil and Gas Trust Land Office Chevron 111 Service Oil & Gas RESIDENTIAL e COMMERCIAL Service sometimes • Heating oil means going more than • Gasoline and Diesel Fuel the extra mile. ''We appreciate all our • AvGas and Jet Fue~ BUSH CUSTOMERS" 8 Chevron Lube Oils and Greases • Fuel Tanks and Accessories For the First Name In Service, Call SERVICE OIL & GAS PHONE:822-3375 Chevron Chevron Mile 188.5 Glenn Highway Box 276 ----=--=,...,..,.,- Glennallen, AK 99588 P.O. Box 110-378 Anchorage DRILLING Alaska 99511 INC. ~Ground water specialists ~Complete well systems ~Well pump service & repair 7U~E~ 1fJ~ (907) 345ED4000 FAX 345-3287 Alaaka Natural Hiatory Aaaociation Releaaea New Book Mountain Wilderness An IDustrated History of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska by William R. Hunt Available at local booketores and at Alaska Natural History Association outlets in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Co~per Center. Slana, Chitina and Valdez. To order by mail send a check for $19.95 plus $3 shipping and handling to Alaska Natural History Association, Wrangell-St. Elias Branch, P.O. Box 439, Copper Center. AK 99573. s~ Aut- Sf!/Uitte~ ~ ~ ~ t«d~t.~! Now you can leave Anchorage at 8:30 on r~------,~Rates: Wednesday or Friday morning and arrive in Gulkana/McCarthy $56* Gulkana at 9:45, McCarthy at 11 :00. Or, you can McCarthy/Gulkana $56* leave McCarthy at 11:15 and be back in Gulkana/MayCreek $60 Anchorage by 2:00pm the same dayl (Leaves May Creek/Gulkana $60 Gulkana at 12:45) Anchorage/Gulkana $105* This service is year around. Gulkanal Anchorage $105* • Ask about special round-trip rates Baggage allowance 40 lbs. (charge for excess baggage) Rates do no include tax @ 10% RESPONSIBIUTY FOR DEPARTURES. ARRIVALS. CONNECTIONS. gt~JA. .rl(/t, 7a.u. ?~. EDis />Jr will not be responsible for damages resulting from the laHure of flights to depart or arrive at times stated in this timetable. Phone 822-3368 nor for errors herein, nor tor failure to make connections to olher ail1ines or of !his company. Schedules are subject to change wflhout 800-478-3368 notice. Schedules shown are based on expected ftying times. Because weether and Olher factors may affect operating conditions, Gulkana Airfield Box 106, GlennaUen, AK 99588 departures and arrivals cannot be guaranteed. PAGE 28 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 BY CARLY KRITCHEN One of my favorite things to Roll in remaining 1/z cup of chips do on a snowy winter day is to chopped walnuts. Let stand un Combine butter and sugar in bake up a batch of cookies. I til completely firm. Makes an iron skillet over medium can't personally think of any about 24 balls. heat. Cook, stirring occasionally thing better than a chocolate If you like chocolate, you'U about 20 minutes or until a chip cookie warm from the oven like these cookies! I got this rec brownish color. Check frequent with a cup of hot chocolate (and ipe off a Hershey's Cocoa can ly to make sure the mixture is maybe a couple of about 15 years ago, and it's the not scorching. Add almonds and marshmallows!). Since I'm pret one I make for friends who really cook 5 more minutes. Pour ty sure that you all already have love chocolate. onto ungreased cookie sheet. a favorite chocolate chip cookie Chewy Chocolate Cookies Sprinkle chocolate chips over recipe, I'm going to give you hot mixture, give them a minute some other chocolate cookie 1%. cup softened butter to melt, then spread over the and candy recipes that are great 2 cups sugar top of the mixture. Chill for a for gifts and special occasions. 2 eggs couple of hours and break into They're also all good with a cup 2 tsp. vanilla pieces. 2 cups flour of hot chocolate! My husband loves chocolate These .fudge balls are time % Hershey's cocoa and peanut butter equally, and consuming to make, but they're 1 tsp. baking soda this easy recipe is one of his fa absolutely delicious and make a ¥2 tsp. salt 'Dorites. 1 cup chopped nuts (op great gift at Christmas time. Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Make sure to grease your hands tional) 1 cup chunky peanut butter well before trying to roU them! Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs and va 6 Tbsp. butter Caramel Fudge Balls nilla; blend well. Combine % cup packed brown sugar 1 cup chopped walnuts tlour, cocoa, baking soda and 112 cup granulated sugar IA cup butter salt; blend into creamed mix 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup brown sugar ture. Add nuts, if desired. Drop 3 eggs 1 cup granulated sugar by teaspoonful onto ungreased 1 cup flour %. tsp. salt cookie sheet and bake at 350 2 cups chocolate chips %cup sour cream degrees for about 8 or 9 min Beat peanut butter, butter, 1 tsp. vanilla utes. The cookies should still be brown sugar, granulated sugar Melt butter in a large heavy soft when they come out of the and vanilla in a large bowl until saucepan. Add sugars, salt and oven, be sure to not over bake creamy. Beat in eggs; then add sour cream. Stir over low heat them. Let them cool briefly and flour. Stir in 3/4 cup of the until the sugars dissolve. Cover remove from sheet. Makes chocolate chips. Spread into a and boil slowly for 5 minutes. about 4 dozen. greased 13" x 9" baking dish and Uncover and cook rapidly with This recipe for homemade bake at 350 degrees for 25 min out stirring to soft ball stage candy was reaUy popular a few utes or until edges are slightly (236 degrees). Be careful not to years ago, and I still like to make browned. Remove from oven scorch! Remove from heat and it when I don't ha'De much time. and immediately sprinkle re cool to lukewarm. Add vanilla It's fast and reaUy good. maining chocolate chips on the hot cookie mixture. Let stand and beat until mixture is creamy Almond Roka and begins to stiffen. Stir in 1/2 for 5 minutes, then spread even 1 pound butter ly over the top of the cookie cup of chopped walnuts. Drop 2 cups sugar by rounded teaspoonfuls onto mix. Cool in pan, then cut into 1 cup chopped almonds bars. Makes about 2 % dozen. waxed paper. Let firm up slight 1 small package chocolate ly and quickly shape into a ball. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 29 A look at the weather BY GEORGE CEBULA August 1996 was cool and temperature was 8 on the 30th with any measurable precipita cloudy with above average pre (25 on Sept. 28, '95 and 9 on tion. Sil'Ver Lake had the same cipitation; There were only 3 Sept. 30, '94). There was 6 days total precipitation as McCarthy days when the high temperature with the low below 20 and only 6 of 1.26 inches (2.44 in Sept. '95 reached 70 or above and 7 days days with the low 32 or above. and 2.55 in Sept. '94), with only when it only made it into the The average monthly tempera 7 days of recorded precipitation. SO's. The high temperature for ture at McCarthy was 40.2 ( 48.0 As we approach the middle the month was 74 on the 16th in Sept. '95 and 42.3 in Sept. of October, McCarthy has a (73 on Aug. 11, '95 and 76 on '94). This was still6 degrees snow cover of 3 inches with only Aug. 9, '94). warmer than the record 34.3 of a trace on the ground here at There was an early freeze on September 1992. The high at Silver Lake. As of the 11th of the 8th as the temperature fell Sil'Ver Lake was 70 on the 5th October, the lake is still free of to 28 and killed some of the and 6th (71 on Sept. 21, '95 and ice and I expect the ducks and plants in the gardens. The low 65 on Sept. 11, '94). The Sil'Ver swans to be on their way south temperature for the month was Lake low was 15 on the 30th (30 very soon. It looks like winter is 28 on the 8th and 28th (28 on on Sept. 28, '95 and 15 on Sept. just about here. JO, '94). The a'Verage tempera Aug. 22, '95 and 31 on Aug. 24, "Is today's crisis really '94). The average monthly tem ture at Sil'Ver Lake was 42.0 earthshaking? Will you still think perature at McCarthy was 50.5 (49.5inSept. '95and43.7in compared to 51.8 in Aug. '95 Sept. '94). so next week'? Next month? Next and 56.2 in Aug. '94. Sil'Ver The first snow of the season year? - A.l. Velander Lake had a high temperature of fell on the 22nd with only a 74 on the 16th (73 on Aug. 22, trace re- '95 and 86 on Aug. 6, '94). The corded at low temperature at Sil'Ver Lake McCarthy was 33 on the 28th (32 on Aug. and 0.2 22, '95 and JJ on Aug. 30, '94). inches at Wrangell Mountain Air The Sil'Ver Lake a'Verage tempera Silver "'J.wm the wo.Jd to the wtfd.e'tn£iJ." ture was 51.9 (52.9 in Aug. '95 Lake. It and 58.7 in Aug. '94). melted rap • Glacier Flightseeing The August precipitation at idly and e Fly-in Wilderness Hiking there was McCarthy was above the average • Daily Service from Chitina with 2.30 inches recorded (1.43 no snow in Aug. '95 and 1.51 in Aug. left by eve • Direct Service from '94). There were 23 days with a ning. The Anchorage total pre trace. or more of rainfall re Glennallen corded. The precipitation at Sil cipitation 'Ver Lake was lighter with only at McCar Valdez 1.57 inches recorded (2.61 in thy was • Van Service to Kennicott Aug. '95 and 1.14 in Aug. '94). 1.26 inch There were 15 days at Sil'Ver es, a far cry If you're planning a trip to the Wrangell-St. Elias Lake with a trace or more re from the Park & Preserve, give us a call. corded. 4.32 inches September 1996 was an av of Sept. '95 1-800-478-1160 erage month in both tempera and 2.54 ture and precipitation. The high inches of Wrangell Mountain Air temperature at McCarthy was 69 Sept. '94. McCarthy, PO Box MXY on the 4th (70 on Sept. 20, '95 There were Glennallen, AK 99588 and 65 on Sept. 5, '94). The low only8 days PAGE 30 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 8-23-96 September 9, 1996 that coming back down to Mc Salcha,AK Eagle River, AK Carthy means I had about 700 Dear Rick & Bonnie, Dear Editor: chances to hit a chicken cross We do enjoyWSEN and During the last weekend of ing the road at the Miller's think it's great that you've August 96, my husband and I Place ... I didn't hit any, plus I spearheaded publishing it - visited McCarthy and had an ex never got caught (yelled at: Slow and done so well with it. It's very tremely interesting and pleasur Down!) breaking the 5 MPH informative and educational, as able time. Our plan is to con speed limit. well. Keep up the good work. tinue to visit the area when Have a nice autumn! Sincerely, more time allows us to stay long Dave Hollis Art & Ann Ward er. Enclosed is my check for my Editor's note: Another piece of 8-28-96 subscription and back issues of mail g,:aced our mail box re Fremont, MI your newsletter. cently. It was a 'Video entitled Dear Bonnie, Thank you and I look for "Cool Places to Fly in Alaska" Thanks for the reminder! ward to conversing the Internet and was sent to us by Glenn Only in McCarthy, AK would a with you and receiving my back McGovern, president, of Alchemy service continue, even though issues. Video Productions. Whether you renewal funds had not yet been Respectfully, are a pilot or not, we tho~ht you received! Laura M. Haws would enjoy Glenn's letter which I didn't get to AK this sum contains information on how you mer - first miss after three con Editor's note: Occasionally we can obtain their most recent pro secutive summer visits. Hope hear fram a few of the super ad duction. fully will be back in a year or venturous folks who decide to two! stretch out their 'Visit to the Mc August 19, 1996 Many thanks again. Carthy-Kennicott area by taking New Orleans, LA Sincerely, a seasonal job with a local busi Dear Rick & Bonnie, Chuck Witteveen ness. Rick and I were pleasantly Enclosed herewith you will surprised to find a letter from please find a copy of 'Cool Places Oct. 1, 1996 Dave Hollis in our mail box and to Fly in Alaska," Vol. 1, which features McCarthy, which we Hunlock Creek, PA tho~ht you all might enjoy his Hi shot last year. We also finished ' camments. Dave had the plea Enclosed is my check for sure of working for Wrangell selling through the Alaskan Air another year's subscription. Mountain Bus and was one of men's Association, "Flying to Alaska," which is a 2 ¥2 hour We really look forward to their most popular van drivers. video showing pilots how to fly each issue and catching up with to Alaska via the Alaska Highway all your news. Sept. 26, 1996 and the Trench routes. I do have a confession to Fairbanks, AK "Cool Places to Fly in make though - my first sub Bonnie/Rick... Alaska, Vol. 1" features airports scription was a desperate at How are you? It was nice to that a single engine pilot can tempt to keep our vacation meet you this summer. I had a safely go into in Alaska. The memories alive. great time at summer camp '96! video also shows things to do God willing, we'll visit AK Thanks! For the excellent job on the Wrangell St. Elias when a pilot arrives in Alaska, again soon and your area will including accommodations, bed definitely be in our travel plans. News .. .I enjoy it very much. I plan on looking through the and breakfast, airport FBO's, Sincerely, back issues this winter. useful information about the Connie Lanning peculiarities of each airport. I figure I drove at least 350 shuttles from McCarthy to Each tape also has extensive Kennicott this summer. Double footage on what to do after a pilot arrives at each airport, for WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1996 PAGE 31 i example, in Skagway, it not only NTSC color and is approximately let me know the cost for said . shows the town, but shows the 52 minutes in length. The tape subscription. 1 helicopter flight into the moun retails for $24.95 plus shipping I will try to make a special tains and valleys adjacent to and is available through Alchemy effort to list all of the busi Skagwaywith some breath-tak- Video Productions Corp., PO nesses' addresses and telephone , ing views. Box 29569, New Orleans, LA numbers in McCarthy to help ! . The section on McCarthy 70189-0569. Phone the locals. ! features the famous McCarthy 1-800.-721-3992. FAX: I remain, ; hand-tram, the only mode of ac- 504-241-3872. Sincerely yours, 1 cess to McCarthy besides the Also, I am interested in pur Glenn C. McGovern, President , airplane and also glacier hiking. chasing a subscription to the Alchemy Video Productions ,. The tape is available in VHS, Wrangell St. Elias News. Please , df nol:s. foom the.~ (continued from page 2) ' 1 Pres is survived by her husband, donations may be made to your AK; Eugene Rueter, IL; Ken · Newton Rowell, nephews BeVan community women's shelter or Shapiro, CO; Steve & Lana Ed I Presley of Minnesota and Richard another charity of your choice. wards, AK; Lou Kifer, AK; Minot ; Presley of New Mexico and niece Wrangell St. Elias News wel Maser, WA; Pat McEntee, AK; Lisa Presley: of Michigan. She was comes aboard the following new Karen Strahan, AK; Pat Lynn, AK; , predeceased by her brother David subscribers: Bea Cooper, FL; David Ashbaugh, WA;; Rob Kend · Presley of Connec,ticut. A memo Beth Houghton, FL; John all, AK; Jack Chamberlain, OH; rial service was held at First Con Monfils, AK; Alice Bayless, AK; Tom Golden, MN; Norman Bean, : gregational Church in Washing Laura Haws, AI\; Valdez Consor AK; Bruce Eckholm, WA; Bryan & ton and Connecticut on Satur- tium Library, AK; Mark Hanley, Evelyn Saunders, WA. : day, September 14. Memorial I ~eMOOS Greetings &om the staff at W~EN I • r ,. :~ flry n;adt? Sx.tJwiJg? q-etti~tlred? Sty tlt tlte CtlrJ~fJU ditJteL? W•r• aflnosphere -Bot rubs-Satellite rv lull Menu Restaurant Mile 187 Glenn Hwy 822·3302 Glennallen, AK ., . Copper River Cash Store Stop by and Check .· · Everyday for the Weekly : LOWPRICED ffEMS: IN•STORE SPECIALs··,. ·. DriVe 'O little & ·SAVE -$$$$ ··.1'l .' ,• ~ We handle BUSH ORDERS with SPECIAL CAREl COpper River Cosh store POBoxE Ml9106 .· 1§!1 . Mlfe99 Copper Center•. AK 99573 .'J.~/. .. - . .. ··:... .' .. To~ . ~ ToVa!dlil& :.·~ Downtown Copper Center 822-3266 Store Hours 9 orry ~ 7 pm, Monday- Saturday