Solo Hike up Flat Top

Being that it was the weekend a group of us decided a hike was in order. After a morning hike turned into an afternoon hike then dissipated all together I decided it was time to make some new plans. I hadn't yet gone out in the area alone and was needing some solo time. Considering that the area never experiences dark this time of year a night solo trek suddenly became the plan of choice. I set off on the train tracks towards the base of Flat Top, a mountain just across the Nenana from the village. I began the ascent and after a good deal of bush wacking and some steep climbing I had made it to the top. This was my second time up the mountain but the views were still breathtaking. I believe the hour was 9 PM or so. A storm was brewing in the sky to the south but the sun was still showing to the north which made the mountains glow in the foreground of the dark sky. Already the trip up was paying off.

I made it my goal to traverse the mountain top and ascend another small peak to the south end of the ridge. It was slow going over the uneven tundra but fun none the less. I found a pond in the middle of the trek across which made for a peaceful moment on its shores. I ascended

quickly with the motivation of the panorama that lie ahead. And it was spectacular. A river system to the west was now in view that cut through the huge shale ridden mountains. The idea of a possible future trip was then in its infancy. Yet another peak came into view to the south and with roughly a month and a half left of light I thought why not? As I made it to the last peak a hole in the clouds illuminated Pyramid Mountain. The view was really something else... Considering the late hour and that I didn't want to worry my friends, at 10 PM I started to head home.

On the way back I started to see lightning in the distance. I became worried because I was very exposed. I started to run across the mountain top to make it back before a possible storm made its way to Flat Top. It never materialized over me but I had made it across in very little time. I decided to break for a bit and enjoy the view. I sat atop within eye shot of the village and with the entire valley in front of me. What a great trip. I descended flat top very quickly. The walk back home along the railroad tracks was peaceful with the sky still illuminated and a great hike behind me. As I made my way into the parking lot at midnight a shuttle for the Panorama Bar was headed out. I had friends climbing in convincing me to join so I ran back, dropped my pack and I was off again. The bar was fun as always. Full of the type of people that are attracted to remote Alaska it makes for an interesting time. My new friend Tommy was at the bar and we began discussing future plans. I mentioned to him the Pedaling for Empowerment plan and he seemed into the idea. He mentioned that when I go he would love to join me. Another potential great rider to join the expedition. Upon returning to the village, Tommy and I decided to celebrate the new idea by a little swim in the Nenana. We floated down the river that just over a month ago was full of ice chunks. What a place Alaska is.