It’s been over a month now since I moved to my Alaskan Summer Home, The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, located in Aialik Bay, but the reality of being here is just beginning to sink in. I believe it has taken so long because this is place should exist only in dreams…
…When the clouds clear the mountains shoot out of the sea in dramatic jagged grandeur, the sun hits the peaks and the lingering snow shimmers a sparkling glistening gleam, the view out of the bay is nearly infinite hindered by nothing but the curve of the earth, the glaciers thunder with inconceivable might and the fallen ice flows out to the sea in an ancient march of maddening power and patience... To call this work seems like cheating, as I’d want to be doing this anyway. On top of the job I have never seen nor heard of an office with such a spectacular view. Our crew of 22 is filled with personalities of the smart, the funny, the creative, the thoughtful, and even the exceedingly kind. I have read all the signs and hold the feeling that this will become a truly remarkable summer.
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Photography in the modern world means being on social media, I recognize that and have taken the initiative to be more relevant and reach more readers. I am therefore happy to announce that TNT is now on Instagram @trampntrekker.
But if Instagram isn't your thing remember you can follow TNT on Facebook, for one photo every week. I appreciate the continued support - Follow, Like, Comment, Support - Thank you. El Chaltén is everything a trekker would hope for; enough services within the town and plenty of treks just outside. Here, the travelers themselves have an outdoorsy vibe and the morning commute is a march of walking sticks, backpacks and climbing gear dangling behind. Like most of Patagonia, the sole reason people come here is simple: to be outdoors – and it’s easy in a place like El Chaltén.
The park itself is a splendid place, frequented by well informed and friendly rangers, with well maintained trails and sheltered camping spots in all the right places. All this logistical simplicity plus a fantastic view requires only a minimal amount of effort. There’s glaciers and waterfalls, stone towers and peaks, there’s streams and forests, lakes and open meadows – creating a perfect windswept landscape – a very very windswept landscape. If you cant tell by now I have formed a very high opinion of this place. It’s no secret and it will certainly continue to grow, I can only hope it will remain such a trekkers paradise.
Anyone who ventures this way knows the story of Ernest Shackelton; if not in depth at least in murmurs. His Endurance Expedition has become infamous for its doom yet famous for its redemption. I won’t go into the gritty details as many others have written very worthwhile accounts, instead I’ll talk a little about the significance of the places we visited.
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