Summer here in Alaska passes quickly, timed closely by the blooms of Fireweed. This resilient wildflower blooms from bottom to top. It is said that once the blooms reach the top, summer is near an end. It is now early August and there are a few fireweed still in bloom, albeit at the very top of the stem. Most have already went to seed pods with all blossoms spent. This is a time for reflecting on this first Alaskan summer.

I participated in my first field work/workshop this past July. It was a good transition from what I am used to in the Great Lakes region to this new experience. To be honest, there are quite a few things we do now when heading out that we didn’t in Michigan. Preparing for hiking, fishing, travel, or field work now requires a mental checklist: inReach, bear spray, bear spray holster, first aid kit, cell phone. The key differences are grabbing that inReach and bear spray. It has taken a bit of adjustment but packing them are quickly becoming habits. 

Field work here is a bit more remote. Most sites are not accessible from the primary road system. Alternate means of travel are often required to reach them: fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, ATV, UTV, or off-road capable trucks. This was going to be a relatively luxurious outing. We would be tent camping but had access to a restroom and would be able to drive to our camping area. It required traversing some rough roads and fording creeks in the truck. Meals were to be quick – fortunately I’d brought my backpacking and camping gear on the move and could now put it to use. 

This was my first experience at a mine reclamation site. I strove to see beauty amidst the destruction. At times I struggled. But I reminded myself that the reclamation area was functional. Vegetation would take some time to fully recover, as would fish reestablishing in the site. The cascades broke nicely into pools and could become fish habitat once the population reestablish the area. We surveyed the area in detail, utilizing techniques common to stream assessment.

Evenings at camp were a mix of tired conversation, cooking (love Patagonia Provisions meals), reading and relaxing. I was glad to have brought my sleep mask since it was bright all night in my old reliable backpacking tent. I listened to ptarmigan cackle after sunset (around midnight) and just before sunrise (about 03:00). After three days in the field, the workshop wrapped up late in the day. I could either stay another night in the field or head home. Although it was a long drive home, I chose to head out that evening. A fellow participant was quite the loud snorer (even with my tent 20 ft away) so I was looking forward to a good nights rest. The drive home went smoothly and full of beautiful views.

It was good to be home.