Flying to Ilimna, our camp
I flew from Anchorage to Pedro Bay, Alaska with Dido, a Belgian girl who is doing research at Iliamna with us this summer. We had a gorgeous flight, saw the Kenai Peninsula and some big mountains, including Mt. Redoubt and Iliamna. Also the island that is a volcano (Augustine Island).
Lake Iliamna is the largest lake in Alaska. It's about 100 miles long and 40 across at its max. Our camp is in the east side of the lake on Porcupine Island, which is about 5 x 3 miles. Haven't seen any porcupines yet... Camp is really nice, with lots of room and good facilities. It's on a pretty bay, Cabin Bay. We have a nice sauna, the main house with a kitchen, some outbuildings, the lab, and a new building with computer/lecture space with 2 bedrooms where I sleep. There is also a little garden called "Moose gardens"--guess which one it is.
The camp is electrified by its own generator. It makes a racket when it's on. We turn it on from about 1ish to 11 pm daily. Without power, it's no electricity, no lights, no running water, no computer, no internet, etc. So one has to plan ahead. It makes you appreciate 24/7 power!!
Next to the camp are a series of really pretty ponds we roamed around the other day. We carried a gun as there have been sightings of a wounded bear. We haven't seen him though, fortunately. We did see red-legged frogs and many lilies. The tundra is so soft--a perfect place for a nap. Watch out for falling spruce trees--the spruce bark beetle has killed over 50% of the trees around. Pretty amazing.
The first night we were there it as windless and the trees reflected perfectly on Cabin Bay. But it can get pretty windy on the lake and it's rained pretty regularly. But when it's calm and not pouring rain it's drop dead gorgeous.
Check out the video of the lake!
Lake Iliamna is the largest lake in Alaska. It's about 100 miles long and 40 across at its max. Our camp is in the east side of the lake on Porcupine Island, which is about 5 x 3 miles. Haven't seen any porcupines yet... Camp is really nice, with lots of room and good facilities. It's on a pretty bay, Cabin Bay. We have a nice sauna, the main house with a kitchen, some outbuildings, the lab, and a new building with computer/lecture space with 2 bedrooms where I sleep. There is also a little garden called "Moose gardens"--guess which one it is.
The camp is electrified by its own generator. It makes a racket when it's on. We turn it on from about 1ish to 11 pm daily. Without power, it's no electricity, no lights, no running water, no computer, no internet, etc. So one has to plan ahead. It makes you appreciate 24/7 power!!
Next to the camp are a series of really pretty ponds we roamed around the other day. We carried a gun as there have been sightings of a wounded bear. We haven't seen him though, fortunately. We did see red-legged frogs and many lilies. The tundra is so soft--a perfect place for a nap. Watch out for falling spruce trees--the spruce bark beetle has killed over 50% of the trees around. Pretty amazing.
The first night we were there it as windless and the trees reflected perfectly on Cabin Bay. But it can get pretty windy on the lake and it's rained pretty regularly. But when it's calm and not pouring rain it's drop dead gorgeous.
Check out the video of the lake!
Labels: Porcupine Island fieldcamp
posted by njek | 10:15 PM
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