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SE Alaska sure is beautiful when you can see it.

I climbed Mount Juneau with my son today. It was a pretty clear day and we could see seemingly forever (all the way as far as the Glacier Bay area). There was an endless sea of peaks visible in almost all directions. It was a grand site for sure. For dinner we flew to the Taku lodge and ate dinner there. Blue skies and incredible scenery.

Two days ago though, we climbed over the Gold Ridge, Gastineau Peak and Mount Roberts in a whiteout and didn't see a thing.

SE Alaska sure is beautiful when you can see it. Three more mountains, the Chilkoot Trail and a short rafting trip are still to go. We're hoping for some good weather, but we'll see.

Glad you're having a good time. I've spent a fair amount of time in Juneau and SE Alaska and I think what your having is good weather if your not getting dumped on. Here is a shot on me on Gastineau in the early 2000's. Does the background look familiar?

Does the background look familiar?

No; since we didn't get a background. Everything was covered with snow too.

The sun is out today again. We're off to hike the Dan Moller trail before catching a ferry to Haines.

Just climbed several peaks since the last post and in perfectly clear weather.

I thought views from Mount Juneau was spectacular (and they are), but the Ripinski-Peak 3920 Ridge (near Haines) was absolutely stunning (and the weather was clear). The views of the Cathedral Spires and other peaks (hundreds and hundreds of them) are much more spectacular than even places like the Tetons, Wind Rivers and the North Cascades (and I'm from Washington). Kessler (my nine year old son) had a great time as well and we did a 10 mile alpine traverse with 5100 feet altitude gain in eight hours (which was an eight hours well spent). It was an awesome day and one of the best ever.

I have got to come back and climb some of the big ones.

That entire region between Vancouver BC and Anchorage is amazing. It's so huge and inaccessible that it's a bit overwhelming. http://mapfrappe.com/?show=3428

But the "when you can see it" part is frustrating. I was in the Glenallen area on 3 separate occasions and only once caught a slight glimpse of Mt. Drum, and none of the higher Wrangells.

Here is my report from the trip:

http://www.summitpost.org/an-odyssey-th ... ska/747192