Backcountry Touring

Welcome! There are many new fantastic trips planned for this year...check them out! Scroll to the bottom of this page to get a more detailed description of what to expect on your next adventure!

Note: This is our initial list of 2008-09 Tours. We anticipate adding more. Check back to the newsletter and this Tour page often for the latest information. Up to date information regarding specific information about tours immediately before they are held can be found by calling the Tour Hotline at: 566-3048. If you don't see a tour here and would like to see one, contact us about leading the tour. We can make is easy and provide assistance to help you.

Travel under the rugged and beautiful peaks of the Little Susitna Valley in Hatcher Pass for a spectacular day of skiing on the Gold Mint trail. Plan on meeting at the Carrs Muldoon parking lot near the bakery at 9 am on Friday, Nov 28th,.. From there we'll car pool to the Gold Mint trailhead near the Motherlode lodge. If you'd rather meet us at the trailhead, expect to see us about 10:30 am.

We intend on skiing about 5 miles up the valley (10 miles round trip) with an overall elevation gain of 800 feet over the 5 miles. The trail is relatively steady with just a few fast downhills. While the terrain is suitable for a beginner the length of the ski may not be.

Be prepared for the elements: wind, cold and precipitation. Bring adequate water and food. For those skiing with their dogs, porcupines are in the area.

Expect to arrive back to the cars about 3:30 or 4 pm on Friday depending on how much fun we are having.

The weather forecast for the Palmer—Wasilla area is located at:
http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/pubfcst.php?fcst=FPAK51PAFC#AKZ111

A weather station which reports snow depth and temperature is located at the Independence Mine which is several miles away from our trailhead is found at:
http://ambcs.org/cgi-bin/siteCurrent.cgi?site=INDEPENDENCE_M

The latest Hatcher Pass snow report might be available for viewing at this website:
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/asp/hpsnowreport.pdf

If you have more questions email us at anchoragenordicskitours@gmail.com or call 336-1717.

February 7, 2009, Saturday - Exploratory Trip Center Creek
(North Johnson Pass Trail, Kenai Peninsula)

AKZ111-281400-
MATANUSKA VALLEY-
INCLUDING...PALMER...WASILLA...SUTTON...CHICKALOON
400 PM AKST FRI FEB 27 2009

.TONIGHT...SNOW BECOMING LIKELY TOWARDS MORNING. LITTLE TO NO SNOW
ACCUMULATION. LOWS 10 TO 15 ABOVE. VARIABLE WIND 10 MPH.
.SATURDAY...SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATION 2 TO 4 INCHES. HIGHS IN THE MID

20S TO LOWER 30S. VARIABLE WIND TO 10 MPH.

March 14 and 15, 2009, Saturday and Sunday - Manitoba Mountain Telemark and Tour overnight

Cheat Sheet for NSAA Back Country Tours
By Bob Sutherland
Touring Section Leader 336-1717 anchoragenordicskitours@gmail.com | Website

Our plan is to have a fun time on the trail. So a here is a list of things to bring and what to expect to make this as enjoyable and trouble free as possible.

Frequently on our tours there will be stops on the trail for water, food and visiting. And to help re-energize and to enjoy ourselves we’ll also take time to have lunch and visit as well. Bringing good lunch, break food and water are important. At our stops, make sure you have a jacket and other softwear to put on so you can keep the chill off.

Good working gear is essential. If this is your first ski trip of the season, check your skis, boots and poles to make sure they are up to the task. Breakdowns in the backcountry are a real pain in the neck. Of particular importance is appropriately fitting footwear. Long backcountry trips with poorly fitting boots spells disaster for your feet. Nothing spoils any sport like foot gear which does not fit.

Metal edged skis are not essential. Since we’ll use the traditional diagonal stride while skiing, skate skis are probably not appropriate as well.

It’s always good to check the weather and see what gear might be appropriate to bring along. I strongly advise bringing a day pack and loading it with warm comfortable clothes. Obviously warm gloves or mittens and something to keep your head warm are important. You also might want to wear long underwear on colder trips. And bring fleece or other heavier jackets depending on how much added warmth you need for the breaks and lunches. I also advocate bringing something for the wind and if necessary snow (and rain). Being prepared in the backcountry, is always good advice.

Dogs on trips can make them much more pleasurable. And they are welcome on the trips I lead as long as they get along with other dogs. Unfortunately, dog fights are repulsive and are unallowable. We really don’t care who starts the fight, we just don’t want to be there for it. Dogs staying in the confines of the group are welcome but those who might chase animals shouldn’t be brought either.

Feel free to contact your trip leader if you have any questions. Asking questions can clear up confusion and assist you in your preparations for your ski trip. Questions are good.

NSAA RELEASE FORM - must be completed

Anchorage weather forecasts and observations
The observations hypertext on the left frame includes Glen Alps.

Temperature and snow levels for Turnagain Arm and Pass

For the latest in temperature and wind at Glen Alps visit the following website:
http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/obs.php?stnid=GAHA2&phours=6

A zone forecast for the Anchorage vicinity can be found at:
http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/pubfcst.php?fcst=FPAK51PAFC#AKZ101

NSAA 203 W. 15th Ave. #204, Anchorage Alaska 99501, 907-276-7609, Fax 258-7609, nsaa@alaska.net