Matanuska Glacier, Anchorage (Part 4/4)

When I learned about hiking the Matanuska glacier, I was hooked. I wanted to try it out, because it was such a different experience. I have already skied, very poorly I may add, on the Matterhorn Glacier when I was 14. I also have fallen down on my behind on ice as a kid in Tehran when I tried to cross the street from my parent's home to the market, but I have never tried hiking on ice.

On our way to the glacier. Ben was driving, and told me to sit up front. Couldn't argue with that. I had a perfect view of everything. He was an efficient guide, talked about his native heritage, and tried to pace the ride so that we would get to the glaciers on time.

A scenic stop.

There was road construction going on, and one of the rangers stopped us for about 25 minutes, allowing the cars coming downhill to go through first. The "Pilot Car" led the way. Our van, and all the ones behind us, were not allowed to pass the pilot car, and had to follow it whereever it meandered. Its purpose was to keep everyone safe.

So, Ben was explaining that moose eats the vegetation because it's vegetarian, and I told him that that means I'm a moose 😀

To get to the Matanuska Glacier, You walk downhill for about 15 minutes before you get to a bridge. There are different groups of hikers, and each group has one guide.

In the above photo, our guide, Jason, is handing out ice cleats—a plastic gadget with spikes that go around your shoes, and provide traction. This makes your shoes like track shoes with cleats, so that when you walk on ice, you won't slip and fall. As for me, I had an injured right ankle before I went on this trip, and if it weren't for Jason, I would have never made it through. Besides being painful, an injured ankle, throws the balance off, making it difficult to stabilize yourself on the asphalt, let alone on ice.

So, why did I do this hike with an injury? I was pissed off at myself. It's always something, the back, the knee, the ankle, and so on. I refuse to give in, and let these setbacks stop me from doing what I want. I wasn't sure if I could make it through this hike, but I went ahead anyway. Jason said that if I reach a point where I can't continue, he would call it in, and put me on an easier hike. But that never happened, because I was stubborn, and determined to do this. Anyhow, Jason, if you happen to pass by my blog, many thanks for all your help.

A great great bunch. We were all from California. Also, our group was mostly Korean with the exception of myself, and a mom, and her son. Everyone was so wonderful, down-to-earth, and got along well. We had so much fun, and I felt like I was hanging out with family, and close friends.

Jason used an ax to chop chunks of ice for us. The 600-years-old ice was pure without all the pollution you find in our water today. And I have to say that, it was pretty darn good.

Despite Jason's warning, a few of the guys wanted to climb this slippery slope for the challenge, the fun of it, and a photo opportunity.

Frozen water has ice patterns with cracks, and abstract design caused by temperature fluctuations, and repeated freezing and thawing. Moving water shapes the ice surface, forming veins, ridges, or smooth patches. Our guide knew where these were hidden beneath the frosted overlays as he cleared them with his hands to reveal nature's artwork.

Glacial ice is different from regular ice. Where there is fresh snow, the color appears white because it allows all lights to travel through it. However, in areas where ice has been compacted for many years, and is dense, the structure of the ice is different. This ice absorbs all colors except the blue wavelength, causing the ice to appear blue or turquoise.

It wasn't easy to walk with spikes on water and rocks. The water makes it slippery, and you have to be careful when you walk on gravel, and rocks. You kind of need three different types of shoes.

 

Jason told us that it's easier to do this hike during winter because snow is easier to walk on. And I agree, as I have walked on thick snow. It's more doable than on ice. 

On the way back, you turn in your ice cleats, and hike uphill for about 20-25 minutes to get to where you started. I would say that anyone can do this hike if they are not injured, and if they have a good balance. 

Tips: 

• During summer, wear a long sleeve cotton turtleneck, a windbreaker or a puffer jacket, water proof pants with fleece lining, a pair of gloves, a baseball cap, and a good pair of tennis shoes.

• Wear a windbreaker with zippered pockets, put your wallet and anything important in your zippered pocket, and leave your backpack in the car. That's what I did. People in our group were complaining about the weight of their backpack. Remember that no matter how light your backpack is, it's a whole different experience when you're moving on ice. Just take a small water bottle with you. Your guides, who are used to hiking on ice, carry a 30 pound emergency backpack. So, make sure you tip them for all their hard work.   

 

• If you feel that this hike might be a bit challenging, ask them for a trekking pole. Also, do as I say, and not as I do, meaning, if you have an injury, wait for it to get better before you go. My ankle has still not recovered from all the abuse I put it through 😏 

Resistance is not futile

Wake up! You will lose your country. 

 —Gavin Newsom

Before I get into this, I want to say that I do not support any particular party. I support humane, and intelligent sane politicians with common sense. Unfortunately, the one in office lost all his marbles long ago. 

In general, I find the democrats passive, and the republicans, aggressive. Too bad that they cannot meet halfway. But things seem to be changing in the U.S. Democrats are learning to grow some balls. I guess the level of corruption is too high of a price to pay. (image by: ArtByPam)

Americans have started to speak out fearlessly. They're pulling together in their neighborhoods to fight back ICE. There are massive protests across the nation to fight corruption. Activists, and ordinary people are joining force by getting on the streets to fight a Genocide unseen since the time of Hitler. Perhaps the  democrats such as Gavin Newsom, and Bernie Sanders, for the the first time in a longtime, are starting to act like leaders, asking people to rise, and save their country.

If you give them an inch, they take a mile. Never give them an inch. 

Long ago, I got into an argument with my brother about abortion. It was on the ballad that teenagers would need a parental consent to get an abortion. I voted against this. He voted for it because he had kids, and believed that it was the right thing to do. I asked him what if the teen got pregnant because of incest or rape, and the parents forced her to continue with her unwanted pregnancy. I said this is how they win. They chip away gradually until Roe Vs. Wade is shredded into tiny pieces. 

He now agrees with me because he has seen what has happened to abortion laws, and other laws that have come into play when no one speaks out. They just think, oh, it's something small. I'm not going to worry about it. You see, if you sit back, and think like that, all your rights will be taken away as you have seen in recent times.

I was at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday. They always start with the National Anthem. Except that I couldn't help thinking about the Irony of it all. You know that last verse of "The land of the free, and the home of the brave." All I could think of was ICE in L.A grabbing people off the streets, and sticking them into concentration camps. So, where was this land of the free, and the home of the brave that I was standing up for?

It's important to resist whether it is through the system as a politician, judge, or lawyer, an activist protesting on the street, a journalist reporting the truth, a filmmaker showing the public the hidden agendas of the controlling few, an actor like Al Pacino fighting a corrupt justice system in the movie titled And Justice for All, an artist like Bansky making a political statement by painting murals, a writer spreading the truth no matter how small the audience, or through meditation to tilt the dark energy to light. 

History has taught us that freedom is never free. We must stand up for it. Not just for us, but for the society as a whole. We should be like the Borg Drone named Hugh in Star Trek who learned that "resistance is not futile."