We want to thank everyone who entered the “Name Our Reindeer Contest” featured in our Winter 1999 newsletter. There were a total of 59 entries by the May 1 deadline and on June 2, Crystal and Agatha Christie became resident reindeer at the Agate Inn. Reindeer herding is an enjoyable experience, always with something new to learn. Lately, friends are asking if we have seen the movie, “Reindeer Games”. Our response.......we watch reindeer games every day! We haven’t seen the movie, but we enjoy watching the games our reindeer play. Here are some of Crystal’s and Agatha’s favorites.....When Harvey sets down a bucket of water (even if just for a minute) run up behind him, kick over the bucket and then kick and stomp the bucket around.... ...Ignore someone calling your name unless they shake a bucket of feed, then run full speed to beat the other reindeer to the feed.....When Harvey bends down to clear ice out of the water pan, pat him on the back with a hoof to remind him how reindeer discipline each

other...Play with the basketball by alternating between pushing it with your nose, trying to maneuver the ball with the tips of your antlers, or stomping the ball with your hoof......On a hot summer day (70 degrees F) act like you are dying from the heat until Harvey turns on the sprinkler then chase each other through the sprinkler...Play reindeer king of the hill and run to the top of the hill,

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River systems near Wasilla offer some of the best Salmon fishing in Alaska. Local guide and owner of FishTale River Guides, Andy Couch, reports the summer of 2000 (particularly the month of June) should be another good to excellent year for King Salmon fishing on the Little Susitna River. During May and July there are smaller numbers of King Salmon in the Little Susitna River, but the Talkeetna River peak King Salmon season is in early July.

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Reindeer Games...meet Crystal and Agatha Christie

2000 Fishing Forecast

Inside This Issue......

Reindeer Games...........................page one

2000 Fishing Forecast...............page one Local Events................................page two

Climbing to the top.................page three Archaeology Dig.........................page two

From Harvey and Sandy Bowers

2000 Fishing Forecast...... from page one

King Salmon run from early May through July 13. Early Silver Salmon, Chum Salmon, and Red Salmon usually start returning to the rivers by mid July. Expect better than normal fishing for these species of Salmon in late July, August, and early September. Strong fighting Chum Salmon returned to the Little Susitna River in big numbers last summer. Expect the same this year along with large numbers of Pink Salmon in late July and early August. For more information about fishing in the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys, visit FishTale

River Guides’ website at http://www.fish4salmon.com. Fishing packages, featuring four nights at the Agate Inn with three days fishing, start at $625.00 per person. For information about fishing packages, call FishTale River Guides at 800-376-3625 or the Agate Inn at 800-770-2290.

businesses moved to Wasilla. Join us for a one week archaeological dig at the old townsite of Knik. Digs are held annually, June 1 through July 31, through cooperation with the Mat-Su College and the Cultural Resources Division of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Borough charges a registration fee to join the dig of $500.00 per week, per person. University credit is also available at the cost of $80.00 per credit hour. One credit is granted per excavation week. Call Fran Seager-Boss at 907-745-9859 for details.

Archaeology Dig......Digging Up Knik

Local Events January Willow Winter Carnival February Iron Dog Race March Iditarod Days Festival Iditarod Sled Dog Race Sourdough Ball May Salmon fishing starts! June Colony Days July Wasilla Water Festival Moose Dropping Festival Palmer Pride Picnic August Alaska State Fair Dec. Colony Christmas

defend your position until the other reindeer chases you off, then take back the hill...Try to start running while standing on the ice pond.... ...Better yet, run up to the pond at full speed, stop abruptly and then slide across the ice (and we never see them fall!). One of these days we will have to catch the movie, “Reindeer Games”. In the meantime, we will no doubt observe more reindeer games as we try to train Crystal and Agatha Christie to pull a sled. The first ride will surely be a wild one! Visit Crystal and Agatha Christie at http://www.agateinn.com.

Reindeer Games.....from page one

Take part in an Alaska History Archaeology dig. Before the town of Anchorage existed, there was a native village called Knik. During the late 19th century Knik became a thriving Euro-american supply station with its hay days between 1895 and 1915. Knik was the major supply point for trappers and miners in southcentral Alaska. The old anchorage for ships to unload onto small boats later became the town of Anchorage when the U.S. Government decided to build the Alaska Railroad. With the railroad, most Knik residents and

My first dream of climbing Mt. McKinley was at age 18. I lived within site of the mountain since age 21, but I waited until age 45 to make the climb of my life. I came away from the Mountain with the overwhelming impression that I should have made the ascent when I was younger. Yet, during the climb I met three men celebrating their 65th birthday on the summit. I also met Jennifer Johnston from Anchorage who at the ripe old age of 12, was the youngest girl to summit Mt. McKinley. My best advice, if you want to climb a tall mountain, do it at your earliest convenience. The Denali climb actually starts about six months before landing at base camp. To get in shape, I did a lot of 20-25 mile hikes and ski trips with a 65 lb. pack. As part of my training program, my wife, Sandy even ventured with me to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back to the rim in a day. May and June are the best climbing months on Mt. McKinley. May can be very cold and by the end of June avalanche danger increases and crevasses open up on the glaciers making it almost impossible to travel. So, on June 10, 1995, we began the expedition by flying from Talkeetna and landing on the Kahiltna Glacier at 6,000 feet. I was a member of a 11 person guided group which planned to

summit the Mountain, then traverse over the north side of Mt. McKinley and hike out to Wonder Lake in Denali National Park. From the time we left base camp, we were roped together in groups of four. Basically, except when we were in camp, we spent a month roped within 50 feet of each other. This isn’t as bad as it sounds. When the weather cooperated we had some of the most fantastic and interesting mountain scenery you can imagine. On clear days, it seemed like it was over 100 degrees F and I managed to badly sunburn my face on the first day. In reality, you climb Mt. McKinley two or three times ferrying the mountain of gear and food needed to get to the top. On the first day we reached 8,000

Climbing To The Top...Mt. McKinley 20,320 feet by Harvey Bowers

feet. The next day we ferried gear to 10,000 feet and returned to 8,000 to sleep. This leap frog method continues day after day, weather permitting, until reaching 17,000 feet. On day three, at 11,000 feet, we hit a major snowstorm and spent the day and night (no darkness) keeping our camp shoveled out. From 11,000 to 14,000 feet the mountain starts getting a bit tricky with a climb up Motorcycle Hill followed by a dense crevasse field before reaching Kahiltna Pass and Windy Corner. The wind spills off the pass in a very steep area with glare ice, some rock and large crevasses. It was tricky trying to keep the heavy sleds tethered behind us from sliding

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Summit Ridge, Mt. McKinley, June, 1995

When the storm finally cleared, we gathered our gear and climbed Denali Pass to prepare for our attempt at the summit from the North side. After ferrying half of our gear over Denali Pass we were poised for our attempt to climb to the top. Catch the next issue of Agate Inn News to reach the summit and descend the mountain.

http://www.agateinn.com 800-770-2290 email - alaska@agateinn.com 4725 Begich Circle Wasilla, AK 99654

off the slope and dragging us into the crevasses below. The section from 14,000 to 16,000 feet is steep enough to warrant a permanent fixed rope. On day six we took our position in the endless stream of climbers clipped into the fixed rope moving our gear to 16,000 feet. By the time we got to the ridge, I was exhausted. We cached our gear, returned to 14,000 feet for the night, only to repeat the climb to 16,000 feet the next day. At 17,000 feet, high camp, we dug snow pits to build forts around the tents. I didn’t understand the need for the “fort” until a storm hit

Climbing To The Top.......from page three

that night with 100+ mph winds and three to four feet of snow. We spent the next two days battling the storm. At this altitude, you can really feel the affect of the thin air. With each step forward it is necessary to take a breath. With less oxygen it is important to carefully focus on each step. The higher you climb, the harder it becomes to eat and sleep. It is extremely important to keep hydrated. You have very little energy and it is hard to consume enough calories to prevent loss of body fat.