After a few days of earn-your-turn from the motorhome on the various famous passes of Southwest Alaska, the first heli day of our Dreamline trip had given us a taste for more!
And Karren's email from H2O-Guides was greeted with corresponding euphoria, promising us a place in the helicopter for the next day. We immediately made our way back to Valdez.
However, our next helicopter adventure had to be postponed as the weather was not yet at its best and it was still snowing heavily. So we took a not unwelcome down day to recharge our batteries properly. And the best way to do that is with good food!
This evening, the Motorhome table was transformed into a banquet table, with king crab and lobster as a luxury side dish on the menu. We had been looking forward to this meal for days. After a few beers and what felt like two hours later, our motorhome stank like a fishing boat, but our stomachs were full and it tasted delicious! That was the food of the trip! In the evening, there was a party with live music as part of the Tailgate Festival at Valdez harbor.
AK-Heli-Lines at its best
It was on again! Bluebird day after an intense snowfall, so of course we were immediately fully motivated on the way to the heli. Every freerider waits for days like this, and we were right in the middle of it instead of just being there! Arriving at the helipad with big grins on our faces, there was a change of guide and drum roll, we got Dean Cummings! Bluebird heli day with Dean as guide, what more could you want? That will be ... wait ... it's coming soon ... lay ... DÄR!
An amazing day took its course. It was an indescribable feeling to be skiing lines with a freeride legend on a day like this. We arrived back at our motorhome in the evening overjoyed. After a relaxing beer, we were asked whether we wanted to fly again tomorrow? After a quick weather check, there was nothing for us to think about - of course we wanted to!
The weather was once again at its best, with blue skies from early in the morning. Today we were allowed to set off with lead guide Mike. We must have made a good impression on Dean the day before (quote: "Those guys can ski fucking everyting"), so we tackled steep lines again with Mike. The classic AK lines with spines and Bergschrund were also on the agenda today. Our enthusiasm had almost reached boiling point. After a long chat with Mike, we met up again with Dean's wife Karren and discussed what other options we had for interesting AK terrain. In the evening we received another e-mail saying that we could fly to a large face with Dean the next day in the late afternoon and at a fair price. Again, we didn't hesitate for a second and the next adventure was just around the corner.
After a brief chat with Dean about our wishes, we were already back in the helicopter. After another flight through an incredible landscape, Dean asked us what we thought of the Face? Face? A steep flank that looked incredible in the afternoon sun. We said, this face up here? Dean confirmed it again and wanted to know who wanted to ride what. Andy opted for the right-hand spine and Didi for the left. Chris was dropped off on the hill diagonally opposite to take photos. Dean then showed us how to handle a spine perfectly. A little later, the adventure began for Andy and Didi. Both completed their lines on the spine in a controlled manner - with the following sluff constantly under observation. What a terrain! Unfortunately, the action didn't end so well for Chris and he was picked up again at the summit, as the heli time was already quite advanced.
Last days of ski touring enjoyment
After incredibly intense days of heliing and a downday, it was time for us to earn our turns again. So we headed back up from Valdez to Thompson Pass, where we were once again out and about with Claudia and Alex. Both of them also had a good tip on where we could find good snow. After a very long approach, a gigantic basin awaited us. We could see many untracked gullies on the east and west sides. After a brief discussion, our destination was already decided: the north face at the end of the basin. After another long walk, we finally reached the end of the basin and continued on foot. However, we were first rewarded with a magnificent view and then a descent with the finest powder and the beautiful day was once again rounded off with a barbecue and beer.
On yesterday's ascent, we had already found our new destination: another basin, a little further to the east. As on the previous day, the ascent was not exactly short. Our descent destination there was to be a beautiful gully in eastern exposure. We got our money's worth there too.
As time went on, we packed up our tents at Thompson Pass and made our way back to Anchorage. The outstanding trip, which clearly exceeded all our wishes and expectations, was celebrated in the nightlife of Anchorage before we started the long journey back to Munich.
In Munich, we were greeted properly. Our girls were waiting for us in dirndls with a poster saying "Dahaom is Dahaom". They also brought beer and Leberkäse. We couldn't have imagined a better welcome!
More pictures in the gallery
