The last two weeks of March is a busy time for Alaskans who live off the road system. These folks need to re-supply cabins and be prepared for Spring break-up when travel is inhibited by the change of seasons. River ice thaws, the snow melts, and snow boots are replaced with mud boots. Mike Wood of Chase says that it feels more like conditions of April 10th than Spring Equinox. He also knows of people all around Alaska, including communities of the Kobuk River, Iniakuk Lake and Anaktuvuk Pass that are also impacted by the early spring thaw.
By mid-morning on Tuesday, the Chase Trailhead parking lot in Talkeetna seemed a little bit like rush hour. Scott Scearce of A2Z Construction was busy preparing his sleds for the transport of 6,000 pounds of material for a remote cabin.
“We’re getting ready to freight a cabin kit out….Breakup’s happening real quick, and the ice is getting thin, so it’s getting real sketchy. [We are] trying to get the stuff across the river as quick as we can before the ice goes out.”
By mid-day on Tuesday, temperatures were already almost reaching forty degrees Fahrenheit. Scott Scearce and his team were waiting for materials to arrive at the parking lot, and were anxious about getting going on the trail before things warmed up even more. Scott has lived in Alaska for forty-two years, and has never seen breakup come this early.
“The ice is melting real quick.”
Scott Scearce says there are signs to look for that indicate when river conditions are becoming unsafe.
“Start looking for the popcorn ice where it starts getting little balls….That’s when you know the river’s about to go. When you get that water on top…where you start seeing cracks, just try to stay away from it if you can.”
While Scott was a little nervous about the day’s conditions, he had backup with four strong snowmachines and a crew to keep an eye on each other as they attempted to make the river crossing happen.
Aside from continually examining the quality of the ice while moving upriver, Scott is a firm believer in the buddy system.
“Always have somebody with you. Don’t start riding on the river by yourself. It’s just too dangerous. You don’t want to end up in the river.”
Scott’s company, A2Z Construction, is one of the few companies that work year-round transporting building materials to remote areas. He has a keen sense of how the conditions are from year to year.
“We’re at least a month ahead on the breakup. Ice is going quick….It’s happening fast- way earlier than normal.”
The Chase Trailhead parking lot
was busy with people both taking things out and bringing things in. Among
them was Sharon Roesch and her husband, Norm, along with their dog, Gaia.
Sharon has also noticed deteriorating trail conditions.
“The rain has made the snow pack get really soft….It’s not so great any
more. It was great a couple of weeks ago.”
Overall, the warmer temperatures have created a lot more difficult travel conditions on rivers and trails, and backcountry travelers should take caution.
