Author Archives: Mark Leary

Slide from the presentation given at today’s gathering

Another slide from the presentation showing a younger Earl with his faithful plane 05H

Many People came from throughout the region and across the State to show their appreciation for Earl’s long service to our People

Earl is presented with a replica of the his plane: “05Hotel” – a plane and pilot known throughout the region

Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Gary Folger presents Earl with awards for his service

Thank you to everyone that came out to show their appreciation to Earl Samuelson for his years of service to the People of Our Region.

The social media has been full of pictures of swamped cars and snow machines but if you’re sober, sensible, and avoid night time travel our River is still OK

A BSAR team traveled today from Bethel to Napaimute. This is what they observed:

It is always amazing to see how fast the River heals after a warm spell. With temperatures only slightly cooler, a fresh coating of snow to soak up water and make the best routes more visible; traveling conditions have improved.

The Bethel waterfront is still unusually tricky to navigate: the two main accesses are a narrow slot right against the seawall in front of the Lomack Building. The better, safer access follows a round about route through the north side of the boat harbor, out the boat harbor slough, along the beach upstream to Crow’s old fish processing barge, and then out onto the main River ice. Once you are out on the main ice – STAY ON IT – until you get to your destination. The overflow is still deep along the sides.

From Bethel to Tuluksak the River was mostly dry with only the occasional very shallow puddle of half frozen water.

From Tuluksak to the lower end of the jam at Coffee’s Bend conditions were much the same with slightly more puddles.

Inside Coffees Bend there are still several ponds of half frozen overflow that are fairly deep. There has been a lot of Kalskag traffic today going down to watch the regionals at Akiak. 4WD Trucks go through no problem, but one traveler in a 4WD Ford Explorer had to get towed out of one pond. So nothing smaller than a truck recommended at this time. It is still too rough to go around most of these water holes.

From Kalskag to Aniak conditions improved, although there are still more puddles than the Lower River. But through this 30 miles or so the River is wide, not rough, and there is room to go around any wet spots.

Above Aniak for the next 30 miles to Napaimute conditions improve with very little overflow visible at all and almost none to drive through. This section of the River is also much smoother.

It’s important to note that with the recent warm spells quite a few of the road markers are down. There are still enough to follow in good weather, but in limited visibility there are areas where travelers may lose the trail.

This is what was observed today. As temperatures are forecasted to cool things should only get better.

Thank you.

*Please note that this is not an advisory that it is safe for travel. It is for informational purposes only.

L-R: Local Elders Bob Aloysius, Henry Tikiun, Peter Atchak, and William McCar enjoy a front row seat during the Annual BSAR Presentation

A big thank you to everyone that came to 2015 BSAR Annual Meeting and to the BSAR Board of Directors for putting it all together.

Good turn out at the 2014 BSAR Annual Meeting!

The 2015 BSAR Annual Meeting will be held February 19th at the BSAR Headquarters Building. A potluck style dinner will begin at 6PM with the meeting following. All BSAR Members, their families, and the general public are invited to attend. BSAR will be providing food but please bring a dish if you can.

Come see what BSAR has been doing over the past year and help us plan for the new one.

For more information call: 545-2877 or 545-4502

Thank you.

Kalskag Truck Trail Marker #1 located at the mouth of the Tuluksak River

After several days of coordinated effort supported by the Aniak Traditional Council, City of Aniak, Upper Kalskag Traditional Council, City of Upper Kalskag, Lower Kalskag Traditional Council, Napaimute Traditional Council, Tuluksak Search & Rescue, the K300 Race Committee, and many other good people, crews were able to plow through the jam below Kalskag and establish a safe, marked ice road all the way to Aniak. All known open holes have been marked as well.

L-R: Andrew Kameroff, Jr. & Walter Morgan, Sr. work on marking open hole #3 of the 6 known holes along the Tuluksak – Kalskag Ice Road. All 6 holes have been marked as of January 14

TULUKSAK TO LOWER KALSKAG:

When heading upstream the first marker (see picture) on the route to Kalskag can be found right at the real mouth of the Tuluksak River. This is at the upper end of the long island-sandbar that separates the Tuluksak River from the main Kuskokwim. Drive like you are going into the village of Tuluksak and you will see the Kalskag markers on your left.

For the next 2 miles or so the road follows the east bank before swinging out into the main channel below Nelson Island. Near Nelson Island the road uses the east channel swinging back and forth a couple of times to avoid sandbars. This part of the ice road was originally marked as a logging road by Tuluksak to an area above Bogus Creek where their village corporation is cutting timber for their sawmill. Follow this road past Bogus until you see a SMALL SPRUCE TREE MARKER WITH A SIGN – THIS IS THE TURN OFF TO GO TO KALSKAG.

The River from Tuluksak to the jam at Coffee’s bend (about 10 miles below Kalskag) is mostly smooth – good going.

THROUGH THE JAM:

Slow going through the jam at Coffee’s but easily passable by truck – no little cars recommended – this picture was taken January 8 – before additional improvements were made

While it is still slowing going through the jam, additional work by the KLG/Napaimute crew has improved it significantly since the road was first established on January 8.

The entire truck route from Tuluksak to Kalskag is marked with poles and reflectors. Average travel time from Bethel to Kalskag is a little over 3 hours.

Red spots indicate the approximate location of the known open holes between Tuluksak & Kalskag

KALSKAG TO ANIAK:

Aniak Ice Road Crew L-R:  Walter Morgan, Jr., Samuel Peterson, Leonard Morgan Jr. & Captain Allen Simeon (not pictured)

At Lower Kalskag the road climbs the bank and goes the 3 miles to Upper Kalskag by the main road where it slides back down to the River at the upper end of town.

The ice road to Aniak is well marked with poles & reflectors. The River is mostly smooth and the few short rough stretches have been plowed. All known open holes along this route have been marked. Average travel time between Kalskag and Aniak is one hour.

Final Note: All truck trail reflectors along the route from Tuluksak to Aniak are white. If you see an orange, yellow, or red reflector along with the white this means caution – there is open water in the vicinity or there is a sharp turn coming up.

A big thank you to everyone that contributed to the establishment of the ice road between Tuluksak, Kalskag, and Aniak.

Good luck to all the mushers and safe traveling from BSAR!

*Please note that this report is not an advisory that is safe to travel. It is for informational purposes only.