buckee Posted August 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 Kathleen is Home safe, and taking care of her kids, who she missed dearly. They also have visitors this week, so she has been busy with that also. I know Moose season has just opened and she is going to try for a moose also. I haven't heard anything yet concerning any near-future sheep hunts, accept that she said, "I haven't given up yet" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 This has been one heck of a story to follow. Can't wait to see the pics either. Glad that it turned out to be a safe return! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 Incredible story! Steve you've done a great job keeping us all involved. Awsome hunt Kathleen! Actually I don't think the term hunt says it all. Seems more like a life changing experience. Thanks to God for bringing our friend home safe to her family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyoitker1 Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 Welcome home Kathleen! Glad you are safe! Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 welcome home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Welcome home Kathleen! Glad you guys made it home safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 That's a fabulous photo Kathleen. Alaska has the wow factor at 360 degrees 24/7! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Very nice pic Kathleen. Welcome back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 ....I hope you don't mind my feet picture...-lol-...I think we might have made crossings over the Gerstle River, and July Creek at least 35 times...-and that was prior to the raft trip at the end, that almost cost us our lives... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted August 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Those are awesome photos Kathleen. Simply awesome. It's nice to see you finally have some free time to yourself. That is the best feet picture, I have ever seen :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 -Wow....-oh, gee- this is page 14??! -:o....I have to start on the first page and read this thread- I am so thankful to Buckee Steve for covering the details of the hunt, and his praying with me over the satellite phone, during a lot of this ordeal... -and....to all of your prayers, and constant thoughts, from my RT family...-I had a strong presence of not being alone, in a place in which alone can be the prevading feeling... -It was an awesome experience...-I will be writing a little each day, filling out details....I kept a little diary with me(waterproof, thank goodness!) -I will have to be very honest....-I love every aspect of hunting- it is a joy and excitement I think about , and look forward to, all throughout the year... -I enjoy just getting out in the woods, or up in the high country; I love just encountering an animal....to harvest- that is an added treat; the meat is the trophy...-and, we are so blessed to actually have full freezers right now...-still, with moose and halibut and salmon... -but- I will tell you, that even though I can rationalize in my mind that harvesting isn't everything...that it's ok to come home from a hunt like that without a kill.... ....in reality, I broke my own heart- -I wanted to come back with a Dall sheep so bad; I tried so incredibly hard...-and by the time we learned the area, found the legal rams, and battled through the timing of all that in conjunction with bad weather ...we had run out of food, were racing even worse weather, and had to get out of there- -I really felt like a broken failure- and still do, in a way- -but...-if we had had a ram in the raft- the extra weight just might have pushed us over the edge so to speak- and we would not have even survived that white water ordeal through the gorge... -blessings in disguise, I guess... - more pictures, and details of each day of the hunt, I will try my best this week- -we had one group of family leave for the airport this morning- another group comes in tonight, or tomorrow- but...I will have a little time to get here on the computer- (not like this past week) -I've been taking Terry's nephews, and my kids hunting and fishing this past week...including up at Crescent Lake, where the RT moose hunt will take place next year...-pictures soon from that, where we all immediately caught our limit of Grayling and Rainbows... -that is such a beautiful place! -also, as if 9 people staying here at the house and B&B weren't enough...-our septic decided to act up and come to a screeching halt- LOL:rolleyes:...-needless to say, it has been quite a week - -Oh...-and congradulations to KirkV on having the winning bid on my rifle!...-I will be sending it out the first of next week...and this year will go by so quick...-before he knows it, he will be up here in Alaska hunting moose! -will be sending you a pm here real soon, Kirk- and thanks for being patient with this- -uploading more pictures- -I sure appreciate all of you here at RT; ...I'm going to read this thread, now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazylegz70 Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Glad you made it back ok Kathleen!!! Keep the pictures coming, they are absolutely amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Glad you made it back ok Kathleen!!! Keep the pictures coming, they are absolutely amazing. ...Thankyou, Crazylegz...-and, everyone! -Hey, how is your ankle that you broke?-doing better?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Those are awesome photos Kathleen. Simply awesome. It's nice to see you finally have some free time to yourself. That is the best feet picture, I have ever seen :D .......gee whiz, Buckee.... I'm really glad you like my feet...-LOL-:D... -Yes, they were pretty sore....but the Danners held up incredibly well... -I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate you covering the hunt, and being there for me.... -I have not even gotten to read this thread through, yet- but I am just overwhelmed and humbled to see how much you all were right there with us through everything.... -Thank you, Steve.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Kathleen - First, Welcome Home! Your pictures are absolutely amazing. I have heard from my good friend Mike Graves about the majesty of Alaska for years but this trip and the blow by blow that buckee provided really brought it to life for me. Thank you for taking me along for what was surely the ride of my lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 ...a couple more pictures, I am able to post today... -just got word that another wave of relatives are arriving in a couple of hours, got into Anchorage.... -I need to go fix dinner , and check on the current batch of salmon that's been in the smoker... Mmmmmmm- -It feels good to be back; and back safe- I want to say again...-thankyou all for your prayers... ...hiking up the Gerstle.... ....spotting legal rams, up above the Gerstle River...( other side, than where we ended up climbing, though...) -Incredibly beautiful country, just before the Gerstle Glacier itself.... -Terry and I up above the Gerstle...-trying to get to the legal rams, and facing the storm brewing in the background... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Kathleen - First, Welcome Home! Your pictures are absolutely amazing. I have heard from my good friend Mike Graves about the majesty of Alaska for years but this trip and the blow by blow that buckee provided really brought it to life for me. Thank you for taking me along for what was surely the ride of my lifetime. ...Thank you so much, Hammerforged... Mike Graves...-that name sounds familiar...-where about in Alaska is he from? -I can't wait to read this thread...-so much happening at once- and now I have to log off here real soon and fix dinner( I was supposed to, an hour ago...-lol:o:rolleyes:) -It is so good to back....yet, as brutal and unforgiving as that country can be, and was ...-I would go back in a heartbeat- I feel such a connection to it, now... (I'd take along the GPS this time...-and do a FEW things different, though...-lol:rolleyes:) -I am glad you like the pictures...-here is one more, for now.... -The confluence of the Gerstle and July Creek...-at the head of the glacier...the day before the weather started to set in again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Absolutely beautiful pictures Kathleen and it is good you and Steve made it back in one piece. The sheep would have topped the trip for you I am sure but as they say there is always next year. The lessons you learned this year will only help you the next time for sure. It sounds like you are entirely too busy since you are back LOL. Well settle in and reflect on the trip, and again welcome back to both of you. Kirk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Beautiful pictures of some awesome country! Glad to see you are posting them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted August 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 -Yes, they were pretty sore....but the Danners held up incredibly well... -I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate you covering the hunt, and being there for me.... -I have not even gotten to read this thread through, yet- but I am just overwhelmed and humbled to see how much you all were right there with us through everything.... -Thank you, Steve.... It was an honor, a privilege, and a real treat, to be there with you, through phone calls Kathleen. I felt like I was there too. It meant a lot to me, and kept me hanging on the edge of my seat.. Heck, you could have called at 3:00 am and I would have welcomed the call. Awesome pictures. All of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Kathleen, I am glad to the two of you made it back safely and what a incredible adventure you took all of us here following the thread on. Thanks! It was like reading a action/hunting/adventure story, and we know the main characters...Well... kind of:D The pictures are breathtaking and thanks for sharing them. Again..welcome home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Kathleen - Mike Graves is from Big Lake. He is a pilot for one of the oil companies and in his off time does some guiding. In fact he had a hard landing about the time you guys were "surfing" your way downstream, trying to fly out some of his clients who were also on a sheep hunt. They were in the Chugiak Mountains up from Klutina Lake behind Black Mountain. Everyone walked away and the plane was salvageable. Mike called in a buddy of his to take the clients and their sheep and gear on out then waited while his buddy returned with a chopper to lift his plane out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Welcome back. Glad you guys made it back safe and sound. The pictures and stories are AMAZING.....keep em coming....when you have time;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 ...Thank you so much, Hammerforged... Mike Graves...-that name sounds familiar...-where about in Alaska is he from? -I can't wait to read this thread...-so much happening at once- and now I have to log off here real soon and fix dinner( I was supposed to, an hour ago...-lol:o:rolleyes:) -It is so good to back....yet, as brutal and unforgiving as that country can be, and was ...-I would go back in a heartbeat- I feel such a connection to it, now... (I'd take along the GPS this time...-and do a FEW things different, though...-lol:rolleyes:) -I am glad you like the pictures...-here is one more, for now.... -The confluence of the Gerstle and July Creek...-at the head of the glacier...the day before the weather started to set in again.... i think you did too much walking, kathleen. i could put a super cub down there with no problem.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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