Powder Hut management undertaken
To the Editor:
Due to concerns expressed by the Municipality of Anchorage, Chugach Powder Guides has agreed to assume ownership and management of the backcountry hut known locally as the Powder Hut. This facility was built approximately 15 years ago by a diverse group of locals with the vision that it would be a common resource alpine hut for skiing and hiking. While it has served this purpose well, ongoing concerns about liability and maintenance have forced the Municipality to seek management options. Rather than see the hut removed, CPG has assumed this role.
There have been some improvements made to the facility this winter, which include a new floor, interior paint job, and sanitary facilities. It is now available for rent. CPG has pledged to maintain the facility and put any proceeds from rental of the facility back into upkeep. The rental rate will be $75/night for the entire hut, or $15/person/night if rented inside a week and you don’t mind sharing with others. More information and reservations are available by calling CPG at 783-4354.
Dave Hamre
Chugach Powder Guides
Girdwood, AK
Streetlights in townsquare too high and bright
To the Editor:
I am writing in concern of the new streetlights recently installed in the Townsquare section of Girdwood as part of the park and ride or multi-mode parking lots. My displeasure with the finished product is the 40-foot height, light intensity and unnecessary light pollution it brings to the location. Of the many local planning meetings I’ve attended since the original Girdwood Area Plan of the 90’s, I believe everyone understands the need and desire for properly placed street lighting in any new construction. However, it’s also understood any new lighting would be low profile, Village style pedestrian type.
Prior to construction of the parking lots, several planning and design meetings were held here at the Old Firehall of which several questions of interest to the size, height, and intensity of the lights were brought up with the representatives from the planning firm, The Boutet Company. I personally had a conversation with Todd Jacobson specific to the lights. Although when I asked specific details to the poles placements height and brightness (which were not on the planned drawings we reviewed that night) the answers were vague and or unknown. Should this not have been there job knowing our concerns?
I feel as a community of concerned residents and managers, we dropped the ball on this one. Especially the Boutet Company who should have caught this discrepancy in their design and brought it up before final approval. I’ve lost my trust and confidence with this planning firm whom I believe many residents felt were actually watching out for Girdwood’s best interests.
From where we are now, I would like to see the plug pulled on the large 40-foot poles until a reasonable replacement can be made. I’m sure it can be done if we are willing to make it happen. After all, if these light poles are accepted now they may set a precedent for any future lighting in the Townsquare project. Do we really need Girdwood lit up like a NASA launch site? Every time you drive or walk by these abandoned car lots at day or night, is this anything to be proud of for Girdwood’s future appearance?
Steve Delatush
Girdwood, AK
Winter boating on the Sound, an especially dangerous time
To the Editor:
This letter is directed toward all the small boaters that come to Prince William Sound via Whittier.
Please remember that using the Sound all year round can be dangerous but especially so from October through April. There are no commercial towing people available so you are on your own if something goes wrong. Do not expect that the Coast Guard will come rescue you. If they were to respond immediately it still takes them three hours to get to Whittier waters—they cannot respond immediately.
You are risking your life in the Sound if you think your river boats, open skiffs and Zodiacs are ocean going craft. Every winter foolish people risk their lives for the sake of hunting. If you do have a need to hunt make sure you go out in an ocean worthy vessel. Never use more than one third of your fuel to go out because it may take more fuel to get back when the winds are blowing from the West. The wind predominately blows from the West. Always take an extra week worth of food because the weather may keep you held up even longer than a week. Never go out on the water if the wind is blowing more knots than your vessel is feet long. A life jacket is not adequate protection in the winter. If you can not afford a survival suit you can not afford to hunt.
This past week we had three young men come down with kayaks thinking they would just paddle out to Shotgun Cove. Stupidity runs rampant when you are young and strong. One of them almost lost his life when he went in the water (over 30 minutes) before we could get to him. And the other two had to be rescued as well. It was gusting to 40knots. The young men did not even have skirts on the kayaks. Two staff members from The Whittier Small Boat Harbor and other Whittier residents risked their lives to save three very foolish young men.
Hunters come every winter with their boats (not an ocean vessel) over loaded with gear and to many people on the boat. If they were to actually have a successful hunt there is no where to put the deer. A lot of times they bring their children into this dangerous situation as well. It is one thing to risk your own life as an adult it not alright to risk your children’s lives. We here in the Whittier do our best to help everyone but we should not have to risk our lives for just plain stupidity. If you just want to get away from home for a few days Prince William Sound is not the place to come. The water can be deadly.
Terry Bender
Whittier, AK