Mart wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:38 pm Some tiny chainrings on some of those bikes
Go Karl - were following, good luck

Farewell Burn, located about 72 km north of Rohn, is often drier and has less snow than areas south of the Alaska Range due to a combination of geographical and meteorological factors:

Rain Shadow Effect from the Alaska Range
The Alaska Range acts as a significant barrier to moist air masses moving in from the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific. In winter, the prevailing storm tracks usually come from the south and southeast. As these air masses ascend the mountains, they cool, causing precipitation (snow) to fall on the windward side (south of the range). By the time the air descends into the interior north of the range (where Farewell Burn is located), it has lost much of its moisture, resulting in a drier, snow-scarce environment.

Continental Interior Climate
Farewell Burn lies in the interior of Alaska, which has a more continental climate with generally drier conditions compared to the coastal and mountainous regions. The air masses reaching this area have often already deposited much of their moisture further south.

Low Elevation and Local Weather Patterns
Compared to the surrounding terrain, Farewell Burn is relatively low-lying. Localized katabatic winds (cold, dry air flowing down from the mountains) can further reduce snowfall accumulation. Additionally, the area has been historically affected by large wildfires (hence the name "Burn"), which may also influence snow retention due to changes in vegetation and surface albedo.

Wind Scouring and Redistribution of Snow
The region is known for strong winds that can blow away accumulated snow, leading to exposed ground even in midwinter. This contrasts with areas in more sheltered valleys or higher elevations, where snow can accumulate and persist.

Prevailing Winter Precipitation Directions

In winter, most precipitation in Alaska comes from the south and southeast, originating from the Gulf of Alaska and Pacific storms. These storms release most of their moisture upon hitting the Alaska Range. North of the range, including Farewell Burn, precipitation is much lower, often arriving from the west or northwest in the form of dry Arctic air masses with little snowfall.

Would you like a more detailed breakdown of the meteorology specific to this season?

Alpinum wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:51 pm
Also interesting to see the ski leader on pin bindings in alpine touring boots, yet on back country and XC skis. Two pairs, I guess one fast set with no steel edge, narrow, small grip zone and one with steel edge, wider and with a short skin or crown grip zone. Reminds me of the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic (grassroot "race"), where back country skis with pin bindings were very popular (also with the help of the formidable Dynafit TLT boot of that time and see the benefits (being a rubbish skier myself, to control heel free pin is way easier than NNN bindings, no matter which type). I had the toe box of the shell of my Dynafit TLT's widened, thermo formed inner boot and insole, so they are very comfy, but it's still a completely stiff sole, that puts a lot of strain on the lower legs. To ski >500 km across predominantly flat terrain with alpine touring boots... wow.

Rapideye wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:00 pm I'd imagine for those hunters out there, heading to Walmart to pickup a gun and then an animal to shoot from the store is win-win.

Rapideye wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:00 pm Even undertaking this event with polar bears out there is ballsy. Good luck, Karl.

Rapideye wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:39 pm Alpinum...yeah, my dig was aimed at those trophy hunters and those who shoot for the sake of it. Not those who kill to eat. [...]

Rapideye wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:39 pm I fear a grizzly end...even from cows.

Alpinum wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:06 pm Completely unrelated. Sent to me by a good friend and thought of the ITI.
Screenshot_20250224_185031.jpg

Nome is at the sea. Polarbears don't hibernate. I mean it's dangerous!
Russia is close. I mean AK it once belonged to Russia ('till second half of the 19th century). They may want to get it back.
Got to be ready!
Also meteorites. Got to shoot them into small pieces and your way to Rome... err... Nome.

Yeehaw!

Alpinum wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:33 pm Karl arrived in Ruby last night (AK time), halfway point.
Time for a pint.


Edit: he just left Ruby

slarge wrote: ↑Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:26 pm Must be slow going! 90 miles left!