Category Archives: Alaska

Double the Fun

Courtesy of the National Weather Service

Fairbanks will officially see two sunsets today. One of our many quirks.


Coexist


Happy Summer Solstice

Graphic Credit: NWS-Fairbanks; NOAA

The latest I can remember

Fairbanks officially reached 70 degrees for the first time this season on Wednesday.

It’s the 11th latest date for hitting that mark since record keeping began.

A continuation of what was a very cool month of May for Interior Alaska.


Going Gold


Summer’s Timekeeper :

Fireweed

The Light(s) Return to the North


After midnight sunsets

Thursday night’s sunset in Fairbanks happened after midnight. Making it the first of the summer where the sun set the next day.

I absolutely love Fairbanks summers.


Climbing Season

Denali’s West Buttress Route

The first successful summit party of 2024 returned to the lowlands this past week.

Currently there are 261 climbers on The Mountain, with 952 having registered to attempt Denali this summer.

There is no “best” time to climb Denali, although May – June are the most popular. One never knows what the weather will be on Denali. Winter ascents are attempted, but are rare.

There are several possible routes, but 90% of climbers choose the West Buttress Route. It is common to spend 17-18 days on a summit trip, depending on experience, weather and group size.

Most climb in groups of 5-6. No groups larger than 12 are allowed.

The Muldrow Glacier Route was the northern counterpart to West Buttress and was considered the less technical route, but that changed with the Muldrow Glacier surge in 2021. Currently the glacier appears impassable from the air.

Photos credit: Denali National Park and Preserve


Green Up Day 2024

The Fairbanks phenomenon known as Green Up Day occurred this Saturday.

When I drove into work early that morning, there was not a green bud noticeable.

Upon my return in the late afternoon, the hills were glowing a vibrant green.

As a reminder that we are in Alaska, it snowed all day Monday.