Casting Call

If you wished you hadn't missed the last casting call, you're in luck.  Here's another opportunity to answer your call to fame.  

 

CASTING CALLING: ALASKAN ADVENTURERS

Are you the life of the party? Are you the ham of your friends?

Are you always hogging the spotlight?

Are you a logger, fisherman, bush pilot, or a "true Alaskan"?

If you have a big personality and love to be on camera, we want to hear from you!!

A new television show is looking for people that live or work in Alaska to be the stars of the next great adventure show.

If you are a rugged Alaskan with a thirst for adventure, then you might be just what we're looking for!

To be considered, please email us at CastingSHP@gmail.com with the subject line: "True Alaskan." All inquiries MUST include 3-5 photos, a brief bio and any video you might have.

Deadline for submissions is April 26th, so submit your name today!

AlaskAcross 13 and New Poll

I posted a new poll off in the sidebar.  And speaking of training . . . if you haven't started training yet for this summer's adventure races, you should. 

The 2013 AlaskAcross race will traverse the Clearwater Mountains and the Ahtna Plateau starting at Old Denali and ending at Meier's Lake.  Sign up now for the June 13 start date. 

 
Here are several pictures from the 2012 AlaskAcross race. 


 Ross

 Dial

 Gillis

Ross

 Tarandus

Gillis above Meier's Lake.  AKX Wildermeister.  2 days 5 hours 44 minutes.  

January Motivation

As I went out this morning for a hard five mile run my neighborhood was fairly quiet.  Most everyone was still sleeping and I had the two lane road to myself for about a mile before even a single car went past.  I was able to lose myself in thought as I chugged up the hill until I ran past the house with my good friend Mr. Pitbull.

I've run past this dog so many times I know every little quirk it has.  It sees me coming and crouches down, eyeing me until I'm at the closest I'll be to it's yard and then it sprints off at top speed toward me.  It knows how far it can go before the thick chain will jerk it backwards so it jumps into the air at just the right time.  It flies through the air before snapping backwards and then stands there growling at me until I disappear off into the distance. 

This dog easily weighs well over 100 lbs and I can see its muscles rippling when it runs at me.  It's a pure, unadulterated killing machine and would love to rip my head off.  Despite the fear of having my leg torn off on a deserted section of road, I love this dog.  It always provides me with a sorely needed surge of adrenaline and boosts my running speed significantly on a steep section of the road.

On the way back down the hill I'm running faster and can get past Mr. Pitbull's house before he knows what's going on.  Sometimes I taunt him just for good measure and payback.  "Hi, doggy.  Aren't you just a sweet little doggy?  See you tomorrow, enjoy that chain around your neck."

Sometimes you can find motivation in the most unusual things.  Search hard and use what you can find for mid-winter motivation.  Speaking of running, I put up a new poll in the sidebar.  Check it out. 

Opportunity to be a Celebrity!

Here's an opportunity to put all those years of toiling in obscurity to become a real Alaskan Hardman or Hardwoman to good use.  Instead of merely settling for that satisfied feeling of having stoically overcome severe wilderness hardships and knowing that you're more hardcore than anyone else you meet, you can now listen to crowds roar with appreciation of your eye-popping exploits.

Everyone knows Alaska is the hip new place to film extreme stuff so check it out - here's a recent casting call from National Geographic.

National Geographic Channel is looking for charismatic men and women who are skilled in the out-of-doors and want to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience highlighting their field craft. If you're an extreme backpacker, mountaineer, musher, whitewater expert, hunter, trapper, wrangler or know anyone who is, we want you hear from you.

Please contact us ASAP.

Send us an email with your contact information and a photo. Please include: name, email address, phone number, and anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself.  

You can either email me at tradingupnorth@yahoo.com to get contact information or you can email the producer directly at aknatgeocasting@gmail.com

2013 Wilderness Classic Race

The dates have been set for the 2013 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic.  Set aside June 23-29, 2013 on your calendar for the race. 

Set aside the next six months from today to train for the race. 

And then set aside the following month after the race to recover. 

Good luck!

Check out this link for comprehensive information.  http://thingstolucat.com/2013-amwc-race-info/

2012 Race Roundup

It seems like every year the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic exceeds expectations in way and this year was no exception.  The 2012 race was perhaps the most difficult race yet.  Fifteen people started the race at Thompson Pass near Valdez and seven racers finished.  As in past years, everyone exercised excellent judgment and there were no serious injuries.

There were three main routes racers used.  Take a look at this Google map for details on the routes.
Google Map of 2012 Race Routes


Final Race Results

Luc Mehl and Josh Mumm, 3d 22.5h, Bremner Route
Todd Tumolo and Gerard Ganey, 4d 4h, Ice Route
Roman Dial, 4d 9h 52m, Bremner Route
John Sykes and Mike Loso, 4d 12h, Ice Route

DNF: Dave Chenault, John Lapkass, “Team Heavy” (Greg Mills, Rob Keher, Matt Reardon), Todd Kasteler, Tyler Johnson, Danny Powers.

A couple years ago there was almost no information about the Wilderness Classic on the web.  Now you can find videos, detailed accounts of Classic experiences and fantastic photos of the race.  I'll post some links here soon.  A special thanks to Luc Mehl who has done a great job of organizing this year's race.  You can find all sorts of information, including videos and links on his blog. 

2012 Winners

Congratulations to everyone who competed in the Classic this year.  Thanks to everyone who posted information about the race and finish.  There is a good summary of the race this year here Bedrock and Paradox.  In a race that redefines brutality, this year seemed particularly brutal with many experienced and savvy racers dropping out of the race.  Luc Mehl and Josh Mumm came in first place, Todd Tumalo and Gerard Caney came in second place, and Roman Dial came in third being the first solo finisher. John Sykes and Mike Loso came in fourth place. 

2012 Wilderness Classic Applications

If you plan to do this year's Classic, you should check out Luc Mehl's website.  Thingstolucat 

It's a cool site and chronicles his amazing exploits, including his recent traverse of Mt. Logan.  Luc has all the info you need for the race.  Here is his recent announcement:  

The 2012 Wilderness Classic application is ready! Please follow the link below and print your forms. If you choose to email your application to me, please scan a paper copy so that the signatures are legally binding. Please bring the paper copy to the race start as well.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z50x9U87BzFP705p9bQhd3tL715Ir627lJYKmKmS4N4/edit

I need rookie applications as soon as possible and no later than July 2.

I need all applications and entry fees (payable to 'Luc Mehl, AMWC') by July 6. Please let me know if you are a returning racer intending to participate this year. Previous winners are now allowed one fee waive. If you have already raced free since your win, you will need to pay this year.

A few comments regarding the Chakina River exit:

A few weeks ago I floated by the Chakina confluence with the Chitina. The burned area looks highly variable for hiking- some of it looked like easy going, some looked pretty miserable. To my knowledge nobody has floated the Chakina since Embick - I have asked everyone in the area and other likely suspects. The forest fire was followed by massive flooding and the potential danger from log jams is very high. I will add some photos to the website soon. The Chitina was pretty pleasant, fast and without rapids to speak of. It will be significantly higher in July, but should be pretty straightforward.

Please let me know if you have any questions-

-Luc