Archive for August, 2008

We had a great visit out to Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park. You’re likely to see bears right along the beach when you land–just like we did:

When you go to Katmai, you have to go on the tour of the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes. Check out the orange color of the ash and pumice in the valley. Here, videographer Scott Slone of Alaska HDTV.com hikes with Mike Fitz, our ranger with the National Park Service: 

At the Valley floor, the Ukak River really cuts through the pumice and ash, forming a  dramatic canyon:

The Ukak River is a raging river, that’s for sure!

Here I am–with the ash and pumice canyon in the background. Dramatic! Don’t miss it!

Watch AlaskaHDTV.com for upcoming episodes of our Katmai adventure!

We took another trip on Alaska’s Marine Highway this week, back from Ketchikan to Juneau on the mighty m/v Taku. I took this shot off the stern as we were coming into Wrangell at about 9:00pm: 

In Ketchikan, we stayed at the Best Western Landing hotel because it’s got free wireless, a good breakfast spot– and it’s right across the street from the ferry terminal. In fact, here’s a shot of the hotel that I took from the deck of the Taku. That’s the ferry terminal on the left. The hotel has the green roofs. Squint and you can see the “Best Western” logo on the building on the right. And although they have a free shuttle, you don’t really need it.

We rented a car from my friend Rob Skinner at Budget, located at Skinner Sales and Service. 

While we were there, (more…)

Traveling on the ferry is the best way to see Southeast Alaska “up-close and personal”.  We sailed on the Matanuska from Juneau to Ketchikan. Here’s a shot of the dock in Auke Bay, which is where the ferry dock is located about 12 miles north of Juneau (five miles north of the airport):

Our stateroom was small, but functional. (more…)

Kewl! Check out newest version of “Alaska Rap” by Tim Duffy of St. Elias Alpine Guides in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Courtesy AlaskaHDTV.com . To see the HD version of this–and the other great shows, subscribe to the Video Podcast in iTunes.

Tim Duffy | St.Elias Alpine Guide | AlaskaHDTV.com from Alaska HDTV on Vimeo.

Barely 20 miles out of Juneau is some of the wildest country you’ll ever see. But you can’t drive there. You have to get there by boat, plane or helicopter. 

We opted for a boat. A friend’s boat, actually. One of my good friends, Jack Manning, is active in a local outdoor-enthusiast’s group: The Territorial Sportsmen. This group builds and maintains cabins on public lands for sportsmen, hikers and adventurers. Here’s a picture of his boat, anchored in the Taku River:

After setting out from Douglas Harbor, across the bridge from Juneau, our first landfall was at the Taku Glacier Cabin. (more…)