Author Topic: Climbin' High and King Salmon (Read 2031 times)

MountainMan · « **on:** Feb 27, 2013, 07:24 PM »

Not ice fishing, but just as cold, and I ended up catching a fish

Just got done editing a little vid of my Denali climb, along with a little footage of my King Salmon I caught after the climb, which I thought some on here might enjoy, and some footage from 20,000+. I'll post a link for part 2, but there is a part 1 if anyone's interested in seeing the trip to 17,000' high camp. It was an adventure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0JD8s_WTlU

Took a fellow climber from England who'd never been fishing! Felt selfish afterward for not offering to hand the rod over, but it was my first time fishing in Alaska so... We took a cab 14 miles south to the river and thought we'd hitchhike back. Figured someone would pick up two harmless looking fellas carrying a fishing rod and fish no problem.... wrong! We ended up walking miles (like we weren't use to that, haha) until the local town drunk stopped and gave us ride (and refreshment). Guy from England was pretty pumped because it was his first, "hitch" (first time he'd thumbed a ride). Pretty cool adventure.

Matt R. · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 07:43 PM »

You are a superhero Zach!

MountainMan · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 07:46 PM »

Quote from: Matt R. on Feb 27, 2013, 07:43 PM

You are a superhero Zach!

LOL, but I haven't caught any 20 lb cats yet

appleye · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 07:54 PM »

Very cool Zach!

er-e-is · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 08:23 PM »

Awesome video zach. Those kings sure do have some power, don't they?

Special · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 08:54 PM »

Nice, I check out your site and dang. If I get some extra cash, I might be asking for a painting. Nice work!!!!

MountainMan · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 08:59 PM »

They are powerful! I was using a rented rod, so had the drag pretty light. Was afraid they'd tear the rod apart!

A guy up the bank from me hooked one and it came rocketing down the bank toward me. The image is still burned into my mind as it came surging toward me like a torpedo, half above waterline. It almost stood still right in front of me as its run came to an end and it went back down below the surface. Couldn't believe the size of some of them I saw rise up in the middle of the river!

benwyo · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 09:35 PM »

Beautiful video MountainMan.... Love the scenery and the Kings.. I have caught 300 Kings in my life time.. Going back up this year sometime this coming summer.. My step daughter lives up there..... My biggest is only 42 lbs... most are around 20 to 25 lbs..... They are great when caught in the rivers.... I generally go out in a friend of my step daughters boat.... When they are in the bays,,, expect to catch kings all day long... Fun....

er-e-is · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 27, 2013, 10:25 PM »

I have one of those memories seared in my mind too. My first king was in the lagoon out at Homer. It was probably a 25lb one. I had solar green line on and a big krocodile. He took off to the other end of he pond, clearing water every 5'-6', that krok hanging from his mouth and bright green line trailing. I tried to stop him instead of running after him. Needless to say he broke me off and continued to jump a couple of more times with his new jewelry and green line trailing. I went across the street and bought some 30lb test and re-spooled.

Matt R. · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 28, 2013, 08:56 AM »

In 2006 I made the rather foolish mistake of bringing my 8'6"-6 weight trout rod to Alaska..... hooked 4 kings, never landed a one!

They just peel it off to the backing and I'd have to grab the reel and break 'em off before I lost everything..sooo fun!

As for the catfish... send me a P.M. this summer/fall, I'd love to take you some time.

Wyofarmer · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 28, 2013, 10:18 AM »

Great Vids Zach. Amazing views!

gray goose · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 28, 2013, 05:29 PM »

you are the man.

MountainMan · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 28, 2013, 05:36 PM »

I'd love to go back. Someday soon! When I went up there to climb my mother-in-law was scared to death I'd love Alaska so much I'd move her daughter there. It was cool, but so is WY

appleye · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 28, 2013, 07:13 PM »

I'm afraid that if I went back I would not leave. LOL When my dad retired we spent 6 weeks fishing our way around the state. What a blast. I turned down a job right after that. I always wonder......

Wife doesn't think I need to go any time soon. She also said I need to go in the dead of winter. The ice fishing has to ROCK!

Team Lightning · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 28, 2013, 10:02 PM »

I been to the top of Devils Tower ( once ) ....does that count

lol Nice video...nice memories.

Super-ice-bird · « **Reply #15 on:** Mar 02, 2013, 02:08 AM »

Very nice video, amazing view!

wyoboypt · « **Reply #16 on:** Mar 02, 2013, 04:31 PM »

You are a mountain man!!!! awesome adventure man! beautiful country. thanks for sharing

legend · « **Reply #17 on:** Mar 02, 2013, 05:32 PM »

mountain man;

your video is first class, thanks for taking me there !

prospector · « **Reply #18 on:** Mar 02, 2013, 08:05 PM »

Nice job! What is the base weight of your gear? How many liters is your pack? I am getting the bug to hit the trail!

MountainMan · « **Reply #19 on:** Mar 02, 2013, 09:45 PM »

Quote from: prospector on Mar 02, 2013, 08:05 PM

Nice job! What is the base weight of your gear? How many liters is your pack? I am getting the bug to hit the trail!

Pack holds 115 L, 7,000 cu in. Weight varied, but 70 pounds at times, with at least that much in the sled we pulled. Total weight on average was around 150 sled and pack combined. Again, that varied depending. Glad you enjoyed the video! I enjoyed making it!

prospector · « **Reply #20 on:** Mar 03, 2013, 07:50 AM »

Quote from: MountainMan on Mar 02, 2013, 09:45 PM

Pack holds 115 L, 7,000 cu in. Weight varied, but 70 pounds at times, with at least that much in the sled we pulled. Total weight on average was around 150 sled and pack combined. Again, that varied depending. Glad you enjoyed the video! I enjoyed making it!

I can't even imagine that kind of weight!

What does your gear list look like? I am very interested. I am down to 10-12# base weight for 3 season trips. You have a very strong will to get that kind of weight up the hill.

What model of crampons do you wear? tent and bag? BTW, I enjoyed the video of the Antelope hunt as well! I am a subscriber.

POk3s · « **Reply #21 on:** Mar 03, 2013, 09:13 PM »

Great video as always Zach! At first I was thinking....who in the heck goes to alaska to climb peaks in the middle of winter. Somehow I had missed those videos while watching all your others. Also, what is with the nose things???

I'm headed to Oregon in a month and a half for a Turkey hunt. Trying to find my guide now for a day on the river catching kings!

Wyofarmer · « **Reply #22 on:** Mar 04, 2013, 11:21 AM »

Quote from: POk3s on Mar 03, 2013, 09:13 PM

Great video as always Zach! At first I was thinking....who in the heck goes to alaska to climb peaks in the middle of winter. Somehow I had missed those videos while watching all your others. Also, what is with the nose things???

Keeps your nose from getting sunburned.

MountainMan · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 04, 2013, 07:53 PM »

Quote from: POk3s on Mar 03, 2013, 09:13 PM

Great video as always Zach! At first I was thinking....who in the heck goes to alaska to climb peaks in the middle of winter. Somehow I had missed those videos while watching all your others. Also, what is with the nose things???

I'm headed to Oregon in a month and a half for a Turkey hunt. Trying to find my guide now for a day on the river catching kings!

What Wyofarmer said! Example of how intense that glacial glare can be - I sunburned my gums climbing Rainier, lol. I swear, true story. I open my mouth when I squint, which exposed enough of my gums that they swelled up.

Going to get out and shoot my bow in prep for turkey season! Good luck!

MountainMan · « **Reply #24 on:** Mar 04, 2013, 08:09 PM »

Quote from: prospector on Mar 03, 2013, 07:50 AM

I can't even imagine that kind of weight! What does your gear list look like? I am very interested. I am down to 10-12# base weight for 3 season trips. You have a very strong will to get that kind of weight up the hill. What model of crampons do you wear? tent and bag? BTW, I enjoyed the video of the Antelope hunt as well! I am a subscriber.

I had Petzel and Black Diamond semi-rigid crampons - front strap, rear latch style, with snow guards to keep snow from balling up on the bottom. I wore the Diamonds only because they fit and stayed on over my over-boots best! This is what really important! You have to experament with boot / overboot / crampon combinations that work best for you (overboots are the insulated boots warn over your normal boots above 14,000' and on summit day.

At one point, a team member ahead of me on the fixed lines heading up the Head-Wall above 14 camp was trying to get over a crevasse that ran across the wall creating a step ( you can see it in one of the videos). As she strained to get over it her overboot was sliding off her boot, along with her crampon. She was panicked, crying and had people yelling at her from below for holding up the line. I climbed up beside her to help, and in the short time we had our gloves off we both got frostbite and frost-nip on our fingers. Took three months for the feeling to come back in one of my fingers. This is why it's important your boot combo works!

Just some of the gear. No, the bike stayed home.

er-e-is · « **Reply #25 on:** Mar 05, 2013, 08:16 AM »

Quote from: Wyofarmer on Mar 04, 2013, 11:21 AM

Keeps your nose from getting sunburned.

I should have worn one of those this last weekend on Fremont!

appleye · « **Reply #26 on:** Mar 05, 2013, 12:31 PM »

Sunscreen infused Trident. Brilliant! We'll make millions!

MountainMan · « **Reply #27 on:** Mar 06, 2013, 10:43 AM »

Quote from: appleye on Mar 05, 2013, 12:31 PM

Sunscreen infused Trident. Brilliant! We'll make millions!

And yeah, lots of that gear doubles for ice fishing now. No need for a shelter, ha.

Dirty P · « **Reply #28 on:** Mar 10, 2013, 02:13 PM »

that was an awesome video looks spectacular.

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Author Topic: Climbin' High and King Salmon (Read 2031 times)