2023 Ski Adventure in Juneau, AK

There was a possibility to go heli-skiing / heli-snowboarding today. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate.

To make the best of the day, we went to Temsco Helicopters Inc.’s hanger to do all the pre-flight work (i.e., getting weighted with all our gears, helicopter orientation, safety briefing, etc.).

Went to Nugget Alaska Outfitter for a bit of shopping. Specifically we were looking thin, somewhat insulated, and waterproof gloves (the ones Alaska Powder Descents crews use). They should be good for backcountry skiing during transition (putting on / taking off climbing skins).

For lunch, we stopped at Asiana Garden.

Sorry, no photos.

For dinner, we went to The Hangar.

Today is heli-skiing / heli-snowboarding day. Last night Kevin from Alaska Powder Descents told us to be ready to be at the Temsco Helicopters’ hangar around 08:00 but he will text us before 07:00 to confirm. The text came around 06:45 and we were told it has been delayed due to fog and that he will text us again when it is possible to fly.

Around 08:40 we got the text. We packed our gears into the van and headed to the hanger.

When we got to the hanger the fog was still hanging around, preventing the helicopter to fly. We used the time to triple check our gears.

At around 10:40 we were told the helicopter got the clearance to fly. We grabbed our gears and packed the helicopter. We finally took off just before 11:00.

Wow! What a spectacular sight. Open icefield with numerous tall sharp peaks. There are quite a bit of cracks / crevasses.

After a bit of scouting, we finally landed for our first run.

The initial 100 m of this run was a bit hard pack and steep. Kevin suggested we traverse to the left and make a sharp right and regroup. From there we skied / snowboarded down to a somewhat flat area. This section was pretty mellow. I really enjoyed it.

After regrouping, we headed down the last section where we will be picked up. This section was fairly long. Since Kevin went down without stopping, I thought I would do the same. Initially it was apparent that there is a fairly long flat part to the pickup spot. When I noticed it, I tried to go as straight and fast as I could. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough speed to get to where Kevin’s at.

The snow up here is so different compared to Eaglecrest Ski Area. There are at least 8 to 10 cm of packed powder / breakable semi-compacted semi-dry snow. Very turnable. I wonder if my own downhill skis (which I didn’t bring) would have been okay.

To the second run, we flew over the tracks of our first run.

For the second run, it was a little steeper. This run wasn’t as long as the first so we didn’t stop to regroup midway. Also, the flat part to the pickup spot wasn’t as long.

To the third run. The landing area was a lot smaller compared to the other two. It seems the helicopter landed right on a ledge.

On the third and last run, I was the last person to go down. The weather / visibility started to change for the worse just before I was given the okay to go (via two-way radio). Visibility got quite bad (whiteout) by the time I started down. As I skied down further I had a hard time seeing the tracks of my group has made (so I know where they have gone / where I need to go).

About a third of the way down I slipped on a left turn. Somehow it caused my left ski to dig into the snow a little. My right ski somehow ended underneath and a bit to the left of my left ski. My right knee felt like it hit a rock but there wasn’t anything around for it to hit. At the same time, I heard an impact or the sound of a loud pop from my right knee. I wasn’t able to move my right leg due to serve pain – seems like forever. I radioed to my group telling them I’m down and my right knee isn’t happy.

When the pain subsided a bit, I dig out the tip of the left ski. Then I freed the right ski. After that, I try to stand up. Nope! Too painful. Waited a little longer. Finally I was able to stand up.

Visibility at my elevation was still bad and getting worse. It was really tough to know where I was going let alone seeing the tracks my group have made. I couldn’t tell if I was going down, side way, or up. On top of visibility, I wasn’t able to make left turns. As soon as I made the turn, I was not able to continue due to pain. I ended up stopping (and resting until the pain subsided enough) after each left turn. The right knee also felt like collapsing / not able to support myself when it is downslope.

Slowly (and somehow) I made far enough down to see my group in the distance (as dots). It felt like a long time before I was close enough to see them as people. I was very glad to have finally made it to my crew. Kevin radioed the helicopter to pick us up.

Kevin has sprayed an outline for the helicopter to see where to land. He told me to get on the helicopter last so I don’t have to make my way to the other side.

Off we go back to airport.

After landing, I wasn’t able to help unload the helicopter. I made it in to the waiting area of the hangar and transferred my personal items in the provided avalanche air bag pack back to my own backpack. Had a sandwich. Took my ski boots off (with help). Returned all the borrowed / rental equipment.

When my crew was ready to leave, they loaded up our van and took me to Emergency Room.

ER admission said I will have to pay the visit upfront even though I have travel insurance. I called my travel insurance company to start the claim. They told me I would be covered for the visit itself and basic tests. That means only X-rays.

Kevin from Alaska Powder Descents came to the ER to visit. He also needed Eliad and I to fill out some incident forms.

At the end I was told, no broken bones but very likely that at least two ligaments (lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and meniscus) are torn. They provided me a knee immobilizer full leg brace and a pair of crutches.

Today’s dinner was at Mar Y Sol.

Lior took the 05:00 flight home.

Eliad went on a guided side-country snowboarding adventure with Alaska Powder Descents at Eaglecrest Ski Area. If my memory is correct, they went to the west side of the resort (Cropley Lake / Fish Creek area).

I didn’t do much today. Iced my knee a few times. Did a short walk (trying to get the hang of walking with crutches).

When Eliad came back, we went to get local smoked salmons at Jerry’s Meats and Seafoods. Yummy!

Today’s dinner, Eliad and I went to Asiana Garden (downtown). This location wasn’t as good as the one in the valley and they didn’t give us fortune cookies.

Today is Michael’s turn to take the 05:00 flight home.

Eliad went on a guided backcountry snowboarding adventure with Alaska Powder Descents. Their destination is Mount Troy on Douglas Island. They started from Eaglecrest Ski Area. He said the snow was nasty but the scenery was beautiful.

I iced my knee a few times. Did a little longer walk (getting a little better at walking with crutches). Bought lunch (takeout and more like brunch) at The Sandpiper Cafe.

When Eliad came back, we went downtown for coffee at Heritage Coffee Roasting Co. Eliad also bought some fudges (supposedly for his family) at Alaskan Fudge Co.

For dinner, we went to Jerry’s Meets and Seafoods to get more local smoked salmons. We also got some fresh Alaskan Black Cods for dinner. Then we went to get a few more grocery items to make dinner. Eliad cooked, of course. The Alaskan Black Cods were really good. It helps that Eliad is a very good cook.

Eliad got a text from Alaska Powder Descents that there is a possibility for heli-snowboarding today but it’s on-hold until 09:00’ish due to weather. So, we went to Heritage Coffee Roasting Co. for coffee. Yeah, this has become our regular place for coffee.

Just before 10:00 Eliad got a call to go to the helipad. So, I went for a walk. The injured knee wasn’t too happy on the walk. My arms and hands were fairly tired from the crutches.

It turned out Eliad didn’t get to go heli-snowboarding due to weather. So, we went for a drive north on Alaska Highway 7 (Glacier Highway).

The section of the Glacier Highway next to Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge has lots of bald eagles. Some of them sit on top of lampposts along the highway.

The Glacier Highway follows the Favorite Channel. We went to the end of the paved portion of Glacier Highway (at the turn off to Echo Cove CBJ Boat Launch).

On our way back we got more Alaskan Black Cod and more groceries to make dinner. Then Kevin of Alaska Powder Descents called to see if we would like to join them and other clients for dinner. We said, “for sure.” We went to In Bocca Al Lupo.

I checked in to my flight (tomorrow morning – 05:00). I asked the mobility assistance to and from the gates.

After packing up my ski gears and most of my luggage, I went for a walk.

Sorry, no photos today.

When Eliad came back to the hotel from snowboarding, we went to Alaska Powder Descents’ warehouse. He wanted to purchase a logo shirt and to see if there is spot for him to go heli-snowbarding tomorrow. Unfortunately there isn’t. They already have 4 full groups.

Eliad and I woke up shortly after 02:00. We packed the rest of our luggage and loaded up the van.

We got to the airport and they gave me a wheelchair. They said if Eliad pushes me, he can bypass the normal line and would be able to board the plane at the same time as me.

As normal, I fell asleep before the plane took off. When I woke up there was a beautiful sunrise. Eliad was still sleeping.

Landed on time. Eliad had to catch his next flight to San Jose, CA. So we said our goodbyes on the plane (because with mobility assist I will be one of the last to deplane).

The mobility assistant met me just outside the plane’s door on the jetway. They took me to the luggage claim area where Caron and Rob were already there. They helped me collect my luggage and then went to the hotel shuttle pickup area.

After arriving at the Comfort Inn and Suites, they loaded my luggage into The Beast. I was able to get into the driver seat and because we were going to their hotel a short distance away, I thought I would give it a try to drive. Success! Yay!

When we got to their hotel, they fed me their free hotel breakfast.

After breakfast, they loaded their luggage into The Beast and we started heading home.

For lunch, we went to Olive Garden in Maryville, WA.

After lunch, I refuelled The Beast near by ($3.759 per gallon, much cheaper than back home).

Back on the road.

Sorry, no photos on our drive home.

Home Sweet Home!

So nice to see fresh snow on the northshore mountains.