Otter3006... you right about Lesnoi.. Had to deal with them a bit and have very little respect for them. They have totally destroyed the forest over around Chiniak. Bought a permit from them for access through their property to go goat hunting. Spent a lot of my time out around Chiniak as that is were my buddy lives. Lesnoi had security guards patrolling their land like it was Fort Knox. That rain forest sure doesn't look like it used too.


Their security goes out jack-lighting and shooting the Varying Hare cause they claim the hares are killing all the new growth trees. I told him to let people come out and hunt and trap and they'll hunt the hares and at least utilize them instead of leaving them. Their whole presence is kind of fishy.




It sure is a different place than the interior. Hard to get used to running around in rain gear and extra-tuffs all the time. I was learning to enjoy it because when the sun was shinning, it sure made up for it.

Spek... I was in such a hurry to head north for the house, I forgot to try to get a hold of ya when I was in Homer. Had breakfast with FamilyTrapper and hit the road. Next time for sure..

Loving all the pictures and history lessons! I wonder how that iron bubble got seperated from the gun position, looks like it weighs a lot. Its amazing how good of condition the concrete is in.

After the war those gun emplacements here and in dutch harbor were blown up during decommission. some of the guns came from ww1 battle ships. Those guys did an super job on concrete too. always been amazed how well they have held up and the pours ,no bubbles, bulges and straight and lots of cu.yards!!!!!

Interesting JR. Thanks for continuing to post. In your photos (great job) I noticed a pretty severe lack of greenery in those logged-over places. Was intriguing to me that the company doing the work is Lesnoi. In the Russian language, "lesnoi" means "forest" or "lumber". What a name, huh?

Jack

Great write up and pics, sounds like a good adventure! I've only been to Kodiak once, but if I ever get over there again this time of year I will take some trapping gear. At least some fox snares. We did a fly in hunt, while out deer hunting would see several beautiful fox every day. Those things are big and fluffy!

Spectacular photos and a great write up on your trek. Those goats look pretty low down. I've never seen those emperor geese before, cool looking.

Thanks guys.

Otter3006... I'll take you up on that halibut fishing next time. This trip was a recon mission and learned a lot more this time. You are right about that concrete in the bunkers. Amazing work and not a crack one. I cannot imagine building those structures so remote back then. Those gun hoods are 5 inches thick. How did they get there. Hard work and true craftsmen. I heard the same things about Lesnoi and that all the money from the logging went to the management and the shareholders never saw a penny. Didn't look like they replanted very well either.

Gulo... I noticed the same thing out in that logged area. Lack of greenery and it was clear cut around 4 or 5 years ago.

Bushman... Kodiak goats are pretty low as are the mountains. My buddy has seen them right down on the road and the beach. There are some higher more rugged mountains though. That is the first time I've ever seen those Emperor geese myself and yes they are beautiful. They have a season on them now and you can harvest one goose. I will be looking into that next season for sure. I would get one of those mounted for the house.

The river isn't frozen at my crossing so I guess I'll have to fly out to the cabin and get started trapping again this season. Good luck to all and be safe..

Great pics Howler and interesting history.

Awesome pics AKHowler, can't get over the beauty out there, you sure are living life to its fullest! What a wild place.

Thanks for sharing!

Hello Trappers, finally made it across the river. Ice was solid, snow was scarce but the trail clearing was a handful. Had to give in the first day after 6 miles. Came home for more gas for the saw and a much bigger saw.



Came back out and continued out towards the mountains setting marten gear as I went. Sign was few and far between but set out around 25 pole sets. Did see fair bit of wolf sign traveling across the flats though.

Was a bit late getting out to the creek so fired up the Crossover cabin as not to try to break out the canyon in the dark. Creek was pretty easy travel until I got into the canyon. Broke through in the exact same spot I did last year. Pulled out the Extraction bag and put it to work.

Early the next morn I made the attempt to break out the canyon to the cabin. Had to build a few ramps and ice bridges but made it safely. The ice really froze high this winter so there is lots of fall outs and shelf ice.


I had left 4 trail cameras out this fall and was really excited to see what was on the cards. I wasn't disappointed. Lots of wolves, a coyote, lynx, snowshoe hares, Griz, moose caribou and even got a wolverine. Switched out the cameras with some new Brownings in hopes of getting some better pics.




On the way home, my Scandic was starting a little rough and finally let me down smack dab in the middle of the line on the way home. Called in a favor, thinking I lost the starter. We couldn't figure it out and decided to tow it back to the truck. After about 2 miles my buddy asked if you can tow start the 4-stroke. We had tried to rope start it to no avail. I put the ol WT in high range and off we went. I hit the starter button while we were moving down the trail and she fired right up. I was pretty excited with this and turned around and went back for my sleds I'd left behind.
Got the Scandic back into the shop and figured out that it wasn't the starter or the battery. It was my main ground strap to the frame had broke. Quick easy fix and back out on the trail. Got a couple inches of powder snow on the line but not near enough. Placed some wolf gear and some catch all sets out. Had a tourist come out with me for a 3 day adventure. Had a great time but not the place to learn to ride a sled under these conditions. Picked up 5 marten and 2 fox for my troubles.

Anxious to get back out after the Tuesday ATA meeting. Good luck and be safe out there.

JR, where is that main ground strap connected? My '13 Expedition LE in 600 etec is still in the shop. No electronics. I press the start button, nothing. I jump the solenoid and the starter engages, still no start or electronics. I pull my rewind starter, nothing. Could it be my ground as well? I wonder if when you tipped your rig in the ice if that's what loosened your ground? Did you electronics just go out on you? I'm curious. I really want to get my Expedition going but for the life of me I cannot figure that thing out. I may have to ship it to Nome's Wilderness Ski-Doo to have them look at it.

Glad you're out on the 'line again. I always look forward to your pics and stories.

JR... good luck with them wolves!
I've got a Moultrie MCG-12635 and a Browning BTC-5HD, much prefer the Browning.
Picture quality is far superior.

Dang dude! That creek looks like a pain in the butt! Glad you didn't get hurt when you punched through! Good to hear you got gear out and picked up a little fur! Thanks for sharing!

Man, my NO WAY voice yells NEGATIVE looking at that ice!

Amazing that you can carefully maneuver around those huge ice ledges and drops like that.

Be careful , JR, and thank you for sharing what it takes to get places in those conditions.

Inupiaq.. Here is a pic of the location of the ground strap on my 2012 Scandic WT. It is a heavy gauge wire and bent in a bit of a horse shoe. With constant pressure I think it just broke the copper ferrule on the end where the bolt runs through. I couldn't figure it out. My buddy jumped a cable from the battery to the frame and she fired right up. Then we tracked down the ground strap. I will make another one a little longer and keep this one as a spare. I just crimped and soldered a new end on and headed back out the next day.
Here's a few more from the trail cameras to help realize why I attempt to travers these ice conditions


DIdn't take many pics of the fur this trip, was cold and in a hurry I guess. I did manage to take one of this little cross though in a catch-all set.
This is a new face mask- goggle combination that I tried and really like this year. Got it off some site off Facebook. I really like it. For those of you who were glasses, this worked really well at -20 to -35 below. The mask does cover up some of the ugly too.

Is that all one piece or two JR ??

Two piece Ken, you can get them on E-bay for $20. Winter Snow Sport 2 piece googles. Wish they were a little longer but that can be fixed pretty easy.

Cool !! Thanks !!

I need that, as well! Running the line in a skiff in winter can be, well, cold. I have yet to find a good fabric facemask.