Map is useful, but...about navigating skills
by Scandic
There are many people, who find Anchorage hard to navigate. I bet, for the first time I was little bit confused, even may I say, I'm pretty good in orientation.
Map is necessary, when you drive there for the first time, but these simple rules may help you. Along C-street you reach Southern Anchorage, when coming from downtown. When coming from South, you reach dowtownwhen driving along A-street. Good Luck and if you are the lucky one, who is not driving, check out the views!!!
Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanoes (oh my...)
by PA2AKgirl
I am not putting this in a warning because I'm a huge admirer of and have great respect for Mother Nature's power:)
Anchorage, like most of Alaska, has frequent earthquakes. In fact, the state has more earthquakes than the rest of the US states combined. While the risk is greater in some places, Anchorage has already been devastated by a major earthquake and it’s very likely to happen again (the major earthquake part). Small earthquakes happen here all the time….we had one last night about 30 miles away and in the past 24 hours, 30 have occurred. But these are so tiny that we don’t even feel them. This does give you an idea of how frequent they are.
Here’s a list of averages for the southern part of Alaska:
One magnitude 8 or larger earthquake every 13 years.
One magnitude 7 to 8 earthquake every year.
Four and a half magnitude 6 to 7 earthquakes per year.
Twenty magnitude 5 to 6 earthquakes per year.
Ninety magnitude 4 to 5 earthquakes per year. There’s really no way to plan your vacation around an earthquake that hasn’t happened yet, but the state does have a ton of information on what you can do to prepare yourself in the event it does happen. In Anchorage, we have alarms, tests, literature, websites, information on TV, people and instruments to monitor activity. Since it is a coastal area, we also have a risk of tsunamis. There are evacuation areas that take you up to higher ground with shelters. Luckily, in the event something happens in another part of the pacific, there is enough time to put out a warning. Oh, there’s lot of volcanoes not that far away, too but they give you a little more time to get out and there's none right in the city.
W/ the picture...looks like if you're in that situation, you're probably already in trouble;-)
Borders Bookstore at Anchorage
by Scandic
Yes, there are Borders everywhere in States. But Anchorage has a really nice one. I spent time here every week. Not just time, money too. For coffee, for books. I could call it my living room.
They have a good selection of Alaska books here, good cards and the coffee shop is awe. Rows of magazines and the service is friendly.
I do miss it. My first weeks in Anchorage were very difficult, very sad. I was so alone. So lonely. I remember one Saturday, when I biked like crazy around the town, just be able to 'do' something, not just think. During my bike I found Borders. It felt like heaven. I mean, it was open until 10pm, there were millions of good books, cafeteria and nice people. I didn't care that I had frozen good in my backpack, I just spent hours and hours there.
No wonder I have special bond with this place:)
Skiing - Ship Lake Pass
by onebadcat
The reason I love this ski trip so much is that it gets you out into the mounatins 15 minutes from downtown. 10 minutes from my house!
This is a day ski from the Glen Alps trailhead to Ship Lake Pass (with the possibility of climbing The Wedge, The Ramp or skiing to Hidden Lake). It is a 12 mile round trip ski in a gorgeous part of Anchorage's wild backyard with many opportunities for viewing moose, ptarmagain and fox. Elevation gain on this trip is between 2000 and 3000 feet depending on your turn-around point.
Starting at Glen Alps parking lot you ski out to Powerline Trail. From here I usually like to drop down to a snow bridge and cross Campbell Creek. Start gaining elevation while you traverse SE down the valley. Eventually you will see a long gradual valley open up to your left. Start climbing. Hidden Lake is up in a tarn on your left, The Ramp is the peak at the end of the valley on your left, The Wedge is the peak up valley to your right and Ship Lake Pass is the saddle that connects the two peaks.
All your work on the way up is rewarded by an effortles glide back to the Powerline Trail. Even a few good turns in here if you are lucky! Make sure you have a pack with food, plenty of water and enough extra clothes. Plan for the worst not the best - this area gets a lot of wind so watch the weather! Classic or backcountry X-C gear is the best here although telemark setups would work too. If you need to rent gear in Anchorage try REI or to buy a cheap used setup try Play It Again Sports. Skins would be helpful but are definitely not necessary.
Tire studs or 4WD may be necessary. $5 day use fee or $40 annual state park sticker available at REI and other contractors.
Take a King
by extremist
I finally did what I always wanted to do!! Took a boat trip out in Resurrection Bay and caught a nice 30lb King Salmon, early Spring arrival, it was a beauty! I was tickled to reel in a big one. The ocean had 10ft swells and we couldn't reach the halibut that particular day, but I was happy to take home this King. We were on the ocean for 9hrs, there are potty facilities on board, a deck hand that did all the baiting and filleting, if your not a sea faring person, be sure to take motion sickness medicine! Bring own bag lunch and a camera, rain gear and eyes open for other sealife.
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near Anchorage, Alaska
Resurrection Bay, Alaska
One of the Glaciers
Moose
