Autumn Retreats from the Chugach

There is nothing as motivating as the impending arrival of winter in Alaska. Marked by the arrival of "termination dust" in the mountains, the last of the fireweed "flying", or the brisk smell of ice in the air one morning--the season shift unifies everyone in a sense of urgency to prepare for winter. Of course, the moose also find winter motivating: the snow drives them from the mountains towards civilization in search of food and passable land, and they often come into conflict with us on narrow trails. I used to love to explore these dark spruce forests in the autumn dusk, but after more than once close call, eventually decided it was better to let the moose have them.