Marcelle Fressineau said she and her dog team were caught off guard by three bison in the middle of the trail. She grabbed the only tool she had.
Outdoors
George Schaaf tapped to lead Juneau parks department
George Schaaf, a former Trail Mix executive director, has been tapped to lead Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department. He will replace Kirk Duncan who retires in May.
Body of snowboarder caught in avalanche recovered
The body of Marvin Scott, 39, has been recovered. Scott of Ketchikan was caught Sunday in an avalanche on Dude Mountain. Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad teams concluded their recovery efforts Thursday.
‘Hobbit Hole’ property near Elfin Cove to become environmental field school
The nonprofit Inian Islands Institute bought the 5-acre property for $1 million after three years of fundraising. One of the founders knew the site from growing up in Gustavus.
How to save yourself when you fall through the lake ice
The ice may not be as safe as it looks. Almost daily there are reports of people stepping or falling into the water, according to officials at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, especially near the face of the glacier.
Scientist resigns in tussle over release of National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska data
The magazine Mother Jones reports that a top scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey resigned late last year to protest what he saw as a threat to the agency’s scientific integrity just before the Geological Survey released a major assessment of how much oil and gas it believes is in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Kodiak residents need to be ready for future disasters
During the quarterly meeting of the Kodiak Island Local Emergency Planning Committee, the main topic of discussion was the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that shook the Gulf of Alaska in January.
Denali National Park plans to adjust poop haul-out rules
Denali National Park plans to toughen poop hauling requirements for climbers on the popular West Buttress route up North America’s tallest peak. The rules are based on research that indicates the Kahiltna Glacier is working more like a slow-moving poop conveyer belt and less like a natural toilet than previously believed. More than 1,000 mountaineers…
Gold Star in the Chugach: Iraq veteran honors survivors
A 4,000-foot mountain on the northern edge of Anchorage has a new name: Gold Star Peak, thanks to an Army veteran from Eagle River who has been campaigning for the name since last year.
Iditarod mushers demand board president resignation, don’t get it
The Iditarod Official Finisher’s Club called for the immediate resignation of Iditarod Board President Andy Baker. The club’s letter to the board, first reported by the Anchorage Daily News, said Baker has “jeopardized the integrity of our whole livelihood through his poor leadership.”