Things are changing in western Alaska. The sun is rising earlier and setting later, the sea ice is melting, and the streets of Nome are turning into clouds of dust. On top of all that, this year’s volunteer cohort is making plans for next year.
We’re all doing something different, moving to different parts of the country and pursuing our passions. Some have more concrete plans than others. I know my passion lies in radio, I’m just not sure where that will take me after July 22, my last day at KNOM.
To deal with the stress of cover letters, interviews, and uncertain futures, I turn to the place that makes me the happiest: the mountains.
I was in Anchorage a couple of weekends ago and got to tackle one of my favorite hikes: Knoya Peak.
It’s a fairly simple mountain, with parking at the base and a couple thousand feet of climbing before you’re looking down on the city. In the summertime, the face of Knoya is covered in low-bush blueberries, making for a fruitful feat.
Since it’s spring, the pickings were slim, though I did munch on some of last year’s cranberries. I was in heaven and was even joined by a KNOM alum Zach Hughes, who had never seen the city he now calls home from that vantage point.
While the sun doesn’t stay out as late in Anchorage as it does in western Alaska, it still shines long enough for an after-work hike. I met up with my best friend Britta last weekend in the big city and we tackled another one of my favorite easy-access hikes: Arctic Valley.
That’s another great spot for berry picking in the late summer and early fall, but this time, we settled for steep climbs and rewarding views.
While the peaks are smaller, the reward is just a great when hiking in western Alaska. I’ve gone up and down Nome’s Anvil Mountain a handful of times this past week to clear my head from the stresses of work and job-hunting.
The view looking south lets you see just how far the sea ice has receded, and to the north, you can see just how much the snow has melted in the Kigluaik Mountains.
I still don’t know where I’ll be come August after my volunteer year at KNOM wraps up, but I do know one thing: if there are mountains to climb and radio to make, I’ll be a happy gal.
