While the Lower 48 celebrates Groundhog’s Day, Alaskans can thank their legislature for giving us Marmot Day!
Alaska has three species of marmot: The woodchuck, the hoary marmot and the Alaska Marmot. That last species is found only in the 49th State.
It’s a well known, historical fact that if the marmot sees its shadow on February 2, it means the ice will go out earlier on the Tanana, and an arctic fox will get an easy meal on Marmot Day.
Tickets to the Nenana Ice Classic for 2015 go on sale today. Look for the red tin at fine, upstanding establishments throughout the state. Pick the date and time you expect the tripod to move on the Tanana River ice, and if you are correct in your guess, the long lost relatives will come-a-calling. Tickets cost $2.50/guess and are available through April 5.
Good luck, and safe ice.
Poster courtesy of the Nenana Ice Classic
This could be the start of a warming trend: The thermometer read -47F this morning. Sadly, the high barely seemed to make it beyond -40. People were really crabby today. I think there were thoughts that we may make it through the entire winter without a cold snap. Delusional, but folks need to dream.
Rumor has it that tomorrow will bring temps near -20F. If so, there will be dancing in the Snowbanks.
Once again it was -50F in the valley. I think we hit a high of -35. Only two days of this, and everyone was crabby. Unfortunately, I was in a really good mood all day, and that just seemed to piss people off. Oddly enough, that just made me more bubbly.
I had to make a run into town to pick up some fuel de-icer for a client whose oil stove was acting up. He was one of the crabby ones today, even though I figured it was something simple like water in the fuel line. In town, I saw a guy on a motorcycle with a side car come out of the ice fog at a light. I knew I had far too many layers on to try to get my phone out to take a picture before the light turned. After picking up the de-icer, I saw the guy ahead of me on Farmer’s Loop. I took a quick picture, but it’s kind of hard to make out the crazy guy on the bike, but he’s ahead of the red pickup. Taking a photo in -50 degree temps is not as easy as it looks.
When I reached the customer’s home, I found that the fuel cap was flipped open, and the ladder leaning against the tank was covered in snow. I believe they call that, “An invitation”…
Walrus haulout near Point Lay, Alaska
An estimated 35,000 walruses came ashore near Point Lay, Alaska during the month of September.
Walruses may spend up to 80% of their lives in the water, but they still need to rest. Usually, they haul themselves up onto floating sea ice with their tusks, but the lack of sea ice this autumn, has led them to solid ground.
A similar concentration happened in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
When there is plenty of sea ice, the walruses are scattered about the Chukchi Sea. When they gather in large groups on shore like near Point Lay, there is a danger of getting trampled to death in stampedes, especially for the young. There are approximately 50 walrus carcasses currently on the beach near Point Lay. There is some indication that at least one polar bear and several brown bears have taken an interest in the congregation of walruses.
Photos courtesy of Corey Arrarado/NOAA
The 9th Annual “Tired Iron” snowmachine race was held on the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks today. It’s quite the event, although I always come home smelling like 2-cycle gas/oil mix exhaust.
“Tired Iron” is a series of events, with only 1979 or older model snowmachines. There are trophies for the most obnoxious sled, the oldest sled, the oldest driver, as well as races for both air and water cooled machines, and one race for sleds with a max speed of 25mph. There is also “moose nugget bowling”, which I really do not want to get into here.
Every year, the races draw quite the crowd, and this year was no exception. It was an absolutely beautiful day out on the Chena, with totally clear skies, and a high near 12 above.
Here’s a cool photo of a frozen Thunderbird Falls near Eagle River, Alaska. The pic is by Banan Tarr Photography out of Anchorage. His stuff is worth checking out, but I think one is forced to go on that facebook site to look at them.
Breakup Is Coming:
Tickets for the 2014 Nenana Ice Classic went on sale Saturday, and will continue to be available through April 5. Starting as a bet between local railroad workers in 1916 on when the ice would go out on the Tanana River, Alaskans have been betting on the outcome every year since then.
In 2013, the ice went out at 3:41pm on May 20, which set a record for the latest breakup. A Kenai couple won the $318,500 pot.
The start of the Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race took place in downtown Fairbanks on Saturday. The race takes place between Fairbanks, AK and Whitehorse YT, with the two cities alternating start years. Normally, the race starts on the Chena River when it takes off from Fairbanks, but poor ice conditions led to a start on 2nd Avenue this year.
Eight mushers made it to the first check point at Two Rivers, which is a 73 mile leg, in 8 hours or less. The trail is fast and icey from all reports.
Photos courtesy of the Daily News-Miner
