On Wednesday, my love and I went up to Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass to assess the boulders. It was a wet, snowy hike in 75° weather..a statement that shouldn’t make sense,  but somehow does. Alaska is one strange and beautiful place. 

After a 20 minute hike from the upper Independence Mine parking lot, we found ourselves up above the mine in utter paradise.  The cool breeze cut through the intense sun like a knife through melting butter. All around us towering snow-capped peaks,  rapidly surrendered their winter blanket to the sun’s mighty rays.

We wandered up to Captain Kaboom Boulder, a 15 foot, granite boulder with problems ranging from V0 to V7.

My love and I were only a few miles away from a bustling parking lot full of tourists,  but we felt like the only people in the world. The quiet and majesty of that place both connected us and challenged us.

We worked a few V2s, enjoyed the sun and the scenery, then leisurely made our way back to the car. The afternoon was rich and full of the stuff all adventures are made of. Until the next time,  I am completely content and loving life.