In the pit at the Alaska Rock Gym Kerry Tinzman told us about cragging at the Wosnesenski Glacier near Homer. The rock climbing closer to Anchorage is terrible. The Seward Highways was rated one of the top five worst climbing venues in the US. On the plus side, all rock climbing means a TRIP! Shitflyclimbing, a now defunct site, gave us the Wos beta.
Joining us for the adventure was our nephew Miles Goritsky. Miles just graduated from high school in Camas, Washington. He needed to get his yayas out with somewhat responsible adults.
At Northwind Aviation in Homer we learned that Kerry was dating Jose de Creeft, the Northwind pilot. Kerry flew in with us, giving us the grand tour along the way, pointing out bears and climbs.
We landed a quarter mile from camp.
An alder forest protected us from wind draining off the Iceworm Icefield. This area seems to be a rain shadow from the uglier Prince William Sound weather. Kerry said winter water ice climbs freeze here every year.
Cathy on Womb with a View (5.10a).
Miles on Sloppy Peach (5.9+++).
After our second day of cragging we walked up to the glacier. A glacial river disappeared into that whirlpool below us. Eeep!
Miles is the son of Karen, Cathy's sister. He has strong Flanagan genes and is capable of any physical feat.
Is Miles saying "Ouch!" or "Ahhhh!"?
After climbing we packrafted the Wos River to Kachemak Bay. The National Geographic Trails Illustrated map shows this river as a Fjord and calls it Quiet River.
Miles, here's your boat, a paddle and your life preserver. Do you see those big rocks? Steer around them.
We thought about butt-boating the side creeks. Miles thought they'd be like Splash Mountain in Disney World.
On Kachemak Bay, after the five-hour float.
We camped near Haystack Rock, where the water taxi would pick us up.
Waiting for Mako's Water Taxi. Bald eagles everywhere, like pigeons in Trafalgar Square.
Back in Homer. Miles is off to Western Washington University this fall to study writing and history.