Photo courtesy of Kristen Kemerling
Walt Wilkens, 90 years old, participated in the 5K Hope Wagon Trail Run for the eleventh year in a row. He’s contemplating whether or not he’ll run next year.
By Bianca Durrant
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
Squirrel mode has hit Hope. Right now, freezers across the valley are being plugged in, smokers are curing brined salmon strips, and the wood shed is looking a bit fuller with each passing weekend. Of course, this food storage ritual will continue throughout the next two months as the berries ripen and the spring seeds are reaped as luscious veggies. Get it while the getting’s good but don’t get crabby with the wood splitter.
90-year-old competitor finishes his 11th Wagon Trail Run
The July 18 Wagon Trail Run went on well and despite the rain that pelted the runners as they slogged the muddy run, the vibe was a good one.
Walt Wilkens, 90 years old, participated in the annual event for the eleventh year in a row. It all began when he was 74 and living in his former home, at the corner of Clark and Cripple Creek, where the runners emerge from the Wagon Trail.
“I watched the race for five years and would cheer for the runners as they made their way onto Clark Road,” Wilkens said. “Finally, I asked Linda Graham (one of the chief race organizers) if she thought I could do the Wagon Trail. She said ‘Sure!’ and so I did.” Wilkens says it was a “fluke” that he has run the race for the last 11 years since he had never raced before and starting an annual tradition of doing a 5K isn’t something most 79 year olds do.
Wilkens isn’t sure if he’ll compete in next year’s Wagon Trail Race. He will have all winter to think about it while relaxing at his winter residence in New Mexico. Thanks for being an inspiration, Walt.
Comments on Resurrection Creek Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
The Forest Service has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Resurrection Creek Phase II Stream Restoration Project and Hope Mining Company’s Proposed Mining Plan of Operations. They are now accepting public comments on the DEIS.
This is an opportunity for the citizens of this humble town to sift through some incredibly long documents. Per the Forest Service website: The DEIS analyzes a proposal to restore the stream channel, riparian conditions, and fish and wildlife habitat to pre-mining conditions within a 2-mile long restoration corridor.
The DEIS also analyzes Hope Mining Company’s proposed mining plan of operations to 1) conduct placer mining activities on 264 acres of existing federal mining claims located outside of the restoration corridor, and 2) exclude most existing approved mining activities from the proposed restoration corridor.
Now for those of you who might think that the words, “restoration” and “mining activities on 264 acres” don’t mix, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Let’s read all about how the Forest Service sees it. You may access the DEIS at: www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/. Written, oral, and electronic comments concerning the report need to be submitted to our Responsible Official by Sept. 7.
For more information contact Forest Supervisor Bill MacFarlane at wamacfarlane@fs.fed.us. There will also be a community meeting to discuss the DEIS with the Forest Service at the Social hall on Tuesday, Aug. 10 from 6-8 p.m.
Stretch It Out
There’s still time to catch a yoga class from Shelley before she heads back to Anchorage. There will be an all-level class on Aug. 7 and 8 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Send Your Photos of Hope
Share your favorite Hope photos by submitting them to: hopehappenings@live.com. Those that don’t make it in the paper may find their way to the Hope, Alaska Facebook page. Which, by the way, you should really become a fan of, if only to motivate HH to update with more frequency.
