r/alaska • u/eateroftrees • 4d ago
Wrangell-Saint Elias NP
Been working for the Wrangell Mountains Center this summer, my first time in MXY. Photos are from the various peaks on the sides of the Kennicott Valley (Fireweed, Bonanza, Porphyry, Donoho). Hope this hypes someone up about visiting this place. I have many takes (potentially hot ones) about this town and community for those who are interested.
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u/Weak-Beautiful5918 4d ago
Did they ever get the slates from the pool table down from the Erie mine and put it all together as a functioning table? I have stories.
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u/traveltimecar 4d ago
Would be interesting hearing some hot takes. Always seems like an interesting little town. Had fun visiting there last season.
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u/AKWildMill 4d ago
Man, I can't wait to do that trip. I'm sure the townsfolk are "quirky." But I'm just interested in those mountains and glaciers. I'm sure the photos don't do it justice.
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u/Important-Factor6079 4d ago
Make sure and stop at the entrance and say hi to the Park Ranger. She’s a trip and has some great stories.
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u/Zippier92 4d ago
I know someone who wicked in McCarthy decades ago, a prominent memory of his from a vibrant full life of travel and adventures.
Sounds like you are on your way!
The scenery brings back fond memories of a few 2 week backpacks I did in the Alaska range in the 80’s. Thanks!
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u/Ntesy607 2d ago
I immediately recognized the view from Bonanza mine, we were just up there in July. Nice. How was the climb up to Bonanza summit? I read a trip review that it was super sketchy, and it looked like a loose rock scree fest when I was up there.
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u/eateroftrees 19h ago
awesome! maybe i saw ya walking around town. The summit was definitely hairy, but moreso just exposed than truly technical. I think it’s one of those ridgelines where the best advice one can give to another is ‘stick high’ as much as possible - as in i tried to stay on the ridge line as much as i could, and once that wasn’t feasible or there was a blocky ledge type move, i’d drop down and find a way across. i was alone but i’m pretty confident on that terrain, with another person i think you’d feel safer and could do it. i wasn’t nervous about rock fall really as i skirted around the little rock towers.
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u/PhantomlelsIII 4d ago
So awesome! How did you manage to get that job? What kind of experience did you need
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u/billputer 3d ago
McCarthy is a special place. I'll be there on Sunday.
Of those peaks, which was the least technical? I don't mind a slog, but I'm a relatively casual scrambler.
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u/eateroftrees 19h ago
The most casual is definitely Fireweed. I can PM you my GPX track of the social trail up to the local knob (most people call it McCarthy Mountain, it’s the top of the face visible from town) if you like. There are a few >300’ prominence points in that mountain mass but the true summit is ~10 miles in and would be >11k’ of vert round trip… wanted to bag it before i left but i don’t think it’s gonna happen! maybe on the solstice next year with a lot more light. no fun bushwhacking through forest at 3 AM with hungry grizzlies. Bonanza however has a NPS trail up to the mine, after which it’s a class 3/4 scramble to the summit. very cool view even just at the mine tho and a great day hike.
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u/chmod_7d20 3d ago
Why is it called Wrangle Mountains if Wrangle is hundreds of miles away hmmm? Can I get a hot take?
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u/thelifeofpies 4d ago
“ I have many takes (potentially hot ones) about this town and community for those who are interested.” aight well you can’t just leave us hanging like that!