To live on a glacier in the midst of spring
Adventure-seeking souls converging
Clouds obscure ridgelines and excitement shrinks
Our practice in patience emerging
 
Bonds are formed, strangers become friends
Our lives will never be the same again
 
Capacitated bush planes fly
Over rivers, bear, and elk
Rainbows arc the sky
And destinies are dealt
 
An unknown frozen land of majestic peaks appear
Dreams crystallize and clarify; no one else has been here
Our sights set high
We scout our new home
As ancient ice we pass by
And are followed by a drone
 
An objective confirmed
The weakness discerned
 
Attached to a snow pack of paradoxical strength
Forward, resilient and higher we move
Cautious, calculated, climbing innate
Endless vistas shimmer anew
 
Upon the pinnacle, hands connect- cheering
Encircled by space, crisp air- piercing
A board underfoot, the slashing ensues
Full expression - present living - silent knowing
Dancing with nature, the focus, the gratitude
On the brink of ability we’re flowing
 
Frontside to backside gliding over a mosaic of spines
Sprays connected to complete the panorama of lines

​The sky fills with pink as light tucks behind peaks
Laughter, stories, and whiskey we drink
We gather in fellowship and create winter feasts
Camaraderie, hospitality, and nutrition we eat
 

Our primal desire for sleep blankets the mood
Lunar light emits glowing as cold becomes crude
 
Shelter provides an embrace of feathers
Dawn breaks the darkness with eyes frosty
Light snow has fallen, nature’s refresher
Stiff hands grasp cups of ritual coffee

​Low pressure encroaches upon the horizon
Deliberation refracts the ambition

​Adaptability our delicate truth
At the mercy of natural cycles
A glacier landing produced
Homeward bound, survivals disciples
 
Appreciating the truth in a journey expressed
We grew something bright in a season of death
 
Already reminiscing, we yearn
Respect for Alaska’s storming
Ever expanding, we learn
Adventures are beautifully reforming
Photography by Zach Clanton