Kennicott River Service Bridge Some Call It Freedom!
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WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2004 PAGE 1 Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Volume Thirteen Issue Four July & August 2004 Two Dollars Kennicott River Service Bridge Some call it Freedom! After he Kennicott River valley has always Tdrawn exceptional men—men of vi- sion and indomitable will. Michael Heney, Stephen Birch, John Barrett—names from Kennicott and McCarthy's not-too-dis- tant past, of men who saw the incredible po- tential of this far-flung, craggy wilderness, and defied conventional wisdom and the laws of nature in order to make their vision a reali- ty. Some McCarthy residents of late are add- ing Keith Rowland to that list after he funded Photo courtesy Keith Rowland and almost single-handedly built a 220-foot vehicular bridge across the Kennicott River, Before performing the installation in an incredibly short 7 weeks. Now, if only the government would get things done that fast… Story page 6 Also in this issue: NPS Reg. Dir. Meets ROW page 5 Hoola on the mountain page 8 Photo courtesy David Rowland McCarthy celebrates 4th of July page 10 PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2004 A note from the publisher over the last couple of months - appeared in an item of interest or cCarthy area resi- right in the nearby neighborhood! a separate article, but there just Mdents cannot say they Rick and I enjoyed meeting wasn’t any more space. We just did not experience a Troy Hvass’ mom and step dad. received news that Sally Kabisch, genuine summer this year. In fact, Sue and Ed Slater stayed in one of wife of WSEN subscriber Tom Kiz- McCarthy hit an all-time high of our B&B cabins. They live in Van- zia, passed away on June 20. Our 89 degrees on June 19. Many lo- couver, WA. but keep up on the deepest sympathy goes to Tom cals dug out their shorts and went McCarthy news by subscribing to and his family. barefoot. Eleven days out of June WSEN. Troy made sure the Slat- WSEN welcomes aboard the were in the 80’s and 9 of those ers had plenty to do while they following subscribers: Jack John- days were in the mid to high 80’s. were here; in fact, they stayed an son, AK; Rose Cherrix, VA; Daniel According to the weather records extra day because Troy kept com- Talcott, WA; Sharon Getz, MT; R. for this area the previous high ing up with exciting activities such Dennis and Cynthia Wiancko, OR; temperature was 87 and was set in as flightseeing, 4 wheeler trips, Patrick O’Donnell, VA; David June 1969. (This is beginning to dinner parties and quality visits Felts, NJ; Rob Wesson, CO; Her- sound like George’s weather col- with Troy’s friends and neighbors. man Kurth, WA; Craig Neill, TX; umn. I better let him fill you in The Slaters had a grand time in Richard and Elizabeth Barlow, AK; next issue — this is his area of our town. They promised to re- Virginia Phipps, PA; Ron and expertise!) turn, but next time Sue is deter- Loyce Krogel, OR; Dolan Collins, On June 26 smoke from a vari- mined to make it in time for the WA; Dale Merritt, WA. ety of Alaskan forest fires blew July 4th festivities. into the McCarthy area and for Speaking of July 4th, if you had about 5 days we lost sight of our been passing by the east channel Wrangell St. Elias favorite mountains. Eventually the swimming hole on Sunday night at News rains came and the smoke gradu- 4 PM, you would have seen quite VOL. Thirteen, Issue Four, July & ally dissipated. We were glad! an interesting sight. Nearly 40 August 2004. With the summer season people gathered for a water bap- Published every two months at comes new faces, either visiting tismal service. The church group McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO our area for the first time or ones from Bethel Church of Fairbanks Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588- 8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX that come to McCarthy/Kennicott and their pastor Paul Holmes (907) 554-4494 every summer to work for a local chose McCarthy for this very spe- E-mail: [email protected] business. Bryan McCully is a new cial occasion. Several of us from “Copyright © 2004 by Wrangell face. He is a guide with St. Elias the McCarthy-Kennicott Commu- St. Elias News. No part of this pub- Alpine Guides. Skylar Kline, a nity Church attended the service lication may be reproduced by any guide for Kennicott Wilderness and rejoiced with the 5 candidates means without the express permis- sion of the publishers.” Guides, has been coming to work and those who were celebrating the greatest of all freedoms— Contributors to this issue: Peggy here for several years now. Both of Guntis, Laurie Rowland, Susan these young men made several their spiritual freedom. It’s very Smith, Ron Simpson, George Ceb- trips to the WSEN office to use possible this was the first time the ula, Robert King, Dorothy Adler, our Internet service. Not only are swimming hole was used for such Kevin Smith, Lynn Welty and Neil they both mountaineering guides a glorious event; I pray it won’t be Darish. the last! Subscription price is $11 for one but they are each taking college year in the USA. Canada $12.50. classes online — complete with I know I have mentioned this Other countries $20. Advertising taking tests. Bryan is studying an- before but this page is normally rates upon request. Deadline for thropology and Skylar, computer the last page that is written. This publication in next issue is August design. Starband services are cer- gives us one last opportunity to 15. tainly changing the opportunities mention items that are very im- PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. for people in the McCarthy area. A portant to us (and some of you!). few more dishes have popped up Many of these items would have WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2004 PAGE 3 Items of Interest Barbara drove up from St. Kim’s) home on the hill. That is Howard and Chris Haley: Louis with a friend who kept her one subject Peggy and I didn’t There is terrific news out of the company on the long drive. Short- venture into today – Jim’s projects Haley household these days! How- ly after she arrived, Barbara set up for this summer. I’m sure we will ard has retired from the teamsters camp at the West McCarthy Way- get there, however, as our after a long 30 years. He worked side. Because she and John hope Rummikub/chess games will be- in Valdez at the Alyeska Oil Termi- to have a small custom house (on gin this coming Thursday night. nal and called Valdez home. the pattern of a Kennicott cot- I’ll keep you informed! Things are changing for the Haleys tage) built this summer on their Welcome back, Jim and Peg! and they decided to celebrate with property west of the Kennicott Scott, Sally Wallin and daugh- a trip – traveling to the beaches of River, the decision was made for ter Anna: Writing about the Homer, Whiskey Gulch and Ninil- Barbara to stick around the area. Guntis’s brings me to the Wallin chik to dig for butter and razor Before long she landed a job at family. As most of you know, Sally is clams. Mountain Arts Gift Shop in down- Jim’s daughter. The Wallins also live They are back home – mean- town McCarthy. In her spare time in Tucson. Last fall they (Scott, Sal- ing McCarthy now – and Howard is she visits the property, makes ly and Anna) purchased a piece of not wasting any time in making plans for their home-away- from McCarthy area property down the the most of his retirement. He and home and is talking with local road from Jim and Peggy. If you’ve Chris are planning the new addi- contractors – gleaning from their been reading WSEN for awhile, you would have come across an item or tion to their cabin which will expertise. If all goes as planned, two of interest about this special (eventually) include an enclosed John will fly up in August and give family as they have made a variety of porch, master bedroom on the Barbara a hand with further deci- trips to this area. ground flour, a utility room and a sion making and accompany Bar- Scott and Sally drove the Alcan bathroom. bara back down the Alcan. By the time the Rices leave the area, they in their “glorified” bus (a school Another “new” addition is the hope to see the start of their bus made over into an RV) and An- arrival of Abby, a 10 month old dream come true. na in her pickup truck. They made Blue Heeler lab mix. Abby was a it here before Jim and Peggy. Short- surprise gift to Chris from Howard Barbara and John, we wish you ly after their arrival, Rick and I Christmas Eve. both the very best! walked down to say hello. Sally It is apparent to all that the Jim and Peggy Guntis: The greeted us at the door of her Haleys are looking good these Guntis’ just arrived for the sum- “home” on wheels and invited us in days and wearing their retirement mer. Although Peggy is busy un- for coffee. well. Congratulations, Chris and packing, she took the time to hop Perhaps it is just a womanly Howard! on their 4 wheeler and come over thing, but I really wanted to see in- for a cup of tea! Jim and Peggy Barbara and John Rice: The side.