Stop #4: AK - Week 2

July 1- 7, 2012

After three days in Tetlin, we hit the road again headed toward McCarthy.

60 miles of dirt road proved to be a challenge as one of our  vans got stuck along the way

One day was spent exploring the ghost town of Kennicott

That, in its day, made millions from mining copper

The mounds of dirt may look like a gravel yard; however, that is actually part of the Kennecott Glacier.
As the glacier has melted away, it left behind the bits of earth that it gathered as it slowly moved along.

We stopped to talk with the Park Ranger

and then grabbed some lunch

before heading back to camp

Before turning in for the night, I had to go and check out a local food joint called the Potato. 

Independence Day was a time of celebration in town

from a gallery exhibiting local artists 

to games for the family

and photos of Independence Day in McCarthy throughout the years

I was even inspired to create some art around our campfire

before the evening fireworks show started at midnight

The day to go ice climbing finally arrived

With crampons on

and ice tools in hand

I worked hard to climb to the top 

and was rewarded

with an amazing view to my right

and to my left - the root glacier 8 miles away

A wide angle of our glacier climb

Time for the mile and a half trek back  

Definitely one for my favorite days thus far!