SEWARD - A LITTLE BOAT CRUISE

EXIT GLACIER AND HARDING ICEFIELD

The Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield are located in the Kenai Mountains on the Kenai Peninsula. There is a trail that follows the glacier upon to it's origin, the Harding Icefield. The Harding Field is the largest icefield solely contained within the United States, covers more than 480 square kilometers and spawns about 40 different glaciers.

ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTRE

The AWCC is a non-profit organisation that takes injured or orphaned animals. The idea is to release them after recovery, but it also provides a permanent home for individuals that can't get released into the wild anymore.

WHITTIER

During World War II, the us army was looking for a Spot to build a secret military installation. So Whittier was created, sourrounded by impassable mountains and only accessible by ship or a 2.7 mile supply tunnel. The tunnel opened in 2000 for auto traffic, with eastbound and westbound traffic alternating every 15 minutes. There is not much to see in Whittier despite of some abandoned buildings and the harbour with lots of fishing boats and cruise operators.

ANCHORAGE

Located in South Central Alaska, Achorage is the largest city in the State. About 300'000 people are living here, what is about half of the whole Alaskan population. The city is primarily big and not very pretty, so don't spend a lot of time to find a nice place where you could enjoy your slice of Pizza - we ended up eating it in the car.
The Botanical Garden and the Anchorage Museum of History & Art though are worth a visit, you'll get plenty of information.
And last but not least - don't go to the Waterpark. Even thgough it was listed in the Children Section in the Lonley Planet, we checked it out. It also wouldn't have been that bad IF some things there would have been working. So we only got to enjoy one water slide out of four, a wave pool without waves and a hot tub with cold water. But at least we got a hot shower at the end, a pure pleasure after some days without running water ;-)

HEADING SOUTH TO VALDEZ

On the Richardson Highway south to Valdez, you pass several places where you can spot a part of the Trans Alaskan Pipeline. Completed in 1977, it runs almost 1,300 km from the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, in the Gulf of Alaska.

View on Gulkana Glacier from Isabel Pass

Valdez is supposed to be the "Switzerland" of Alaska. Well the drive down there was quite scenic, but Valdez itself was covered in clouds and so actually one of the nicest shots was that one, taken in the evening at the harbour.

Salmon and raspberries, both on the menu for bears. Armed with a bear deterrent pepper spray we tried to feel a little safer while following a nice path along the shore, passing all this bear goodies...

HIKING THE KESUGI RIDGE

Fully packed, we started this adventure on a Friday afternoon at the Little Coal Creek Trailhead in Denali State Park.
48h, 43km, 2895m total elevation gain, some mud, a littel bear experience, a perfect chocolate cake and some cracked pants later, we ended our trip at Beyers Lake Campround - tired but totally happy!