BY CHARLEY:
On the morning of 8/7, we landed in Juneau and all took the tram up Mt. Roberts.
Here’s some of us at the Juneau dock, with the tram behind us, and then a view from the tram:
The tram took us to the Mountain House and Nature Center (1750′) where we saw a quick movie, an inspiring story of the area and the Tlingit people.
(From Dan: Here’s some of us assembled at the top of the tram: Joe, Shosh, and Ari in front; some others in the backgrond to the right)
(Back to Charley:) The entire group did a very steep nature loop on the mountain. Here’s Father Brown’s cross (2030′):
(From Dan: Some of you may have seen Joe’s FB post of the next photo, in which he said “Reflecting on how wonderful it is that my parents still climb mountains.”)
<Charley continues:)
Then Amir, Merrill, and I continued up past the Dwarf Spruce Switchbacks, nearly to the top of the mountain, Gold Ridge (about 3150′).
This is the three of us:
“At Dwarf Spruce switchbacks”
“Merrill: Don’t Fall!”:
“Snow in the distance”:
“Happy I had two strong kids to push me to the top”:
“Let’s go down”:
It was a grueling climb and we found ourselves looking down at the seaplanes. It was a glorious view of the Gastineau Channel below. Spirits were tested, legs were sore, but we all made it back with big smiles and hungry bellies. The area is known for Black Bears and there were accounts from hikers on the trail of Black Bears earlier in the morning. Merrill and Amir headed up as cousins and came back more like siblings, wrestling and all.
Fendels in Alaska 